Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Career
Between 2017 and 2027, the need for Nurse Practitioners is predicted to skyrocket, and demand for Acute Care NPs is anticipated to follow suit.
There were 155,600 Nurse Practitioners employed in the United States in 2017, and there will be 211,700 by 2027.
The accumulation of over 56,200 Nurse Practitioners in the US healthcare system is a 35.9 percent increase, proposed to be fueled by a variety of variables.
The expanding population together with the need for people to access more inexpensive healthcare is the key driving reason behind the rise in the coming years.
Adult/gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The AGACNP is a brand new track in the Master’s Program designed to develop advanced skills in the care of the acute and/or critical care patient, from young adult to older adult.
Acute care NPs can work in an emergency room, operating room, walk-in clinic, doctors’ office, critical care unit or community-based environment.
Post Masters Certificate
The Post Master’s APRN Certificate for the Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track develops advanced skills for the current MSN graduate in the care of the acute and/or critical care patient, from young adult to older adult.
Visit our Information Session page for upcoming opportunities to learn more about the program.
Certified Nurse Anesthesia Programs
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs is the professional organization that approves nurse anesthesia programs nationwide. Their website includes the nationwide listing of accredited nurse anesthesia programs and the Councilâs standard for accreditation and accreditation policies and procedures. The list includes accredited nurse anesthesia programs in California.
* Denotes Private Schools
100 South Los Robles, Suite 550 | Pasadena | |
20 E. River Park Place West | Fresno | |
School of Nursing, CRNA, 3100 Summit Street, 3rd Floor | Oakland | |
Center for Health Professions, 1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 223 | Los Angeles | 442-2037 |
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Why Get An Msn Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree
One of the key reasons for getting an acute care nurse practitioner MSN degree is the flexibility it provides for your career. With this type of degree, you can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Trauma centers
- Emergency departments
- Specialty care centers
Due to the continued aging of the population, an acute care nurse practitioner who holds an MSN will be in a leadership role no matter where their employment journey takes them. Graduates can opt to work hands-on with patients by providing them with direct care or work behind the scenes in policymaking, education, compliance, and more. Lets take a closer look at the MSN pathway for a prospective acute care nurse practitioner.
Drexel University In Philadelphia

Programs Delivered: Post-Masters Certificate and MSN
MSN Attentions: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Acute Care/Pediatric Primary Nurse Practitioner Dual Program
Post-Masters Certificate Attentions: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, and Pediatric Primary Care and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
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Why Is Online Acute Care Np Program Accreditation Important
Choosing an accredited online ACNP curriculum is beneficial for many reasons.
- Accreditation ensures that programs adhere to a common quality standard.
- Attending an unaccredited institution can disqualify you from receiving federal financial aid.
- Unaccredited undergraduate degrees may not be valid to graduate programs.
- A degree from an accredited school can lead to better job prospects.
- Some state boards of nursing only grant licensure to graduates from accredited institutions.
- Accredited schools likely offer more current nursing theory and practice courses.
- Employers typically want to confirm the validity of ACNP online programs and prefer nurses from accredited programs.
How Many Years Does It Take To Become An Acnp
With education and training, it can take 6-8 years to become an ACNP. All ANCPs need to earn their bachelor’s degree, which takes a minimum of four years. Many work for 1-2 years to gain nursing experience before earning a master’s degree, a two-year endeavor. The certification process may require additional continuing education hours.
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Advantages Of An Online Program
The convenience of online programs is the main draw for most students. Those with busy lives and numerous commitments can take courses from the comfort of their own homes. This is ideal for those who don’t live close enough to a university to make commuting feasible. Additionally, online students don’t have to worry about the gas or parking expenses that campus-based students must deal with.
What Is The Difference Between A Family Nurse Practitioner And An Acnp
Both FNPs and ACNPs hold graduate degrees and certifications. However, FNPs provide primary long-term care, whereas ACNPs treat patients with critical healthcare issues. Additionally, FNPs usually serve a wide variety of patients, while ACNPs specialize in specific populations such as children and adolescents.
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University Of Southern Indiana
In the online Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of Southern Indiana, students can choose between a primary care or acute care concentration for adults and older adults, a family nurse practitioner concentration, or a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner concentration.
A total of 42-44 credits are needed to complete the programs, including introductory courses, clinical experiences, and a concentration. A clinical preceptorship is required for students to complete their didactic work online.
On-campus orientation and periodic two-day visits to the college are also mandatory.
Middle Adult/Gerontology Acute Care is the focus of a Master of Science in Nursing degree at Georgia State University. Except for two one-day intensives per semester, the course is entirely online.
More than 630 clinical hours are required for the two-year curriculum.
Upon approval from their program coordinator, students complete clinical requirements in a Georgia hospital to fulfill their educational needs.
Students study advanced nursing skills, managerial tactics, and Six Sigma principles through online courses and clinical practice.
At The Conclusion Of This Msn Program You Will Be Able To:
Demonstrate leadership based upon advanced knowledge.
Promote and improve quality in the workplace through quality improvement practices.
Synthesize knowledge of nursing practice, theory and research as a foundation for advanced nursing practice.
Demonstrate continued professional development through ongoing education.
Build an interdisciplinary professional network that includes collaboration and teamwork.
Promote positive changes in health care delivery and nursing practice.
Engage in caring and collaborative relationships with patients/clients for shared decision-making.
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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Profiling Online Acnp Programs
Anyone looking at ACNP programs, especially online programs, will have questions. How does the online component work? How much does the program cost? Is it accredited? The best way to answer these questions is with research. To help you get a handle on what an online ACNP program entails, weve unearthed some of the key details of todays most popular advanced nursing programs online. See how these programs stack up.
Duke University
From its home base in Durham, North Carolina, Duke Universitys School of Nursing offers an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner MSN with a specialization in Acute Care. This degree requires 48 credits alongside 840 clinical hours, the latter of which allows students to immerse themselves in real-world learning situations that help build experience and confidence along the way.
The School of Nursing offers start dates in the fall and spring and requires applicants to provide transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, updated resume, and official GRE scores.
Rush University
Operating as a private university in Chicago, Rush University was founded in 1972 as the teaching division of the Rush University Medical Center. The institution offers an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice for pediatric BSNs and MSNs with advanced experience to meet the needs of acutely ill children from birth through young adulthood.
Vanderbilt University
About The Acute Care Np Career

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses that are certified in acute care, pediatric acute care, and/or adult-gerontology acute care.
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offers board certification to acute care nurse practitioners.
Often this role is confused with Family Nurse Practitioners however, the difference is that ACNPs see patients when they are sick, admitted to the hospital, or after a surgical procedure and/or trauma.
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners , some interesting facts regarding Acute Care NPs include:
- The top clinical focus areas of NPs certified in adult-gerontology acute care are critical care, cardiovascular, and hospitalist
- The top practice settings of NPs certified in adult-gerontology acute care are hospital inpatient units and hospital outpatient clinics
- The top diagnoses treated by AGACNPs are hypertension, heart failure, and diabetes
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Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program Overview
Through a blend of asynchronous didactic content, synchronous class sessions, and in-person Objective Clinical Intensives , the online Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program from Georgetown University School of Nursing prepares registered nurses to manage the care of patients with acute and chronic conditions.
The program is designed for RNs with at least one year of full-time experience in an intensive care unit, emergency department, telemetry unit, or progressive care unit. Students learn to communicate clearly with patients and families, listen actively to their concerns, and manage complex acute health situations.
Having completed a Master of Science degree in Nursing, graduates of the online AG-ACNP program are eligible to sit for national certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses . Once certified, they may serve as nurse practitioners in acute and complex care settings for adult and older adult patients.
Rush University In Chicago
Programs Delivered: Post-Graduate Certificate, Postdoctoral Certificate, and DNP
Post-Graduate Certificate Attention: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
DNP Attention: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Post-Doctoral Certificate Attention: Acute Care Adult-Gerontology
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Provide Stability In Critical Environments
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares nurses to further their careers as providers in acute and critical care settings. Nurses sharpen their skills to effectively and confidently provide care and prescribe for patients with critical health issues. In addition to assessing the needs of patients, the program will teach the pharmacological, non-pharmacological and interventional theory required for success in high-risk acute care settings.
This hybrid program allows students to complete almost all of their coursework online outside of three one-week immersions that must be completed on campus. Within two years of completing the MSN, students have the option of seamlessly transitioning into the Doctor of Nursing Practice program without losing any credits or duplicating any coursework.
Are Acute Care Nps In Demand
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employment opportunities for all nurse practitioners would grow by 45% between 2020 and 2030. This is much faster than the national average of other healthcare-related professions including Registered Nurses.
As of 2020, there were 220,300 advanced practice nurses with an expected need of an additional 114,900 by 2030. Additionally, as the healthcare industry continues to change there will continue to be a need for ACNPs.
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Adult Gerontology Acnp Certification Examination Rates
Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for national certification they must also meet state requirements to obtain licensure.
The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates to sit for the Adult Gerontology ACNP certification exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses .
The statistics below include certification rate information for online students who graduated from Georgetown Universitys MS in Nursing program in the year indicated.
What Will You Learn In An Agacnp Program
Acute Care NP programs adhere to the Nurse Practitioner framework and core competencies established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for Nurse Practitioners. Those nine competencies are:
- Ethics
- Health Policy, Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Practice
- Leadership and Critical Decision Making
- Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
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Admission And Certification Requirements
Specific admission requirements may vary between schools, but MSN/DNP students may be required to:
- Have a BSN from an accredited undergraduate nursing program
- Have a valid, active RN or APRN license
- Provide letters of recommendation
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Complete a Graduate Record Examination
- Have prior work experience as an RN/ APRN
- Complete a college/university-level statistics course
- Provide transcripts from previous collegiate coursework
How To Pick The Right Acute Care Np Program For You

Picking the right Acute Care NP program can be overwhelming especially with the increasing number of available programs throughout the country. Online programs have given access to top-tier programs for those that are unable to relocate.
The most important determining factor when choosing a program is understanding if the state in which you reside allows students to enroll in distance education programs and therefore participate in clinical practicums within the state.
It is important to check with your state board of nursing to see if your state allows this. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and by a professional organization. Any questions regarding state eligibility you can also contact the Universitys Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs.
Other things you should consider are:
- Do you qualify for the prerequisites?
- Is the program accredited?
- What is the graduate certification rate?
- Does your current job have an affiliation with a specific program?
- Do you prefer obtaining your MSN or DNP?
- Do you want a program that will find your clinical placements?
- How will I pay for the degree? Loans? Scholarships? Tuition Reimbursement?
- Is there program flexibility?
- What is the job placement rate?
- What is your goal after graduation? Hospital? Private practice?
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Explore 21+ Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs Find The Best School For You In 2022
Acute care nurse practitioner programs help to prepare nurses to care for and support acutely ill patients. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits advanced practice registered nurse programs, which includes acute care nurse practitioner programs.
While the American Nurses Credentialing Center only offers renewals of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification , the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offers many acute nurse practitioner certifications for adult, pediatric, neonatal, and gerontology for registered nurses and APRNs.
Introduction To Acnp Programs
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners also called Acute Care Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Nurses who provide patient care ranging from disease prevention to acute care management.
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program prepares Nurses to provide advanced practice in acute care settings by focusing on the care of acutely or critically ill patients.
They also cater for the complex chronically ill patients and their family members in high-acuity specialty areas.
These high-acuity specialty areas are emergency rooms and trauma centers, critical care, Intensive Care Units, general surgery, plastic surgery, trauma surgery, and Hospital Medicine Units.
Patients are frequently followed from the hospital to the outpatient setting by Practitioners.
If you are contemplating how to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner you must first complete an accredited BSN , MSN , DNP , Post-Masters Certificate Program, or Post-Graduate Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program.
Nurse Practitioner Programs in acute care assist Nurses in preparing to support and care for acutely or critically ill patients.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Programs, which include Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs, are approved by the CCNE .
The role of an ACNP is frequently confused with that of a Family Nurse Practitioner .
Some interesting facts about Acute Care Nurse Practitioners, according to the AANP :
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In Detail: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
- Synchronous learning:Synchronous learning refers to a style of online education that requires students and professors to login to the designated learning platform at specific times to participate in live lectures, discussions, and assignments. This style of distance learning appeals to students with flexible schedules who want to feel more connected and involved with their cohort. It may especially appeal to registered nurses who work night shifts but can participate in classes offered at standard times during the day. On the other hand, individuals with busy schedules may find it difficult to commit to being online during specific hours multiple times per week.
- Asynchronous leaning:Asynchronous learning makes it possible for online students to watch lectures, communicate with their peers and professors, and turn in assignments that fit with their unique schedules. So long as students meet deadlines, it does not matter when/where the work is completed. This appeals to students who need flexibility to juggle personal, professional, and academic responsibilities. This could be a great option for ACNP students who have little flexibility due to their rotation hours or shift irregularities.
The University Of South Alabama In Mobile
Programs Offered: BSN to DNP, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificate, and MSN to DNP
BSN to DNP Attention: Dual Role , Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP, and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Attention: Dual Role , Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP, and Pediatric Acute Care NP
Post-Graduate Certificate Attention: Dual Role , Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP, and Pediatric Acute Care NP
MSN to DNP Attention: Dual Role , Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP, and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
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School Of Nursing In Duke University Durham
Programs Offered: BSN to DNP, Post-Graduate Certificate, and MSN
Post-Graduate Certificate Attention: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP Attention: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN Attention: Acute Care and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Acute Care
We Find Your Clinical Placements
No scrambling. No waiting. No guessing. We have a dedicated team to support all your clinical placements needs. Yes, that includes finding your preceptors.
That also includes all the details that could be overlooked. The clinical affairs team will ensure you are prepared and stay in compliance with all on-boarding requirements of your clinical sites.
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