Acute Care Self-Assessment Exercises (SAEs)

New! We now offer two systems-oriented Acute Care SAE options, the Acute Care Cardiology SAE, which focuses on cardiac problems, including cardiac surgery issues of interest to all AC PNPs, and the Acute Care Respiratory SAE, which includes acute pulmonary problems along with ventilation issues.

• Important SAE Dates
• Fees: $130 when you recertify online and $140 for paper Recert applications
• Respiratory SAE Reference List
• Cardiology SAE Reference List

For an in-depth look at the goals and development of the Acute Care SAES, check out our interview, The New Acute Care SAEs, with AC SAE committee members Andrea Kline of Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago and Lisa Keeler of Children's Hospital Boston.

Is it required?

If you are an Acute Care CPNP® or a Dually-certified CPNP®, then you must take two Acute Care SAEs in a 7-year cycle. Acute Care CPNPs® will need to take a third SAE in the 7-year cycle, either a third Acute Care SAE or the Primary Care or the Pharmacology SAE.

If you hold only Primary Care certification, an Acute Care SAE is not a Recert option. But you may take it any time during the year and record those contact hours earned as a Contact Hour Documentation option during the following year's Recertification.

Can I take both Acute Care SAEs now and have them count for two years of Recert? A good idea, but unfortunately not.

What's included?

When you select one of these SAEs, you'll get:

• An email in December with a link to your online SAE, a user ID and password
• A list of resources you may want to use to answer the questions on your SAEs - and you get 10% off and free shipping on all Elsevier titles!
• Immediate feedback to right or wrong answers and the rationale for each
• 15 hours of accredited NAPNAP CE, to be sent in late spring/early summer

We hope you enjoy this innovative way to complete Acute Care SAE requirements!

Future Acute Care SAEs

Plans are underway to develop the following system-specific SAEs:

• Pain/End of Life
• Gastroenterolgy (includes GI surgery)
• Neurology (includes Neurosurgery)
• Infectious Disease
• Hematology/Oncology
• Nutrition and Electrolytes
• Endocrinology

We'll post a final schedule soon. If you currently practice in one of these areas, we invite you to apply to become an external item writer. See our Get Involved page for details on how to volunteer.