Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

An online program for the nurse practitioner specializing in Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nursing.

Program Information

Nurse bagging patient An online program for the nurse practitioner specializing in Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nursing is offered at the University of South Alabama College of Nursing. The MSN program prepares graduates for advanced nursing practice and for doctoral study. Graduates of the program are able to synthesize and apply advanced knowledge, theories, and research to a specialized area of nursing practice and function as leaders in practice to contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession. Students entering the Dual Role track must have at least two years of direct patient care experience in EMERGENCY, ICU, or MED-SURG. Specialty areas such as the Cath lab, GI, lab, OR, etc., are not considered Acute Care management.

A common core of courses are offered online including concepts, theory, research, and issues related to advanced nursing practice.

Students in the online track will be required to attend an orientation session on campus in the Fall when the AHN specialty courses begin. In addition, the students may be required to return to campus following semesters during their specialty courses and the last semester (internship) for a final exam and presentations. Details will be announced as the semesters approach.

Clinical Orientation

All students in the Adult-Geron Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty are required to attend a mandatory three-day clinical orientation on campus during that fall term. Various clinical skills workshops will be held during the orientation.

Students enrolled in AHN 568 and AHN 571 will attend one of the three clinical orientations and clinical skills intensives. Students have the opportunity to request their preferred group on a first come, first serve basis through the simulation department after the request is sent out during the spring term.

Please note these dates are for Simulation Intensives only. The coordinator for each specialty track will provide full orientation dates:

Group 1 – December 6-7, 2018
Group 2 – December 10-11, 2018
Group 3 – December 12-13, 2018

Each event will take place at USA College of Nursing. You will receive more information as the date approaches via your JAG e-mail. Please make plans to attend.

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

Graduates who complete the Adult-Gerontology ACNP program meet educational eligibility for national certification through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).