The Acute Care PNP role is designed to meet the specialized physiologic and psychological needs of children with complex acute and chronic health conditions. AC-PNPs respond to rapidly changing clinical conditions, including the recognition and management of emerging health crises, organ dysfunction and failure. In accordance with this practice focus, Acute Care CPNP® role activities encompass a wide range of NP practice strategies including contributions to the management of children's illness/health states, the client-nurses relationship, the teaching-coaching function, the professional role, managing and negotiating healthcare delivery systems, monitoring and ensuring the quality of health care practice, providing family-centered care, and demonstrating cultural competency.

Acute Care CPNP® Goal of Care
The short-term goal of care is stabilization of the child, minimizing complications, and providing physical and psychological care measures. The long-term goal of care is to restore maximal health potential through implementation of NP strategies to reduce health risks.

Acute Care CPNP® Practice Setting
The continuum of care spans the geographic settings of the home, emergency departments, hospitals, subspecialty clinics, and intensive care units.