Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) provide care for patients with acute, critical or complex chronic health conditions in diverse health care settings. With an aging population and restrictions on resident work hours, AGACNPs are in high demand and increasingly integrated into multidisciplinary health care teams due to the high quality, cost-effective care they provide. The AGACNP concentration at Goldfarb School of Nursing focuses on preparing students for intensivist roles in critical care. In collaboration with experienced AGACNPs and Washington University Physicians, students are immersed in the critical care environments at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through pre-arranged clinical sites. The clinical sites include the surgical/burn/trauma, neuro, cardiothoracic and medical intensive care units (ICU). Additional clinical time is gained in telemedicine and in the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, the emergency department and the diabetes center at Barnes-Jewish. Elective hours are also included to allow students the ability to tailor the program to their identified needs.

Graduates of the AGACNP concentration will:

Obtain health histories and perform physical exams,
Order and interpret laboratory and imaging studies,
Diagnose and design plans of care,
Integrate invasive and noninvasive technologies, interventions and procedures into plans of care, as well as perform invasive procedures and
Collaborate and communicate with patients, families, and other members of a multidisciplinary health care team.

This is a unique master’s degree program for post-BSN students. You'll be prepared for the complex and evolving roles of independent practitioners in intensive and acute care environments, including the business aspect of nurse practitioner practice. A post-master’s certificate is also available for MSNs interested in pursuing this specialty.

Graduates of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration will be prepared to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) certification exam to become certified in the field.

Program Highlights

Program length: Post-BSN: 27 months; Post-MSN: 12 months
Application deadline: April 8, 2023
Term start: Post-BSN: Summer; Post-MSN: Fall

*ATTENTION: MSN - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration will end in Summer 2023. This will be the last cohort for this MSN program.

We are excited to introduce the new Online BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner programs! Applications for the BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner Programs will open in May 2023 for a Spring 2024 start.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

Our Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration program has many benefits to students. Here are just a few of them:

Pre-Arranged Clinical Sites & Preceptors

Unlike many programs, we save you the time and difficulty of searching for clinical sites and preceptors by pre-arranging them for you. We work closely with Barnes-Jewish Hospital to provide clinical sites, giving students like you the opportunity to work at a top-ranked hospital in the country. You’ll find that preceptors are experienced ACNPs, other advanced practice nurses and Washington University School of Medicine physicians.

Experienced Faculty

From the classroom to clinical settings, our highly skilled clinical faculty bring their real-world experience to bear throughout the full learning process and maintain active clinical practice in critical care. Our students also benefit from expert guest faculty from Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, which complement the program’s didactic and lab components.

Small Class Sizes and Individual Support

Our small class sizes allow for personalized attention as each student progresses through the program and our curriculum.

Convenience for Working Students

All of our core courses are online, offering both flexibility and convenience for busy students. Face-to-face courses are all offered on the same day of the week. Goldfarb is conveniently located on the Washington University Medical Center along with Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where most of our clinical experiences take place.

State-of-the-Art Clinical Simulations

We offer high-fidelity patient simulations through our world-class Clinical Simulation Institute. These active learning experiences provide students with additional exposure to problems that are frequently seen in acute and critical care settings or those that may result in significant morbidity and mortality.

Dedicated Invasive Procedures & Skills Course

Gain additional support and experience through a dedicated course where you’ll perform invasive procedures like central line insertion, endotracheal intubation and lumbar puncture in a simulated environment. Students are also introduced to critical care ultrasound, ECG and radiology interpretation and mechanical ventilation management.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the accredited Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration will be prepared to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) certification exam to become certified in the field. Our students secure jobs in a variety of settings and can typically be found working in critical care environments, emergency departments and acute care services at hospitals.