Are you a registered nurse looking to specialize in acute care? The Accelerated Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program is designed for experienced nurses like you seeking to advance their careers and expertise in managing complex patient populations. This program provides a streamlined pathway to becoming a certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), equipping you with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to excel in today’s demanding healthcare environment.
Curriculum
To explore the detailed curriculum for this program, please follow the link above to the University catalog. This comprehensive curriculum is meticulously structured to provide you with a robust foundation in advanced nursing practice, specifically focusing on the acute care setting.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the accelerated acute care nurse practitioner program, applicants must meet specific qualifications designed to ensure a strong foundation for advanced practice.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must hold both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in your prior nursing studies is required to demonstrate academic readiness for this rigorous program.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of distinct, graduate-level courses in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment is mandatory. These prerequisite courses must cover the lifespan to ensure a comprehensive understanding of patient care across all age groups.
Licensure
Applicants must possess and maintain active Registered Nurse (RN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licenses. Valid licensure is essential for practicing as a nurse practitioner and is a fundamental requirement for program admission.
Experience
A minimum of three months of recent experience working as an APRN is required. This experience should be post-orientation and involve direct responsibility for managing the care of acutely, critically, or medically complex patients. This practical experience ensures that you bring real-world clinical skills to the program.
International Applicants
For applicants from outside the United States, please Click here for detailed information on additional admission requirements specific to international students. We welcome applications from qualified nurses globally and provide resources to facilitate the application process.
Application Deadlines for 2025 Enrollment
| Start Term | Deadline | Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Start | October 15, 2024 | mid-December |
| Summer Start | March 15, 2025 | mid-April |
| Fall Start | April 1, 2025 | early-May |
*Please note that these dates are subject to change. It is advisable to check the program website for the most up-to-date deadlines before applying.
Costs & Tuition
The total cost of the accelerated acute care nurse practitioner program is dependent on your individual course plan. Tuition is calculated per Credit Unit (CU) based on your enrollment each semester.
| Summer 2024, Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 Per CU rate | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,640 |
| Online Service Fee | $156 |
| Tech Fee | $120 |
| Total | $6,916 |
It’s important to note that School of Nursing certificate programs are generally not eligible for federal financial aid. However, various alternative loan programs may be available to assist with tuition costs. For more information on private loan options, please visit: https://srfs.upenn.edu/financial-aid/loans/private-alternative. Students can also explore personal loan options through their banks.
For flexible payment solutions, the Penn Payment Plan is available for students who do not have full tuition reimbursement or prefer to pay their bill in installments: Penn Payment Plan | Penn Student Registration & Financial Services| Penn SRFS (upenn.edu).
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the MSN advanced practice registered nurse program, graduates will be prepared to integrate advanced theoretical knowledge and clinical expertise. You will demonstrate mastery in population-focused student learning outcomes, specifically designed for advanced nursing education in practice specialties. Key program outcomes include:
- Formulating comprehensive care plans: You will be adept at creating effective plans of care tailored to population-specific diagnoses, ensuring patient-centered and evidence-based practice.
- Delivering advanced interventions: You will be skilled in delivering educational and therapeutic interventions, utilizing advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and genetics to optimize patient outcomes.
Certification
The program curriculum is meticulously designed to prepare graduates to successfully sit for national certification exams within their chosen role and population focus area. Achieving national certification is a crucial step in your career progression as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. It is important to be aware that APRN graduates may have to fulfill additional state-specific requirements before being authorized to practice. We encourage students to research the specific requirements of the state in which they intend to practice to ensure full compliance.
