Are you an experienced Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) looking to specialize in acute care? An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) certification can significantly enhance your career prospects, equipping you with the specialized skills and knowledge to manage patients with complex and critical conditions. This program is designed for APRNs seeking to deepen their expertise and gain national certification in this demanding yet rewarding field.
Curriculum Designed for Advanced Practice
The curriculum for our Acute Care Np Certification Program is meticulously structured to build upon your existing advanced practice nursing foundation. You can explore the detailed curriculum and course descriptions by clicking View the Curriculum. This program focuses on providing you with advanced competencies in areas crucial for acute care settings, including critical thinking, advanced health assessment, and evidence-based practice for complex patient populations.
Admission Requirements for Aspiring ACNPs
To be eligible for the Acute Care NP Certification program, candidates must meet specific qualifications to ensure a high standard of expertise within the program. These requirements include:
Educational Background
- BSN and MSN Degrees: Applicants must hold both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from accredited institutions.
- Minimum GPA: A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher is required to demonstrate academic excellence.
Prerequisite Coursework
- Advanced Level Courses: Candidates must have completed distinct graduate-level courses in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment. These courses must cover content across the lifespan to ensure a comprehensive understanding of patient care.
Licensure and Certification
- Active RN and APRN Licenses: Applicants must possess current and unrestricted licenses as a Registered Nurse (RN) and an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in their respective state of practice.
Clinical Experience
- APRN Experience in Acute Care: A minimum of three months of recent experience working as an APRN, post-orientation, managing the care of acutely, critically, or medically complex patients is essential. This hands-on experience ensures that you bring a practical understanding of acute care settings to the program.
Requirements for International Applicants
- Additional Requirements: International applicants have specific admission requirements. Please refer to International Applicants for detailed information on these additional criteria and how to apply.
Application Deadlines for 2025 Enrollment
Plan your application submission according to the following deadlines for the 2025 enrollment periods. Please note that deadlines are subject to change, and it is advisable to check the official program website for the most up-to-date information.
- Spring Start: October 15, 2024
- Decision Notification: mid-December
- Summer Start: March 15, 2025
- Decision Notification: mid-April
- Fall Start: April 1, 2025
- Decision Notification: early-May
Understanding the Costs & Tuition
The total cost of the Acute Care NP Certification program is dependent on your individual study plan and the number of Credit Units (CUs) you undertake per semester. Below is a breakdown of the per CU rates for the upcoming academic year:
| |
| :——————————- | :——- |
| Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025 Per CU rate | |
| Tuition | $6,640 |
| Online Service Fee | $156 |
| Tech Fee | $120 |
| Total Cost Per CU | $6,916 |
It’s important to note that School of Nursing certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, various options are available to help fund your education:
- Alternative Loan Programs: Explore private alternative loan programs to assist with tuition costs. You can find more information at: https://srfs.upenn.edu/financial-aid/loans/private-alternative.
- Personal Loans: Consider personal loans from your bank as another funding avenue.
- Penn Payment Plan: For those not receiving full tuition reimbursement or preferring to pay in installments, the Penn Payment Plan offers a flexible payment schedule. Details can be found at: Penn Payment Plan | Penn Student Registration & Financial Services| Penn SRFS (upenn.edu).
Program Learning Outcomes and Certification
Upon completion of the Acute Care NP Certification program, you will be equipped with advanced theoretical and clinical expertise, demonstrating mastery in key areas. The program is designed to achieve specific student learning outcomes, including:
- Comprehensive Care Planning: You will be able to formulate detailed and effective plans of care for patients with population-specific diagnoses in acute care settings.
- Advanced Intervention Delivery: You will be skilled in delivering educational and therapeutic interventions, utilizing advanced health assessment, in-depth knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacology, and genomics relevant to acute care.
National Certification
The program curriculum is specifically designed to prepare graduates to successfully sit for national certification exams in their specialized role and population focus. Achieving national certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner validates your expertise and enhances your professional credibility.
State-Specific Requirements
While national certification is a significant achievement, APRN graduates should be aware that additional state-specific requirements may be necessary before being authorized to practice as an ACNP in a particular state. It is crucial to investigate and fulfill these state-specific mandates to ensure full compliance and practice eligibility.
This Acute Care NP Certification program offers a pathway to advance your nursing career, providing you with specialized knowledge, skills, and national recognition in the critical field of acute care.
