Characteristics of nurse practitioner curricula in the United States related to antimicrobial prescribing and resistance

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine current nurse practitioner ( NP) curricula in the United States with regard to antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance and assess the need for a web- based module for instruction on antimicrobial resistance and appropriate prescribing of antibiotics. Data sources: A22- item, anonymous, self- administered, web- based survey was sent to 312 NP programs; 149 ( 48%) responded. Survey items included questions related to NP specialties offered, program accreditation, format of pharmacology course( s), lecture hours related to antimicrobial therapy, and whether the participant would use a Web- based module to teach NP students about antimicrobial resistance, if one were available. Conclusions: Most NP programs ( 99.3%) required a pharmacology course, and 95% had lectures dedicated to antimicrobial therapy. Half of the programs ( 53.5%) devoted >= 4 lecture hours to antimicrobial therapy in the pharmacology course, and most ( 84.8%) reported covering antimicrobial therapy in nonpharmacology courses as well. Approximately half of the programs ( 45.3%) reported < 4 h of lecture on antimicrobial therapy in nonpharmacology courses. Many programs ( 51.9%) did not offer a microbiology course; 39.2% required microbiology as a prerequisite. Most respondents ( 86.7%) were familiar with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention antimicrobial resistance program, and 92.6% reported that they would use an electronic module regarding resistance. Implications for practice: NP curricula generally include < 10 h of content on antimicrobial therapy. An electronic module regarding antimicrobial resistance is likely to be a useful and relevant adjunct to current curricula.