Are you a registered nurse in Washington State looking to advance your career and specialize in acute care? Becoming an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) can position you as an expert in managing complex health conditions for adult and aging patients. The University of Washington (UW) School of Nursing offers a leading Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with an AGACNP track, designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to excel in this demanding and rewarding field. This program focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing adults and seniors facing acute, critical, and complex chronic illnesses or injuries. AGACNPs play a vital role in stabilizing patients, managing chronic conditions in acute settings, and providing palliative or end-of-life care. The UW program prepares you to work with patients across the adult lifespan, from adolescence through advanced age.
Nationally Recognized Excellence
The UW School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program holds a #2 ranking among public schools in the nation, reflecting its commitment to exceptional nursing education and practice. This ranking underscores the program’s rigor, faculty expertise, and the success of its graduates in advanced nursing roles. Choosing a highly-ranked program like UW’s AGACNP track can significantly enhance your career prospects and provide a strong foundation for leadership in acute care nursing.
Rankings
Substantial Financial Support for Future Nurse Practitioners
Financial considerations are a significant factor for many aspiring nurse practitioners. The UW School of Nursing understands this and provides substantial financial aid opportunities. In the 2023-24 academic year, the school awarded $3.8 million in scholarships to 147 DNP students. This significant investment in its students demonstrates UW’s commitment to making advanced nursing education accessible and reducing the financial burden for future AGACNPs. Explore the available funding options to make your AGACNP education at UW a reality.
Streamlined Clinical Placements for Focused Learning
Clinical experience is paramount in acute care nurse practitioner programs. A distinctive advantage of the UW AGACNP program is its pre-arranged clinical placements. Unlike many DNP programs where students are responsible for finding their own clinical sites, UW manages this process for you. This valuable support allows you to concentrate fully on your clinical training and patient care experiences in diverse and high-quality settings. Knowing your clinical placements are secured as part of the program provides peace of mind and allows for a more focused and enriching learning experience.
Comprehensive AGACNP Skill Development
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner curriculum at UW is designed to develop a broad range of advanced practice skills essential for managing acutely ill patients. Graduates are prepared to:
- Conduct thorough health assessments, order and interpret diagnostic tests and procedures.
- Perform critical procedures such as point-of-care ultrasound, endotracheal intubation, central venous and arterial line insertion, thoracentesis, paracentesis, and chest tube insertion.
- Develop differential diagnoses and manage complex acute illnesses and complications effectively.
- Collaborate with patients and families to promote health, prevent disease, and implement treatment plans.
- Prescribe and evaluate pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies.
- Apply developmental and patient-and family-centered approaches to care.
- Advocate for the nursing profession and the crucial role of the AGACNP.
Graduates of the UW AGACNP program are prepared to practice autonomously or as part of interdisciplinary healthcare teams. They are highly sought after in various acute care settings, including:
- Hospitalist roles
- Inpatient and Outpatient Specialist Services (e.g., gastroenterology, infectious disease, neurology, endocrinology, nephrology, hepatology)
- Cardiology (advanced heart failure, structural heart disease, electrophysiology, general cardiology)
- Surgical specialties (e.g., cardiothoracic surgery, orthopedics, trauma, otolaryngology)
- Emergency Departments
Integrated DNP Curriculum for Leadership in Nursing
The DNP curriculum at UW begins with a shared first-year core, providing a robust foundation in advanced practice nursing and leadership principles. This shared core is followed by specialized coursework tailored to the AGACNP track. This curriculum structure ensures that graduates possess both broad advanced nursing competencies and specialized expertise in acute care, preparing them to lead and innovate in healthcare settings.
View the current DNP Adult-Gero Acute Care NP curriculum grid
For registered nurses in Washington State passionate about restorative care for adults facing acute, critical, and chronic conditions, the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track at UW is an ideal choice. If your focus is on health promotion and disease prevention in adult populations, consider the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track also offered at UW.
National Certification and Recognition
Upon successful completion of the AGACNP track at UW, graduates are eligible to sit for the national AGACNP certification examinations offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Corporation (AACNCC). These certifications are nationally recognized credentials that validate your expertise and competence as an acute care nurse practitioner.
It is strongly recommended that applicants to the AGACNP track possess at least one year of recent direct patient care experience as a registered nurse in acute, critical, emergency, or similar intensive care settings. This prior experience is invaluable for success in the rigorous AGACNP program and in your future advanced practice role.
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“I decided to get my DNP at UW because I knew I wanted to get an advanced degree, stay in acute/critical care, and continue to work with patients! I think nurse practitioners make a huge impact in care delivery by providing excellent evidence-based care with an added holistic and individualized approach.” – Catherine2020, DNP-AGACNP Student
Unique Advantages of the UW AGACNP Program
The University of Washington School of Nursing offers several unique assets that enhance the AGACNP student experience. The deTornyay Center for Healthy Aging provides exceptional resources for students focused on gerontology, including research opportunities, mentorship, and funding. Furthermore, the UW Simulation Center offers a cutting-edge, safe environment to hone clinical skills using advanced tools and techniques. The pre-arranged clinical placements, as mentioned earlier, are another significant advantage, ensuring a seamless integration of clinical training into your program.
Student Success Spotlight
Neal Cragg, a DNP student at UW, shares his valuable experiences in the program. His story provides further insight into the supportive and enriching learning environment within the UW School of Nursing.
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Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career and become an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in Washington State? Join an upcoming online information session to learn more about the UW program and how to submit a strong application. You can also contact us at [email protected] to discuss if this program is the right fit for your professional goals.
