Aacn scope and standards for acute and critical care nursing practice 2nd edition is to describe the practice of nurses providing care to acutely and critically ill patients within the age parameters for which they have been trained neonatal pediatric adult and geriatric or all ages across the lifespan. Acute and critical care nursing practice aacn scope and standards for acute and critical care nursing practice describes the practice of nurses who care for acutely or critically ill patients this publication incorporates the aacn synergy model for patient care language within the standards and measurement criteria. The purpose of the canadian standards for critical care nursing practice is to provide an essential resource to all nursing professionals including direct care practitioners educators and administrators in their pursuit of best practice in the critical care environment. The scope and standards describe and measure the expected level of practice and professional performance for acute and critical care registered nurses and articulates the contributions of acute and critical care nursing to a patient and family centered healthcare system