Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs) are nurse practitioners, meaning that they need additional training compared to registered nurses and have a wider scope of practice. They work in emergency departments, so they need extra certifications beyond regular nurse practitioners. This enables them to provide critical care to patients of all ages who need urgent attention.
If you’re looking for information on how to get licensed, or want to find out what continuing education requirements you need to meet, this is the guide for you!
What do Emergency NPs do?
Emergency medicine nurse practitioners work in Emergency Departments and use their clinical experience by diagnosing and treating patients, providing support for patients and their families, and educating patients on how to carry out treatment plans at home.
How do I become an emergency medicine nurse practitioner?
To become an emergency medicine nurse practitioner, you’ll need to start by becoming a nurse practitioner. To do this, you’ll first need to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to get licensed.
Your next step is to go to graduate school or go through a doctoral program to get a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
You’ll then need to get your ENP certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). Additional certification will be needed to work in an emergency department, such as the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
ACLS certification courses teach basic life support skills, such as chest compressions, using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and more advanced skills, such as related pharmacology and management of stroke and Acute Coronary Syndrome.
How can I certified as an ENP with the AANPCB?
The AANPCB works in collaboration with the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP) to provide an Emergency Nurse Practitioner specialty certification examination for Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) who work in emergency care.
The exam is made up of 150 questions based on five domains: Medical Screening; Medical Decision Making/Differential Diagnosis; Patient Management; Transitions of Care; Professional Practices. You’ll also need to check out ENP knowledge areas and procedures before taking the exam.
Practice tests are available through the AANPCB, and prep courses are available too, to give you the knowledge you need to pass and get certified.
What are CME requirements for emergency medicine nurse practitioners?
The AANPBC ENP certification must be renewed every five years. ENPs can recertify via an exam and take another 150 question exam to stay certified.
CME requirements to stay certified as a nurse practitioner vary by state.
Get a locum tenens job as an Emergency NP
If you’re an emergency medicine nurse practitioner looking to get a locum tenens job and travel the country, Wellhart has opportunities for you! Our licensing and certification team will provide you with an expert on licensing and credentialing to make the process of finding your next locum tenens job as easy and as fast as possible.
This article was written by Liliana French