Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) specialty prepares acute care nurse practitioners to collaboratively assess and manage the needs of patients with acute and complex chronic illness across the full continuum of adult acute care services. The core body of knowledge provided in the specialty is derived from the full spectrum of high-acuity patient care needs. The population focus is adult/gerontology. The AGACNP curriculum is intended to prepare students to apply for Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
In the first year of study, the focus is on history taking, physical assessment, differential diagnosis, diagnostic testing including bedside ultrasound, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and management of patients. Courses in assessing the acutely ill individual, diagnostic reasoning, pharmacology, research, and statistics are also featured in the first year. Clinical conferences, simulation lab, and hands-on skills sessions focus on the diagnosis and management of problems seen in acutely ill patients. This management incorporates acute care pharmacology as well.
During the final year of study, emphasis is placed on the differential diagnosis and comprehensive management of complex problems seen in acutely and critically ill patient populations. Courses also include content on pathophysiology and management in acute care, complex chronic care, health promotion, and the role of the nurse practitioner. Individualized clinical placement plans expose students to a variety of acute care setting and patient populations. Clinical experiences are designed to meet both program requirements and support each student's educational goals. Clinical conferences, simulation lab, and hands-on skill sessions continue to expand competence in diagnostic decision making, performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, as well as emergent and ongoing management of complex patient conditions.
AGACNP courses are only open to students enrolled in the specialty. Students from other specialties who are interested in taking an AGACNP specialty course must consult with the specialty director. A Post-Master’s Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate option is also available (see the chapter Post-Master’s Certificates).
Year One
| Fall Term | ||
| NURS 6000 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 6020 | Advanced Pharmacology | 2 |
| NURS 6010 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 7800 | Advanced Health Assessment in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care | 3 |
| NURS 7810 | Advanced Diagnostics in Acute Care | 3 |
| NURS 7820 | Critical Care Clinical Immersion | 3 |
| Spring Term | ||
| NURS 6040 | Statistics and Research for Evidence-Based Practice Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 7830 | Pathophysiology and Management of Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Health Problems I | 4 |
| NURS 7840 | Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Practice I | 3 |
| NURS 7880 | Advanced Acute Care Pharmacology | 1 |
Year Two
| Fall Term | ||
| NURS 6050 | Transitions to Professional Practice | 2 |
| NURS 6060 | Promoting Health in the Community | 2 |
| NURS 7850 | Pathophysiology and Management of Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Health Problems II | 4 |
| NURS 7860 | Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Practice II | 8.3 |
| Spring Term | ||
| NURS 7870 | Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Practice III | 8.3 |