Best Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs

Bridge, Accelerated, and Alternative Pathways

There are several alternative educational pathways to an Acute Care NP program that don't require a prior BSN (or MSN, for DNP programs). These accelerated and bridge programs help Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) students and even those without a previous nursing degree enter ACNP degree programs. While these options are rigorous and intensive, they often save students time and money by being considerably shorter than traditional degree routes. They are commonly offered both on-campus and online. Check out the options below:

• RN to NP
• RN to MSN
• BSN to DNP
• Accelerated MSN
• Master's Entry to Nursing Practice
• Post-Master’s Certificate

Learn more about Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Fast & Affordable ACNP Programs

Nurses considering going back to school for an acute care nurse practitioner program often have the same concerns: how much will it cost me, and how long will it take? To stay competitive, many schools are offering quick and affordable programs to help students get into the workforce efficiently. If you're concerned about the time and expense it will take to complete an ACNP degree program, read on to learn about some of the cheapest and shortest options available.

How to Complete an ACNP Program Quickly

Completing an MSN or DNP-level Acute Care NP program doesn't have to derail your life. If you're interested in finishing your degree as fast as possible, you can consider several methods.

1. Opting for a full-time program will save you time over a part-time option.
2. Online programs can often be completed more quickly than their on-campus counterparts.
3. MSN ACNP programs typically take 2 years to complete, much shorter than 3-4 year DNP programs.

A few examples of quick ACNP programs include:

ACNP Programs with Affordable Tuition

The costs of an acute care nurse practitioner degree program can vary depending on many different factors. Online ACNP programs typically offer some savings, especially when you consider the eliminated cost of commuting. Other things that impact tuition include:

1. Location – Urban and high-cost living areas will naturally command higher tuition rates.
2. Private vs. Public Schools – Private schools often have higher tuition and fees than public schools.
3. Degree Level – MSN-level ACNP programs are often shorter and cheaper than DNP options.

Here are a few of the most affordable ACNP programs available:

ACNP Curriculum

An acute care nurse practitioner program focuses on training nurses to manage patients with complex acute, critical, and chronic health issues. The curriculum can be pursued at both theMSN and DNP levels, with differences in the depth of study and clinical requirements. Both degree levels are commonly found on-campus and online, but keep in mind that clinical requirements will need to be completed in person.

Typical Classes/Courses

Below is a bullet-point list of common courses found in ACNP programs at both the MSN and DNP levels:

• Advanced Pathophysiology/Pharmacology
• Acute and Critical Care Management
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Clinical Decision-Making in Acute Care
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Ethics in Acute Care
• Leadership and Policy in Healthcare (DNP-level)
• Healthcare Policy and Advocacy (DNP-level)
• Quality Improvement and Safety (DNP-level)
• DNP Capstone Project (DNP-level)

Program Clinical Requirements

Both MSN and DNP Acute Care NP programs require substantial clinical practice. Clinical requirements typically include 500-1000+ hours of supervised clinical experience, depending on the degree level. Be sure to refer to your program's curriculum for specific information on how many direct-care clinical hours are required.

MSN: ACNP students typically complete around 500-600 clinical hours, focusing on direct patient care in acute and critical care settings such as hospitals, ICUs, and emergency departments.

DNP: DNP programs often require 1,000+ clinical hours, which includes additional time for advanced clinical roles, leadership, and project-based learning aimed at healthcare improvement. DNP students may also complete a clinical residency and undertake a DNP capstone project to demonstrate mastery of acute care skills and evidence-based practice integration.

Clinical experiences are essential to developing the competencies needed to manage high-acuity patients, including diagnostic proficiency, critical thinking, and emergency response in acute care settings.

List of Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs

There are a variety of acute care nurse practitioner programs available, see the list below.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.