Acute care nurse practitioners treat a broad range of acute and chronic conditions. They work in hospitals, physician’s offices, long-term care facilities, and specialty clinics.
Those with an MSN in acute care nurse practitioner programs online can help address the growing need for qualified nursing professionals. The program focuses on providing patient-centered and evidence-based healthcare.
Flexibility
Online RN to NP programs allow you to pursue an advanced nursing degree while continuing to work. You can study full or part-time depending on your schedule and career goals. This flexibility makes it easier for busy nurses to return to school and earn their degrees without relocating or leaving the workplace.
During clinical experiences, students learn to assess and manage patients in various acute inpatient settings, including medical/surgical and trauma units, cardiac services, post-anesthesia care, intensive care units, and specialty clinics. Upon graduation, AGACNPs are prepared to assume adult-gerontology acute care patients’ clinical and ethical leadership.
Personalized Learning Experience
An online MSN program in adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner at Arkansas State University provides a specialized learning experience with the support of professors and peers with clinical expertise. Students gain valuable real-world experience preparing for clinical practice, assessing patients, and creating comprehensive, holistic treatment plans.
Critical thinking is a vital skill for any healthcare professional. Still, it’s especially important in this role, where nurses must be able to quickly assess and react to patients experiencing acute or emergency health issues. Many MSN-AGACNP programs also teach about advanced pharmacology, helping future nurses learn how to identify and treat various acute conditions with medication.
Increased Job Opportunities
As America ages, there is a growing need for nurses who specialize in acute care. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner will allow you to provide patients with expert nursing care in various settings, including hospitals, specialty clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Many MSN-AGACNP online programs offer clinical learning experiences so you can develop the skills necessary to assess and manage complex health conditions. You’ll also learn critical thinking, an important skill for anyone in the healthcare industry, but especially for nurse practitioners who often encounter emergencies requiring quick and thorough assessments of patients.
Higher Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn higher salaries than other nursing professionals. This makes it a great option for nurses looking to improve their financial situation with a graduate degree.
Earning an online acute care nurse practitioner degree can also help you find a job in your desired field faster. This is especially true if you choose an accredited program. Accredited programs prepare nurses with advanced skills in a specific area of healthcare so employers know that they can trust their new hires to perform well on the job.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program prepares registered nurses to provide advanced care for adults across the acute health continuum. This includes the emergency department, medical/surgical, trauma units, specialty clinics, long-term care facilities, and physician offices. This program may not lead to national certification; students should consult their state board of nursing for information on professional licensure.