The healthcare landscape is continually evolving, and the demand for specialized healthcare providers is on the rise, particularly in Pennsylvania. For registered nurses seeking to elevate their careers and make a significant impact in acute care settings, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) programs offer an exceptional pathway. These advanced programs prepare nurses to manage complex health needs of acutely and critically ill patients, and Pennsylvania is home to reputable institutions offering these specialized programs. If you are a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduate in Pennsylvania looking to specialize, Drexel University’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program could be your ideal next step.
Drexel University’s Online AG-ACNP Program: Focused on Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Needs
Drexel University, while serving students across the nation, understands the specific healthcare demands within Pennsylvania. The Drexel Online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program is meticulously designed to equip practitioners with the advanced skills necessary for managing adult patient populations facing acute medical, surgical, and critical care challenges. This program stands out by preparing graduates to excel across the entire spectrum of acute care services, from the high-pressure environments of hospital-based emergency and intensive care units to specialized practice settings throughout Pennsylvania.
Please note: A BSN degree is a prerequisite for application to this program.
Upon graduation from Drexel’s AG-ACNP program, you will be well-prepared to pursue advanced practice roles in Pennsylvania’s leading healthcare facilities. Graduates are eligible to sit for nationally recognized 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. Achieving certification signifies your expertise and competence in acute care, enhancing your professional standing and patient care capabilities within Pennsylvania. Drexel University encourages graduates to share their certification exam results to continually improve the program and support future students.
Recognizing the needs of working nurses in Pennsylvania, Drexel’s master’s program uniquely blends the flexibility of online learning with the rigorous academic standards required to develop confident and highly skilled advanced practice nurses. The program’s design ensures that you can pursue your career aspirations without disrupting your current commitments. The core coursework is delivered online, offering unparalleled convenience.
Curriculum Designed for Acute Care Excellence in Pennsylvania
The AG-ACNP curriculum at Drexel University is specifically structured to impart the comprehensive knowledge and specialized skills essential for providing high-quality healthcare to adult and geriatric patients in acute care settings. This includes those with critical illnesses or injuries commonly seen in Pennsylvania hospitals and specialized care centers.
This robust 57-credit graduate track includes a substantial 800-hour clinical practicum, ensuring hands-on experience. The clinical practicum courses are thoughtfully divided into two integrated components: didactic lectures and clinical practicum rotations. The didactic lectures are conveniently delivered online once a week, for three hours of synchronous, interactive learning. Each clinical practicum course mandates 160 total clinical hours, typically accomplished through two eight-hour clinical days each week in Pennsylvania healthcare settings.
The clinical practicum rotations are integral to the Drexel AG-ACNP program, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world patient care scenarios. To further enhance practical skills, students participate in intensive simulated clinical learning experiences. These take place in Drexel’s advanced multidisciplinary patient simulation lab, featuring standardized patient interactions, problem-based learning scenarios, and hands-on training in essential technical skills. This blended approach of online learning, clinical rotations in Pennsylvania, and simulation labs ensures a well-rounded and practical education.
Drexel University’s nurse practitioner faculty are deeply committed to delivering exceptional nurse practitioner education. Throughout the program, students will participate in mandatory on-campus and/or virtual intensives during clinical courses, with dates and times provided well in advance. This commitment to immersive learning and faculty expertise distinguishes Drexel’s AG-ACNP program in Pennsylvania.
What Sets Drexel’s AG-ACNP Program Apart for Pennsylvania Nurses?
- Interactive Online Learning: Benefit from synchronous online lectures that employ highly interactive e-learning methodologies designed to challenge and actively engage students. This format is ideal for nurses balancing work and education in Pennsylvania.
- Expert Faculty: Learn from clinically active faculty members who hold national board certifications, bringing real-world expertise and the latest best practices to the online classroom.
- Drexel University Network: As a student in the Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions, you gain access to a vast network of clinical practice environments and inter-professional simulated healthcare scenarios, enriching your learning experience and professional connections within Pennsylvania and beyond.
Career Paths for AG-ACNP Graduates in Pennsylvania
Graduates of the AG-ACNP program are prepared to provide expert care for acutely ill or injured adult patients, as well as those experiencing exacerbations of chronic conditions. Typical practice settings for graduates in Pennsylvania include:
- Intensivist/Critical Care Units
- Hospitalist Services
- Specialty Practices (excluding pediatrics)
While Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners typically do not work in emergency rooms or trauma services without further specialized certification in pediatric acute care, the AG-ACNP program from Drexel provides a strong foundation for diverse acute care roles in Pennsylvania’s hospitals and healthcare systems.
*Drexel University’s Division of Graduate Nursing empowers students to take an active role in identifying and coordinating their clinical sites and preceptors. The Division provides substantial resources to assist students in this crucial process. Clinical site accessibility can vary across Pennsylvania, and students may need to travel to secure suitable clinical placements and complete the required clinical hours. Drexel provides support to navigate these logistics effectively.
Compliance and Application Information
The College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University has a detailed compliance process that all students must complete, which may require significant time. Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly to meet all requirements. For comprehensive details, please visit the Compliance pages.
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
Admission Requirements:
Technical Standards – Nursing
Degree: Applicants must hold a BSN degree from an institution accredited by CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Standardized Tests: Not required for admission.
Transcripts: Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all previously attended colleges and universities. Ensure transcripts are submitted in sealed envelopes with the institution’s seal. Use the Transcript Lookup Tool for assistance in contacting previous institutions.
Prerequisites: Two years of recent bedside acute care nursing experience are mandatory, with critical care experience preferred. Relevant experience includes ICU, CCU, ER, trauma, and high-acuity step-down units.
References: Two professional references are required from supervisors, managers, faculty members, or program directors who can assess your clinical abilities and potential for graduate study. Utilize the electronic letter of recommendation service or ensure hard copy letters are signed and sealed.
Personal Statement/Essay: A personal statement of under 1,000 words is required, detailing your reasons for choosing this program, your career goals post-graduation, and how your acute care experience meets the program criteria.
Interview/Portfolio: An admissions interview may be required.
CV/Resume: A detailed resume outlining work experience, job responsibilities, and departments is mandatory.
Licenses: Submit a copy of your current, unrestricted United States RN license or proof of eligibility for licensure. License verification from your nursing license registry website is acceptable.
Clinical/Work/Volunteer Experience: Two years of recent critical care experience within the last five years is a prerequisite.
International Students: Specific requirements for international students are available here.
Tuition and Fee Rates: Detailed tuition information is available on the Drexel Online MSN in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tuition page.
Application Link: N/A (for external organizations).
Drexel’s program operates on a quarter system with four 10-week quarters per year, allowing for accelerated learning. Graduate students utilizing loans must maintain a minimum enrollment of 4.5 credits per term. For a comprehensive list of courses, please visit Drexel Online.
Accreditation and Program Excellence
The Drexel University baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). These programs are also approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, ensuring high educational standards and quality.
Program Outcomes and Nursing Philosophy
Graduates of the Drexel AG-ACNP program are expected to:
- Practice ethically and legally within healthcare delivery frameworks.
- Advance advanced nursing practice through scholarship and leadership.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning.
- Integrate technology and theories for effective patient care planning.
- Incorporate culturally sensitive health promotion.
- Lead in nursing and healthcare policy development.
- Evaluate and improve clinical practice using research and patient outcomes.
- Contribute to nursing and healthcare through communication, collaboration, and education.
Drexel’s Nursing program is committed to educating nurses who are both artists and scientists in their practice. The program emphasizes critical thinking, compassionate care, and safe practice in complex healthcare environments. The program’s mission and values are built on principles of authenticity, complexity, rigor, relevance, state-of-the-art education, and learner-friendliness, ensuring a challenging yet rewarding educational experience for aspiring Acute Care Nurse Practitioners in Pennsylvania.
If you are a registered nurse in Pennsylvania ready to take the next step in your career, Drexel University’s online AG-ACNP program offers a robust and flexible path to becoming a certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Apply by March 3, 2025, and begin your journey toward advanced practice excellence.
