What ages can an ACNP see?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

i thought acnp could see ages 13 and up. is this true? or is it somehow an individual requirement from the state?

the reason i ask is that i'm an adult health cns and in my state i can see ages 16 and up. however, i am just finishing a peds cns and will be able to see everyone. however, in order to do this of course, i had to do two courses and over 1000 hours of clinicals.

thanks.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

It was my understanding when I was in acnp that I could only see above 16 or 18 (can't quite remember), but I do think this varies with laws, which would explain why my program trained me with the FNPs in assessment.

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

I always hear others say to check with your state BON and in most instances, the information is not posted on the BON's website. It is probably wise to speak to an actual person of authority within the BON for clarification.

The other way to clarify is to analyze the test content in the certification exam for ACNP's. There are currently two available certification exams for those trained as ACNP's. The test by ANCC (leading to ACNP-BC credential) recently clarified that test takers beginning March 1, 2010 will be evaluated based on competency in the care of adults, ages 18 and above. This is pretty clear as far I'm concerned. The other exam by AACN (leading to the ACNPC credential) states that their exam focuses on competencies that involves "advanced nursing care across the continuum of healthcare services to meet the specialized physiologic and psychologic needs of adult patients with complex acute, critical, and/or chronic health conditions". While the age is not clarified, Nursing texts define adult as age 18 and above.

Another way my colleagues look at it is based on care provided to specific patient circumstances. Some ACNP's have provided care to patients below 18 but not younger than 13 and in most instances, the care follows adult guidelines anyway because the specific patients meet weight-based medication dosing as adults for instance.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Thanks much....

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I always hear others say to check with your state BON and in most instances, the information is not posted on the BON's website. It is probably wise to speak to an actual person of authority within the BON for clarification.

The other way to clarify is to analyze the test content in the certification exam for ACNP's. There are currently two available certification exams for those trained as ACNP's. The test by ANCC (leading to ACNP-BC credential) recently clarified that test takers beginning March 1, 2010 will be evaluated based on competency in the care of adults, ages 18 and above. This is pretty clear as far I'm concerned. The other exam by AACN (leading to the ACNPC credential) states that their exam focuses on competencies that involves "advanced nursing care across the continuum of healthcare services to meet the specialized physiologic and psychologic needs of adult patients with complex acute, critical, and/or chronic health conditions". While the age is not clarified, Nursing texts define adult as age 18 and above.

Another way my colleagues look at it is based on care provided to specific patient circumstances. Some ACNP's have provided care to patients below 18 but not younger than 13 and in most instances, the care follows adult guidelines anyway because the specific patients meet weight-based medication dosing as adults for instance.

Its also going to depend on hospital policy/credentialing. In town one hospital defines ANCP scope as 13 and above while another defines it as 18 and above. In our ICUs the ACNPs don't see patients under 18.

David Carpenter, PA-C

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, CCRN-CMC (critical care).

This may also be somewhat dependent upon your school and its variety of programs. Here at UCSF there are ACNP (adult), pediatric acute care, and neonatal (which is pretty much acute care by default) NP programs. Straight-up ACNP is, I believe in most cases an adult specific specialty. I've seen peds as either up to or including 18 and adult accordingly as 18 or 19 and up.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Thanks.

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