Nursing - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) MS

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Description of Program

The focus of the Graduate Programs in Nursing is to prepare graduates to work throughout the healthcare delivery system as nurse educators, healthcare organization leaders, and advanced practice registered nurses with the goal of improving health of individuals, families, and communities.

Graduates of the MS programs are prepared for a variety of advanced nursing roles (e.g. nurse educators, nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists). These graduates also have the foundation for continued graduate studies (i.e. DNP or PhD). Graduates of the DNP program are prepared for the highest level of clinical nursing practice.

Nursing science core courses, taken by all graduate students, build on students’ baccalaureate nursing knowledge to integrate scientific underpinnings for practice, understand nursing information management and decision making, and advocate for health promotion. Students develop evidence-based knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care while demonstrating leadership and professionalism. Courses within the selected programs of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, or Nursing and Organizational Leadership provide specialized knowledge and practice opportunities in each advanced nursing role. A unique feature of this program is the targeted emphasis on the nurse’s use of advanced knowledge and skills of health promotion with individuals and families in diverse populations to address health care needs within complex environments.

Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (54 S.H.)

Students choosing the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program are prepared to provide and manage health care of the acutely ill and the critically or chronically ill adult patient in a wide range of settings. AGACNP practice includes decision-making, both independently and interdependently; and is directly accountable for clinical judgments. In addition to the nursing science core and direct care core courses, content includes differential diagnosis and disease management; diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to manage acute and critical health problems; participation in and use of research; development and implementation of health policy, leadership, education, case management; and consultation with emphasis on interdisciplinary therapeutics. Clinical practicums under the supervision of qualified acute care provider preceptors will focus on acute care in a variety of specialty areas. Graduates with the M.S. award are eligible to take the American Nursing Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) national board certification AGACNP exam.

Nursing Science Core Courses

NURS 600 - Scientific and Ethical Foundations (4 S.H.)
STAT 601 - Statistical Methods for Health Care Research (3 S.H.)
NURS 604 - Health Policy and Quality Health Care Delivery (3 S.H.)
NURS 606 - Nursing Information Management & Decision Making (3 S.H.)
NURS 608 - Organizational and Systems Leadership (3 S.H.)
NURS 612 - Advanced Health Promotion for Families (3 S.H.)
NURS 613 - Advanced Health Promotion for Families Clinical (1 S.H.)
NURS 614 - Evidence-Based Practice (3 S.H.)
NURS 615 - Evidence-Based Practice Project/Thesis Seminar (2 S.H.)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

NURS 616 - Molecular, Genetic and Immune Mechanisms in Disease (3 S.H.)
NURS 617 - Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3 S.H.)
NURS 618 - Advanced Pathophysiology (2 S.H.)
NURS 619 - Advanced Health Assessment (3 S.H.)
NURS 673 - Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NPs (3 S.H.)
NURS 674 - Acute Care of Adults I Seminar (3 S.H.)
NURS 675 - Acute Care of Adults Clinical I (3 S.H.)
NURS 676 - Acute Care Adults Seminar II (3 S.H.)
NURS 677 - Acute Care of Adults Clinical II (3 S.H.)
NURS 678 - Acute Care Clinical Residency (3 S.H.)

Total credits: 54 S.H.

Clinical hours: (1 clinical credit = 60 hours of contact time)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: 780 Clinical Hours