What will you do after earning your Acute Care credential?

Graduates of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) programs are well-prepared to work with acutely ill adult patients in various settings. Below are common career titles and work environments for AGACNPs.

Acute Care Specialty Career Titles

• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
  ACNPs are advanced practice registered nurses specializing in managing acutely ill patients, primarily adults and geriatric clients, in high-acuity settings like emergency departments, intensive care units, and surgical units. They conduct assessments, diagnose conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop and implement treatment plans, perform advanced procedures, and prescribe medications. ACNPs work closely with interdisciplinary teams, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
  AGACNPs specialize in the care of acutely ill adult and geriatric patients, managing complex, acute, and critical conditions within hospital settings like intensive care units and emergency departments. They perform patient assessments, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and perform advanced procedures. AGACNPs play a pivotal role in stabilizing patients and collaborating with multiple healthcare teams to optimize patient outcomes.
• Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner
  Hospitalist NPs manage hospitalized patients, providing comprehensive care within the inpatient setting. They conduct patient assessments, order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop and implement treatment plans, and manage acute and chronic conditions. Hospitalist NPs focus on care coordination and ensuring smooth transitions between healthcare units.
• Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
  Critical Care NPs manage critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and other high-acuity settings. They perform advanced procedures, manage mechanical ventilation, administer medications, and monitor patients' physiological status. Critical Care NPs collaborate closely with intensivists and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care.
• Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner
  ED NPs provide rapid assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to patients with acute illnesses and injuries in the emergency department. They conduct thorough patient evaluations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, perform procedures, and develop treatment plans for a wide range of medical emergencies. ED NPs work closely with physicians and other ED staff to ensure efficient patient flow while delivering high-quality care.
• Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  Surgical NPs specialize in the care of surgical patients across the perioperative continuum. They conduct preoperative assessments, assist in the operating room, manage postoperative care, and provide patient education. Surgical NPs perform procedures such as wound closure and drain management, monitor patients for complications, and ensure smooth recovery.
• Specialty Nurse Practitioner
  Specialty NPs focus on specific areas of medicine, providing expert care to patients with complex and chronic conditions within their chosen specialty.Examples include:
  • Cardiology
    Managing patients with heart conditions, conducting cardiac assessments, interpreting diagnostic tests, and managing medications.
  • Pulmonology
    Specializing in respiratory diseases, performing pulmonary function tests, managing respiratory therapies, and educating patients.
  • Neurology
    Caring for patients with neurological disorders, conducting neurological examinations, interpreting neuroimaging studies, and managing medications.
  • Oncology
    Providing comprehensive care to cancer patients, administering chemotherapy, managing side effects, and offering emotional support.
  • Trauma
    Managing patients with traumatic injuries, performing rapid assessments, stabilizing patients, and coordinating care with the trauma team.

Acute Care Work Environments

Where do graduates of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) programs work?

• Hospitals
  Intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments (EDs), medical-surgical units, and specialty units (cardiology, neurology, trauma, etc.).
• Surgical Centers
  Providing preoperative, operative, and postoperative care.
• Urgent Care Clinics
  Offering acute care for non-life-threatening conditions.
• Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals (LTACs)
  Providing extended care for patients with complex medical needs.