Advanced Anticoagulant Prescribing for APRNs: Evidence-Based Strategies Across the Continuum of Care

Course overview

Prescribing anticoagulants is a complex, high-stakes component of advanced nursing practice that requires precision, patient-centered judgment, and up-to-date clinical knowledge. This course equips Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) with the latest evidence-based strategies for initiating, adjusting, and managing anticoagulation therapy across a range of clinical scenarios. Content explores agent selection, renal and hepatic considerations, bleeding risk mitigation, perioperative planning, and care of special populations including patients with atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism (VTE), cancer, thrombocytopenia, and during pregnancy. Learners will be guided through guideline-driven approaches to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), warfarin, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), and parenteral anticoagulants. Special emphasis is placed on transitions of care, monitoring strategies, reversal protocols, and decision-making around indefinite anticoagulation. This comprehensive 3-hour course will strengthen APRN confidence and competence in the safe, effective use of anticoagulants in primary and specialty care. CE Ready is an ANCC accredited provider of nurse continuing education. Learning Objectives By the end of this course, the participant will be able to: Compare and contrast the pharmacologic profiles, indications, and dosing strategies for commonly used anticoagulants including DOACs, warfarin, and LMWHs. Apply clinical guidelines to initiate and manage anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation, VTE, and acute coronary syndromes. Evaluate patient-specific factors such as renal function, hepatic impairment, thrombocytopenia, obesity, pregnancy, and bleeding risk to inform prescribing decisions. Develop evidence-based plans for perioperative management and transitions of care in patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. Implement monitoring protocols and reversal strategies tailored to the agent prescribed and patient risk profile.