Emergency Nurse Practitioner programs?

Trauma Columnist · Nov 12, 2006

Hi Craig. I too was considering a trauma NP program at one time and had heard of one being offered at either Loyola or Northwestern but darn it, can't find the information now and when I go to their websites, this program isn't listed.

What is needed in your area? Or...are you willing to move? In my area, only PA's are in the ER, not NPs or any type of APN. In Chicago and the Quad Cities, though APN's are used extensively.

Personally, I wouldn't want to pigeon-hole myself into such a narrow track. That might be a hindrance down the road.

I worked for 10 years in a level one trauma center and really wish there had been a position when I graduated. However, that was not meant to be, so I moved to nephrology.

Anyway - after re-reading this post, I'm not sure I was any help at all. I would say just keep looking but also talk with some APN's in your area to see what is marketable.

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 12, 2006

general info on the enp, trauma cns:

emergency nurse practitioner (enp) scope of practice

the emergency nurse practitioner (enp) program prepares advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to provide emergency and urgent health care services to individuals of all ages. emphasis is on the management of acute illnesses, trauma, and/ or chronic unstable illnesses requiring immediate attention, stabilizing the individual's condition, and determining appropriate referral and follow-up care. enps provide care in ambulatory, urgent care, and emergency department settings. many graduates are prepared to be recognized as advanced practice nurses by the board of nurse examiners and to take the family nurse practitioner national certification examination through the american nurses credentialing center or the academy of nurse practitioners.

american association for critical care nurses ~ ccns

the critical care/trauma clinical nurse specialist

because inpatient care focuses increasingly on treating the sickest of the sick, the need for advanced practice nurses to provide and coordinate care in emergency rooms, trauma, critical care, and intensive care units has never been greater.

critical care/trauma clinical nurse specialists fill that role. they bring clinical expertise to acute care across a variety of health care settings, and lead the care management processes that are essential in today's health care environment. many also play a vital teaching and research role; from the front lines they lend a unique and essential perspective to understanding a range of issues confronting nurses.

ut, houston has an excellent program. other links that may be of interest:

http://www.emra.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&pageid=1002111

http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/spec-cct.htm critical care/trauma cns at university california, san francisco

i have to agree with traumarus. enp is a very narrow specialty track. consider the future and what you might want to do for this is a high-stress specialty. check to see what your area will bear. i locked myself in with the ob-gyn np and later added fnp for the former was too restrictive.

good luck.

ERNP · Nov 14, 2006

Now, I realize that an ACNP would prepare me for working in an Emergency Department, but I wonder if doing a specific ENP-focused program would be better.
Anyone out there with experience in this field?? Anyone out there attend or are planning to attend these programs who would provide some insight??
Lastly, what kind of salary could you expect in this field? I've seen $70-$85k per year.

Here are my thoughts....

Check into which certification exam these programs are preparing you to take. When I looked at this some years ago, most of the programs were preparing the student to sit for the FNP exam. So in the end, you end up a FNP.

There is one ACNP where I work and without additional preparation he can't see the kiddies. Which has been sort of a sticking point with the docs. But he does a fantastic job otherwise.

It is necessary to be broad in scope when working in the ER.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 14, 2006

Excellent point ERNP. I am adult health CNS and with MD order can see kids at age 13. However, otherwise, I see only those 18 and older.

APNgonnabe · Nov 19, 2006

Craig-

I do not have much exertise (sp) but I do know of a ACNP work on the trauma service as a Level I trama center in Nothern Illinois. I realize this may be not much help to you. Trauma Nurse was correct about Loyola you'll find this site http://www.luc.edu/schools/nursing/majorsprograms/AcuteCare.pdf I hope this helps.

Best wishes

ctbtrini · Nov 25, 2006

Hello,

I am currently in the ENP progam at Emory University, It is truly a great program. Along with your ENP classes you take FNP courses because that is the exam you will have to sit for. In the ENP classes we learn everything from suturing to chest tube insertion to intubation. It really is a wide range of skills. The program includes a total of 800 clinical hours (I think) that you split between FNP hours and ENP hours. I think what truly allows for a tailored experience is the many clinical rotations that you have the option to do. Of course you do a set number of hours in a Level 1 trauma center, but you can also do hours in the surgical trauma rotation, or the flight rotation for example. The coordinator for the program knows many people in the medical community here in atlanta and she is really good about getting you good experiences. I am almost finished with my first semester and we have'nt began clinicals yet, so my knowledge is limited, but from what I hear from students who are finishing in December, they have really enjoyed the program despite its extreme intesity.

MaleAPRN · Nov 26, 2006

Hi,

Just my opinion here:

I would go for an FNP concentration rather than an ENP or ACNP concentration. Obviously, I am biased towards an FNP since I am one. But, here me out...

After leaving California to become a CRNA also, I was an NP in the ER of a level I trauma center for several years. That is where I also happen to work mostly as an RN too. Was my being an ER RN there factored into me being hired as an NP there? Sure. But, our medical director told me a long time before even hiring me as an NP, that he'd rather hire an FNP prepared APN than one that is ER or ACNP prepared. Why? As an FNP, I am able to see OB and Peds patients.

If you are interested in an ER job, but have not worked in one, I would venture out and spread the word around that YOU are preparing to become an NP and that you'd want to someday work in the ER.

Just my 0.0002 cents.

Vince.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 26, 2006

Vinny - good points.

skinc1 · May 7, 2008

I too am interested in the ENP. I work at an ER in downtown Dallas and our ENP's see pt's in the same scope as a PA. Ovbiously if things get to sticky then a MD steps in, but they function here just like PA's. I had been looking for an ENP and hadnt found much either. The big difference is that if I go for an ENP I can go back to school now, as opposed to a PA which requires Physics, Genetics, Organic and other classes that I did not take for nursing school. And if they function the same and get the same base pay as a PA..seems silly to be a PA. Though I can see if I were to step out of Dallas that it might be a narrow scope. :nurse:

skinc1 · May 7, 2008

Hey I followed the link to UT Houston..where do it say they have a ENP?!

foxyhill21 · May 7, 2008

Since u work in the Dallas area do u know if parkland have NP in the ER? I know UTA has an ENP program. I know what u mean about PA/NP making the same pay. Now that I have been researching the topic, I am beginning to see the same thing. I have a friend that went to southwest medical school PA program and he urging me to go the PA route, BUT, I am still undecided.

I too am interested in the ENP. I work at an ER in downtown Dallas and our ENP's see pt's in the same scope as a PA. Ovbiously if things get to sticky then a MD steps in, but they function here just like PA's. I had been looking for an ENP and hadnt found much either. The big difference is that if I go for an ENP I can go back to school now, as opposed to a PA which requires Physics, Genetics, Organic and other classes that I did not take for nursing school. And if they function the same and get the same base pay as a PA..seems silly to be a PA. Though I can see if I were to step out of Dallas that it might be a narrow scope.