Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Got a letter from ANCC asking for volunteers to be content experts in the development of a new Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification board examination. Sounds like qualifications will be based on portfolio (active practice in ED or UC setting). Early in this stage, I am assuming this is another layer of certification or subcertification if you will, on top of a primary NP certification (i.e, FNP, ACNP) which is totally in-line with Consensus Model language. I'm obviously not qualified as a content expert (never worked in ED as an NP) but still interested in how this will materialize.

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Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

I just asked one of my instructors about this and she had not heard of it. I am anxious to see how it turns out. It seems like there should be some time of credentialing or certification to validate the ENP programs out here.

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I think there are a lot of different directions this could take depending on who is being certified (i.e. ACNP, or FNP)Do you think it would be beneficial for an ACNP to be certified to treat children or for the FNP to gain some acute care skills? What about A-GNPs? Is a certification alone enough or should there be some post masters courses associated with the certification? Will the certification cover all aspects of emergency care or just the fast track care role that most NPs are used in? These aren't reall questions for the OP (unless he has an answer) just me thinking out loud.

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This month's ADVANCE magazine had an article on this.

In the PA world we are seeing a move toward specialization. Whether or not this is a "good" thing for the profession or the patient is arguable, but the move is afoot.

It sounds like the NP world, which has already been ahead of the PA world in this movement, is heading further down that road.

I don't really mind it, but I don't like the "portfolio" approach. It is tooooooo easy to pad portfolios without any real knowledge/experience to back it up.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I am pleased to see this, I think it is a good move. I am not one that would be interested, or qualify, but I am always encouraged to see opportunity for additional credentialing in our profession.

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery, ER.

So will this exam be for people graduating from ENP programs? For those FNPs working in ED will it be experience based only or experience plus exam?

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Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.

UT Houston started a post master's program for Emergency/Trauma Care for FNPs only. I think the certification will be geared toward these types of sub-specialties.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Apparently, this will be "certification by portfolio" rather than examination. ANCC was asking for expert volunteers to review applicant portfolios.

This manner of certification involves the applicant submitting a CV. ANCC will verify skills, knowledge, abilities, and career accomplishments in the Emergency Nurse Practitioner role as part of this alternative application assessment process. ENA is involved.

Any NP in current ED or UC practice can apply once the program begins.

For more info: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification/EmergencyNursePractitioners-PressRelease.pdf

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Hi Juan,

I have been working in the ED for 7 years full tome now and I would like to get this certification. I keep going to the ANCC website to apply online, but the link is not active yet. Do you know when are they will start taking applications.

Thanks

Francisco

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

Nice. I'm in a program at University of West Virgina atm. Emergency Medicine Certifcate program. Given to physicians, NPs and PAs.

2 year program averaging 4-5 credits per semester and 1 summer skills lab.

I'd love a cert program though.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

After looking at the requirements, I hope they change a few things to make it more clinically oriented. As it stands now, there is a bunch of "fluff" that is absolutely not needed. Some has no bearing at all on clinical practice.

I had such high hopes.

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That is exactly my opinion a bunch of nonsense requirements such as college credits?!! after being in practice for more than 10 years.

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