101 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Phone: (949) 362-2000 or toll-free (800) 899-2226 Fax: (949) 362-2020; E-mail: info@aacn.org Web site: www.aacn.org
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the world's largest specialty nursing organization, has been serving the needs of nurses caring for acutely and critically ill patients since 1969. Representing the interests of more than 500,000 nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients, AACN is dedicated to creating a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families, where acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. AACN defines acute and critical care nursing as the specialty within nursing that deals with human responses to life-threatening health problems.
The purpose of AACN is to promote the health and welfare of patients experiencing acute and critical illness or injury by advancing the art and science of acute and critical care nursing and promoting environments that facilitate comprehensive professional nursing practice. Through its activities, the association seeks to: Provide leadership and leadership development within acute and critical care nursing.
AACN helps acute and critical care nurses stay up-to-date in technology and treatment techniques, never forgetting the importance of personal concern. AACN offers a wide array of opportunities through educational products, national conferences and local and regional seminars. The annual National Teaching Institute (NTI) and Critical Care Exposition is the premier clinical education program for nurses caring for patients with complex health problems. More than 6,500 nurses attend 400 sessions, plus an intensive preconference program of half-day and full-day workshops, all available for continuing education credits. NTI also includes the Advanced Practice Institute and the Critical Care Exposition, the largest and most comprehensive trade show focused on acute and critical care nurses. More than 500 companies exhibit each year.
The E-Learning Program offers quality, Web-based educational courses that are cost effective, easy to use and available 24/7. Three E-Learning courses are currently available. Essentials of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO) is an online, self-paced, interactive program that teaches the basics of critical care nursing. Content includes the cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurologic, renal, hematologic, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems, as well as an emphasis on the body as a multisystem. Self-assessments throughout the program check for concept comprehension while modular exams ensure mastery of the information. Basic ECG Interpretation uses the same Web-based training platform as ECCO and can be used in conjunction with the ECCO modules. Content includes cardiac physiology, ECG equipment, lead placement and dysrhythmia analysis and interpretation. It's ideal for anyone working with cardiac patients. Essentials of Nurse Manager Orientation is a comprehensive program for frontline managers, charge nurses, aspiring managers and leadership staff that addresses the issues they face every day. Developed by a distinguished panel of experts and modeled after the Nurse Manager Leadership Collaborative's Learning Domain Framework, this program is offered through a partnership with the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE).
AACN strives to be a voice for acute and critical care nurses on congressional and regulatory issue, thereby ensuring that nurses play an active role in shaping the future of acute and critical care. AACN seeks to influence and shape health policy in a number of ways. In addition to developing its own position statements on a variety of issues, AACN works within healthcare coalitions to support legislative efforts and to bring attention at the national level to issues important to acute and critical care nurses, nursing and the healthcare system. In addition, AACN participates in national forums that shape health policy, care delivery and environments where nurses work and patients are cared for. As part of its health policy effort, AACN's Voice initiative seeks to establish and sustain healthy work environments and improve palliative, end-of-life care and workforce development.
AACN chapters provide the opportunity for nurses to directly affect their profession at the local level. AACN chapter members are among the most enthusiastic and active recruiters of new nursing professionals. Chapters plan and execute educational programs of interest to local AACN members and nonmembers alike. Chapters often sponsor community events such as CPR classes, health fairs and school career days, and they participate in the programs of other organizations.
Standards of Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice, a resource widely used by hospitals and schools of nursing, is available from the association. This document describes the role, standards of care and professional practice that all nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients should meet. AACN developed and released Scope and Standards for the Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, a key document in describing the role and practice of advanced practice nurses, and AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments: A Journey to Excellence, which provides healthcare organizations with a benchmark for targeting patient safety and staff retention improvement efforts. AACN also shapes acute and critical care nursing practice through its Protocols for Practice. These evidence-based guidelines address key aspects of care for acutely and critically ill patients, and provide up-to-date research information. In addition, Education Standards for Critical Care Nursing describes the factors that must be in place for an effective critical care education program.
The Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence (including the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence-Progressive Care) recognizes and acclaims acute and critical care nursing units that achieve the highest-quality outcomes. It also provides a mechanism for individual units to measure progress against evidence-based, national criteria for excellence, learn and refine processes and be heralded for their achievements. Applicants are rated on factors including nurse recruitment and retention, staff training, patient outcomes, healthy work environments, leadership and evidence-based practice and research. The Beacon Award is presented twice a year.
The AACN Certification Corporation, a separately incorporated company, develops and administers the 150-question CCRN, 125-question PCCN and 175-question CCNS and ACNPC specialty exams, and the 90-question CMC and CSC subspecialty exams. These exams have been demonstrated to be legally defensible and psychometrically sound indicators of mastery of the knowledge, skills and abilities to practice effectively as a bedside critical care nurse, progressive care nurse, clinical nurse specialist or acute care nurse practitioner in acute or critical care or a cardiac subspecialty nurse. The exams are administered via computer-based testing at locations nationwide. Paper-and-pencil versions of the exams are also offered during the annual National Teaching Institute (NTI) and biannual Trends conferences. The exams are open to nurses who meet the eligibility requirements, which include a specified period of clinical practice in the role being tested. Clinical nurse specialist and acute care nurse practitioner candidates also must possess a master's degree in nursing from an accredited program, with evidence of (CNS or ACNP) theory and clinical concentration in the care of acutely/critically ill patients. The CCRN and CCNS exams are offered in three age-related categories - adult, pediatric and neonatal critical care nursing. CMC (cardiac medicine certification) is for certified nurses who provide care for adult acutely/critically ill cardiac patients. CSC (cardiac surgery certification) is for certified nurses who provide care for adult acutely/critically ill cardiac surgery patients within the first 48 hours post-op. The PCCN exam is for nurses practicing in acute care environments, including intermediate care units, direct observation units, step-down units, telemetry units, transitional care units and emergency departments. The ACNPC is the newest credential and is awarded to adult acute care nurse practitioners.
AACN awards research grants that actively promote studies relevant to nursing care of acutely and critically ill patients and their families. Grants from $500 to $35,000 may be awarded for specific studies that include direct research by an experienced researcher, development of novice researchers and research utilization. AACN has also sponsored national multicenter studies. Current and past research has studied endotracheal suctioning, use of heparin in arterial pressure lines, a pilot demonstration project to document critical care nurses' contributions to improved patient outcomes and cost effectiveness, and the newest research on patients' response to procedural pain.
AACN is a nationally recognized source of information about acute and critical care. The multidisciplinary American Journal of Critical Care is the association's peer-reviewed scientific and research journal. Critical Care Nurse provides up-to-date clinical information directly useful to nurses at the bedside as well as timely coverage of other important issues affecting acute and critical care nursing. AACN Advanced Critical Care is a quarterly publication featuring content for experienced critical care nurses, clinical nurse specialists, case managers, academic and clinical educators and advanced practice nurses.
