Making the case for adult-gerontology critical care Nurse Practitioner fellowships

Abstract

In the United States, there is a rapidly increasing critically ill patient population and a corresponding critical care workforce crisis unable to meet both current and projected needs for care. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are uniquely suited to augment the workforce gap in critical care. However, advanced, specialized, critical care competencies are not fully developed in the foundational NP curriculum. This article presents a brief overview of NP education, certification, and licensure and discusses theoretical frameworks and professional development; perception of preparedness; and NP residency/fellowship development trends. The discussion considers NP role integration and expansion, international considerations, and implications for research. NP critical care residency programs are congruent with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) future of nursing research priorities and recommendations to utilize nurses to the fullest extent of their education. In conclusion, critical care NP residency programs could offer a viable solution to the existing and anticipated workforce shortage by providing novice NPs with specialized, intensive experience with expert mentorship in the critical care setting.