Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration (AGACNP)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) provide care for adult and geriatric patients experiencing acute, critical or complex chronic health conditions in diverse health care settings. The AGACNP post-MSN certificate at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College prepares students for dynamic and evolving advanced practice nursing roles through rich, immersive experiences in a diverse, world-class environment. Barnes-Jewish Hospital is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top hospitals and #1 in St. Louis and Missouri. It is also among an elite group of hospitals in the U.S. that have maintained American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition® status since the program launched in 2003.

The AGACNP concentration offers 2 tracks for post MSN registered nurses interested in advancing their nursing careers. Both are face to face with a planned transition to an online format beginning fall, 2025:

The intensivist track focuses on preparing students for intensivist roles in critical care. In collaboration with experienced advanced practice providers (APPs) and Washington University Physicians, students are immersed in the multi-disciplinary critical care environments at Barnes-Jewish Hospital . Clinical sites and preceptors are pre-arranged and include the surgical/burn/trauma, neuro, cardiothoracic, and medical intensive care units (ICUs). Additional clinical time is gained in telemedicine and in the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, the emergency department, and the diabetes center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Elective hours are also included to allow students the ability to tailor the program to their identified needs and interests.

The hospitalist track focuses on preparing students for nurse practitioner roles with hospitalist and specialty services. Like the intensivist track, students will be immersed within multidisciplinary teams and environments at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and affiliate community hospitals. In collaboration with the Washington University Division of Hospital Medicine, students will collaborate with experienced APPs and Washington University School of Medicine physicians in a variety of pre-arranged clinical sites including hospitalist services, telemedicine, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, emergency medicine, diabetes, and other specialty services. The Division of Hospital Medicine is growing and gaining a national reputation as one of the premier programs. Led by a Past-President of the Society of Hospital Medicine and Founding Editor of the Journal of Hospital Medicine, members of the Division are actively engaged in education, research, and quality improvement projects.

Our Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post MSN concentration has many benefits for students. Here are just a few:

Pre-Arranged Clinical Sites & Preceptors 

For students residing in or near the St. Louis area, 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. Preceptors are experienced ACNPs, other advanced practice providers, and Washington University School of Medicine physicians.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top hospitals and #1 in St. Louis and Missouri. It is also among an elite group of hospitals in the U.S. that have maintained American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition® status since the program launched in 2003.

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. 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 

Courses are face-to-face and all are offered on the same day of the week. Beginning Fall 2025, courses will be online. At that point, students will be expected to come to campus approximately 1-2 times per term for the Invasive Procedures & Skills for the ACNP and clinical courses.

Goldfarb is conveniently located on the Washington University Medical Center campus 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 encountered 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 such as central line insertion, arterial 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.

Accreditation

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. 

Career Prospects

Our graduates secure acute care nurse practitioner positions in a variety of settings, providing care for patients with acute, critical, and/or complex chronic health conditions. Typical practice environments include critical care, emergency medicine, hospitalist services, and other specialty services.

Successful Program Outcomes

• Certification exam pass rate for first-time takers: 99%  
• Overall certification exam pass rate: 100%
• Employment rate within 6 months of graduation: 96%
• Student retention rate: 96%

The following items are required when applying to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration:

• MSN from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning

• Active RN license in good standing

• 1 year recent experience as an RN (ICU or emergency medicine required for intensivist track)

• Current ACLS provider status

• Official transcripts from all institutions where credit was earned

• Two letters of reference from individuals who can address the applicant's academic and clinical potential

• Personal statement that addresses desired area of specialization, personal attributes that will contribute to successful accomplishments of the program and career goals

• CV or resume