Your Nursing Education Is An Important Investment Financial Aid And Scholarships Can Help Make Your Goals A Reality
UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your graduate education.
Type of Aid | |
---|---|
Merit Scholarships | $1,500-$3,000 per semester |
Conway Scholarship | full scholarship: tuition and fees |
All students receiving funds through the University must:
- be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program
- complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year by UMB’s award priority deadline
- FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 through Feb. 28
- FAFSA School code: 002104
The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.
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Is There Anything Else I Can Do To Strengthen My Application
Many variables are taken into consideration when reviewing a students application for admission. A strong foundation in courses such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment is one key to success. Writing and grammar skills are also critically important for graduate-level education. Taking a writing course, particularly a technical writing course, may be of assistance. In addition, an applicants involvement in professional and organizational activities, as well as other scholarly activities, is evidence of leadership capabilities and interests. Current clinical experience is ideal and completion of certification in your specialty area is strongly recommended. We highly recommend that you spend several hours shadowing an advanced practice nurse in the specialty you wish to pursue.
Acute Care Patient Groups
- Acute Care Adult-Gerontology:Students who pursue this concentration have a passion for serving elderly patients as they face acute illnesses. Unlike working in pediatrics or neonatal, NPs who follow this path must possess a nuanced set of knowledge and skills that relate to health issues more common to this stage of life, e.g. arthritis, heart disease, and dementia. Understanding the complex needs of this population serves as the foundation for effective care.
- Acute Care Pediatric:While gerontology focuses on end-of-life health issues, pediatrics concentrates on those presenting themselves during the first few years of life. During the course of a standard shift, an acute care pediatric NP may treat children for allergic reactions, broken bones, fevers, ear aches, dermatological issues, or hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Possessing the competencies and knowledge needed to recognize and treat such a wide range of issues requires an advanced education.
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Agacnp Program Enrollment Requirements
To enroll in Herzings online Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, prospective students must live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the MSN AGACNP program, and:
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Classes Start March 7th
Complete An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

For nurses that have a BSN, there are three types of NP programs offered both in-person and online:
- MSN-NP: One of the most common options for NP programs, the MSN-NP is for students who already have their BSN and enroll directly into the program at the graduate level.
- Basic requirements: Applicant must possess a BSN degree.
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Online Acute Care Program Types & Degree Levels
For nurses interested in acute care nurse practitioning, there are two main decisions to make. First, which patient groups do you want to work with? Adult-gerontology and pediatrics are the most common, but some programs have neonatal and womens health tracks, as well. Second, which degree level do you need? The MSN may be all you need now, but a DNP could open doors in research and academic down the road. Get the skinny on the various options below, and begin to chart your path to becoming an acute care NP.
Where Can Graduates Work What Is The Job Market Like For Graduates Of This Specialty
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists work in a variety of capacities within a hospital setting. Similar to clinical rotations, students find positions in both major medical centers and local community hospitals. Positions may vary and include service or unit-based practice. The demand for advanced practice nurses from our program in the acute care setting continues to rise.
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Doctor Of Nursing Practice
The DNP program at South Carolina prepares you to become an advanced practice nurse or for a leadership role. Through online classes and select on-campus immersions, youll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to implement evidence-based practices and system-wide changes to improve patient outcomes.
Video Sessions
Missed our DNP Ask the Expert Information Sessions? Click to view the BSN-DNP and post-master’s DNP sessions. For more, visit our Ask The Expert video sessions with Director of Graduate Admissions, Scott Ranges and Graduate Program faculty!
The DNP program provides two pathways for entrance: post-masters entry and BSN to DNP. BSN-entry students can choose from full-time or part-time program options, whichever pace best fits your career needs and lifestyle.
Do Students Have To Find Their Own Preceptor Or Clinical Site Can They Do Their Clinical Rotations Where They Work
Students are not required to find their own preceptor or clinical site. The UMSON faculty is committed to assigning students to clinical sites that are appropriate for course and program objectives. We are fortunate to have contacts with many nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist alumni and other providers who serve as preceptors. UMSON has clinical contracts with agencies in a variety of settings across the state of Maryland and in Washington, D.C. Students with a particular clinical site/preceptor of interest may forward the contact information to the course faculty member so the faculty member can determine whether the site is appropriate to meet the course objectives. Faculty members must approve any student-suggested site. Students have completed rotations at the University of Maryland Medical Center, the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, and other local hospitals in settings such as acute care, critical care units, and emergency departments, and with hospitalist services and specialty teams such as acute stroke, transplant, and plastic reconstructive services.
Typically, students are not assigned to clinical rotations in the specific environments where they are employed due to a potential conflict of interest. Final approval of clinical site placement is at the faculty members discretion.
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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 & Health Studies 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.
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
In this concentration, you will focus on providing care to those ages 13 and up., with a focus on providing care for frail, vulnerable adults. Nurse practitioners are in a direct-care provider role, and use specialty skills and knowledge in providing care to clients of all ages and stages of development in primary care settings.
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Three How Long Does It Take To Become An Acute Care Np
Acute Care NP programs typically take 2-3 years depending on the specifics of the program and if they are full-time or part-time. Students can complete a program in as little as two years if they follow the full-time progression plan and are able to obtain clinical placements without delay.
Since most will have to work during the program, students generally complete the program in 3 years. Ultimately, students have five years to complete the APRN program. Students can work during the didactic courses, but it is difficult and it is generally not recommended to work during the clinical portion of the program.
Two What Does An Acute Care Np Do

Acute Care NPs provide care for everything from disease prevention to acute care management. Often, practitioners will continue to follow patients from the hospital setting to the outpatient setting.
Acute Care NPs specific duties include:
- Order and interpret tests and laboratory values
- Develop treatment plans
- Insert chest tubes
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Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
For nurses who would prefer not to concede their lives to go to a distant on-campus program, online ACNP programs can be both a flexible and phenomenal other choice.
Sponsored Online Nursing Program
Earn an MS in Nursing. Specialize in Adult Gerontology and Acute Care.
Become an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in as few as 23 months with Georgetown Universitys online program. RN and BSN required.
Acute Care Nurse Career In Brief
Acute care nurse practitioners serve as a crucial communication link for all healthcare professionals. ACNPs determine the direction of patient care for acutely and critically ill patients. Their duties include making life-saving decisions in fast-paced environments. ACNP responsibilities typically require performing intubation, managing care, and prescribing medications. While ACNPs may work long shifts, the work can be rewarding.
ACNPs treat people of all ages suffering from a wide variety of acute conditions in the hospital setting. These may include serious trauma or injury and neurological, respiratory, cardiac, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, or psychiatric issues that require urgent medical or surgical intervention. Depending on the setting, ACNPs may prepare patients for surgery or evaluate patients during their rounds. Most work as part of a team, collaborating with physicians and other healthcare providers to deliver care.
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Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Graduates of the Post-BSN to DNP Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty provide mental health care in a variety of primary care settings with populations that represent the full life span. As advanced primary care specialists, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners assess, diagnose and manage commonly occurring mental health conditions in collaboration with other primary health care providers.
To best accommodate the needs of the nursing workforce, the Post-BSN to DNP NP curriculum is offered via a part-time program of study delivered through a distance accessible format that combines synchronous online classes with on-campus intensives, where students participate in planned laboratory and simulation experiences designed to promote mastery of essential skill sets. The curriculum is accomplished through 79 credit hours of course work, with 59 credit hours of didactic coursework and 20 credit hours of clinical practica, that is completed in nine or ten successive semesters depending on the semester of entry.
Earn The Msn Degree You Need To Become An Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- CCNE accredited1
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Program length: 24 months
- 6 start dates with no wait list!
- 100% online classes with 585 clinical hourswe pledge your clinical placement
- Prepare for certification exams from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation
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Acnp Admissions & Accreditation
To earn admission to an acute care nurse practitioner program, you must hold an active RN license. While the majority of programs are geared towards learners who already hold a BSN or MSN, some also accept ASN, ADN, and diploma holders. Regardless of education level completed, almost all programs look for students with at least six months of acute care registered nurse experience prior to offering admission. Other prerequisites and admission criteria are reviewed in the following sections.
What Is An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
An acute care nurse practitioner is an advanced-practice registered nurse who specializes in the care of acutely ill or injured patients. They work primarily in hospitals and urgent care centers. They diagnose medical problems and order treatments and medications to help patients recover from sudden illness/injury or exacerbated chronic conditions.
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Your Clinical Placement Is Our Pledge
We understand securing clinical placement as part of an AGACNP program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, well encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment agreement.
Executive Leadership In Health Care

Executive Leadership program is practice based and prepares nursing leaders for multidimensional responsibilities in nursing practice and healthcare delivery. The curriculum emphasizes strategic leadership, organizational/systems, evidence-based management, financial, quality/safety and information management expertise, and strategies for making health care policy impacts. Graduates will identify actual and emerging problems and will design aggregate-level health interventions. Students will take a series of leadership courses that will prepare them to be effective leaders in complex organizations/settings and to respond to the challenges of healthcare today. Competencies outlined in the American Organization of Nurse Leaders Nurse Executive Competencies, the AONL Population Health Competencies, the American Nursing Credentialing Center Nursing Executive Certification domains of practice, and the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice are addressed in the program.
Download the part time sample curriculum here.
Graduates of the Executive Leadership specialty may be eligible to sit for the Nurse Executive – Advanced certification exam with the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Certified in Executive Nursing Practice exam with the American Organization of Nurse Executives . Eligibility for certification also requires meeting practice requirements for the respective agency.
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Doctor Of Nursing Practiceoverview
The post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice degree allows students to earn a MSN while working on the DNP.
Choose from eight MSN nurse practitioner options, complete the American Association of Colleges of Nursings Essentials of Masters Education in Nursing, and achieve national certification before completing the doctoral part of the program.
The doctoral coursework features a tailored plan of study dependent on your schedule and pace, and it includes a Practice Inquiry Project.
The post-BSN to DNP program can be completed in a minimum of four years up to a maximum of six years.
Dnp Ag Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
This major is designed to prepare nurses for the highest level of clinical practice in the profession of nursing as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner . We recommend that students entering the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Major have at least one to two years of RN/direct patient care experience in an acute care management setting. This new major includes a total of 76 credit hours of post baccalaureate study and 1035 clinical hours. The major is designed in accordance with the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing, the NONPF Core competencies, and Population Focus Nurse Practitioner Competencies . Upon successful completion of this major, graduates will be eligible to sit for the ACNP certification exam and be awarded the DNP degree.
This program is available for full-time and part-time study with coursework primarily online. Students are required to attend five sessions on the main campus at Florida State University. A majority of the courses have a synchronous component and on-demand classes which means that 3 to 5 synchronous zoom classes will be scheduled throughout the semester.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:
Successful completion of all post-baccalaureate, graduate course work. This coursework includes successful completion of all core courses with a grade of B or higher and a DNP project.
Cumulative GPA in the program of 3.0 or higher.
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Scholarships And Financial Aid
Cizik School of Nursing is proud of its commitment to doctoral education through the offering of merit and need-based scholarships and grants. The application process is competitive and begins during the application review cycle.
Students interested in a BSN to DNP scholarship are encouraged to submit the Cizik School of Nursing Scholarship Application after applying for admission.