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Online Adult Nurse Practitioner Programs

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What To Look For In An Online Nurse Practitioner Program

MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, A-GACNP

Be wary when NP programs offer a fast track to a six-figure salary. While NPs enjoy high pay, they earn their role through rigorous study. Classwork and clinical rotations prepare them to administer effective care, shape healthcare policies, and maintain professional standards. Candidates searching for a quality NP program should prioritize the following factors.

University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston

If you live in the greater Houston area this may be the program for you. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s Cizik School of Nursing offers a hybrid/blend MSN A-GPCNP degree that may be completed in five to eight semesters. Admission requires students to submit official academic transcripts for all schools attended, a BSN with a 3.0 GPA from an accredited program, an undergraduate statistics course, and at least one-year clinical nursing experience. The school recommends this program for students who live within commuting distance of the health science center. U.S. News and World Report nationally ranks the Cizik School of Nursing as one of its Best Nursing Schools.

Program Length: 41 Credit HoursEstimated Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $282 $1,115 Curriculum Snapshot: Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Physical Examination/Differential Diagnosis, Advanced Physical Examination/Differential Diagnosis Lab, Diagnostic Tests and Procedures, Advanced Practice Role in Population Health, Transition to Advanced Practice Nursing, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinicals, and more.Program Accreditation: CCNEProgram Website:University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Choosing An Appropriate Adult

Choosing an appropriate adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program depends on your career starting place. For example, if you already hold a BSN, MSN programs and BSN to DNP programs may be right for you. However, if you are already a practicing nurse practitioner or have another graduate degree, a post-masters certificate program might be best for you.

If I Currently Have

You may still be wondering which degree path is right for you. To narrow it down, define your specific mission in working with the broad adult-gerontology population and align your degree choice with the best option to reach that goal. Use the following table to help you define your goal and decide which degree path will lead you in the right direction. Choosing the best adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program for you also depends on your career goals. It is important to assess your long-term goals in terms of practice location, career advancement, as well as breadth of job opportunities you wish to explore. While specific degree types may not limit your opportunities, they may enhance your ability to qualify and succeed in particular nursing roles.

MSN
My passion is to create and improve national health policies X
I wish to understand population-based adult-gerontology health in order to improve healthcare outcomes for adults across the nation X
I want to guide healthcare law and ethics to improve the quality of life for older adults X

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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.

Applying To An Online Nurse Practitioner Program In New York

Adult

Applying to an NP program often includes taking the GRE, arranging for recommendation letters, ordering official transcripts, completing prerequisite classes, and writing a personal essay. Applicants should also make sure their resumes are up-to-date and practice their interviewing skills should the program require one.

Admission Requirements:Program Length:Clinical Requirements:GPA Requirement:Other Requirements:

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What Can You Do As A Nurse Practitioner

Thanks to their advanced training and education, NPs hold more clinical autonomy than RNs. NPs make key decisions in patient care and serve as primary caregivers, much like physicians. They hold hospital admitting privileges and may prescribe medication in collaboration with a physician, although NPs may prescribe independently in some states.

While some 47% of these advanced practice registered nurses work in physicians’ offices, others find jobs in hospitals, outpatient care centers, educational services, and health practitioners’ offices. Around 90% are certified to work in specialized primary care areas like family, adult-gerontology primary care, and acute care.

An NP’s earning potential depends on their specialty area and their work setting. Emergency departments are the top-paying setting for NPs, offering $135,000 a year. Read about other lucrative career options on this page.

Answers To Your Concerns About Np Programs

RNs with a BSN can typically earn an MSN in two years. However, completion times vary by factors like specialty and enrollment status.

Graduates with an online MSN degree can pursue generalist nurse practitioner roles or more specialized roles, like nurse anesthetist.

An MSN meets the minimum educational requirement to assume nurse practitioner roles.

Many MSN programs require applicants to hold a BSN. However, some schools offer bridge programs that allow RNs with an associate degree or diploma to pursue an MSN in an accelerated format.

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Getting Your Professional License And Certification After Your Online Agnp Program

All AGNPs in the United States must be licensed as RNs in the state or states in which they practice. Additionally, some states require nurse practitioners to hold a specific NP license to practice within that state. If you are looking for an AGNP degree or certificate program, you are likely already a RN or possibly even an APRN. Regardless of your RN or APRN status, if you want to learn more about a particular states licensure requirements, contact the states regulatory agency directly. You can find contact information using this NCSBN interactive map. You can also find licensure information for each state by visiting the American Association of Nurse Practitioners website.

Additionally, following completion of an AGNP degree or certificate program, prospective AGNPs should obtain national board certification, which in the U.S. is available through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses , the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board . Most states require national board certification as part of their licensure process.

To find out more about the specific certifications offered, visit the following sites:

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Advantages Of An Online Program

Ohio University’s Online MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Most students credit the convenience and flexibility of online programs as the reason they chose that pathway. With online learning, students take courses in their own home, and generally on their own time schedule. Online programs also have the advantage of reducing commuting costs, as students don’t have to deal with gas, parking, and other transportation expenses.

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Online Nurse Practitioner Degree Overview & Career Information

The Master of Science in Nursing for nurse practitioners is usually a two-year degree, but some schools require three years of training. Students are expected to already be a practicing nurse, and they will learn about topics such as women’s health, family practice, pharmaceuticals, injury treatment and prevention, and various types of medical testing. A Doctor of Nursing Practice will give students all of the same tools and knowledge as an MSN, but with more in-depth analysis. DNPs also usually require a residency period, where students work under the guidance of a licensed NP.

Anyone applying to a nurse practitioner preparation degree program must be a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree. Some schools require that applicants have a certain amount of experience, measured either in years or hours. While on-campus NP programs emphasize collaborative group work and class discussion, online students do most of their learning alone. Most online students are also expected to maintain a nursing job while they are enrolled in order to implement and practice new skills as they learn them. Schools may ask for proof of employment and letters of recommendation from employers.

How Do Online Msn In Gerontology Programs Work

Online programs let working nurses continue working while earning an MSN in gerontology. Programs vary by course offerings and format. Generally, online courses function asynchronously, with some synchronous requirements. However, every program requires in-person practicum experiences. Some nursing schools may allow students to earn practicum hours at their job or find local placements.

Coursework explores advanced pharmacology, healthcare policy, and advanced diagnostics. Students also complete practicums working in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. Many online MSN gerontology degrees offer tracks in acute or primary care. Courses take 8-16 weeks to complete, with exact start and end dates varying by semester.

Graduates who hold an accredited MSN gerontology degree have the training to pass certification tests, such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program.

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Online Agpcnp Programs: Clinical Hours

All states require AGNPs to fulfill a minimum number of clinical hours in order to earn licensure or certification as an APRN. As a result, all accredited online AGNP programs require students to complete a certain number of clinical hours while enrolled. Clinical hours are defined as the time a student spends in an actual medical setting, fulfilling real nursing tasks under the supervision of a preceptor. Preceptors are medical professionals that serve as mentors and guides to students during their clinical internships. Preceptors also monitor students progress and help to determine students grades for their clinical work.

Online AGNP programs typically require between 540 and 900 clinical hours, and often divide these hours across several terms. For example, an AGNP program that requires 900 clinical hours might spread these hours out over six terms, so that students fulfill 150 hours per term. Students in an online DNP program must complete a minimum of 1000 clinical hours in order to qualify for the degree, and some schools require more than 1,000 hours.

What Can You Do As A Nurse Practitioner In New York

Adult

The New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions licenses NPs in several practice specialty areas, including adult health, family health, gerontology, neonatology, and obstetrics. NPs provide primary and/or acute care and diagnose, treat, and manage patients in hospital and ambulatory care facilities that include physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, and specialty clinics. They may also supervise nursing staff and educate patients and their families about their care.

New York ranks among the top five U.S. states for NP salaries with an average annual compensation rate of $126,440. NPs nationwide can expect a 45% projected job growth rate from 2019 to 2029, including those in New York.

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Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs 2021

Based in College Station, Texas A& M’s College of Nursing offers a master of science in nursing in family nurse practitioner, mostly online. In addition to the online coursework, students must begin the program with a one-day intensive on campus and must complete 45 hours on campus throughout the program to qualify for licensure.

The 48-credit program covers course topics such as advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and primary care of families. Students must travel to the Bryan-College Station campus twice to complete clinical hours. Students must also plan an on-campus visit during the completion of the diagnostics and procedures course. The rest of the curriculum happens online with flexible scheduling.

The program accepts Texas residents with unencumbered registered nurse licensure only. The program recommends a 3.0 minimum GPA on the last 60 hours of the student’s bachelor of nursing degree. Students must also complete elementary statistics with a grade of “C” or better before the first day of class.

Texas A& M is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school also boasts programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Located in Milledgeville, Georgia College offers an online master of science in nursing in family nurse practitioner. Students take courses online but must travel to campus a few times throughout the program.

Online Master’s Degrees In Nurse Practitioner

An online Master of Science in Nursing degree with a nurse practitioner concentration prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in the field. Programs focus on advanced nursing theory and principles in the design and delivery of primary care. This training helps students prepare to take the national certification exam after graduation. Master’s NP programs also establish a foundation for pursuing doctoral studies in the field.

Program Requirements

Applicants to an online nurse practitioner master’s program should hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a registered nurse license. Students may be required to complete prerequisite courses such as statistics and basic computer courses. Once enrolled, NP master’s students will generally need to complete 42-48 credits including clinical practice hours. Full-time students may complete the program in two years, while part-time students may require three to six years.

Curriculum

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What Courses Do Gerontology Students Take

MSN students complete 30-60 credits in core and specialization courses. Each nursing program features a different curriculum. Generally, gerontology students learn policy and advocacy in healthcare, the fundamentals of evidence-based nursing practice, advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, and health assessments.

The Importance Of An Accredited Online Nurse Practitioner Program

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care

Accreditation is an important factor to consider when deciding which online degree or certificate NP program to attend. One of the most important reasons for attending an accredited program is that most professional nursing certification exams are only open to candidates who have completed an accredited degree program. When a program is accredited, it means that it meets the nationally-recognized standards set by independent agencies with regard to curriculum and the qualifications of faculty, among other things. Accreditation also helps to ensure that the credits you earn will be transferable to other accredited institutions and that you will be eligible for federal financial aid.

Prospective NPs should choose online degrees that are accredited by programmatic accrediting agencies, such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education , and by institutional accrediting agencies, such as the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation maintain databases of all accredited schools and programs.

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Join A Proudly Accredited Institution

View our Accreditations, State Authorizations and more

Chamberlain has university accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and masters degree program in nursing accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education . Chamberlain continuously earns new approvals from respected agencies across the nation.

Chamberlain University confers online degrees from its Main Campus in Addison, IL.

Online Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs

Explore online grad program options, find top-rated nursing schools, and start your path to becoming an AGNP.

Michael Hoffman

Bio

A former practicing attorney, Michael Hoffman has years of experience as a freelance journalist specializing in the research and writing of higher education content from online learning to financial aid, and everything in between. Michael is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael practiced for several years as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked in Santa Monica, California as a development executive for a major film producer.

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A Promising Career Elevating The Standard Of Excellence

A career as a nurse practitioner positions you to meet a growing need for advanced practitioners in the nursing field. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there are currently 234,000 licensed nurse practitioners, compared with 106,000 in 2004, and the number is expected to keep on rising. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics confirms strong overall wage growth for Nurse Practitioners:

  • Average national salary for Nurse Practitioners: $111,840*
  • New Jersey is ranked as the #4 top paying state with an average salary of $123,810*

Graduates of the M.S.N., A.G.N.P. program will be ready to practice in any adult primary care setting, including:

  • Cardiology
  • Hospice
  • Palliative care

An online M.S.N., A.G.N.P. from Seton Hall University provides the immersive experiences and quality education you need to become highly qualified nurse practitioner and excel in your career. Learn more about your next step in this high-demand field by contacting an Admissions Advisor at 823-1198 or requesting more information. * Occupational Employment and Wages May 2019 – 29-1171 Nurse Practitioners. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on November 17, 2020. www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm#nat.

Agpcnp Program Enrollment Requirements

DNP Family Nurse Practitioner

To enroll in Herzings online adult gerontology nurse practitioner program, prospective students must live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the MSN AGPCNP program, and:

  • Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the same state in which they live.
  • Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university or college with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, 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 May 9th

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