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Meet our Program Directors
Linda S. Baas, PhD, ACNP, CCNS
Professor of Nursing
Director, Acute Care Graduate Program
Procter Hall, Room 211
Phone: (513) 558-5718
Fax: (513) 558-2142
Linda.Baas@UC.Edu
I have been a nurse for many years with experience as a Cardiovascular Clinical Nurse Specialist and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I maintain certification in both roles. Other work experiences include staff nursing in surgical and medical cardiac care units and directing a cardiac rehabilitation program. I currently practice as an ACNP in a heart failure program. I began teaching at the University of Cincinnati in 1992. In addition to my practice and teaching responsibilities, I continue to conduct research related to self care and symptom management in heart failure. I also serve on committees for a number of professional organizations and journal editorial boards.
Because of my strong connections with the local hospitals, medical community, and advanced practice nursing community, I have been able to help graduate students find the placements for clinical experiences that best meet their learning needs. Students have had experiences working on multidisciplinary teams to do projects that have been presented at national meetings. Some have been awarded funding for research projects. A number of students had prepared their first publication during graduate school.
The Acute Care Graduate Program allows students to become either an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or a Clinical Specialist. Acute care refers to hospital based. It may include the ICU, ED, OR, SDU, or other hospital based service. Graduates find jobs in settings such as Neurology, Cardiology, Surgery, Oncology, Pain Management, Trauma, Orthopedics, Radiology, Nephrology, Pulmonology, Hospitalist Service, or ED. Many are employed by physician groups, but hospitals also hire our graduates.
Graduates of the program meet the ACNP competencies published by national organization (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties) and are eligible to sit for certification as an ACNP through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or as a CCNS through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Many of our graduates serve as preceptors for our students, helping to provide excellent learning opportunities.
FAQ's
What does the program consist of?
The program includes three levels of courses. The first level comprises core
courses that all graduate nursing students take. These core courses cover
topics in theory, research, statistics and health care policy. In addition,
all students complete a capstone project near the end of their program of
study. The capstone is not a thesis. It is a much more manageable, faculty-guided,
quality-improvement project that can come from the student's clinical
experiences.
The second level of courses comprises those taken by all clinical majors, including advanced assessment, physiology and pharmacology. Third-level courses are in the student's major, including specific courses in differential diagnosis, adult pathophysiology, management of acute and chronic adult diseases, interventions, special topics in acute care and a series of five practicum courses in acute care. Students must complete over 500 hours of clinical practice in a variety of settings to prepare them for advanced-practice nursing in acute care.
Who hires ACNPs and CNSs?
The ACNP role is growing. The ACNP may work for a physician group, following
patients in the hospital and perhaps following up in the outpatient setting.
Hospitals may hire the ACNP to help in the management of care of select patient
groups. For instance, they may manage stable chronic ventilator-dependent
patients prior to transfer to long-term care, see patients in urgent care
in the ED, or follow up patients on a specialty service to ensure they receive
the necessary care.
The CNS is hired by a hospital to work as an advanced-practice nurse. The CNS may provide direct patient care, but more often works within the system to support patient care through consultation, education and project development. The CNS works with administration to help make the system work to support patient care. AACN offers a certification for the critical care CNS that focuses on the synergy model. We prepare students to apply the synergy model to improve patient care.
What jobs are available for graduates?
The market for ACNP jobs continues to expand, largely owing to recent changes
that limit the hours of medical residents. Many hospitals and physician groups
have discovered that employing ACNPs to help provide care to patients makes
sense. Many times students placed for a practicum are eventually hired. This
has occurred in neuroscience, cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, trauma and
nephrology.
Can I practice in another state after graduation?
Yes. Students who pass the certification exam can apply to the state board
of bursing for recognition to practice. ACNP and CCNS certifications are
recognized by most states.
What is the average yearly salary upon graduation?
This differs with job function and geographical location. In the Cincinnati
area, graduates can expect a starting salary of at least $65,000 and
perhaps as high as $85,000. Much depends on the skills the graduate brings
to the employer.
What is the difference between an FNP and an ACNP?
The FNP focuses on primary care across the lifespan. If you only want to work
with adults, you may be better suited for the acute care or adult NP role.
It is also possible to add a pediatric experience later.
What is the difference between an adult NP and an ACNP?
Much of the coursework for the two programs is identical. The differences come
in one course on skills needed for the setting and in the practicums with
their specialized seminar topics. Today most hospitals will credential ANPs
and FNPs to practice in their settings. However, some are moving to credentialing
only ACNPs to practice in hospital settings. Some states are talking about
making this part of their nurse practice regulations. Ohio State Board of
Nursing only allows ACNPs to prescribe vasoactive drugs and other specialty-based
medications. If you want to become certified as both an ACNP and an ANP,
we have options available.
Do you have options for FNPs with experience who are currently working in
acute care settings to become an ACNP?
Yes, we have a post-master's option that enables you to meet this career
goal.
