The Ohio State University offers a specialized Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to excel in the demanding and rewarding field of pediatric acute care. This rigorous program provides registered nurses with the expert knowledge and clinical skills necessary to manage the complex health needs of acutely and critically ill children, from infancy through adolescence.
The curriculum for the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track at Ohio State is comprehensive and meticulously structured to ensure graduates are well-prepared for diverse clinical settings. Core courses provide a strong foundation in advanced health assessment, including specialized pediatric assessment (Nursing 7330), and the critical area of child and adolescent mental health (Nursing 7331). The program’s strength lies in its intensive focus on advanced nursing practice in pediatric acute care, delivered through a series of courses (Nursing 7218.01, 7218.02, 7218.03) that build upon each other to develop expertise in this specialty. Furthermore, courses like “Clinical Reasoning with Diagnostic Methods” (Nursing 7415) enhance students’ analytical and problem-solving abilities, crucial for acute care settings. The “Advanced Practice Nursing: Final Professional Seminar” (NP8895) culminates the academic journey, preparing students for professional practice.
A hallmark of the Ohio State program is its emphasis on practical, hands-on clinical training. Students are required to complete 600 hours of precepted pediatric acute care clinical experiences, gaining invaluable real-world exposure in various settings such as urgent care, specialty clinics, in-hospital units, and intensive care. Ohio State’s College of Nursing boasts strong partnerships with leading healthcare institutions across Ohio, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic, providing students with access to diverse clinical placements and learning from top experts in the field. These clinical experiences are carefully designed to encompass the breadth of pediatric acute care, from well-child visits and common acute illnesses to the management of stable chronic conditions and the care of critically ill children.
Located within one of the nation’s most comprehensive health sciences centers, Ohio State offers ACNP students unparalleled access to cutting-edge research, evidence-based practice initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities. The program is designed with flexibility in mind, accommodating both full-time and part-time students with convenient class schedules and accessible course formats, including state-of-the-art computer-based learning options for many core courses. The curriculum aligns with the guidelines set by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and meets all requirements for Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) advanced practice certification, ensuring graduates are eligible for national certification and prepared to lead in pediatric acute care. Choose Ohio State’s Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program to launch a fulfilling and impactful career dedicated to the health and well-being of acutely ill children.
