Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: The 2018 Practice Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Practice research serves as the certification framework for validating advanced practice roles and updating national qualifying examinations. This national study informed an update of the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care (CPNP-AC) examination content outline.

Method: A descriptive analysis of a survey completed in 2018 by 373 pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP) practicing as an acute care role (AC).

Results: Respondents were primarily females aged 25 to 34 years (35.4%) and formally educated as AC PNPs (84.2%) and held the CPNP-AC credential (98.9%). Most respondents (83.6%) practiced in urban areas and spent 84% of their time in direct patient care with 74% working in inpatient settings. The majority (87%) worked in subspecialty practice such as critical care (18.5%) and cardiac intensive care (12.3%).

Discussion: This is the fourth practice analysis of the AC PNP role that demonstrates continuous evolution in clinical practice, educational preparation, and subspecialty practice distribution.

Keywords: Acute care; certification; pediatric nurse practitioner; practice; professional role.