Are you a registered nurse looking to elevate your career and make a significant impact in acute care settings? An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master Of Sciences Program is your pathway to becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specializing in the complex care of acutely ill patients. This rigorous and rewarding program is designed to equip you with the expertise and skills necessary to excel in today’s demanding healthcare environment.
This master’s level program focuses on adult-gerontology acute care, preparing graduates to manage the health needs of young adults, older adults, and the frail elderly facing acute and chronic health challenges. The curriculum is structured to foster critical thinking, advanced clinical skills, and leadership capabilities, enabling graduates to provide comprehensive and effective care across various healthcare settings, from intensive care units to emergency departments and specialized clinics.
Comprehensive Curriculum for Advanced Practice Nursing
The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master of Sciences Program delivers a robust curriculum designed to meet the evolving demands of healthcare. Students will delve into core areas including:
- Advanced Health Assessment: Mastering comprehensive patient evaluation techniques to accurately diagnose and manage complex conditions.
- Clinical Pathophysiology: Gaining an in-depth understanding of disease processes across the lifespan to inform advanced clinical decision-making.
- Clinical Pharmacology: Developing expertise in pharmacotherapeutic management for acute and chronic illnesses, ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes.
- Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice: Learning to critically evaluate research and apply evidence-based findings to improve patient care and advance nursing practice.
- Organizational Leadership and Health Care Policy: Cultivating leadership skills and understanding healthcare policy to advocate for patients and influence healthcare systems.
Furthermore, the program emphasizes practical application through extensive clinical experiences. These hands-on opportunities allow students to translate theoretical knowledge into real-world practice, refining their skills under the guidance of experienced clinicians. The curriculum breakdown includes:
| Graduation Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core | |
| HNH 503 Organizational Leadership and Role Transformation | 3 |
| HNH 504 Quality Improvement, Safety, and Health Care Technologies | 3 |
| HNH 505 Health Care Policy and Advocacy | 2 |
| Research | |
| HNG 541 Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice I | 3 |
| HNG 543 Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice II | 3 |
| Pharmacology | |
| HNG 540 Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
| Health Assessment | |
| HNG 515 Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| Pathophysiology | |
| HNG 588 Clinical Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Clinical Courses | |
| HNG 519 Advanced Theory and Clinical Practice in Adult-Gerontology Nursing Across the Continuum I | 4 |
| HNG 529 Advanced Theory and Clinical Practice in Adult-Gerontology Nursing Across the Continuum II | 5 |
| HNG 509 Advanced Theory and Clinical Practice in Acute Care Adult/Gerontology Nursing I | 5 |
| HNG 559 Advanced Theory and Clinical Practice in Acute Care Adult/Gerontology Nursing I | 5 |
| HNG 580 Advanced Skills, Technologies & Clinical Decision-Making in Acute Care | 3 |
| Total Credits | 45 |
Program Outcomes: Shaping Future Nurse Practitioner Leaders
Graduates of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master of Sciences Program are prepared to be leaders in healthcare. The program outcomes are designed to ensure graduates can:
- Apply Advanced Nursing Knowledge: Integrate nursing theory and research to make informed clinical judgments and deliver the highest level of advanced practice care.
- Deliver Person-Centered Care: Synthesize scientific knowledge with an understanding of social determinants of health to provide holistic, equitable, and person-centered care.
- Lead in Population Health Improvement: Collaborate with diverse partners to address population health priorities and contribute to the development of effective healthcare policies.
- Advance Nursing Scholarship: Lead the translation of evidence into practice, addressing health inequities and striving for optimal patient care.
- Enhance System Effectiveness: Utilize improvement science principles to evaluate and enhance care quality, safety, and system efficiency.
- Foster Interprofessional Collaboration: Lead effective communication and collaboration within interprofessional teams to optimize patient outcomes.
- Optimize Healthcare Delivery Systems: Leverage technology and care coordination strategies to deliver safe, high-quality, and efficient healthcare services.
- Embody Professionalism and Resilience: Model a strong professional identity rooted in accountability, ethical practice, and a commitment to the nursing profession.
- Promote Lifelong Learning and Professional Growth: Demonstrate self-reflection and cognitive flexibility to foster continuous learning and leadership development.
Admission Requirements: Start Your Journey
To be considered for the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master of Sciences Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Completed Application: Submit a fully completed application form.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Hold a BSN degree from an accredited nursing program. (RNs with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees may be considered with a Clinical Practice Portfolio).
- Minimum GPA: Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Transcripts: Provide unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (official transcripts required upon admission).
- Registered Nurse (RN) License: Possess a current, unencumbered RN license in the state of clinical practice.
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume: Submit a current CV or resume outlining relevant experience.
- Letters of Recommendation: Provide three online letters of recommendation from professional references.
- Prerequisite Coursework: Complete undergraduate courses in Health Assessment and Statistics (3 credits each).
- Technical Standards: Meet the program’s Technical Standards for Admission and Retention.
Further requirements, including official transcripts, health documentation, and New York State RN license (if applicable), are required upon admission.
Accreditation and Certification: Ensuring Program Excellence
The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master of Sciences Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring a high standard of educational quality and program rigor. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a nationally recognized credential that validates your expertise in acute care nursing practice.
This program provides a robust foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. For more information about the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master of Sciences Program, please contact [email protected].
