Are you a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) looking to specialize in acute care? Drexel University’s online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program is designed to equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to manage complex medical needs of adult and geriatric patients in acute and critical care settings. This program offers a robust curriculum, experienced faculty, and the flexibility of online learning to help you achieve your career goals.
What to Expect from the Drexel Acute Care NP Program
The Drexel Acute Care Np Program is meticulously crafted to prepare advanced practice nurses to excel in the demanding field of acute care. It focuses on developing practitioners capable of managing acutely ill or injured adult patient populations across various healthcare environments.
Key Program Highlights:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: The 57-credit graduate track provides in-depth knowledge and specialized skills for adult-gerontology acute care.
- Extensive Clinical Experience: Students complete 800 clinical hours, gaining hands-on experience in real-world acute care settings.
- Flexible Online Format: Enjoy the convenience of online learning with synchronous lectures that promote interactive engagement.
- Expert Faculty: Learn from clinically active faculty members who hold national board certifications and bring real-world expertise to the classroom.
- Simulation-Based Learning: Benefit from state-of-the-art multidisciplinary patient simulation labs and standardized patient experiences to refine your clinical skills.
- Career Advancement: Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exams, opening doors to advanced practice roles in hospitals, intensive care units, specialty practices, and more.
Curriculum and Clinical Practicum: A Blend of Theory and Practice
The Drexel Acute Care NP program seamlessly integrates online learning with essential clinical practice. The curriculum is structured to provide a strong theoretical foundation alongside practical clinical experience.
Curriculum Structure:
The program is a 57-credit graduate track designed to be completed over several quarters, allowing for an accelerated learning pace. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics essential for acute care nurse practitioners, including:
- Advanced health assessment and pathophysiology
- Pharmacology for advanced practice nurses
- Diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions in adults and older adults
- Critical care medicine
- Advanced practice nursing roles and healthcare policy
Clinical Practicum:
A significant component of the Drexel Acute Care NP program is the 800-hour clinical practicum requirement. This hands-on experience is crucial for translating theoretical knowledge into practical skills.
- Concurrent Didactic and Clinical Courses: Clinical practicum courses combine online didactic lectures with concurrent clinical rotations.
- Synchronous Online Lectures: Engage in weekly, three-hour synchronous online lectures that foster interaction and real-time learning.
- Extensive Clinical Hours: Each clinical practicum course requires 160 total clinical hours, typically completed over two eight-hour clinical days per week.
- Simulation Labs: Enhance your skills through on-campus simulated clinical learning experiences in Drexel’s advanced patient simulation lab, including standardized patient interactions and technical skills practice.
Why Drexel’s AG-ACNP Program Stands Out
Choosing the right nurse practitioner program is a critical decision. Drexel University’s AG-ACNP program offers several unique advantages that set it apart:
- Interactive E-Learning: Synchronous online lectures create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that promotes active participation and knowledge retention.
- Faculty Expertise: Learn from faculty who are not only educators but also practicing clinicians, bringing current, real-world acute care experience to the program.
- Drexel University’s Reputation: Benefit from being part of Drexel’s esteemed College of Nursing and Health Professions, known for its commitment to excellence in nursing education and healthcare innovation.
- Access to Diverse Clinical Environments: Drexel’s network provides access to a wide range of clinical practice environments and inter-professional simulated healthcare scenarios, enriching your learning experience.
- Flexibility for Working Professionals: The online format is designed to accommodate the schedules of working nurses, allowing you to advance your education without interrupting your career.
Career Opportunities for AG-ACNP Graduates
Graduates of the Drexel Acute Care NP program are well-prepared for a variety of advanced practice roles in acute care settings. The program equips you to care for patients with acute illnesses, injuries, and exacerbations of chronic conditions in settings such as:
- Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
- Critical Care Units (CCUs)
- Hospitalist Services
- Specialty Practices (e.g., cardiology, pulmonology, neurology)
While AG-ACNPs typically focus on inpatient settings, their expertise is crucial in providing high-acuity care to complex patients. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) examination offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Admission Requirements for the Drexel Acute Care NP Program
To be considered for the Drexel Acute Care NP program, applicants must meet specific admission criteria to ensure they are prepared for the rigor of advanced practice nursing education.
Key Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Applicants must hold a BSN degree from an accredited institution (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
- GPA: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for admission.
- Nursing Experience: Two years of current bedside acute care nursing experience is mandatory. Critical care experience (ICU, CCU, ER, trauma, high acuity step-down units) is preferred.
- RN License: A current, unrestricted United States Registered Nurse (RN) license is required.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended must be submitted.
- References: Two professional references from supervisors, managers, faculty members, or program directors are needed.
- Personal Statement: A personal essay outlining your reasons for choosing the program, career goals, and how your experience meets the program criteria.
- Resume/CV: A detailed resume highlighting relevant work experience and responsibilities.
- Interview: An admissions interview may be required.
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
For detailed information on admission requirements and the application process, please visit the Drexel University Online website or contact the admissions department.
Accreditation and Program Outcomes: Ensuring Quality and Excellence
Drexel University’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a nationally recognized accrediting body for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. This accreditation signifies the program’s commitment to quality and adherence to rigorous educational standards.
Program Outcomes:
Upon completion of the Drexel Acute Care NP program, graduates will be able to:
- Practice within legal and ethical frameworks of healthcare delivery.
- Advance the role of advanced nursing practice through scholarship and leadership.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in clinical decision-making.
- Integrate technology and relevant theories into patient care planning.
- Incorporate culturally sensitive health promotion activities into practice.
- Lead in the development of outcome-based standards of care and health policy.
- Evaluate and modify clinical practice based on research and patient outcomes.
- Contribute to the advancement of nursing and healthcare through collaboration and education.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career with Drexel
The Drexel Acute Care NP program offers a pathway to advance your nursing career and become a highly skilled and sought-after acute care nurse practitioner. With its flexible online format, expert faculty, and comprehensive curriculum, Drexel provides the ideal environment to achieve your professional aspirations.
Ready to learn more? Visit the Drexel University Online website today to explore the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program in detail and start your application journey.
