Program Overview

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Introduction to the DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner / Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Program

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Trauma/Critical Care/Emergency Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a blended ACNP/CNS practice-focused doctorate. This program prepares registered nurses to provide evidence-based care to acutely and critically ill patients and their families in critical care, trauma, and emergency department settings and across the continuum of acute care services.

Program Overview

• ACNPs are direct care providers who diagnose and manage acute and chronic health problems.
• CNSs provide direct care and care coordination for patients and their families, provide expert consultation and implementation of multidisciplinary evidence-based practices at the unit and organizational level.
• The program is offered as a mix of face-to-face, supportive instruction, and online classes, all with faculty who are experts in their areas of specialty.
• The specialty incorporates coursework, laboratory, and clinical experiences in a variety of acute care settings.

Program Paths

Students can choose from several paths to achieve their DNP, including options for those with a BSN, a master's in nursing or a related field, those who are already nurse practitioners, and those looking to change their specialty. The program allows students to focus their energy and resources on only those courses that they need to achieve their goals.

Accreditation and Certification

• The program has met the American Nurses Credentialing Center's certification eligibility educational requirements.
• Doctoral-prepared graduates are eligible to take both the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification examination and the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist certification examination.
• These exams are offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Program Snapshot

Length

• As little as 3 years

Format

• Blended (face-to-face and online)

Tuition and Fees

• In-State Tuition: $926/credit hour
• Out-of-State Tuition: $1,643/credit hour
• In addition to tuition, students are charged fees by the university and the school to support various educational services. These fees vary by program, semester, and course enrollment.

Accreditation

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Competency-Based Education

The program's curriculum is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, which focus on competency-based education (CBE). CBE is a student-centered approach that is built on the science of how we learn and provides multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate and use what they are learning as they learn it.

Courses

The program includes a variety of courses that prepare students for their roles as ACNPs or CNSs, including:

• Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span
• Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span
• Methods for Research and Evidence-based Practice
• Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice
• Theory for Evidence-based Practice
• Professional Writing
• Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Practice
• Translating Evidence to Practice
• Diagnosis and Management courses with clinical practicum/seminars

Post-BSN Plans of Study

The program offers several plans of study for post-BSN students, including three-year, four-year, and five-year options. Each plan outlines the specific courses and credits required for each semester.

Post-Master's Option

The Post-Master's DNP with Specialty plan of study is variable credit based on the student's individual educational experiences. Students work closely with their advisor to determine specific plans of study.

Postdoctoral Certificate

The Postdoctoral Certificate is available for doctoral-prepared nurses who want to add or change their area of specialty. The certificate requires students to take the courses necessary for certification in their desired specialty.

Admission Information

Deadlines

• Priority Deadline for Fall admission: November 3
• Final Deadline for Fall admission: July 1
• Priority Deadline for Spring admission: October 1
• Deadline for Spring admission: November 15

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a major in nursing from an accredited college or university
• Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
• Work experience requirements, including at least two consecutive years of full-time, inpatient, acute care nursing experience caring for adults

Application Materials and Instructions

• Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee
• Two recommendations
• Essay
• Typed résumé or CV
• A copy of a valid, unrestricted RN license in the United States
• Official transcripts
• Residency classification application (if applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to complete the specialty?
• What type of nursing experience should applicants have?
• Is there anything else I can do to strengthen my application?
• How much hands-on clinical time will need to be completed?
• Do students have to find their own preceptor or clinical site?
• Where can graduates work? What is the job market like for graduates of this specialty?