The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and with it, the demand for highly skilled and specialized nurses is on the rise. For registered nurses looking to take their careers to the next level and specialize in the complex world of acute care, Drexel University Online offers an exceptional acute care nurse practitioner program. This program is meticulously designed to equip nurses with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to manage acutely ill and injured adult and geriatric patients across various healthcare settings.
Why Choose Drexel’s Online AG-ACNP Program?
Drexel University’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program stands out as a premier choice for nurses seeking advanced practice education. This online program provides a flexible and accessible learning environment without compromising the rigor and quality essential for becoming a competent and confident Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Comprehensive Curriculum for Acute Care Expertise
The program’s 57-credit curriculum is carefully structured to provide a deep dive into the specialized needs of adult and geriatric patients facing acute medical or surgical challenges, including critical illnesses and injuries. With a demanding 800-hour clinical practicum requirement, the program ensures students gain hands-on experience and practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge.
Alt text: Drexel University online acute care nurse practitioner program students engage in hands-on simulation training in a state-of-the-art lab.
Flexible Online Learning with Interactive Engagement
Recognizing the busy schedules of working nurses, Drexel Online delivers the majority of the AG-ACNP program through an engaging online format. The program utilizes synchronous online lectures, fostering a highly interactive e-learning environment that encourages student participation and knowledge retention. These live sessions are held once a week for three hours, ensuring real-time interaction with faculty and peers.
Clinical Practicum: Bridging Theory and Practice
The clinical practicum is a cornerstone of the AG-ACNP program. It is designed to seamlessly integrate theoretical learning with practical application. Students participate in didactic lectures online, running concurrently with clinical practicum rotations. Each clinical practicum course requires 160 hours of hands-on clinical experience, typically completed over two eight-hour clinical days per week.
Furthermore, Drexel emphasizes experiential learning by incorporating on-campus or virtual intensives during clinical courses. These intensives provide opportunities for students to participate in simulated clinical learning experiences in Drexel’s advanced multidisciplinary patient simulation lab, engage in standardized patient scenarios, and refine their technical skills through problem-based learning.
Alt text: Online AG-ACNP program at Drexel University features mandatory intensives for hands-on learning and collaboration among students.
Program Uniqueness and Faculty Expertise
Drexel’s AG-ACNP program distinguishes itself through several key features:
- Interactive E-Learning: Synchronous online lectures promote active learning and engagement, moving beyond traditional passive online formats.
- Clinically Active Faculty: Students learn from faculty members who are not only educators but also practicing, nationally board-certified nurse practitioners, bringing real-world experience into the virtual classroom.
- Drexel University Network: As a student in Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, you gain access to a vast network of clinical practice environments and inter-professional simulated healthcare scenarios, enhancing your learning and professional development.
Career Paths for AG-ACNP Graduates
Graduates of the Drexel Online AG-ACNP program are well-prepared for diverse roles in acute care settings. They are equipped to manage acutely ill or injured adult and geriatric patients in inpatient environments such as:
- Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
- Critical Care Units (CCUs)
- Hospitalist Services
- Specialty Practices (excluding pediatrics)
It’s important to note that while AG-ACNPs are experts in acute care, additional certification may be required for roles in emergency rooms or trauma services that involve the care of acutely ill or injured children.
Upon program completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exams, including the ANCC’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination (ACNP-BC) and/or AACN’s Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) examination.
Admission to the Drexel Online AG-ACNP Program
To be eligible for the Drexel Online AG-ACNP program, applicants must meet specific admission requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree: Applicants must hold a BSN degree from an accredited institution (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Current RN License: A current, unrestricted United States RN license or eligibility for licensure is required.
- Acute Care Nursing Experience: Two years of recent bedside acute care nursing experience is mandatory. Critical care experience in settings like ICU, CCU, ER, trauma, or high acuity step-down units is preferred.
- References: Two professional references from supervisors, managers, faculty members, or program directors who can attest to the applicant’s clinical abilities and potential for graduate studies.
- Personal Statement: A personal essay (under 1,000 words) outlining the applicant’s reasons for choosing the program, career goals, and how their experience meets the critical care experience requirement.
- Resume/CV: A detailed resume highlighting work experience, responsibilities, and departments.
Additional requirements may apply, and applicants are encouraged to review the program’s admission page for complete details.
Accreditation and Program Outcomes
Drexel University’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a nationally recognized accreditation body. This accreditation signifies the program’s commitment to quality and excellence in nursing education. Furthermore, the program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Graduates of the AG-ACNP program are expected to achieve specific program outcomes, demonstrating competency in areas such as:
- Ethical and legal healthcare practice
- Advancing the role of advanced nursing practice
- Critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning
- Integration of technology in healthcare
- Culturally sensitive health promotion
- Leadership in nursing and healthcare
- Evidence-based practice and quality improvement
- Collaboration and communication in healthcare
These outcomes reflect Drexel’s commitment to developing well-rounded, highly skilled, and impactful nurse practitioners who will lead the future of acute care nursing.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career with Drexel Online
The Drexel University Online acute care nurse practitioner program offers a robust and flexible pathway to advance your nursing career and specialize in acute care. With a comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and a commitment to student success, Drexel provides the ideal environment to achieve your professional goals. Explore the Drexel Online AG-ACNP program today and discover how you can become a leader in acute care nursing.
