Choosing the Right Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

So, you've set your sights on becoming an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), and now you need to make the important school choice. Good for you for looking at your options. It’s a very important question. Here’s your critical next step:  Picking the right program/school. Let's face it. There are hundreds of options out there, and it can feel like wandering through a clinical labyrinth. But fear not fellow future NP colleges! I'm here to equip you with the map and compass you need to make an informed decision.

First things first: Consider your "must-haves." What learning format suits your lifestyle? Do you crave the camaraderie of on-campus classes, or does online flexibility better fit your busy schedule? Does the program offer your preferred specialty, like cardiology or neurology? Remember, this is an investment in your future, so choose a program that aligns with your aspirations and learning style.
Here are some key areas to investigate:

Clinical Placements: This is where the rubber meets the road. ACNP programs must provide supervised clinical placements in actual acute care settings, not just clinics or outpatient facilities. Remember, you're training to manage critically ill patients in fast-paced environments. Dig deeper:  

• Ask specifically about the types of clinical sites: Do they partner with diverse hospitals, ICUs, and specialty units aligned with your interests? Do they have affiliations with multiple hospitals in your area? Will you have to travel out of state to accomplish your hours? This might be an unfortunate reality if you pick the wrong school Make sure you know this answer and get it in writing.  
• Inquire about placement support: Does the program actively place students or merely provide a list of "approved" sites and leave you to find your own preceptor? Ensure the program has dedicated staff who advocate for your placement success. If you select a program where the student is expected to find his/her own placements, go in with your eyes wide open. (Here are some tips and suggestions on how to find your own preceptor.) You will need to have many connections with willing preceptors at hospitals where your school already holds affiliations. Most hospitals are not add new affiliations. Don’t be fooled by a school representative "salesperson" who tells you, “If we don’t have an affiliation with the school, we can get one.” It is a much harder process than that!!
  
• Finding a preceptor can be hard. Daily, students ask me why providers don’t want to precept. The reasons are many and complicated, but it’s more challenging than you think.  Please take my advice here! Remember, I am the NP-owner of PreceptorLink®. We do this for a living. I know what I’m talking about!
• Talk to current students and alumni: Get firsthand insights into their placement experiences. Did they feel well-supported and prepared for their clinical rotations?

Faculty Credentials and Support: Your professors play a crucial role in shaping your ACNP expertise. Make sure they hold current clinical practice experience and possess relevant specializations. A faculty deeply ingrained in the acute care world can offer invaluable guidance and share real-world scenarios. And make sure you will have access to faculty. Support services, such as academic advising, tutoring, and career counseling, are essential components of a supportive educational environment.

Curriculum: 
The curriculum should serve as a detailed map, guiding students beyond theory to the practical skills necessary for the acute care setting. A well-rounded curriculum encompasses pathophys, pharm, and health assessment, and it integrates specialized courses focusing on acute and critical care management. Personally, I love programs that include in-person hands-on actually held at the educational institution. These are often referred to as OSCEs, which stands for “Objective Structured Clinical Examination.” OSCEs may require a trip to your university, but it's a great way to practice and demonstrate your clinical skills in a standardized, safe, clinical scenario. Embrace and welcome this opportunity!

Accreditation: This might seem obvious, but accreditation by a recognized organization like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) ensures your program meets rigorous quality standards. Don't settle for anything less – your future career and patient safety depend on it.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities: Let's be honest, these programs aren't cheap. Explore financial aid options, scholarships, and loan programs offered by the institution and external organizations. If you are in the military, check out how that might benefit you. Remember, investing in your education is investing in your future earning potential.

Beyond the checklist: Consider the program's culture and values. Do they resonate with your own? Look for a supportive environment that fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and a commitment to evidence-based practice. Don't underestimate the power of feeling comfortable and valued during your educational journey. 

Outcomes: A Measure of Success
Finally, program outcomes, such as graduation rates, board certification pass rates through ACCN, and employment statistics, offer a lens through which to gauge the program’s effectiveness. High pass rates and strong employment outcomes can indicate a program’s success in preparing students for the real-world demands of the acute care setting. 

A message from our preceptors: At PreceptorLink®, we help place Acute Care NP students every day. One complaint we regularly hear from ACNP preceptors is that Acute Care Nurse Practitioner students do much better if they have experience in an acute care setting like an ICU or critical care unit.  They report that the students who really struggle are the ones who don’t have this background. While not every school requires ICU experience as entry criteria, our preceptors strongly advise at least 2+ years in a true critical care ICU setting. This will also help you know whether this is your passion! Good advice all the way around. 

Remember, choosing your ACNP program is a personal decision. Take your time, research thoroughly, and ask all the questions. Trust your gut and choose wisely, and you'll find the program that prepares you to excel in the dynamic world of acute care. Now go forth, conquer that educational maze, and emerge a confident, compassionate ACNP ready to make a real difference in the lives of critically ill patients!

Also, as a fellow NP, I understand the excitement and challenges you face. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions--I'm here to support you every step of the way! 

About the Author: Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C, is an experienced nurse practitioner and an expert on the topic of precepting. She has held many leadership positions in nurse practitioner organizations. It was while attending her local CANP chapter meetings that she frequently witnessed students begging for preceptors, and she thought, “If we paid preceptors, I’ll bet more would be willing!” That is how the concept of PreceptorLink® was born. Determined to make a difference in “the Preceptor Problem, Lynn went on to obtain her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) at the esteemed Duke University. At Duke, every assignment, including her final Capstone, was on finding solutions to the preceptor problem. Her final project was the development of “The Preceptor Playbook: A Checklist and Templates for Precepting Nurse Practitioner Students.” Lynn has presented and done poster presentations at AANP and other conferences on the subject of precepting and finding Solutions to the Preceptor Problem for NPs. 

By Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C
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