Are you an aspiring Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) or Physician Assistant (PA) looking to specialize in critical care? Navigating the landscape of post-graduate training can be complex. This guide delves into the essential aspects of acute care residencies and fellowship programs, specifically focusing on what Emory Healthcare offers to propel your career in this demanding and rewarding field.
Emory’s APP Critical Care Fellowship: Program Overview
Emory Healthcare is committed to fostering the next generation of expert critical care Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). Our comprehensive APP Critical Care Fellowship program is designed to provide a robust and immersive experience for newly graduated or experienced NPs and PAs seeking specialized training in acute and critical care medicine. Each year, we welcome a cohort of 12 fellows into our program, which runs twice annually, offering a personalized and high-quality learning environment.
The fellowship is a one-year intensive program meticulously structured to provide fellows with diverse clinical experiences across the critical care spectrum. We believe in a well-rounded approach, ensuring our fellows are not only clinically proficient but also well-versed in the multifaceted aspects of critical care.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We seek highly motivated and adaptable individuals who are passionate about critical care. The ideal candidate possesses strong interpersonal skills essential for collaborative practice within the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. A commitment to self-directed learning and a flexible approach to a dynamic learning environment are also highly valued attributes in prospective fellows.
Admissions Process
The admission process is thorough and designed to identify the best candidates for our rigorous program. Applicants are required to complete a detailed application, outlining their qualifications and experiences. Following a comprehensive review of applications, shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews. These interviews are conducted by key program leadership, including the APP Fellowship Medical Director, PA Director, NP Director, and members of our alumni admissions committee, ensuring a holistic evaluation of each candidate. Successful candidates are subsequently notified of their acceptance into the Emory APP Critical Care Fellowship program.
Comprehensive Curriculum and Training in Diverse ICU Settings
Emory’s program distinguishes itself through the breadth and depth of its clinical training. Fellows rotate through a wide array of Intensive Care Units across the Emory Healthcare system and affiliated hospitals, ensuring exposure to a diverse patient population and a wide spectrum of critical illnesses.
Core Rotations: The Foundation of Expertise
The core of the fellowship comprises rotations in diverse ICU settings, including:
- Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU): Managing complex medical conditions requiring intensive care.
- Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU): Caring for post-operative and trauma patients with critical surgical needs.
- Neuro ICU: Specializing in the care of patients with neurological and neurosurgical critical illnesses.
- Cardiothoracic ICU (CICU): Focusing on the intensive care of patients with cardiac and thoracic surgical conditions.
- OR/Airway Experience: Developing essential skills in airway management within the operating room environment.
These core ICU rotations are complemented by shorter, two-week rotations in specialized areas such as:
- Infectious Disease (ID): Gaining expertise in managing complex infections in critically ill patients.
- Renal: Focusing on the critical care aspects of renal disease and dialysis management.
- Echocardiography (ECHO): Developing proficiency in critical care echocardiography for hemodynamic assessment.
Grady Hospital Experience: Level I Trauma Center Immersion
A significant component of the Emory fellowship is the 1-3 month rotation at Grady Memorial Hospital, a Level I trauma center and a crucial community-based hospital within our network. Grady offers fellows the opportunity to further specialize by choosing rotations within diverse ICUs, including MICU, SICU, Trauma/Burn ICU, Cardiothoracic Surgery (CTS) ICU, and Neuro ICU. This experience provides invaluable exposure to high-acuity, trauma-focused critical care.
Specialty Rotations and Transition to Practice
The final 4-6 weeks of the fellowship are dedicated to specialty rotations tailored to individual fellow interests and career goals. This period also serves as a crucial transition into a staff APP position within Emory Critical Care, facilitating a seamless integration into our critical care team post-graduation.
Training Locations: A Wide Network of Excellence
Emory fellows benefit from training across a vast network of Emory Healthcare facilities, including:
- Emory University Hospital
- Emory University Hospital Midtown
- Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital
- Emory Decatur Hospital
- Emory Johns Creek Hospital
- Grady Memorial Hospital
This extensive network encompasses over 20 distinct ICUs, exposing fellows to a wide range of patient populations and critical care management strategies. Emory is committed to continuously expanding clinical exposure sites to further enhance the fellowship experience.
Supervision, Mentorship, and Professional Development
Emory Healthcare is dedicated to providing a supportive and robust learning environment. We ensure optimal supervision and mentorship for our fellows, fostering their growth into autonomous and competent critical care practitioners.
Dedicated Supervision and Teaching
Each rotation is meticulously designed to promote autonomous learning while ensuring appropriate oversight. Our dedicated staff, comprising experienced clinical preceptors and bedside mentors, are committed to delivering high-quality education and providing tailored supervision throughout clinical rotations. Program faculty and staff operate under the guidance of Emory Healthcare attending physicians with the necessary clinical privileges, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of care and education.
The program is intentionally structured to facilitate a progressive increase in responsibility as fellows gain experience and confidence. Our faculty recognizes the importance of aligning the learning experience with each fellow’s evolving expertise, providing personalized support and guidance. Fellows have direct access to their primary preceptor and the program director for any concerns or questions, ensuring open communication and a supportive learning environment. We maintain the same high communication standards between fellows, bedside mentors, clinical preceptors, and supervising physicians as expected of all Emory APPs.
Mentorship Program and Alumni Network
Emory is committed to the professional development of its fellows beyond clinical training. Each new fellow is paired with an alumni mentor, providing invaluable support and guidance throughout the year-long program. This mentorship program fosters a strong sense of community and provides fellows with access to a network of experienced critical care APPs. Our robust alumni group actively supports incoming cohorts, serving as a valuable resource for relocation advice, program insights, and career networking.
Procedures Training: Hands-on Skill Development
The fellowship program includes comprehensive training in essential critical care procedures, performed under the direct supervision of bedside mentors and clinical preceptors. These procedures include, but are not limited to:
- Central line placement
- Arterial line placement
- Pulmonary artery catheter insertion
- Thoracentesis
- Paracentesis
- Pigtail catheter placement
- Chest tube insertion
- Lumbar puncture
- Intubation
- Moderate sedation
- Non-operating room simple wound closure
This hands-on training ensures fellows graduate with the procedural skills necessary to excel in critical care practice.
Compensation, Benefits, and Program Logistics
Emory Healthcare recognizes the value of its APP fellows and provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.
Competitive Salary and Benefits
The fellowship offers a competitive annual salary, currently at $110,000, subject to annual market review. As Emory Healthcare employees, fellows do not pay tuition or program fees and are entitled to a full spectrum of employee benefits, comparable to staff APPs. These benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Sick leave
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Retirement plan (401K)
- CME reimbursement
- Extended illness time
Emory also participates in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and offers the Emory Healthcare Student Loan Repayment Program, contributing $100 per month towards qualifying student loan debt.
Conference and Professional Development Time
Each fellow is required to attend the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) conference and is allotted 3 CME days in addition to accrued PTO. Fellows are also encouraged to attend other relevant conferences within Emory Healthcare, provided it does not interfere with patient care responsibilities.
No Relocation Stipend or Housing
While Emory does not offer a relocation stipend or housing, our alumni network and current fellows are readily available to assist incoming fellows with relocation advice and program-related questions, leveraging their personal experiences to ease the transition.
Evaluation and Accreditation: Ensuring Program Excellence
Fellows are evaluated through a comprehensive approach encompassing direct observation, end-of-rotation exams assessing medical and clinical knowledge, clinical simulation observation, and formal end-of-rotation evaluations by bedside preceptors. Feedback is gathered from all practitioners involved in the fellow’s training process, ensuring a 360-degree assessment of progress and performance.
The Emory APP Critical Care Fellowship Program holds dual accreditation:
- Practice Transition Program Accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Accreditation – Clinical Postgraduate Program Status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
These accreditations underscore Emory’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in post-graduate APP education.
Work-Life Balance and Program Expectations
The program is demanding, reflecting the rigor of critical care training. Fellows are expected to dedicate an average of 50-60 hours per week, encompassing both clinical and didactic learning. On-site hours vary by rotation, with core ICU rotations averaging around 60 hours per week and shorter rotations like ID, renal, and echo typically involving a 40-hour work week. The Grady experience, being more immersive, may involve up to 80 hours per week, mirroring the physician fellows’ schedule and maximizing the learning experience.
No Post-Graduation Work Commitment
There is no requirement to work for Emory Healthcare after graduating from the fellowship program, providing fellows with flexibility in their career choices post-graduation.
Policy on Outside Employment
To ensure full engagement and focus on the rigorous fellowship training, external or internal moonlighting is prohibited without prior written approval from the Program Director.
Conclusion: Your Future in Critical Care Starts at Emory
The Emory APP Critical Care Fellowship Program offers a unique and comprehensive pathway to specialize in acute and critical care. With diverse rotations across a leading healthcare system, dedicated mentorship, robust procedural training, and a commitment to professional development, Emory provides the ideal environment to launch a successful and rewarding career as a critical care APP. If you are driven to excel in this challenging and vital field, we encourage you to explore the Emory APP Critical Care Fellowship and take the first step towards becoming a leader in acute care.
