Best Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs

Florida State University's Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Graduate Certificate offers an intensive online pathway for experienced nurses seeking specialized acute care expertise. Through a comprehensive 22-credit curriculum, nurses develop advanced clinical skills targeting complex patient management in intensive care environments. Leveraging a multi-theoretical approach, the program integrates synchronous lectures, immersive simulation exercises, and clinical rotations. Students gain comprehensive competencies in diagnosing and treating critically ill adult and geriatric patients. CCNE-accredited and strategically designed for post-master's professionals, the program equips nurses with cutting-edge knowledge for high-stakes healthcare settings, emphasizing evidence-based practice and advanced patient care strategies.

• Online program with synchronous components.
• 22 credit hours required.
• Focus on adult acute care nursing.
• Includes clinical rotations.
• Accredited by CCNE.
• Prepares for ICU settings.
• Simulation exercises included.
• Multi-theoretical model used.
• For post-master's nurses.
• Offered by College of Nursing.

Florida State University's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult Gerontology Acute Care represents an advanced hybrid educational pathway for experienced nurses seeking doctoral-level clinical expertise. Blending online coursework with minimal campus intensives, the program offers flexible learning for working healthcare professionals. Comprehensive curriculum prepares graduates for complex acute care leadership roles, with multiple entry pathways including BSN-to-DNP and post-master's options. Tuition varies from $32,440 to $78,475, reflecting in-state and out-of-state rates. The program emphasizes certification exam preparation, comprehensive clinical training, and advanced practice competencies, enabling nurses to excel in high-acuity healthcare environments with sophisticated patient care strategies.

• Full-time and part-time study
• Primarily online coursework
• Five campus sessions required
• Multiple entry pathways
• Synchronous and asynchronous classes
• RN experience recommended
• Certification exam preparation
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Seven-year completion timeline
• Comprehensive clinical training

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate, designed for nurses aiming to specialize in acute care for adult and geriatric populations. This hybrid program combines online coursework with clinical experiences, focusing on advanced clinical training to manage complex health conditions in acute settings. Students gain expertise in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment strategies critical for high-acuity environments like ICUs and emergency departments. The program emphasizes a specialized gerontology focus, preparing graduates to provide comprehensive care to the aging population with acute health needs.

• Hybrid program format
• Post-graduate certificate
• Advanced acute care nursing
• Specialized gerontology focus
• Advanced clinical training

The University of Florida's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program offers a robust hybrid educational pathway designed to elevate critical care nursing expertise. Targeting experienced critical care professionals, the curriculum comprehensively prepares advanced practice nurses to navigate complex medical management across diverse adult populations. By integrating rigorous academic training with immersive clinical experiences, students develop sophisticated diagnostic and treatment skills tailored to high-intensity healthcare environments. The program strategically positions graduates for leadership roles, ensuring they can effectively address intricate acute and critical illness challenges while maintaining national certification eligibility through prestigious nursing credentialing organizations.

• Requires 1+ year critical care experience
• Hybrid program format
• Nationally certifiable track
• Clinical sites within Florida
• Focuses on acute care management

University of Central Florida's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner post-master's certificate is a strategic pathway for experienced nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. Spanning 23 comprehensive credit hours, the program equips nurses with sophisticated skills to navigate complex patient care landscapes. Graduates develop profound capabilities in critical care management, leveraging evidence-based practice and nuanced diagnostic reasoning. The curriculum transcends traditional nursing education by integrating leadership training, clinical excellence, and professional certification preparation across diverse healthcare environments including hospitals, ambulatory care, and home health settings.

• 23 Credit Hours Required
• Post-Master's Graduate Certificate
• Prepares for Board Certification
• Multiple Clinical Practice Settings
• Advanced Practice Nursing Focus
• Evidence-Based Practice Curriculum
• Comprehensive Clinical Hours
• Diagnostic Reasoning Skills
• Critical Care Specialization
• Advanced Health Assessment Training

The University of Central Florida's Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner represents an advanced educational trajectory for experienced nurses. This hybrid-online DNP track comprehensively prepares practitioners to deliver sophisticated care for adult and geriatric patients through an intensive 1,080 clinical hour curriculum. Students engage in rigorous interprofessional learning, developing advanced clinical competencies and leadership skills. The program strategically blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience, ensuring graduates are thoroughly prepared for complex healthcare challenges and national certification examinations in acute care specialties.

• Hybrid-online DNP program
• 1,080 total clinical hours
• Twice yearly campus intensives
• 76 total credit hours
• Nationally accredited program
• Acute care focus 18+ patients
• RN license required
• BSN from accredited institution
• Clinical sites assigned by program
• Certification exam preparation

The Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN program at the University of South Carolina transforms registered nurses into advanced clinical practitioners specializing in complex adult and geriatric patient care. By offering a fully online curriculum, the program enables working professionals to develop sophisticated skills in managing acute and critical healthcare needs. Students receive comprehensive training to navigate intricate medical scenarios, with coursework designed to build advanced clinical reasoning and patient management strategies. The program strategically prepares graduates for national certification and leadership roles in intensive care, emergency departments, and specialized medical units.

• Online MSN program
• Acute care nurse practitioner focus
• Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• 1+ year nursing experience required
• National certification exam eligible

The University of South Carolina's Post-Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner offers a specialized advanced pathway for experienced nurses seeking targeted clinical expertise. This comprehensive program enables healthcare professionals to develop sophisticated skills in complex acute care environments, including critical care, trauma, cardiology, and surgical settings. Tailored for nurses with existing master's degrees, the curriculum provides comprehensive preparation for national certification and career advancement. Graduates gain profound insights into high-acuity patient management, positioning themselves as critical healthcare specialists with enhanced professional credentials.

• Post-master's certificate program
• Prepares for national certification
• Multiple acute care specialties
• Minimum 18 credit hours
• Requires 3.0 GPA
• Practicum included
• Advanced clinical preparation

The University of South Carolina's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner represents a pinnacle of advanced nursing education, delivering comprehensive online training for high-level clinical practice. This nationally recognized program cultivates exceptional practitioners capable of managing complex healthcare challenges across diverse acute care settings. Students engage in rigorous curriculum emphasizing evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and advanced clinical reasoning. By integrating innovative clinical simulation experiences and collaborative learning, the program produces highly skilled professionals prepared to lead in hospitals, outpatient practices, and specialized medical environments.

• Nationally ranked online program
• Advanced practice clinical preparation
• Innovative Clinical Simulation Center
• Evidence-based project collaboration
• Prepares for national certification

Stony Brook University's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program is a 45-credit hybrid offering that equips registered nurses with the skills to manage complex health conditions in adult and elderly patients. This program blends online coursework with essential on-site clinical experiences, focusing on advanced health assessment, clinical pharmacology, and evidence-based practices. It's tailored for nurses aiming to specialize in acute care, providing a flexible yet rigorous curriculum that prepares graduates for leadership roles in various acute healthcare settings. The program's hybrid format supports working professionals in advancing their careers without sacrificing their current job responsibilities.

• 45-credit comprehensive program
• Hybrid distance learning format
• Advanced clinical practice focus
• Prepares for acute care specialization
• On-site clinical requirements
• Advanced health assessment training
• Clinical pharmacology curriculum
• Evidence-based practice emphasis

UConn's 100% online Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program offers master's and doctoral tracks for licensed RNs with two or more years of acute care experience. This program focuses on developing advanced clinical skills for managing critically ill adult and geriatric patients in complex acute care settings, preparing graduates for this rapidly expanding field.

• 100% Online Program
• Master's and DNP Options
• Advanced Acute Care Focus
• Requires 2+ Years Experience
• For Licensed RNs
• Fastest-Growing Nursing Role

The University of Connecticut's online Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) master's program prepares RNs with at least two years of acute care experience for advanced practice. This flexible program, offered in full or part-time formats, equips graduates to manage the care of acutely ill adults and geriatric patients. It includes comprehensive clinical training, two on-campus intensive sessions, and prepares graduates for professional certification.

• Fully online master's degree
• 500 clinical practice hours
• Two on-campus intensive sessions
• Prep for AACN/ANCC certification
• For RNs with 2+ years experience
• Multiple degree path options
• Advanced acute care training

The University of Connecticut's online Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program offers master's and doctoral degrees for experienced RNs. Geared towards licensed RNs with a bachelor's degree and at least two years of acute care experience, this program provides comprehensive clinical training for managing complex care in critically ill adult and elderly patients.

• 100% Online Degree Program
• Master's and Doctoral Options
• Requires 2+ Years Acute Care Experience
• Advanced Practice Nursing Focus
• Targets Licensed RNs

George Washington University's online Master of Science in Nursing delivers a comprehensive Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program designed for ambitious nursing professionals. This 48-credit curriculum transforms experienced nurses into advanced practice specialists capable of managing complex patient care in high-intensity clinical environments. Students develop sophisticated clinical reasoning skills, leadership capabilities, and evidence-based practice techniques essential for successful acute care practice. The program's carefully structured coursework combines intensive theoretical learning with substantial 600-hour clinical experiences, preparing graduates for national certification and leadership roles in emergency departments, intensive care units, and specialized medical settings.

• Online Master of Science Nursing
• 48 credit program
• 600 clinical hours required
• Critical care specialization
• National certification preparation
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• One year critical care experience
• Advanced practice nursing focus

George Washington University's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate offers an intensive, targeted program for experienced nurses seeking advanced practice credentials. Tailored for registered nurses with master's degrees, this part-time curriculum develops high-level clinical expertise in critical care environments. Participants gain sophisticated skills in patient assessment, complex diagnostic reasoning, and specialized acute care interventions. The comprehensive five-semester program demands rigorous academic and clinical preparation, including 20 credit hours and 600 clinical hours. Graduates emerge as advanced practice leaders equipped to deliver exceptional patient-centered care in urgent and critical medical settings, with a strong emphasis on professional development and specialized clinical knowledge.

• Part-time 5-semester certificate
• 20 credit hours required
• 600 clinical hours
• Master's degree prerequisite
• Critical care experience needed
• State residency requirements
• Two on-campus simulation events
• Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred

George Washington University's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner represents the pinnacle of advanced nursing education. This comprehensive doctoral program cultivates exceptional clinical expertise, preparing nurses to deliver sophisticated, high-level care for acutely and critically ill patients. Beyond traditional clinical training, the 72-credit curriculum emphasizes system-wide healthcare innovations, evidence-based practice implementation, and inter-professional collaboration. With 1,100 clinical hours across DC, Maryland, and Virginia regions, students develop advanced diagnostic skills, quality improvement strategies, and transformative leadership capabilities. Graduates emerge as expert practitioners prepared to drive meaningful change in complex acute care environments.

• 72 credit hour program
• 1,100 total clinical hours
• Hybrid learning format
• Critical care experience required
• Clinical placements DC/MD/VA
• Advanced nursing leadership focus
• High-intensity clinical training

University of Pennsylvania's Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN program cultivates highly skilled nursing professionals capable of navigating complex healthcare environments. The hybrid curriculum blends theoretical foundations with immersive clinical experiences, emphasizing advanced physical assessment and critical decision-making skills. Students explore diverse specialties including cardiology, trauma, and internal medicine through state-of-the-art simulation technologies and mentored clinical training. The program's comprehensive approach prepares graduates to deliver sophisticated, research-driven patient care across dynamic acute care settings, developing sophisticated interventional and diagnostic capabilities.

• 12 total course units
• Hybrid program format
• Specialized clinical concentrations
• Immersive simulation training
• Mentored clinical practicum
• Advanced clinical technologies
• Research-based curriculum
• Multiple specialty focus areas

University of Pennsylvania's General Surgery concentration within the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN program provides specialized training for advanced nursing professionals. This hybrid curriculum strategically prepares students to manage complex surgical patient populations through intensive clinical preparation and advanced technological integration. Students develop comprehensive skills in surgical patient assessment, diagnostic procedures, and holistic care management. The program combines rigorous theoretical instruction with immersive simulation experiences, enabling graduates to excel in specialized surgical healthcare environments and deliver sophisticated, research-informed patient interventions.

• 12 total course units required
• Hybrid program format
• Advanced clinical simulation training
• Multiple clinical concentration options
• Mentored clinical practicum experiences
• Full-time and part-time study plans
• Advanced technologies integration
• Research methods included
• Specialized surgical patient focus

University of Pennsylvania's Internal Medicine concentration in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN program offers advanced professional development for nurses seeking specialized acute care expertise. The hybrid curriculum provides comprehensive training in complex patient management, emphasizing diagnostic reasoning and interventional strategies specific to internal medicine. Students engage with cutting-edge simulation technologies and mentored clinical experiences, developing sophisticated skills in assessing and treating acutely ill adult and geriatric patients. The research-driven program prepares graduates to deliver nuanced, holistic healthcare across diverse medical settings with exceptional clinical competence.

• 12 total course units required
• Hybrid program format
• Immersive simulation training
• Clinical concentration options
• Mentored clinical experiences
• Advanced technologies integration
• Research-focused curriculum
• Full and part-time study plans
• Professional role development

University of Pennsylvania's Streamlined Post Graduate Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Certificate provides a cutting-edge online pathway for experienced nurse practitioners seeking specialized acute care certification. Tailored for advanced practice RNs, this 12-month program equips professionals with advanced skills in managing complex patient populations. Designed to meet APRN Consensus Model standards, the curriculum focuses on acute and chronic patient care for adults and geriatric populations. The program demands a robust academic background, including a BSN and MSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA, active RN and APRN licenses, and three months of APRN experience. At $6,640 per credit unit, students gain comprehensive clinical expertise without traditional campus limitations.

• 12-month online program
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Advanced practice RN certification
• Part-time flexible format
• Per credit unit cost $6,640