Can Acute Care Adult-Geri NP work in the ER/ ICU?

Specialties Advanced

Published

I'm thinking of going back to school but am finding so much mixed information.  If I went back for ACAGNP, would I be able to work in an ER/ ICU right out of school, or would I have to then find some type of "emergency/ critical care residency or certificate program"?  

If I ended up becoming an ACAGNP, would it be within my scope to intubate, place central lines, things like that? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Yes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.
12 hours ago, cb57 said:

I'm thinking of going back to school but am finding so much mixed information.  If I went back for ACAGNP, would I be able to work in an ER/ ICU right out of school, or would I have to then find some type of "emergency/ critical care residency or certificate program"?  

If I ended up becoming an ACAGNP, would it be within my scope to intubate, place central lines, things like that? 

Absolutely. You can definitely work in ADULT ER.

Just now, Neuro Guy NP said:

Absolutely. You can definitely work in ADULT ER. ICU is an obvious yes.

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Of course you can! ER would limit you to seeing patients ages 13 and up but there are medical centers that only see adults in their ER (Childrens ER is separately housed).

Be aware that the ENP certification program by AANPCB limits AGACNP's chances of getting certified in the future unless you've attended a fellowship program in Emergency Medicine. That said, ENP certification is voluntary and not mandatory.

I've been an ICU NP since 2005 and typically, if we were to hire a new grad AGACNP, we prefer those who previously worked as bedside nurses in the ICU.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.
On 12/16/2020 at 9:50 PM, cb57 said:

I'm thinking of going back to school but am finding so much mixed information.  If I went back for ACAGNP, would I be able to work in an ER/ ICU right out of school, or would I have to then find some type of "emergency/ critical care residency or certificate program"?  

If I ended up becoming an ACAGNP, would it be within my scope to intubate, place central lines, things like that? 

You cannot cover ED solo as I do (FNP/ENP) because you can't see kids. You also can't become board certified in emergency medicine. Only FNPs can do this.

On 12/17/2020 at 12:13 PM, juan de la cruz said:

Of course you can! ER would limit you to seeing patients ages 13 and up but there are medical centers that only see adults in their ER (Childrens ER is separately housed).

Be aware that the ENP certification program by AANPCB limits AGACNP's chances of getting certified in the future unless you've attended a fellowship program in Emergency Medicine. That said, ENP certification is voluntary and not mandatory.

I've been an ICU NP since 2005 and typically, if we were to hire a new grad AGACNP, we prefer those who previously worked as bedside nurses in the ICU.

Juan,

You can't take the ENP boards unless you are an FNP

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.
46 minutes ago, nomadcrna said:

You cannot cover ED solo as I do (FNP/ENP) because you can't see kids. You also can't become board certified in emergency medicine. Only FNPs can do this.

 

ACNP CAN work in the ED. There are many EDs with adult side only with peds being seen in dedicated peds ED by separate providers. Of course, smaller hospitals with mixed EDs would be a problem for the ACNP for the reason cited, namely not seeing kids below puberty. But to make a blanket statement that ACNPs can't be in ED isn't true. They're working out just fine at our institution.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

You may want to read my post again. Are you trying to put words in my mouth?
Did anywhere in my post I even remotely say that ACNP can be in the ED?
1. ACNP can't cover ED SOLO
2. ACNP can't take the ENP board certification exam.

Any other comments?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.
1 hour ago, nomadcrna said:

You may want to read my post again. Are you trying to put words in my mouth?
Did anywhere in my post I even remotely say that ACNP can be in the ED?
1. ACNP can't cover ED SOLO
2. ACNP can't take the ENP board certification exam.

Any other comments?

 

5 minutes ago, Neuro Guy NP said:

 

Yeah, no need to so sarcastic and nasty, or so it seems. I was just making a reply and happened to miss a point. We don't need to be jackasses to one another on here. Calm down and let's be more collegial. 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

You are right.

My bad.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.
2 hours ago, nomadcrna said:

You are right.

My bad.

All good @nomadcrna

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

Age lower limit for AG-ACNP depends on state - in my state, it's over 16.

I hire NPs for the ICU and certainly only consider acute care NPs, regardless of nursing experience in the ICU. An ICU nurse who does an FNP program is not educationally or clinically prepared to start as an ICU provider. After training, depends on your state practice act, and then your hospital as to what procedural privileges you may have - I can do anything my doc is privileged to do, after being signed off, so I can so intubation, invasive lines, chest tubes, therapeutic bronch, IABP insertion, ECMO cannulation etc

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment