NPACE Acute Care Bundle 2026

Details

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This dynamic bundle focuses on equipping acute care APPs with the skills and confidence to effectively manage acute patient care. Through case studies, simulations, and guided discussions, participants will learn to quickly recognize early signs of patient deterioration, initiate appropriate interventions, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams under high-pressure conditions. The sessions cover rapid assessment techniques, communication strategies during emergencies, and documentation best practices to ensure continuity of care. The advanced care provider will leave with enhanced critical thinking abilities and practical tools to improve patient outcomes in acute care situations.

This bundle has 8 packed sessions that is a must for any acute care provider.

FORMAT OPTIONS

Streaming Online Video

ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS

This bundle is hosted on the site of our educational partner, NPACE. After you purchase the bundle, you will immediately receive a confirmation email from APEA's CE Center with instructions on how to access your purchase. You will be required to create an account on NPACE.org.

Once logged in on NPACE, you will need to complete all of the components of each individual course in the bundle. Each course is comprised of a pre-test, presentation, course evaluation, and post-test. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the post-test. Upon completing these components and passing the post-test, you will receive your CME certificate.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Critical Care Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

This presentation provides Advanced Practice Providers with a comprehensive and clinically focused review of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The session emphasizes early recognition of ARDS through key clinical signs, diagnostic criteria, and interpretation of imaging and oxygenation indices. Participants will learn how to differentiate ARDS from other causes of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis. The presentation also outlines current best-practice strategies in critical care management, including evidence-based ventilatory approaches, lung-protective strategies, proning protocols, fluid management, and indications for advanced therapies such as neuromuscular blockade, inhaled pulmonary vasodilators, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Case studies and practical examples will help reinforce decision-making skills in rapidly evolving clinical scenarios.

Critical Care Management of the Adult Organ Donor after Brain Death Declaration

This presentation provides Advanced Practice Providers with a comprehensive overview of the complex pathophysiological changes that occur during brain death and their impact on organ systems. Participants will learn how to recognize the hemodynamic, endocrine, metabolic, and inflammatory responses that accompany brain death and how these processes affect potential organ viability. By the end of the session, APPs will understand the physiologic principles of brain death and be equipped with the clinical tools necessary to maximize organ donation outcomes while providing high-quality, ethically grounded care.

Traumatic Brain Injury

This session provides an in-depth review of the presentation, diagnosis, and management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants will learn to recognize key clinical signs, utilize appropriate diagnostic tools, and apply evidence-based strategies for both acute stabilization and ongoing management. The session emphasizes practical approaches that support improved outcomes across the spectrum of TBI severity.

Ventilators: what we are doing wrong.......

This presentation will discuss the management of the ventilated patients and what common mistakes we make in regards to weaning the vent and caring for the patient in the ICU setting. What to do and what not to do with in depth case studies.

Rising to the challenges in acute heart failure ( Grant funded Novartis)

*Supported by an educational grant from Novartis This session is designed to equip clinicians with the skills to recognize and manage patients experiencing cardiogenic shock. Participants will review key diagnostic indicators, underlying pathophysiology, and evidence-based treatment strategies to guide timely and effective intervention.

Impella patient management: Navigating the 2am phone call

The purpose of this activity is to provide the clinician with the skills necessary to assess, manage, and troubleshoot an Impella device.

Mass Shootings and the Advanced Practice Provider: Bystander to Bedside

This session will discuss the care of the mass shooting patients. How to manage the acute phase and to provide critical care for the best outcomes in this patient population.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Evaluation, Diagnostics and Treatment

This session provides an in-depth review of acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in critically ill patients. Participants will learn how to promptly recognize signs and symptoms, interpret relevant diagnostic studies, and identify the underlying causes of GI bleeding. The session will also cover evidence-based strategies for resuscitation, stabilization, and ongoing management, including endoscopic, pharmacologic, and supportive interventions. Emphasis will be placed on practical approaches to optimizing outcomes in high-acuity settings.

TIME TO COMPLETE

After you access this bundle on NPACE's website, you will have 90 days to complete the entire contents of the bundle and claim all contents.

CREDITS

NPACE designates this educational activity for a maximum of 7.5 CNE credit(s), of which 5 is pharmacology credit. Courses' Expiration Date: December 31st, 2026

DISCLAIMER

The material presented in this continuing education program is being made available for educational purposes only and is not intended to represent the best or only methods, medications and/or guidelines appropriate for the medical situation discussed. Rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the presenter(s), which may be helpful, or of interest to other practitioners and should not be used by clinicians without the evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. NPACE disclaims any liability, loss, injury, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information given in a presentation.

DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE

This educational activity may mention the uses of products that are not approved by the FDA for the indication(s) being discussed. The presenter(s) are instructed to notify participants when they are discussing unapproved uses or investigational agents. The opinions related to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the presenter(s) and are not endorsed or recommended by NPACE. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

COMMERCIAL SUPPORT

There is no commercial support for this activity.

ACCREDITED PROVIDER

Provider Accreditation Statement

Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).

In addition to ANCC, NPACE is approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by: the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP8720 and Florida CE Broker #50-1476.

FACULTY

Johnny Isenberger, DNP, ACNP-BC,CCRN, Critical Care Nurse Practitioner

I have been a critical care nurse practitioner for fifteen years at Umass Memorial Medical Center and a clinical instructor at the University of Massachusetts Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing in Worcester, Massachusetts. My clinical and academic interests have focused on the care of the critically ill, particularly those that survive critical illness. I have given lectures and poster presentations at local, regional, and national conferences on this topic. I am currently engaged in writing manuscripts, conducting research, and implementing quality improvement projects focused on the care of the ICU survivor.

Alexander Menard, DNP, AGACNP-BC

Alexander Menard, DNP, AGACNP-BC is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing in Worcester Massachusetts. He is a practicing Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in Trauma & Surgical Critical Care at UMass Memorial Medical Center for the past 8 years. His academic interests include topics surrounding acute and critical care, simulations and integration of technology into classroom experiences.

Alex is a member of the American Associate of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). He's a well-known speaker and author, having presented at multiple conferences and is well published on a variety of critical care topics. He immensely enjoys both of his current roles which allow him to combine his passion for patient care and educating future advanced practice nurses.

Lisa Mathis, MSN, FNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner

Lisa has been in the field for over 30 years. For 21 years she has been practicing as a nurse practitioner, specializing in critical care, pulmonary, and hospital medicine. Her experience is in the hospital as well as the office setting, with her main focus being pulmonary medicine.

Currently Lisa is the ANCC program director with NPACE. Prior to that she had practiced solely within the hospital. She has specialized training in ventilator management and the care of critically ill patients. This specialized training gave her the opportunity to work in a long-term acute care facility specializing in vent weaning of patients with COVID.

Lisa is an award-winning author of a medical suspense thriller and enjoys writing as a hobby. Her biggest fans are her co-workers and the medical personnel that she works with since they can relate to her stories. The heroes in her novels are nurses and nurse practitioners!

Linda Suplicki, RN, MSN, ACNP, CCRN

Linda Suplicki RN, MSN, ACNP, CCRN is an acute care nurse practitioner specializing in advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support. She brings with her over 25 years of experience in heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, and cardiogenic shock. She has both published and presented nationally on improving outcomes in patients requiring mechanical circulatory support and cardiogenic shock. She was instrumental in developing the first cardiogenic shock team in the state of New Jersey. Her passion for excellence in care has driven her to change the landscape of heart failure emphasizing the importance of developing best practices and utilizing a teams-based approach to improve quality outcomes.