Catholic University of America School of Nursing PNP and AC -CPNP Programs

The Catholic University of America
School of Nursing
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
The Acute Care PNP Program Options

The Catholic University of America

The acute care pediatric nurse practitioner (AC-CPNP) role is designed to meet the specialized physiologic and psychological needs of children with complex acute, critical, and chronic health conditions. In 2005 the first certifying exam for acute care PNPs was offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Since that time increasing numbers of pediatric nurse practitioners have begun to express interest in obtaining this added certification that attests to their added competencies in caring for acutely ill and chronically ill children and adolescents.

CUA's PNP program continues to be committed to the education of primary care PNPs and believes such grounding in the primary care of children is the basis for quality, developmentally focused pediatric health care across all settings. However it is recognized that employment opportunities for PNPs are expanding into areas where care is being provided for more acutely ill children. Recent national documents and guidelines support the recommendation that the education, certification, and practice of APRN's be congruent. (Consensus Document, 2008).These factors as well as student interest have prompted the addition of an elective track for those PNPs who plan to practice with acutely ill children and adolescents. Students may apply for fall, 2009 coursework.

This new Acute Care PNP track will offer three options to interested students:

Currently certified primary care PNPs may enroll in necessary coursework and clinical experiences to enable them to sit for certification as acute care PNP;
New MSN PNP students may choose to enroll in the "Primary Care" PNP program or the new "Dual Track" PNP program that combines the primary and acute care PNP programs;
PNPs who enter the DNP Program may elect the acute care PNP course and clinical work as part of their program of studies leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Unique Pre-Requisite: All applicants (master's or postmaster's):

a minimum of one year nursing experience in a pediatric acute care setting
PALS certification.
Recent Graduate level Pharmacology Course (May be taken while in the program)

New Courses:
Advanced Diagnostics for NPs (2 credits)
This laboratory/clinical course will provide the pediatric nurse practitioner student with critical knowledge and skills with technological assessment modalities and procedures commonly associated with care of the acutely ill child. Interpretations, indications, contraindications, and complications will be addressed. Examples to include: Radiology; EKGs, LP's, I & D's; Wound Care and Suturing; Percutaneous access; Airway access; ABG's and Laboratory Interpretation. Pre or co-requisite: Advanced Health Assessment

Complex Acute and Critical Problems in Pediatrics (3 credits)
This course will provide students with advanced understanding of the pathophysiological basis for problems that threaten the critically ill child. Critical assessment strategies and management principals will be addressed. This course may be chosen as an elective by other students who meet the prerequisites. Pre-requisite – Graduate Level Pathophysiology Course

Faculty- The program is coordinated by a certified acute care PNP.

Clinical Requirements will be met through enrollment in N737, Advanced Practice Residency (4 credits). This residency course may be taken for variable credit from 1-4 credits within a semester. The ratio of credit to clinical hour is 1 credit = 90 clinical hours.

Program of Studies

Post-Master's AC-PNP Program for Currently Certified PC-PNPs
Advanced Diagnostics 2 credit – 60 hours
Complex Acute and Critical Problems – 3 credits
Current/Recent Pharmacology Course
N737, Advanced Practice Residency (4) to meet needs of student based on past education and
experience to meet the Acute Care NP Competencies as identified by NONPF(2004) and the
criteria of NTFC, 2008.

The MSN PNP Dual Track Program
Students in the dual MSN program will enroll in 44 credits .
Coursework may be taken either full or part time.
Full time program is 2 academic years and 1 summer.
Student will be eligible for both PC and AC certifications.