aevans88

I am applying for the UPenn program for the Winter semester. They sent me an info sheet and it really sounds too good to be true. Cost is around $15k and as long as your employer is okay with it you can do all your clinical hours at your job. They have a 100% pass rate for AGACNP boards. I have seen posts on here by a graduate of the program who highly recommended it.

Right, and if my current job didn't get me lots of acute care exposure i would definitely be seeking out a post masters in acnp that required different clinical hours.. but as it stands i would be looking to do clinicals very similar to my current job.

Hi! What did you decide to do? I feel the same way- I am an AGPCNP and while in school my instructors made it sound as though ACNP was specifically for independent ICU and Hospitalist NPs, and I knew I wanted to do cardiology. My current job has a lot of AC responsibilities, but everything inpatient is co signed by the MD.. down to the diet order. I do independent clinics, but that is the only time i am unsupervised. Furthermore, I do EP which is so specific and i would imagine really not that focused on in ACNP programs.. The whole change is confusing.. specifically for specialty NPs. I wish grandfathering and/or more streamlined programs where your job is your clinicals were an option!!

Hi UNCNP, I am very interested in the UPenn post masters in acute care. When i first found it it sounded too good to be true as i am very happy with my current job as an Electrophysiology NP, and cannot imagine quitting my job to go back to school for 2 years!! That being said, I would feel more at ease with the ACNP behind my name. Did you have financial aid or did you pay for it out of pocket? Were you able to get your employer to help with $$ at all? Also, what is the workload like?

Yea, maybe i should just pay for it or see if my employer with with all the Consensus Model changes to scope for ANP. I am still paying off my NP so the thought of another loan... í ½í¸– I work as an in and outpatient EP Cardiology NP. Everyone I work with who is strictly inpatient is FNP.

Hi there, I am wondering if any of you have any experience with UPenn's post master's certificate program in adult acute care. Their formatting is perfect for me in that your acute care job counts as your clinical hours. Also, does anyone know of any similar programs where you don't have to obtain additional clinia hours? $15k is a bit steep for 3 classes. Thanks! Anna

While I have never worked in an ED, I did some rotations there and I know what you mean. I have spent the last 6 years in the Cardiac ICU and while it can get slow in the middle of the night, ours is usually fast paced and we VERY rarely have long term patients. We also are the Code Blue and Rapid Response team so always have to be on our toes! I think you may still end up enjoying the ED, but what you are voicing definitely rings true to me, and I find ICU work anything but monotonous or boring. Plus there are often new devices/procedures to learn and we are expected to think autonomously and make decisions as far as drips and extubation go without the surgeons there. I recently finished NP school and love my new job, but I will always miss CICU. Good luck!!

Confused.. how do I find it in that case?

I am in the same boat, cards! I have 6 years CICU experience, brand new Adult NP. I have been nervous about the ACNP shift, but have contacted many people including my BON who say not to worry. Regardless, this job is a brand new position and I am not filling anyone's shoes. How have your first few weeks been? Are you clinic only or hospital based as well? I am doing clinic, hospital rounds, and EP lab.. hoping the variety will keep me on my toes:) Glad I found this board- I've been looking to find someone in the same shoes as me!! *was trying to post this in response to Cards but for some reason it's showing up down here... not quite sure why!*

Hi! I am in the same boat as "cards" above. I am a new NP who started in EP appx 1 month ago. I am a strong believer in learning from your peers and this is a new position in the practice so the docs and I are navigating the structure of my position. Could I PM you or email you to pick your brain about the structure of your job? Also would like to find out what people working in the field are thinking about the shift to ACNP working in speciality areas as I do not have ACNP cert:) Thanks!

Hey! What did you end up deciding? I was in a similar boat, but the GA board did not pass the Consensus Model. After many conversations with the hospital i am employed by (who actually called and spoke with the board), I decided to go ahead with a job in EP Cardiology, though I am very nervous about the idea of going back AGAIN for ACNP certification later down the line if the rules do change. Just curious to see what people who faced a similar dilemma I did ended up doing!