Nursing: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (M.S.)

The Master Entry Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program (MS-AGACNP) will prepare the baccalaureate prepared nurse (BSN, RN) to practice as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and increase access to acute care medical and surgical services. Building upon a background in nursing, graduates can apply newly learned knowledge and skills within the acute care setting, including and not limited to hospitals and ambulatory care centers.

Successful completion of this program permits students to sit for national certification with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).  

Degree Requirements

Clinical Hours: 500*

*

Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses: NURS 851, NURS 853, NURS 855, NURS 857, NURS 859.

Students entering the Masters of Science in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program are expected to:

• Continue to acquire and adapt foundational knowledge in nursing, the sciences, and humanities in professional practice 
• Effectively communicate in written, verbal, and nonverbal communication strategies 
• Abide by the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics. 

At the completion of the Master of Science in Nursing, the graduate student is prepared to:

• Assume clinical and ethical leadership of patients with acute, critical, and chronic illness. 
• Implement their full scope of practice ranging from disease prevention to the diagnosis and treatment of complex medical and mental health diagnoses, to the provision of palliative care.  
• Promote health and clinical prevention strategies across the health/illness continuum to optimize health and disease management. 
• Provide respectful care with regard to the needs, values, and preferences of patients and families 
• Design, direct and evaluate system changes to promote safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care. 
• Analyze data, information systems, and technology to evaluate, integrate, and apply knowledge and evidence that will support best practice and improve programs of care, outcomes of care and care systems. 
• Advocate for social justice through policy, professional, and political engagement. 
• Apply leadership principles that support inter-professional practice. 

Additionally, MS-AGACNP graduate will:

• Meet eligibility requirements for certification as an AGACNP with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or as an ACNPC-AG with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) 
• Meet state requirements for certification, licensure, and prescriptive authority 
• Obtain federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) authorization to prescribe controlled substances (Schedules II through IV) for patients within the AGACNP’s practice area 
• Participate in the education of future AGACNPs through preceptorship 
• Be lifelong learners