Bridging the Gap Between Acute Care NP Education and Practice
Bridging the Gap Between Acute Care NP Education and Practice
In response to the lack of specialized training, several hospital systems have begun designing their own postgraduate residency programs for ACNPs new to a particular specialty, such as trauma, critical care, or cardiology. Not only are the postgraduate residency programs a very popular idea among NP graduates looking for additional mentorship and specialty training, but also they are a relatively inexpensive way to recruit and retain new hires. One of the first postgraduate residency programs for family NPs in Connecticut reported 45 applicants for 4 positions. Other programs have also reported successful implementation and positive outcomes.
The American Association of Physician Assistants already has its own postgraduate programs for PAs. The association has been actively encouraging new PA graduates to seek out these opportunities, which ultimately gives advanced practitioners a solid knowledge base of the specialty and extensive clinical exposure. Additionally, the Association of Postgraduate PA Programs not only encourages advanced training for PAs, but it is also an expectation for those who want to work in surgical specialties, critical care, or the emergency department. Although there are tremendous differences between PA and NP training that are beyond the scope of this article, many graduate NPs may still find an added advantage to completing a postgraduate residency program even within their own specialties. ACNPs who work in the specialties where they trained as registered nurses will have the tremendous advantage of their work experience and graduate education, as well as being familiar with the patient population and hospital policy; however, the role of a provider is quite different. Postgraduate residency programs may be able to facilitate the transition from student into the provider role in a given specialty.
The increase in the need for postgraduate residency programs for PAs has caused programs to proliferate in hospital systems across the country. However, the concept of postgraduate residency programs is relatively new for ACNPs. Therefore, programs have not yet been developed or integrated into this movement. Postgraduate residency programs have the potential to address educational gaps between education and practice. Furthermore, the completion of a postgraduate residency program could provide not only a more comprehensive and extended orientation process and structured learning experience but also give ACNPs an additional competitive edge in the workplace.
Need for Postgraduate Residencies
In response to the lack of specialized training, several hospital systems have begun designing their own postgraduate residency programs for ACNPs new to a particular specialty, such as trauma, critical care, or cardiology. Not only are the postgraduate residency programs a very popular idea among NP graduates looking for additional mentorship and specialty training, but also they are a relatively inexpensive way to recruit and retain new hires. One of the first postgraduate residency programs for family NPs in Connecticut reported 45 applicants for 4 positions. Other programs have also reported successful implementation and positive outcomes.
The American Association of Physician Assistants already has its own postgraduate programs for PAs. The association has been actively encouraging new PA graduates to seek out these opportunities, which ultimately gives advanced practitioners a solid knowledge base of the specialty and extensive clinical exposure. Additionally, the Association of Postgraduate PA Programs not only encourages advanced training for PAs, but it is also an expectation for those who want to work in surgical specialties, critical care, or the emergency department. Although there are tremendous differences between PA and NP training that are beyond the scope of this article, many graduate NPs may still find an added advantage to completing a postgraduate residency program even within their own specialties. ACNPs who work in the specialties where they trained as registered nurses will have the tremendous advantage of their work experience and graduate education, as well as being familiar with the patient population and hospital policy; however, the role of a provider is quite different. Postgraduate residency programs may be able to facilitate the transition from student into the provider role in a given specialty.
The increase in the need for postgraduate residency programs for PAs has caused programs to proliferate in hospital systems across the country. However, the concept of postgraduate residency programs is relatively new for ACNPs. Therefore, programs have not yet been developed or integrated into this movement. Postgraduate residency programs have the potential to address educational gaps between education and practice. Furthermore, the completion of a postgraduate residency program could provide not only a more comprehensive and extended orientation process and structured learning experience but also give ACNPs an additional competitive edge in the workplace.
