Acute Care Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs

How To Become An Adult

Earn an associate degree in nursing or a BSN

Pass the NCLEX-RN to receive RN licensure

Earn an MSN

Choose a certification focus

Pass the National Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Certification Board Exam

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree Levels Offered

Those interested in an acute care nurse practitioner career have two educational pathways to choose from: the MSN or the DNP. Both usually offer the option of choosing between an adult gerontology or a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner pathway. Each degree level has its own pros and cons, so students must consider their own long-term goals to determine which is right for them.

A Note From The Program

Thank you for your interest in the Adult Gerontology – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN program. This online program is available in states whose licensing boards approve distance learning. While the majority of students are from SC and surrounding states, the USC College of Nursing is not currently authorized to provide this program in all states. Please refer to our State Authorization website for a list of all available states.

The Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares registered nurses to provide direct patient management in acute and complex care settings. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner exam administered through the American Nurse Credentialing Center.

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How Long Does It Take To Become An Adult

The answer to this question depends on the pathway. A bachelor’s degree traditionally lasts four years, while an MSN typically takes two years to complete. On that path, aspiring AGNPs can earn licensure in six years. Students who enroll part-time can take even longer to graduate.

However, many nursing professionals decide to gain a few years of experience as an RN in between the two degrees. Others earn an associate degree, work as an RN, and then enroll in an RN-to-MSN bridge program, which can also affect the timeline. Some AGNP programs require RN experience prior to admission. Depending on the program, it can be 1-2 years of required experience.

The Pathway To Become An Agacnp

To become an AGACNP, the first step you must take is to earn your undergraduate nursing degree. You can complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program or, if youre already a registered nurse , you can complete an RN to BSN program.

Its also possible to complete a bridge program if youve already earned a bachelors degree in a different field. This is an accelerated program toward a Master of Science in Nursing that will further your nursing knowledge and clinical skills while building upon what youve already learned in a different undergraduate degree program.

Next, youll have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination exam. This will allow you to then apply for RN licensure in the state you have chosen to practice inan important step in the pathway to becoming an AGACNP.

After successfully obtaining RN licensure, you can apply to an MSN program. While looking for programs, make sure to check the requirements some programs require you to have a couple years of critical care experience. Ideally, youll want to find an MSN degree program that fits your career goals, which in this case would be an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN. While earning this type of MSN, your coursework will align with your goals and teach you about many topics, including the following:

• Managing the adult-gerontology patient
• Disease detection
• Culturally relevant practices

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Campus Immersions For Online Agacnp Students

Online AGACNP students will attend two clinical immersions on the Rockhurst campus in Kansas City, Missouri for three days each of clinical instruction in the new, state-of-the-art simulation lab and renovated nursing facilities. In these immersive clinical experiences, students will receive hands-on skills training, complete high- and low-fidelity simulation, and demonstrate competencies through objective structured clinical examination .

Following the campus immersions, students will return home and continue their online coursework. Additionally, they will complete the rest of their clinical hours at a predetermined site under the direct supervision of a licensed preceptor and the indirect supervision of a Rockhurst clinical faculty supervisor.

State Authorization And Professional Licensure Disclosures

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. & 34 CFR 668.72).

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the Universitys state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. – )

Enrolled students who change their current address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. .

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Best Value Online Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs

There are, perhaps, more opportunities for registered nurses than ever before. No longer considered only bed-side caregivers, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are in great demand as the healthcare industry sees unprecedented growth in patients requiring advanced care. APRNs with certifications are filling the need as more physicians retire, or leave private practice due to burnout. APRNs specializing in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner are needed. Colleges and universities recognize the need to provide advanced educational opportunities to train APRNs and have developed online, hybrid A-G ACNP programs which allow nurses to continue working while advancing their education. These nursing programs are accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education and qualify graduates to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners certification exams.

University Of South Carolina

Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the University of South Carolina has an online MSN AG-ACNP degree that can take 8 semesters to complete, has 672 clinical hours required, and an on-campus immersion during the seventh semester. Ranking in the top 10 of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs and top 30 of its Best Nursing Schools: Master’s Degrees. Students with a BSN from an accredited nursing program are eligible to apply. Additional admission requirements include one-year clinical nursing experience in an acute care setting, current BLS and ACLS certification, an unencumbered nursing license, and three letters of recommendation. Other university admission requirements are also necessary. Applicants should check their state of residence’s eligibility according to the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement prior to application.

Program Length: 44 Credit HoursEstimated Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $569 $1,217 Curriculum Snapshot: Adult and Gerontological Patients Across the Lifespan, Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, Diagnostic Interpretation and Therapeutic Modalities, Introduction of Acute Care Adult and Gerontological Health Problems, Management of Acute Care Adult and Gerontological Health Problems, etc.Program Accreditation: CCNEProgram Website:University of South Carolina

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What Settings Do Agacnps Typically Work In

There are many different settings in which an AGACNP can work, but some common ones include:

• Intensive care units
• Cardiovascular units
• Variety of specialty clinics

Outside of a hospital setting, AGACNPs can also work in specialty clinics or long-term care facilities. In these settings, is it most likely you will be monitoring patients to prevent any further complications and providing treatment plans focusing on improving patient health.3

Its also important to note that AGACNPs often work non-traditional hours, including long shifts, weekends and nights. They are also often required to be on call during times they are not working.

Case Western Reserve University

The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University has a MSN AG-ACNP degree which is hybrid in design with online coursework and eight required visits to the Cleveland, Ohio campus. There are 600 clinical hours required for completion of the degree. Students enrolled full time may complete this MSN AG-ACNP in 18 months . Admission documents include graduation from a professional nursing program, successful completion of a university statistics course, an Ohio nursing license, letters of reference , and the program requires at least one-year ICU, adult care experience prior to admission. This program rates in the top 10 of U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Nurse Practitioner: Adult/Gerontology, Acute Care programs and in the top 20 of the publication’s Best Graduate Schools of Nursing.

Program Length: 39 Credit HoursEstimated Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $2,133Curriculum Snapshot: Foundations for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nursing Pharmacology and Therapeutics for the Advanced Practice Nurse Acute Health Problems of Adults and Older Adults Advanced Management of Acutely Ill Adults and Older Adults, etc.Program Accreditation: CCNE

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Meet Your Academic Team

• Nancy Moss

  Program Director

  With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Moss is a certified nurse-midwife and family nurse practitioner . With deep expertise in online learning, she has developed and implemented curricula for various nursing programs, including a university nurse-midwifery program and nurse-midwifery practices for rural communities.

• Cheryl McGinnis

  Academic Coordinator

  Dr. McGinnis, a board-certified adult nurse practitioner and a certified clinical transplant coordinator , has been with Waldens online DNP program since 2015. She is a distinguished practitioner fellow in the National Academies of Practice .

• Jody Minnick

  Core Faculty

  A full-time faculty member at Walden, Dr. Minnick has dual board certification of acute care nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner . Her areas of interest include teaching, neurosurgery, emergency medicine, flight medicine, and critical care.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The AGACNP program is now a fully integrated hybrid program. This means that classes will take place in a combination of on line and in person format. This will allow students to not move to Portland for the entirety of 3 years. Students will take lab classes and participate in clinical rotations at OHSU periodically, but a bulk of classroom work will be done from home. Students can expect to come to Portland a minimum of one time each quarter throughout the program. Students must also understand that there will be clinical rotations at OHSU requiring some time in Portland. Not all clinical rotations can be accomplished in students’ local communities due to the rigor and requirements needed to prepare an AGACNP student.

Our DNPAdult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program features:

• Front-loaded didactic content each quarter followed by dedicated clinical experience.
• Small cohort supported by interprofessional faculty with over 100 years of combined experience
• 100% board pass rate over 4 years
• 100% offered jobs at end of program often multiple offers

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Why Choose Unhs Agacnp Training Program

Designed for the masters-prepared registered nurse or nurse practitioner, our post-masters certification program prepares you to be an adult-gerontological acute care nurse practitioner with the AACN or ANCC . Geared for the hospital and sub-acute settings, our program focuses on building skills in diagnostic reasoning and management of the acutely ill patient using evidence-based practice. You will learn to stabilize acute and critically ill patients, formulate diagnoses and evidenced-based treatment plans, prescribe therapeutics, assess outcomes, prevent readmission, and create safe discharge plans. Our faculty has extensive experience in the field and they coordinate with the Student Success Coach Team to support you from application through graduation. The UNH Nursing Department is ranked by the 2020 Nursing School Almanac as #10 of the 60 best nursing schools in New England. UNH is a top tier research school, accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education.

Financial Aid And Tuition

Please see the estimated tuition costs for the 2020-2021 academic year. These estimated amounts are for both undergraduate and graduate-level programs, including BSN, ABSN, MN Pathway to MSN, MN, and MSN, and DNP programs. Opportunities to defray the cost of attendance through scholarships and financial aid are available.

Each program at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing has different tuition structures and billing patterns. Figures shown are for approximation purposes and should not be used in program comparison.

Policy Statement on RefundsRefunds for Emory University students who are federal aid recipients will be prorated in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 and any related regulations.

• Traditional BSN: $26,535/semester
• MN Pathway to MSN: $23,130/semester
• Pre-licensure Master of Nursing : $22,810/semester
• Master of Science in Nursing: $23,550/semester
• Post Masters Certificate: $1,857/hour

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Deliver An Advanced Level Of Critical Care

Learn to plan, implement, and evaluate care for critically ill patients in our online DNP adult-gerontology acute care program. In this specialization, youll explore how to perform diagnostic and therapeutic interventions during rapid physiologic deterioration or life-threatening instability. Master essential skills in health promotion and disease prevention by assessing risks and providing wellness education to vulnerable patient populations.

Walden practicum coordinators are available to assist you in meeting your practicum requirements. Explore our FAQ document for answers to some of the most common questions.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Ranked in the top 30 of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Nursing Schools, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a hybrid MSN Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree. This program combines online, didactic coursework in the first two semesters, with clinical skills lab attendance at the Lubbock, Texas campus during the last semester. Applicants for this program must submit proof of a valid nursing license, completion of undergraduate courses in research and statistics, official academic transcripts for the BSN degree, three professional letters of recommendation, and have at least one year clinical experience in acute care, emergency department setting or ICU, etc. Additional university application materials may also be required.

Length of Program: 48 Credit HoursEstimated Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $250 $665 Curriculum Snapshot: Population Health Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice, Scientific Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice, Leadership for Healthcare, Informatics, Quality and Safety, Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role, Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice, CL , Advanced Health Assessment, CL , Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice, Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology, Essentials of Acute Care, etc.Program Accreditation: CCNEProgram Website:Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

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What Are Other Types Of Nurse Practitioners

In addition to adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners, there are many other types of nurse practitioner careers that you can choose from. Some other popular pathways for nurse practitioner specialties are:4

• Family Nurse Practitioner: provides family-focused services to patients of all ages
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: similar patient demographic to that of an AGACNP, but provides care to those who suffer from chronic illness or need routine medical care
• Womens Health Nurse Practitioner: focuses on providing care to women of all ages
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: provides advanced care to those with psychiatric disorders, often together with primary care doctors and specialty providers
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: provides advanced care to ill and premature newborns, often in neonatal intensive care units
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: focuses on providing care to patients from toddler age to young adult, and can choose to specialize further with a primary or acute care specialization

What Is An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

An acute care nurse practitioner cares for patients by providing immediate and significant treatment due to sickness, recovery from surgery, injury, and the management of complicated medical disorders. They have the training to deal with difficult patient situations, assess a patient’s urgent health state, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and establish a treatment plan to stabilize a patient.

An acute care nurse practitioner can specialize, too. At one time, an acute care nurse practitioner could get certification in acute care, pediatrics or adult-gerontology acute care. Since 2014, the certification exams have only been available for pediatric or adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners.

Whatever specialty you choose, the primary goal is to provide a broad spectrum of care for patients with acute and complex issues. Nurse practitioners can work in a variety of settings, including emergency rooms, acute care units and trauma settings. They may also find roles in long-term care facilities and urgent care clinics.

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Online Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

Master of Science in Nursing

The demand for nurses to deliver comprehensive advanced acute nursing care to the adult population is growing rapidly. As an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, you will use advanced nursing skills to diagnose and create comprehensive holistic treatment plans. Within the advanced practice role of the master of science in nursing program, you will further develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide advanced nursing care across acute care settings, making a positive impact on the health of your patients and communities. Learn more about Hussons acute care nurse practitioner program below or request more info!

Prepare for a career as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

• Flexible online classes with 24/7 access
• 15-week courses
• 95% passage rate for all nursing programs on national certification exams
• Become eligible to sit for the ANCC certification exam as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or the AACN certification exam as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Adult Gerontology.

At The Conclusion Of This Msn Program You Will Be Able To:

You must record a minimum of 650 hours of clinical experience with an approved preceptor. You are encouraged to find your own preceptor, but we can provide information on local clinical sites if needed. A clinical site visit will be conducted, usually during your second or final clinical course, by a faculty member.

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