American Academy Of Critical Care Nurses

Set up in 1969, American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) is the biggest of its kind in the world which helps educate nurses to work in newly developed intensive care units. The organization represents the interests of over 500,000 nurses who look after critically ill patients. In 1969, it was called American Association of Cardiovascular Nurses, but later expanded its horizon of activity to get its present name in 1971. It has not looked back since then and served the people with its leadership, products and services, keeping pace with the rapid strides made by medicine and technology.

Acute and critical care nurses are a source of comfort to patients as well as their families. These nurses, on the other hand, rely on AACN for expert knowledge and the influence to fulfill their roles assigned to them to provide succor to patients and their families. In matters of quality, the organization is uncompromising. The objective of AACN is to create a healthcare system determined by the requirements of patients and families where acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution.

One of the topmost priorities of AACN is imparting quality education to acute and critical care nurses. It uses modern, up-to-date techniques in its teaching methods so that acute and critical care nurses do not face any difficulty even in a most modern healthcare center. AACN offers many opportunities through educational products, national conferences and local and regional seminars.

For nurses who look after patients with complex medical problems, AACN's yearly National Teaching Institute (NTI) & Critical Care Exposition® is an extremely helpful education program. Every year, over 7,000 nurses take part in this program where more than 400 sessions, plus an intensive pre-conference program of half-day and full-day workshops, are all available for continuing education credits. A trade show called the Critical Care Exposition is also held under NTI, which is the biggest and most comprehensive show of its kind focusing on acute and critical care nurses. More than 500 companies participate in the show each year.

The certification arm of AACN, AACN Certification Corporation develops and administers the CCRN, PCCN and CCNS and ACNPC specialty exams, the newly started CNML exam, and the CMC and CSC subspecialty exams. These exams are legally defensible and psychometrically sound indicators of mastery of the knowledge, skills and abilities to practice effectively in a defined role or specialty. The exams are administered via computer-based testing at various American locations. Paper-and-pencil versions of the exams are also offered during the annual National Teaching Institute (NTI) and biannual Trends conferences. To be eligible to appear in the exams, candidates have to fulfill certain requirements, which include a specified period of practice in the role being tested.

AACN offers the E-Learning Program, which are web-based educational courses that are affordable, user-friendly and available round the clock. There are various E-Learning courses such as "Essentials of Critical Care Orientation," "Basic ECG Interpretation," "Essentials of Nurse Manager Orientation," "The Preceptor Challenge" and "Promoting Excellence in Palliative and End of Life Care." An aspiring critical care nurse can be learn and practice essential skills in a safe, virtual environment to ensure better real-life performance.

About 250 local chapters of AACN provide the opportunity for nurses to directly affect their profession at the local level. These chapter members are among the most enthusiastic and active recruiters of new nursing professionals. The association also supports nursing research keeping an eye on the future. It publishes some excellent journals about critical care. In 2003, the association established the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence to honor critical care nursing units that achieve the best results.

• Felicia Byrnes
• 21/03/2009, 10:59 AM
• 0 Comments