For nurses driven to provide critical care to adult and geriatric patients, specializing as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) is a highly rewarding and impactful career path. Advanced education through online ACNP programs offers various degree options such as MSN, Post-Master’s Certificates, and DNP, ensuring there’s an accessible route for every aspiring acute care NP. As online programs become increasingly popular, we have compiled a ranking of the leading online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs across the nation to assist prospective students in finding their ideal program. Explore our rankings below and understand our evaluation process on our methodology page.
A nurse practitioner specializing in acute care consulting with a senior patient, showcasing the personalized and attentive nature of advanced practice nursing.
- Maryville University, St. Louis, MO
Overview: Maryville University provides an Online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program designed to equip advanced practice nurses with the expertise to deliver specialized acute care to adult and aging patients. This program offers a flexible, fully online curriculum paired with clinical placement assistance, allowing students to balance their educational pursuits with personal and professional obligations. Graduates are prepared to assume leadership roles within critical care and specialized settings.
DNP Programs Graduate Certificate Programs MSN Programs
- Boise State University, Boise, ID
Overview: Boise State University’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) programs are structured to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. These programs combine the convenience of online learning with select on-campus requirements, maintaining high educational standards alongside flexibility. The comprehensive curriculum ensures students gain in-depth acute care nursing knowledge and skills, preparing them for board certification and various roles in demanding healthcare environments.
Graduate Certificate Programs MSN Programs
- Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI
Overview: Spring Arbor University delivers an advanced graduate nursing program specializing in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care. Offered through the Department of Nursing, this program employs a holistic, patient-focused approach to healthcare, integrating faith-based principles with rigorous academic learning. Students acquire practical skills through extensive clinical rotations and can focus on key areas such as critical care management, trauma, and intensive care.
What to Expect from an Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
Given the increasing complexity of healthcare and the rising number of acutely ill patients across all age demographics, the demand for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners is rapidly escalating. Pursuing graduate education in acute care nursing is a strategic decision for those seeking career fulfillment and strong job prospects. Opting for an online program offers the advantage of earning an advanced degree while continuing to contribute to patient care. While some online programs may include brief on-campus visits, they are significantly more adaptable than traditional on-campus programs, particularly for nurses working full-time. Online formats allow for self-paced learning, enabling students to study at their convenience. Most programs provide options for full-time or part-time enrollment, facilitating a study schedule that aligns with individual work commitments.
Selecting the Right Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
The ideal choice of an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program depends significantly on your current educational background and career stage. For nurses holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), MSN and BSN-to-DNP programs are excellent pathways. For those already possessing an MSN or another graduate degree, a post-master’s certificate program may be the most efficient option to specialize in acute care.
| Current Education Level | Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|---|
| BSN Degree | BSN to MSN Programs | BSN to DNP Programs |
| MSN Degree | Post-Master’s Certificate | MSN to DNP Programs |
For detailed program options at each degree level, please click the links below:
MSN ProgramsPost Master’s ProgramsDNP Programs
Deciding on the most suitable degree path requires careful consideration of your professional goals within acute care. Align your degree selection with your specific aspirations in adult-gerontology acute care nursing. Consider the following table to clarify your objectives and determine which degree path best supports your career trajectory. Your long-term ambitions, including desired practice settings, career advancement opportunities, and the scope of job roles you wish to explore, are crucial in this decision-making process. While degree type may not strictly limit your options, it can significantly enhance your qualifications and success in specialized acute care roles.
| MSN | Post-Master’s Certificate | DNP |
|---|---|---|
| Aspire to work directly as an acute care nurse practitioner | X | X |
| Already hold a graduate degree and aim to enhance acute care skills for adult-gerontology patients | X | X |
| Seek to educate and mentor nursing students in clinical acute care settings | X | X |
| Aim to advocate for vulnerable acute care populations and lead within a healthcare facility | X | X |
| Interested in conducting clinically relevant research to improve acute care outcomes for older adults | X | |
| Passionate about shaping national health policies related to acute and critical care | ||
| Wish to understand population-based acute care health to improve outcomes nationwide | ||
| Intend to influence healthcare law and ethics to enhance the quality of acute care for older adults |
Accreditation is paramount when selecting an online acute care nurse practitioner program. Opting for an accredited program, recognized by bodies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensures eligibility for national certification exams. Passing these exams is essential to demonstrate your competence and readiness to excel as a certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Throughout your program, you will study critical topics including advanced health assessment, complex pharmacology, pathophysiology specific to acute conditions, and specialized care for critically ill adults and geriatrics. More detailed information is available in our comprehensive online Adult-Gerontology NP Program guide linked below.
- Online Adult-Gerontology NP Program Admissions & Requirements by Degree Type
- Online Adult-Gerontology NP Program Classes and Curriculum
- Clinical Requirements and Certification
Prospective students reviewing the admission criteria for online acute care nurse practitioner programs might find the requirements daunting. It’s important to remember that listed guidelines represent ideal qualifications. Admissions committees often evaluate applications holistically, considering the overall strength of a candidate, even if some criteria are not fully met (e.g., GPA requirements may be flexible for candidates with strong experience). Graduate programs for acute care nurse practitioners are available at three levels: MSN, post-master’s certificate, and DNP.
Online Acute Care NP Program Admissions
| MSN-Level Acute Care NP | Post-Master’s Certificate Acute Care NP | DNP-Level Acute Care NP |
|---|---|---|
| Prior Education/GPA | BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 |
| RN Licensure | Active, unrestricted RN license | Active, unrestricted RN license |
| Professional Experience | At least one year of RN experience, preferably in acute care | At least one year of RN experience, ideally in acute care settings |
| Written Requirements | Personal statement, typically three letters of recommendation | Personal statement, typically three letters of recommendation |
Online Acute Care NP Curriculum & Classes
The curriculum for online acute care NP programs is specifically designed to deepen your understanding of healthcare challenges prevalent in acutely and critically ill adult populations. You will explore the distinct aspects of acute care management compared to primary care, and engage with cutting-edge research on optimal strategies for treating acute conditions in geriatric patients. Course content and program duration vary based on the degree level and the student’s prior education and experience. Generally, an MSN program takes about 2 years to complete, a post-graduate certificate around one year, and a DNP program can range from 3 to 7 years.
MSN, post-master’s certificate, and DNP programs in acute care nursing differ in credit requirements and clinical hours.
| Degree | MSN | Post-Master’s Certificate | DNP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Credit Requirements | 41 | 29 | 62 |
Both MSN-to-DNP and BSN-to-DNP pathways are common, with BSN-to-DNP programs integrating MSN and DNP coursework. Many nurses opt for part-time studies to balance work and education. If choosing this option, confirm the program’s maximum completion time, often up to 7 years.
Coursework in acute care MSN and post-master’s programs emphasizes core nurse practitioner competencies and specialized acute care topics. MSN and DNP students also study:
- Healthcare Policy
- Evidence-Based Practice in Acute Care
- Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice
DNP students additionally pursue advanced coursework in:
- Research Methodologies
- Ethical Considerations in Healthcare
- Epidemiology and Population Health
- Biostatistics
Typical courses in an online acute care NP program include:
- Advanced Acute Health Assessment
- Advanced Acute Pathophysiology
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Acute and Critical Illness
MSN candidates often complete a thesis focusing on patient-level acute care issues, evidence-based acute care standards, and improving health outcomes in acute settings. DNP scholarly projects involve applying population health concepts, technology, evidence-based practices, and health policy to address a relevant clinical question in acute care. The primary emphasis of the DNP project is its real-world clinical applicability and impact on acute care practice.
Acute Care NP Clinical Requirements
Most programs mandate a minimum of 600 hours of clinical practice, with some requiring more. BSN-to-DNP students might need up to 1100 clinical hours. Programs assist students in finding suitable clinical sites. You may complete hours in a single setting or across multiple sites for diverse experiences. If scheduling clinical hours is challenging, program advisors can offer support to ensure program completion is feasible with your commitments.
Appropriate clinical settings for acute care NP students include intensive care units, emergency departments, specialty clinics, and hospitalist services. Clinical hours are typically supervised by experienced acute care NPs, physician assistants specializing in critical care, or critical care physicians.
