[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text]2 years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Outlook[/hen-ui-text]40% growth from 2024-2034BLS[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Annual Salary[/hen-ui-text]$117,423ZipRecruiter[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/acute-care/”]Acute care nurse[/hen-ui-link] practitioners serve as a crucial communication link for all healthcare professionals. ACNPs determine the direction of patient care for acutely and critically ill patients. Their duties include making life-saving decisions in fast-paced environments. [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//fnp-vs-acnp/”]ACNP[/hen-ui-link] responsibilities typically require performing intubation, managing care, and (in some circumstances) prescribing medications. While ACNPs may work long shifts, the work can be rewarding.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ACNPs treat people of all ages suffering from a wide variety of acute conditions in the hospital setting. These may include serious trauma or injury and neurological, respiratory, cardiac, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, or psychiatric issues that require urgent medical or surgical intervention. Depending on the setting, ACNPs may prepare patients for surgery or evaluate patients during their rounds. Most work as part of a team, collaborating with physicians and other healthcare providers to deliver care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Career Traits[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Critical thinking[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Interpersonal skills[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Effective communication[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Certification Options[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Board Certification[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Acute Care NP Certified in Adult-Gerontology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Pediatric NP – Acute Care[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do ACNPs Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Acute care nurse practitioners work wherever patients need critical or acute care. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), most practitioners deliver acute and critical treatment in hospitals. AANP’s National NP Sample Survey reports that 14.4% of ACNPs work in outpatient facilities and 13.3% in the inpatient setting.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Emergency Departments[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ACNPs perform duties including intubation, suturing, casting, reading X-rays and ultrasounds, and placing central lines.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Inpatient Units[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ACNPs prescribe pain medications, order patient transfers, provide evaluations, and implement guidelines for care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Nursing Homes[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ACNPs monitor patients’ conditions, develop long-term treatment plans, obtain health histories, and administer medications.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]ACNP Specializations[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Acute care nurse practitioners earn certification to work in specialized areas of healthcare. Specializations include pediatric acute care and adult-gerontology acute care. Certified pediatric and adult-gerontology ACNPs, respectively, represent 0.8% and 3.4% of certified NPs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”shadow” rounded=”md” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (PNP-AC)[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”shadow” rounded=”md” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card]*SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Association of Nurse Practitioners[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become an ACNP[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The path to acute care nurse practitioner jobs begins with earning a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]BSN degree[/hen-ui-link]. The average full-time student can complete an undergraduate program in four years.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Pass the NCLEX-RN to receive RN licensure[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]About 45 days after graduation, future ACNPs can take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). The [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/guide/”]computer adaptive[/hen-ui-link] exam requires test-takers to answer anywhere from 75 to 265 questions.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Gain clinical experience in acute care nursing[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colleges often [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/”]require candidates[/hen-ui-link] applying for an MSN with a concentration in acute care NP to hold a current RN license and 1-2 years of nursing experience.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Earn an MSN or doctorate from an acute care NP program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduate school provides the specialized knowledge and clinical training needed for acute care NP positions, often offering tracks in adult-gerontology and pediatric acute care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Apply for certification as an ACNP[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Acute care nurse practitioners need to be certified in their specialty, which requires passing a certification exam. To qualify for the exam, ACNPs must meet eligibility requirements such as holding an active RN license and a master’s or doctoral degree.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do ACNPs Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Full-time ACNPs reported a median annual salary of $117,423. Earning potential varied by specialty with both adult-gerontology and [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/pediatric-nurse/salary/”]pediatric ACNPs making a base salary[/hen-ui-link] of $112,000.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ACNPs can anticipate a strong career outlook with employment projected to grow by 40% from 2024 to 2034, significantly greater than the 5% projected employment growth for RNs and the 3% growth projected for all other occupations over this same period.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Find State-Specific Salary Data” href=”/nurse-practitioner/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Acute Care NPs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″] American Association of Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-heading] Founded in 1985, AANP offers many benefits to its national practitioner community of 118,000 members. Being an AANP member provides hundreds of continuing education hours, free access to continuing education activities, and networking opportunities. Members-only online forums also let nurse practitioners connect with others and share information.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacn.org/” target=”_blank”] American Association of Critical-Care Nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] AACN, a nonprofit association for acute and critical care nurses, began in 1969 and now features more than 200 chapters around the United States. Critical care nurses can get certified in pediatric, adult-gerontology, and other focus areas through AACN. The organization also offers online courses, scholarships, webinars, and continuing education opportunities.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.pncb.org/” target=”_blank”] Pediatric Nursing Certification Board[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] Established in 1975, PNCB serves as the largest organization to offer credentials to nursing practitioners who work with children and adolescents. Certification programs such as the Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Exam hold accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.napnap.org/” target=”_blank”] National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] NAPNAP, which began in 1973, now serves more than 8,000 members. Members receive discounts to the national conference, specialty symposia, and nursing publications. They can also access continuing education opportunities, including free pharmacology courses. Through local chapters, members also connect with other nurse practitioners and have access to the TeamPeds Member Network.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Acute Care NP’s[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How many years does it take to become an ACNP?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With education and training, it can take 6-8 years to become an ACNP. All ANCPs need to earn their bachelor’s degree, which takes a minimum of four years. Many work for 1-2 years to gain nursing experience before earning a master’s degree, a two-year endeavor. The certification process may require additional continuing education hours.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the difference between a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and an ACNP?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//fnp-vs-acnp/”]FNPs and ACNPs[/hen-ui-link] hold graduate degrees and certifications. However, FNPs provide primary long-term care, whereas ACNPs treat patients with critical healthcare issues. Additionally, FNPs usually serve a wide variety of patients, while ACNPs specialize in specific populations such as children and adolescents.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can ACNPs work in the emergency room (ER)?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. ACNPs can work in ERs. Employers need ACNPs who have certification to work with patients of all ages, including children.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can ACNPs intubate?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. ACNPs perform a variety of life-sustaining medical procedures. Whereas certain states regulate if RNs can intubate patients, ACNPs who have been trained can intubate patients to save their life.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Anna-Lise Krippaehne, DNP, FNP-BC” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale/v1599604221/experts/Anna-Lise_Krippaehne.jpg” img-alt=”Anna-Lise Krippaehne, DNP, FNP-BC” layout=”horizontal” background=”none” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Anna-Lise Krippaehne is a board-certified [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/fnp/”]family nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link] at Oregon Health & Science University’s Family Practice Department in Portland, where she practices with a distinct interest in preventative care and health promotion. She earned her BSN and DNP from the University of Portland.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Krippaehne is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]Learn more about our review partners[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]