Are you a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) looking to specialize in acute care and advance your career? Drexel University’s online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program is meticulously designed to equip you with the expertise and skills necessary to manage complex medical, surgical, and critical-care needs of adult and geriatric patients. This rigorous program blends the flexibility of online learning with comprehensive clinical training, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to excel in high-acuity healthcare settings.
Program Overview: Shaping Future Acute Care Leaders
The Drexel University Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program is tailored for ambitious nurses seeking to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) specializing in adult-gerontology acute care. This program emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and leadership development, preparing graduates to deliver exceptional care to acutely ill or injured patients across the healthcare continuum. From intensive care units (ICUs) to specialized inpatient services, graduates of this program are prepared to assume pivotal roles in managing complex patient populations.
A key feature of the program is its focus on preparing students for national certification. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, graduates are eligible to sit for either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination (ACNP-BC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) examination. Achieving these certifications validates your specialized knowledge and skills in acute care nursing practice.
Curriculum and Learning Experience: A Blend of Online Rigor and Clinical Expertise
The Drexel University Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program employs a dynamic 57-credit curriculum that includes 800 hours of clinical practicum. This robust program is structured to provide a deep understanding of advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced practice nursing roles in acute care settings.
Key components of the learning experience include:
- Synchronous Online Lectures: Engage in live, interactive online lectures designed to foster collaboration and critical thinking. This e-learning approach ensures students remain connected and actively participate in their learning.
- Expert Faculty: Learn from clinically active faculty members who hold national board certifications and bring real-world expertise to the virtual classroom. These experienced educators are committed to mentoring and guiding students throughout their academic journey.
- Clinical Practicum Rotations: Gain hands-on experience through required clinical practicum courses. Each course includes both didactic lectures and clinical rotations, totaling 160 clinical hours per practicum course. Students typically dedicate two eight-hour days per week to their clinical rotations, applying theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
- Simulation and Intensive Experiences: Participate in mandatory on-campus or virtual intensives that include simulated clinical learning experiences in Drexel’s state-of-the-art multidisciplinary patient simulation lab. These intensives incorporate standardized patient interactions, problem-based learning scenarios, and hands-on technical skills training to hone clinical competencies.
- Flexible Online Format: Benefit from the convenience of primarily online coursework, designed to accommodate the schedules of working nurses. While the majority of the program is online, the synchronous sessions and intensives ensure a connected and immersive learning experience.
This blended learning approach ensures that students develop both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to excel as acute care nurse practitioners.
Career Paths: Diverse Opportunities for AG-ACNPs
Graduates of the Drexel University Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program are highly sought after in a variety of inpatient settings. Career opportunities include roles in:
- Intensive Care Units (ICUs): Provide advanced care to critically ill patients requiring intensive monitoring and intervention.
- Hospitalist Services: Manage the care of hospitalized patients with a wide range of acute conditions.
- Specialty Practices: Focus on specific areas of acute care such as cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, and surgical specialties within inpatient environments.
- Step-Down Units: Care for patients who require a high level of care but are more stable than those in the ICU.
It is important to note that while AG-ACNPs primarily focus on adult and geriatric populations in acute inpatient settings, they typically do not work in emergency rooms or trauma services unless they obtain additional certification in pediatric acute care. The program prepares graduates to be highly competent in managing the acute and complex care needs of adults, making them valuable members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Admission and Application: Steps to Join the Program
Drexel University’s Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program has specific admission requirements to ensure that admitted students are prepared for the rigor of graduate-level study in advanced practice nursing.
Key admission requirements include:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree: Applicants must hold a BSN degree from an institution accredited by CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above is required.
- Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel University in a sealed envelope.
- Current RN License: Possess a current, unrestricted United States Registered Nurse (RN) license or be eligible for licensure.
- Acute Care Nursing Experience: A minimum of two years of recent bedside acute care nursing experience is mandatory. Critical care experience in settings such as ICU, CCU, ER, trauma, or high-acuity step-down units is preferred.
- Professional References: Provide two professional references from supervisors, managers, nursing faculty, or program directors who can attest to your clinical skills and potential for graduate study.
- Personal Statement: Submit a personal statement (under 1,000 words) outlining your reasons for choosing the AG-ACNP program, your career goals, and how your acute care experience meets the program criteria.
- Resume/CV: Submit a detailed resume highlighting your work experience, responsibilities, and departments.
- Interview: An admissions interview may be required.
Application Deadline: The application deadline for the program is March 3, 2025. Prospective students are encouraged to apply early to ensure timely consideration.
Compliance: All admitted students must complete the College of Nursing and Health Professions compliance process, which may include background checks, health clearances, and other requirements. It is crucial to begin this process well in advance of program start dates due to the time required for completion.
Accreditation and Program Outcomes: Ensuring Quality and Excellence
The Drexel University baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a nationally recognized accreditation body for nursing programs. This accreditation signifies the program’s commitment to high-quality nursing education and adherence to rigorous academic standards. The programs are also approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Program Outcomes: Graduates of the Drexel University Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program are expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Practice ethically and legally within the healthcare delivery system.
- Advance the APRN role through scholarship, clinical expertise, and professional involvement.
- Demonstrate advanced critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in clinical practice.
- Integrate technology and evidence-based theories to develop comprehensive patient care plans.
- Incorporate culturally sensitive health promotion activities into practice.
- Exhibit leadership in nursing and healthcare through standards development and health policy engagement.
- Evaluate and improve clinical practice based on research and patient outcomes.
- Contribute to nursing and healthcare advancement through collaboration and education.
Nursing Program Mission and Values: The Drexel Nursing program is dedicated to educating nurses who embody both the art and science of nursing. The program emphasizes compassionate, competent, and safe practice in complex healthcare settings. The core values include authenticity, complexity, rigor, relevance, state-of-the-art education, and learner-friendly approaches, all aimed at fostering excellence in nursing education and improving patient outcomes.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career
The Drexel University Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program offers a robust and flexible pathway to advance your nursing career and become a leader in acute care. With its strong curriculum, experienced faculty, and emphasis on clinical excellence, this program is an ideal choice for nurses committed to providing high-quality care to acutely ill adults and geriatric patients. Visit the Drexel Online website for more information and to begin your application process today.
