Are you a registered nurse looking to specialize in acute care and advance your career in Pennsylvania? The demand for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (NPs) is growing, and Pennsylvania offers excellent opportunities for nurses seeking to specialize in this critical field. For those seeking premier education, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) School of Nursing provides exceptional Acute Care NP programs designed to equip you with the expertise and skills necessary to excel.
UPenn’s Pediatric Acute Care NP program stands out as a leading choice for aspiring advanced practice nurses. Recognizing the diverse needs of students, the program is structured with flexibility in mind, offering both full-time and part-time study options. This adaptability extends to both nurses who are new to the NP role and practicing Nurse Practitioners wanting to deepen their specialization within acute care settings.
Whether you choose to study full-time or part-time, UPenn’s program is designed for efficient completion. Full-time students can complete their chosen concentration within one calendar year, while part-time options allow for a pace that fits individual circumstances, typically leading to program completion within one to three years. For those seeking to broaden their expertise further, part-time study can be combined with nursing minors such as Palliative Care and Global Health, enriching your skill set and career prospects.
A hallmark of the UPenn program is its commitment to in-person education. Classes for the Pediatric Acute Care Program are held on campus, fostering a learning environment characterized by personalized attention and readily accessible faculty. UPenn believes in the value of direct interaction and mentorship, and therefore, currently does not offer an online-based program for Acute Care NP specialization.
Clinical experiences are a cornerstone of any NP program, and UPenn provides comprehensive support in this area. The University arranges and coordinates all clinical placements, ensuring high-quality learning opportunities. A dedicated clinical site coordinator works directly with each student and the Pediatric Acute Care Program team to secure placements that align with their learning objectives and career aspirations.
Concentrations Offered
To further tailor your education, UPenn offers specialized concentrations within the Pediatric Acute Care NP program. Students can choose to focus their studies in areas that match their interests and career goals:
- Acute/Chronic: This concentration prepares NPs to manage patients with a wide spectrum of conditions, from acute illnesses to chronic health issues requiring acute interventions.
- Critical Care: For those drawn to the most intensive care settings, the Critical Care concentration provides advanced training in managing critically ill pediatric patients.
- Oncology: This specialization focuses on the unique needs of children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders, preparing NPs to provide expert care in pediatric oncology settings.
Admission Requirements
UPenn’s Acute Care NP program maintains rigorous academic standards to ensure graduates are exceptionally well-prepared. Minimum qualifications include:
- BSN Degree: Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
- GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.
- Prerequisites: Successful completion of a college-level statistics course is a prerequisite for admission.
- Licensure: Applicants must be Registered Nurses (RNs).
- Experience: Specific RN experience requirements may vary depending on the chosen concentration. It is recommended to review the details for each concentration to understand the specific experience expectations.
Application Deadlines
Prospective students should be aware of the application deadlines to ensure timely submission of their materials. UPenn offers deadlines for both full-time and part-time enrollment:
Full-time Enrollment
| Priority Deadline: November 4, 2024 Decision Notification: early-February |
|---|
| Final Deadline: February 3, 2025 Decision Notification: late-March |
Part-time Enrollment
| Spring 2025 Enrollment | Summer 2025 Enrollment | Fall 2025 Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline: October 15, 2024 Decision Notification: late-December | Deadline: March 15, 2025 Decision Notification: late-April | Deadline: April 1, 2025 Decision Notification: mid-May |
Please note that dates are subject to change, and it is always best to verify the most current deadlines on the official UPenn School of Nursing website.
Tuition and Costs
Investing in your education is a significant decision, and understanding the costs associated with the program is essential. UPenn provides transparent information regarding tuition and fees.
Estimated Total Cost (12 Course Units starting in 2024)
| Concentration | Full-time Estimated Cost | Part-time Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Acute/Chronic | $86,510 | $88,475 |
| Critical Care | $86,873 | $88,475 |
| Oncology | $86,510 | N/A |
Your actual program costs will depend on your individual plan of study and course enrollment per semester. Tuition is charged per Course Unit (CU).
Per CU Rates (Summer 2024 – Spring 2025)
| **Summer 2024 Per CU Rate*** | Fall 2024/Spring 2025 Per CU Rate** | **Fall 2024/Spring 2025 Full-time***** | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,640 | $6,640 | $26,428 |
| General Fee | $492 | $492 | $1,977 |
| Tech Fee | None | $120 | $459 |
| Clinical Fee | None | None | $358 |
**Summer semesters are charged per CU regardless of enrollment status.
*Registration for less than 4 CUs is charged per CU.
***Registration for 4 CUs is charged the full-time rate.*
For a comprehensive breakdown of all program costs, including living expenses, please visit the University’s Student Registration & Financial Services website. Discounts are also available for employees of UPenn’s Academic Practice Partners; further details can be found on the UPenn School of Nursing website.
Program Outcomes and Certification
Graduates of UPenn’s Pediatric Acute Care NP program are exceptionally well-prepared to deliver collaborative and comprehensive care to children and adolescents facing complex acute, chronic, and critical conditions. The program emphasizes the development of clinical and professional leadership, ensuring graduates are experts in physical assessment, clinical decision-making, and the management of multifaceted disorders. A strong focus is placed on culturally sensitive family-focused care, community engagement, transitional care, and the integration of healthcare policy. The program’s approach is rooted in a thorough assessment and integration of the social determinants of health across all healthcare settings.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for national certification as a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (CPNP-AC) through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). This certification is nationally recognized and allows graduates to pursue licensure in all 50 states, opening doors to a wide range of acute care NP roles across Pennsylvania and the United States.
Choosing UPenn for your Acute Care NP education positions you for success in this rewarding and vital field. With its flexible program structure, specialized concentrations, expert faculty, and commitment to comprehensive clinical training, UPenn is a top choice for acute care NP programs in Pennsylvania.
