Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Programs

Opting for a career as an acute care nurse practitioner is a popular choice for nurses who enjoy the fast-paced nature of critical care, but who want to enter advanced practice. There are a variety of programs across the nation to help nurses achieve this goal, and nurses can choose a sub-specialty, such as adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner or pediatric acute care nurse practitioner. Students can also choose between MSN and DNP pathways to further customize their educational experience.

Choosing an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Program

With a little research, picking the right acute care nurse practitioner program can be a snap. Be sure to check for the following when comparing programs:

Accreditation

Proper accreditations are one of the main things a student can look for when researching programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are two of the main accrediting bodies to look for. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses also maintains a list of schools with curriculums verified for acute care nurse practitioner certification.

Program Cost

With most acute care nurse practitioner programs listing tuition cost per credit hour, students will find a range of tuition prices, from roughly $550 to $900 per credit, depending on factors like school, location, and degree-level chosen. Keep in mind that these tuition costs are typically not inclusive of things like mandatory fees, course materials, and other additional expenses.

Program Length

For the typical MSN-level acute care nurse practitioner program, roughly 48 credit hours are required, along with a minimum number of clinical hours. Part-time and full-time study options are usually available. For DNP-level acute care nurse practitioner programs, roughly 77 total credits are needed, along with mandatory clinical hours. Students can expect the DNP program to take about 4 years to complete.

Internship/Externship Opportunities

Many schools have relationships with local hospitals and medical centers in which students can complete their hands-on training. Students can inquire with prospective schools to see what kind of internship/externship opportunities are available to them.

Online/Campus Options

At the request of increasingly time-strapped students, many programs now offer both online and campus-based acute care nurse practitioner programs. Some schools even offer a "hybrid" program, allowing students to take many courses online but also offering classroom-based lectures and labs.

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 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.

MSN Programs

There are a variety of MSN-level specialty programs; the most common is the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Students enrolled in this program will take a mix of advanced nursing courses as well as specialized acute care courses such as Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, Pathophysiology of the Human Disease, and Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Acute Care. Jefferson College of Nursing at Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania offers an accredited MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program.

DNP Programs

Those wanting to enter the highest roles as acute care nurse practitioners can opt for a doctoral degree. These DNP programs emphasize leadership and prepare nurses to provide direct patient management from admission to discharge. Students will take much of the same coursework as MSN students, but will also take classes such as Organizational and Systems Leadership, Clinical Data Management, and numerous DNP Practicum courses. The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers an accredited DNP-level Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program.

Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs

As distance education grows, more schools are offering online acute care nurse practitioner programs. These programs can offer an unprecedented level of flexibility for those with hectic schedules. Be aware, though, that some programs do require a limited amount of on-campus participation as well.

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.

Program Accreditation

Like their classroom-based counterparts, online acute care nurse practitioner programs should be fully accredited. ACEN or CCNE accreditation is strongly preferred, and a school that's been vetted by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is also a safe bet.

Costs and Length

Online acute care nurse practitioner programs require the same amount of credits that a campus-based program does, but part-time study options are much more common with distance learning. This means that the total length of the program generally depends on how quickly the student wants to move through the curriculum. Costs for both MSN and DNP level online programs are also similar to in-person programs, at approximately $500-$800 per credit hour. Boise State University's online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program costs $750 per credit hour.

What Are the Admissions and Certification Requirements?

Admissions requirements for most acute care nurse practitioner programs include:

• Must possess a BSN from an accredited school
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Possess a valid, unencumbered RN license from the U.S. (some states may be ineligible for certain online programs; always inquire with a prospective school first)
• Personal goal statement
• Provide a current copy of a resume or CV
• Professional letters of recommendation

Certification as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP-AG) is through examination via the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC) credential is offered through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Eligibility requirements for these exams include:

• Current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license
• Successful completion of an accredited, graduate-level acute care nurse practitioner program

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.