Getting a job as a new ACNP?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Apr 25, 2008

It probably depends on the particular position you are looking for. You'll have to get a feel of what particular employers are looking for in the specific specialties you are interested in. Around here, cardiologists hire NP's who have a background in in-patient cardiology as an RN. Hospitalist teams tend to be less picky and would hire an NP with some med-surg RN experience. Our hospital's advertised positions for ACNP's in critical care require at least a couple of years of critical care RN experience. I find this requirement to be essential because our critical care nurses tend to challenge NP's with no critical care experience and are quite unforgiving when they detect some deficiencies in their critical care knowledge.

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2008

Do you have the option of working as an RN once you get past that part of the program? ACNP is fairly intense and it helps to have some experience even to get through school. It would really stink to hold your MSN and NP license only to work as a bedside nurse.

Whatever your options, working within a medical ICU might give you your best choices in mid-level practice. You'll be exposed to critical cases and a broad range of disease processes.

Best of luck to you!

core0 · Apr 29, 2008

Hey, you guys! I'm starting a direct-entry program in the fall, and when I graduate in 2011 (does that sound futuristic, or what?!), I should be an ACNP! I'm very excited about my specialty choice, as I have a strong interest in cardiology, as well as diabetes and possibly working with a hospitalist team. Now, having said all that, I realize that I'm not going to walk right into an ACNP position in California (where I intend to move back to when I'm done with school) right after graduation. So my question is this -- is it most likely that I will work as a new-grad RN for a couple years, and then hopefully segue into an ACNP position after that? I'm just wondering what you think, since you are the ones that are out there doing it now! :)
Thanks much,
Kens

The other thing that an employer might consider, is what happened to the ACNP skill set while you were not using it? Given the rapid change of medicine the knowledge you learned can rapidly go stale. While its possible to keep up with these changes through CME, I find its hard to integrate this without putting it into practice. Also consider that, depending on the certification, if you have not worked 1000 hours in the specialty you cannot receritify by by CME/CE.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Kensington · May 20, 2008

The other thing that an employer might consider, is what happened to the ACNP skill set while you were not using it? Given the rapid change of medicine the knowledge you learned can rapidly go stale. While its possible to keep up with these changes through CME, I find its hard to integrate this without putting it into practice. Also consider that, depending on the certification, if you have not worked 1000 hours in the specialty you cannot receritify by by CME/CE.
David Carpenter, PA-C

Hey David,

Can you comment more on the 1000 hours certification requirement? This has me a bit worried, but I'm not totally sure how to find out whether or not this will apply to me. My current plan is to get my ACNP, and then work in San Diego, CA.

Do y'all feel that FNP would be better for a new grad?

Thanks,

Kens

core0 · May 20, 2008

Hey David,
Can you comment more on the 1000 hours certification requirement? This has me a bit worried, but I'm not totally sure how to find out whether or not this will apply to me. My current plan is to get my ACNP, and then work in San Diego, CA.
Do y'all feel that FNP would be better for a new grad?
Thanks,
Kens

Here is the recert information.

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/cert/recert/recertreqs.html

Basically if you don't work 1000 hours in the specialty you have to retake the test. I don't know if this is actually enforced. I know a few FNPs in cardiology that recert by CE. Personally as someone who has to retest every six years I don't see the recert test as a problem:rolleyes:.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Kensington · May 20, 2008

Here is the recert information.
http://www.nursecredentialing.org/cert/recert/recertreqs.html
Basically if you don't work 1000 hours in the specialty you have to retake the test. I don't know if this is actually enforced. I know a few FNPs in cardiology that recert by CE. Personally as someone who has to retest every six years I don't see the recert test as a problem:rolleyes:.
David Carpenter, PA-C

Thanks David, I really appreciate the help!

I'm really wondering if FNP is a better way to go for a new grad coming out of a direct-entry program . . .

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · May 20, 2008

The 1000 hours of practice requirement is enforced by ANCC for all it's NP specializations whether it is ACNP or FNP. AANP who certifies ANP's and FNP's have a similar requirement. However, remember that re-certification for ANCC and AANP is every 5 years so you will have ample time to find a job and meet the requirement for hours if you work as an RN for the first 2 years after finishing your program and then applying for an NP position later on. Also remember that volunteer work meets the requirement for practice hours. For example, an ANP colleague of mine volunteers at a free clinic once or twice a week to meet her primary care practice hours as she primarily works in the ICU.

Kensington · May 26, 2008

The 1000 hours of practice requirement is enforced by ANCC for all it's NP specializations whether it is ACNP or FNP. AANP who certifies ANP's and FNP's have a similar requirement. However, remember that re-certification for ANCC and AANP is every 5 years so you will have ample time to find a job and meet the requirement for hours if you work as an RN for the first 2 years after finishing your program and then applying for an NP position later on. Also remember that volunteer work meets the requirement for practice hours. For example, an ANP colleague of mine volunteers at a free clinic once or twice a week to meet her primary care practice hours as she primarily works in the ICU.

That's excellent news - thank you!!