Top Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs 2024

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPs) – also known as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) – provide patient care for everything from disease prevention to acute care management. Often, practitioners will continue to follow patients from the hospital setting to the outpatient setting. 

To become an ACNP, you must complete an accredited MSN, DNP, or post-graduate acute care nurse practitioner program. Nurse.org has compiled the best programs for 2024 to help you with your decision.

Top Acute Care NP Programs Compared

Top Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs 2024

Dozens of schools offer adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs. However, attending a top school will ensure you get a quality education and stand out among your peers.

Our ranking algorithm uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard. to determine the top ACNP programs nationwide. We consider factors such as graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, program focus, and more to help you find the right nursing program for you.

1. Duke University

Duke offers one of the best acnp programs in the country. With over 2,000 clinical partners nationwide and internationally students have access to a wide range of practicum sites and preceptors. 

• Admission Deadline: December 1st
• Degree Awarded: MSN
• Program Length: 48 credit hours and 728 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: $2,166 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Contact Information: 
  • Phone Number: (919) 613-9787
  • Email Address: SonAdmissions@dm.duke.edu

2. Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt School of Nursing is considered one of the best in the country and the acute care NP program is nothing short of one of the best. Students benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio and as a result, students score well above the national average on the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam. 

• Admissions: October 15th
• Degree Awarded: MSN
• Program Length: 40 credit hours and 630 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: $1,997 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Information:
  • Phone Number: (615) 322-3800
  • Email Address: VUSN-Admissions@vanderbilt.edu

3. George Washington University

The program at GWU offers students an online degree with in-person clinicals. Similar to other online acute care NP programs, clinical requirements are required in person. All nurse practitioner students are also required to complete an end-of-program skills assessment. During this final on-campus simulation-based learning event, students have an opportunity to showcase their assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and patient management skills.

• Admissions: 
  • Priority: December 1st
  • Final: July 1st
• Degree Awarded: MSN
• Program Length: 48 credit hours and 600 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: $1,530 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Information:
  • Phone Number: (202) 994-7901
  • Email Address: nursing@gwu.edu

4. Wilkes University

Wilkes University offers one of the fastest and cheapest online ACNP programs. Completed in as little as two years, advisors within the program help find clinical sites for all students within the program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and all possible candidates are given a personal interview. There are three entrance opportunities per year for the program. 

• Admissions: Rolling
• Degree Awarded: MSN
• Program Length: 14 credit hours and 500 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: $729 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Information:
  • Phone Number: (888) 413-5633.
  • Email Address: admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu

5. University of Maryland

The program at the University of Maryland offers a unique program for interested students. The program is Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Trauma/Critical Care/Emergency Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a blended ACNP/CNS practice-focused doctorate. In 2023, students in the program earned a 100% pass rate on the certification exam. 

• Admissions: December 1st
• Degree Awarded: DNP
• Program Length: 80 credit hours and a minimum of 1,080 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: 
  • In-state: $873 per credit hour
  • Out-of-state: $1,549 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Information: 
  • Phone Number: (410) 706-0501, option #2
  • Email Address: admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu

6. University of Alabama--Birmingham

Students enrolled in the program may elect to also complete the RNFA subspecialty as part of their program of study. Students interested in this are only available to start during the summer semester. The program is offered in a hybrid format with online didactic coursework, in-person clinical, and on-campus intensives. During the last four semesters of the program, students are required to participate in four on-campus intensives.

• Admissions: 
  • Summer: October 10th
  • Fall: February 12th
• Degree Awarded: MSN
• Program Length: 35 credit hours and 10 credit hours of clinical coursework
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: $702 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Information: 
  • Phone Number: (205) 996-0387 or (205) 934-2507
  • Email Address: hmhaaman@uab.edu or sddollar@uab.edu

7. University of Pennsylvania

The ACNP program at Penn can be completed in as little as 15 months full-time and is started in the summer. While some of the program is completed in person and clinical hours must be completed at an approved clinical site, other courses are offered online. In addition to earning their degree, students can complete an elective such as oncology, palliative care, global health, and more. 

• Admissions: 
  • Priority: November 4th
  • Final: February 3rd
• Degree Awarded: MSN
• Program Length: 14-course units and 600 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: 
  • Full-time: $88,080 per year
  • Part-time: $6,866 per course unit
• Accreditation: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• Contact Information: 
  • Phone Number: (215) 898-4271
  • Email Address: admissions@nursing.upenn.edu

8. Case Western University

Students at Case Western complete their degree within the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, completing 39 credit hours and 700 in-person clinical hours. For nurses who already hold an MSN degree or an advanced certification, there are options available, and interested students should speak with an admissions counselor. 

• Admissions: 
  • Summer/Fall: March 15th
  • Spring: October 1st
• Degree Awarded: MSN
• Program Length: 39 credit hours and 700 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: $2,308 per credit hour
• Accreditation: ANCC
• Contact Information: 
  • Phone Number: (216) 368-0700 or (216) 368-5981
  • Email Address: cxw26@case.edu or admissionsfpb@case.edu

9. Columbia University

Columbia University offers one of the best NP programs in the country, allowing students to complete clinicals in some of the top NYC hospitals. Clinical experiences include intensive care (cardiothoracic surgery, trauma, neurosurgery, medicine, and more), specialty services such as heart failure, transplant and acute coronary service, emergency department, and fast track.

• Admissions: January 6th
• Degree Awarded: DNP
• Program Length: 80-81 credit hours and 630 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: $125,921 per year
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Information: 
  • Phone Number: (212) 305-5756
  • Email Address: nursing@cumc.columbia.edu

10. Emory University

Students in this four-semester program may complete it full-time or part-time. They complete in-person clinicals in hospitals around Atlanta, Georgia, or other approved sites around the country. While the tuition is already low, 92% of the students in the School of Nursing receive some type of financial assistance.

• Admissions: Rolling
• Degree Awarded: MSN or DNP
• Program Length: 48 credit hours and 720 clinical hours
• Location: Hybrid
• Program Cost: $2,082 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Information: 
  • Phone Number: (404) 727-7980
  • Email Address: nursingquestions@emory.edu 

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About the Acute Care NP Career

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who are certified in acute care, pediatric acute care, and/or adult-gerontology acute care. 

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers board certification to acute care nurse practitioners.

Often this role is confused with Family Nurse Practitioners; however, the difference is that ACNPs see patients when they are sick, admitted to the hospital, or after a surgical procedure and/or trauma. 

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), some interesting facts regarding Acute Care NPs include:

• The top clinical focus areas of NPs certified in adult-gerontology acute care are critical care, cardiovascular, and hospitalist
• The top practice settings of NPs certified in adult-gerontology acute care are hospital inpatient units and hospital outpatient clinics
• The top diagnoses treated by AGACNPs are hypertension, heart failure, and diabetes

Where Can Acute Care NPs Work?

Acute Care NPs can work in a variety of locations:

• Emergency Room
• Intensive care Unit
• Medical or Surgical Unit
• Nursing home or skilled nursing facility
• Operating Room
• Outpatient or Inpatient Subspecialty Practice
  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Neurology
  • Interventional radiology
  • Cardiothoracic surgery
• Sub-acute units
• Trauma Unites
• Urgent Care Clinic

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Are Acute Care NPs in Demand?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment opportunities for all nurse practitioners would grow by 45% between 2022 and 2032. This is much faster than the national average of other healthcare-related professions, including Registered Nurses. 

As of 2022, there were 266,300 advanced practice nurses, with an expected need of an additional 118,600 by 2032. Additionally, as the healthcare industry continues to change, there will continue to be a need for ACNPs. 

What to Expect in an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

Before you can become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, you’ll first need to become a Registered Nurse by either completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). ADN-prepared nurses will either need to complete an RN-to-BSN program before furthering their education, or enter into an RN-to-NP program where they can earn both degrees at the same time. 

Program Prerequisites

Though every Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree program is different, most have similar entry requirements, which generally include:

• At least one year of acute care bedside nursing experience
• Completion of undergraduate statistics with a grade of C or better
• GRE if applicable
• Professional resume or curriculum vitae
• Satisfactory completion of an accredited baccalaureate program with at least 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Submission of official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
• Successful completion of a personal interview with the Nursing Admissions Committee
• TOEFL test, if applicable
• Two or three professional references
• Unencumbered, active RN license in the state of practice (Some programs will require an RN license in the state of the program)
• Written statement of professional goals for graduate study and nursing career
• Personal admission interview

What Will You Learn in an AGACNP Program? 

Acute Care NP programs adhere to the Nurse Practitioner framework and core competencies established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for Nurse Practitioners. Those nine competencies are:

• Ethics
• Health Delivery System
• Independent Practice
• Leadership
• Policy
• Practice Inquiry
• Quality
• Scientific Foundation
• Technology and Information Literacy

Acute Care NP Courses

Specific courses in an Acute Care NP program generally include, 

• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Physical Assessment
• Child and Family Development
• Clinical Practicums
• Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Acute Care Advanced Practice Nurse 
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Health Informatics
• Health Policy, Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Practice
• Leadership and Critical Decision Making
• Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

How Much Do Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs Cost?

Acute Care NP programs vary greatly in cost. Factors include school, location, online versus in-person, and ultimate degree. 

• Cost per credit hour can vary between $500 to $2,000, depending on the program. The total credit hours required also vary between 35-60 for different programs. This means that the total cost for an ACNP program can range anywhere from $17,500 to $120,000 in total. 
• Doctoral-level programs tend to be more expensive than master's degree programs, in part because more credits are required overall. 
• Tuition costs also include program fees, lab fees, course materials, and other associated expenses. 

Examples of credit cost include:

• Thomas Jefferson University - $1,450 per credit hour
• DeSales University - $975 per credit hour
• University of Virginia - 
  • In-state: $888 per credit hour 
  • Out-of-state: $1,450 per credit hour
• Chamberlain University - $710 per credit hour

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

How Long is an Acute Care NP Program?

Total credit hours are between 35-60, depending on the program, in addition to a minimum of 500 clinical hours. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) require all nurse practitioners to complete the aforementioned number of clinical hours; however, some states and programs will require more hours. If a student earns their DNP through the program the number of required credit hours will be more. DNP programs require a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. 

A program can be completed in two to three years on a part-time or full-time basis. The length of the program can also depend on whether it is online or traditional in person. Most programs will allow students up to five years to complete them. Completing a program depends on a variety of factors, especially whether you will be working or not throughout the duration of the program. 

Accreditation for AGACNP Programs

When choosing an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, you’ll want to make sure it’s been accredited by one of the two main accreditation bodies in the United States are as follows:

• The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, is an organization designed to support nursing education and ensure it is done in a safe, reliable, and consistent manner. 

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is considered the voice of academic nursing in America and contributes to the overall safety of the public’s health. This accreditation committee supports the continuous self-assessment of national programs to ensure quality education is delivered to all nursing students.  

How to Pick the Right Acute Care NP Program for You

Picking the right Acute Care NP program can be overwhelming, especially with the increasing number of available programs throughout the country. Online programs have given access to top-tier programs for those who are unable to relocate. 

The most important determining factor when choosing a program is understanding if the state in which you reside allows students to enroll in distance education programs and therefore participate in clinical practicums within the state. 

It is important to check with your state board of nursing to see if your state allows this. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and by a professional organization.  Any questions regarding state eligibility you can also contact the University’s Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs.

Other things you should consider are:

• Do you qualify for the prerequisites?
• Is the program accredited?
• What is the graduate certification rate?
• Does your current job have an affiliation with a specific program?
• Do you prefer obtaining your MSN or DNP?
• Do you want a program that will find your clinical placements?
• How will I pay for the degree? Loans? Scholarships? Tuition Reimbursement?
• Is there program flexibility?
• Online versus in-person?
• What is the job placement rate?
• What is your goal after graduation? Hospital? Private practice?

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