Hospitalist nurse practitioners (NP) are advanced care nurses who work with various patient populations in the clinic and hospital settings. Though a single hospitalist certification does not currently exist, the field of nursing is constantly evolving and there are many ways to become a hospitalist NP. Continue reading to learn about the various ways to become a hospitalist NP.
One way of becoming a hospitalist NP is by obtaining additional advanced certifications in hospital/clinic-based specialties. Some of these would include certifications in acute care, emergency care, hospice and palliative care, oncology, orthopedics and dermatology.
A certification as an acute care NP can be obtained through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. NPs can either attain this certification while in a nursing program or independently. In order to be awarded this certification, NPs must successfully pass a three-and-a-half-hour exam. Additionally, this certification must be renewed every five years. This organization also offers several sub-certifications within acute care, such as critical care nursing (general, pediatric and neonatal) and cardiac medicine.
In order to be awarded this certification, NPs must successfully pass a three-and-a-half-hour exam
A certification as an emergency care NP is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board. Depending on the organization, there will either be a certifying exam or a portfolio review. This certification costs between $100 to $500 and must be renewed every five years.
Depending on the organization, there will either be a certifying exam or a portfolio review. This certification costs between $100 to $500
The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center has created a certification for NPs who desire to improve the quality of life for patient’s seeking end of life care. This certification costs between $400 to $500 and must be renewed every four years.
A certification for NPs who desire to improve the quality of life for patient’s seeking end of life care
NPs who have demonstrated a passion for oncology may become certified as an advanced oncology certified NP. In order to be awarded this certification, applicants must take a 165-question exam through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. The certification costs between $200 to $400 and must be renewed every four years.
In order to be awarded this certification, applicants must take a 165-question exam through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
NPs who have significant experience in orthopedic-related patient care may be eligible to apply for this certification. This certification is obtained through the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board. This certification costs between $345 to $460 and must be renewed every five years.
This certification is obtained through the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board
The Dermatology Nurses Association and Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Certification Board offers a certification that allows an NP to be designated as a Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP). This certification requires NPs to take a four-hour exam, costs between $300 to $400 and must be renewed every three years.
This certification requires NPs to take a four-hour exam, costs between $300 to $400
The journey to becoming a hospitalist NP is long, but incredibly rewarding. Once NPs obtain any of the above certifications, they are one step closer to working as hospitalist NPs who focus on specific patient populations.
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