How to Become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

An acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) provides care for patients with sudden illnesses or injuries, or aggravated chronic conditions. Acute care nurse practitioners’ scope of practice differs from family nurse practitioners (FNPs) and other primary care NPs in that they care for patients with acute conditions rather than managing a patient’s health over the course of their lifetime. ACNPs work in a variety of emergency and inpatient settings, and they can specialize in care for adults, children or emergency patients.

Simmons University

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
Complete in as few as 24 months
Full-time and part-time tracks available

Georgetown University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months.

Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

St. John Fisher University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required.

Part-time and accelerated tracks available
Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

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4 Steps to Become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

There are several common requirements nurses must meet before becoming an acute care nurse practitioner. Below is an overview of the common steps to take to become a certified ACNP:

1. Become a registered nurse (RN).

Before pursuing an acute care nurse practitioner program, you must have completed an approved nursing program, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and become an RN. Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is also required to pursue RN licensure. Most graduate programs will require experience as an RN as well. RNs must also obtain basic certifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS).

2. Complete a graduate nursing program.

Nurses who hope to become ACNPs should enroll in master’s in nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs with tracks that focus on acute care.

3. Obtain certification as an ACNP.

Certifying organizations such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offer board certification for ACNPs in acute care specialties.

4. Apply for and obtain state licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

Certified nurse practitioners can become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in their state with a graduate degree from an accredited program, national board certification and an active and unencumbered RN license.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Overview

While all acute care nurse practitioners care for patients with acute conditions, their specialties and work settings may vary.

What is an acute care nurse practitioner?

Acute care nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in caring for patients with new acute conditions or exacerbated chronic conditions. ACNPs work in a variety of environments—from hospital emergency rooms to urgent-care clinics to operating rooms—and may focus on adults or children. ACNPs do not provide primary care for patients across their lifespan, like family nurse practitioners do.

Should I become an acute care nurse practitioner?

ACNPs help patients with acute illnesses improve their health outcomes. In addition to the opportunity to serve patients, becoming an ACNP may offer nurses the chance to develop their skills as clinical leaders, pursue a high-growth job field, increase their earning potential and become further integrated into interdisciplinary health care teams.

Why are acute care nurse practitioners so important?

The number of nurse practitioners in the U.S.is expected to grow by 52% between 2020 and 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). NPs are expected to help meet the increased need for preventive and acute care among older adults, while also stepping in to replace nurses who are retiring.

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
Complete in as few as 24 months
Full-time and part-time tracks available

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required.

Part-time and accelerated tracks available
Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

info SPONSORED

Career Options

There are a number of specialties acute care nurse practitioners can pursue, including pediatrics, adult-gerontology and emergency care.

Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC): PNP-ACs care for acutely, critically and chronically ill children, from newborns through age 21. They may work in pediatric emergency departments, community clinics, pediatric intensive care units and other inpatient specialty clinics.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP): AG-ACNPs provide care for adult and elderly patients with severe illnesses, acute injuries or exacerbated chronic conditions. They typically work in inpatient hospital settings and emergency rooms.
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP): ENPs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in emergency care. They usually work in emergency departments and other urgent-care settings.

Roles and Responsibilities

Before pursuing a career as an acute care nurse practitioner, it’s important to know what will be expected of you in the workplace.

In addition to basic nursing duties, acute care nurse practitioners are tasked with taking patient histories and completing physical examinations, ordering lab tests, diagnosing and treating patients with acute conditions, prescribing medications and other therapies, stabilizing critical-care patients, performing bedside procedures and collaborating with patients’ health care teams to manage patient care. ACNPs may have to work nights or weekends depending on their workplace, as well as their patients’ needs

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Salary

Salaries for ACNPs vary by state, specialty and workplace. The median salary for nurse practitioners in 2020 was $111,680, according to the BLS. Top-paying states for nurse practitioners include California, New Jersey, Washington, New York and Massachusetts.

Acute Care Nurse Certification

According to the AANP, 4.1 percent of all NPs are certified in acute care. The following certifications are among those available for acute care nurse practitioners:

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification – Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

Eligibility requirements:
- U.S. RN or APRN license
- Graduate degree from advanced practice education program as an adult-gerontology ACNP at accredited nursing school, including supervised clinical and instructive coursework consistent with adult-gerontology ACNP practice
Fees: $260-$370
Renewal requirements for ACNPC-AG: There are three options for renewing certification every five years: practice hours and continuing education (CE) points; practice hours, an exam and pharmacology CE; or CE points and an exam
- Practice hours and CE points
  - Unencumbered, current license
  - Practice as APRN for 1,000 hours during five-year certification renewal period
  - Completion of 150 CE points
  - Fees: $180-$260
- Practice hours, exam and pharmacology CE
  - Unencumbered, current license
  - Practice as APRN for 1,000 hours during five-year certification renewal period
  - Completion of 25 pharmacology CE points
  - Passing ACNPC-AG exam
  - Fees: $200-$305
- CE points and exam
  - Unencumbered, current license
  - Completion of 150 CE points
  - Passing ACNPC-AG exam
  - Fees: $200-$305

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Eligibility requirements:
- Current, active U.S. RN license
- Master’s, postgraduate or doctoral degree from an accredited adult-gerontology acute care NP program, including at least 500 supervised clinical hours in adult-gerontology ACNP role.
- Three graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology
- Content in health promotion or maintenance, differential diagnosis and disease management
Fees: $290-$395
Renewal requirements for AGACNP-BC:
- Renewal required every five years
- Current, active U.S. RN license
- Complete 75 continuing education hours (CH), including 25 CHs in pharmacotherapeutics
- Complete one or more of eight ANCC renewal categories (academic credits; presentations; evidence-based practice, quality improvement project, publication or research; preceptor hours; professional service; practice hours; and/or assessment)
- Fees: $275-$375

Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)

Eligibility requirements:
- At least 2,000 direct, emergency care clinical practice hours as certified NP, 100 hours of emergency-related continuing education credits and at least 30 continuing education credits in emergency-related procedural skills in past five years;
- Or, completion of an approved academic emergency care graduate or post-graduate NP program;
- Or, completion of an approved emergency fellowship program
Fees: $240-$365
Renewal requirements:
- Renewal required every five years.
- Current FNP certification.
- At least 100 hours of CE applicable to advanced practice emergency care, including 25 hours of advanced practice pharmacology credits. Precepting of an NP or other advanced practice health care interdisciplinary student in emergency care may replace up to 25 CEs outside pharmacology.
- At least 1,000 hours of clinical practice as an emergency NP during the five-year certification period.

Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (CPNP-AC) from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)

Eligibility requirements:
- Current, active, unencumbered U.S. RN license
- Graduation from an accredited nursing master’s program, doctoral program with a concentration in pediatric acute care as an NP or a dual primary/acute care program, or graduation from an accredited postgraduate pediatric acute care NP certificate program
- Passing of Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (CPNP-AC) exam
Fees: $385 exam cost, including $130 non-refundable registration fee
Renewal requirements for CPNP-AC:
- Annual recertification required, plus seven-year cycle requirements
- Current, active, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license
- 15 contact hours annually
- 15 hours of accredited pediatric pharmacology over seven years
- Four PNCB Pediatrics Updates modules over seven years
- Fees: Varies

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Resources

The following organizations offer additional information for ACNPs.

American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners. This organization creates guidelines for emergency health care, encourages continuing education for emergency NPs and supports emergency care training, education and research.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. This non-profit certifying body offers several examinations for nurse practitioner certification.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. This professional nurses’ organization offers certification in more than a dozen acute and critical-care specialties.
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. This membership organization supports education, professional development and advocacy for practicing and aspiring NPs.
American Nurses Association. One of the largest professional nursing organizations, this group oversees the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which offers board certification exams in a number of nursing specialties.
Emergency Nurses Association. This professional nursing association is dedicated to advancing excellence in emergency nursing.
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. This professional organization represents advanced practice nurses who care for older adults.
Society of Trauma Nurses. This professional non-profit organization aims to ensure the highest level of care for trauma patients.

FAQs

Want to know more about the acute care NP profession? The following paragraphs provide answers to common queries, such as acute care nurse practitioner responsibilities, work settings and more.

What is an acute care nurse?

An acute care nurse cares for patients with sudden or severe illnesses or injuries. These advanced practice registered nurses treat patients who develop new acute conditions or have exacerbated chronic conditions.

What does an acute care nurse practitioner do?

An acute care NP’s scope of practice includes caring for patients with complex diseases, acute illnesses, or exacerbated chronic conditions. Many ACNPs focus on specialty areas, such as critical care, trauma or emergency care, cardio-pulmonary care, neurosurgery or oncology.

Where does an acute care nurse practitioner work?

Acute care nurse practitioners typically work in inpatient hospital settings, where they care for patients who are acutely ill. Other work settings include hospital emergency rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), trauma units and specialty clinics.

What are the differences between the AANPCB and ANCC NP certification exams?

The AANPCB offers a certification for primary care NPs, as well as an exam for Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP), a credential for family nurse practitioners (FNPs) specializing in emergency care. The ANCC offers a number of nurse practitioner certifications, including an examination for the credential Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC) for ACNPs who specialize in treating acutely ill adults.

What are the differences between an acute care nurse practitioner and a primary care nurse practitioner?

Acute care nurse practitioners specialize in treating patients with sudden or severe illnesses, or chronic diseases with new acute complications, whereas primary care nurse practitioners help patients maintain their health and treat chronic conditions throughout patients’ lives.

Last updated October 2021.