Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online

Prepare to take the Adult-Gero Acute Care certification examination and expand your professional practice to work in emergency departments, ICU, specialty clinics, or labs with this innovative online nurse certificate program.

Apply by 1/3/25
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Discover our online AGACNP Post-Master’s Certification

The Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate online at Northern Kentucky University gives you the professional competencies you need to boost your existing nursing practice. Our online AGACNP certificate program builds on your MSN to equip you to manage treatment of patients from early adulthood through old age with high acuity needs, including chronic, acute, and complex health conditions. As an acute care NP, you will strive to stabilize the conditions of patients, prevent further complications, and restore maximum health.

The program's coursework emphasizes patient interaction in clinical settings; the development of advanced skills in the acute care setting, including cardiac, pulmonary, and transplant problems; and the integration of appropriate data and diagnostics. The comprehensive Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate curriculum covers adolescence through geriatrics, clinical residency, and a capstone to synthesize your learning so you can transition successfully into new practice roles.

In this online program, you will:

  • Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations, including patients and providers
  • Address differential diagnosis, diagnostic, and management issues related to the care of acutely ill adolescents, adults, and the elderly
  • Consider the influences pathophysiology, culture, age, genetics, ethics/legal issues, and acute care pharmacology have on patients
  • Prepare for the Adult-Gero Acute Care certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients from adolescence to geriatrics
  • Integrate assessment, implementation, and evaluation of advanced technologies in the diagnosis and management of acutely ill adults
  • Exhibit the integration of theory, research, critical thinking, complex case analysis, and evidence-based research into your practice and within the context of individual clients' conditions
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations, including patients and providers
  • Address differential diagnosis, diagnostic, and management issues related to the care of acutely ill adolescents, adults, and the elderly
  • Consider the influences pathophysiology, culture, age, genetics, ethics/legal issues, and acute care pharmacology have on patients
  • Prepare for the Adult-Gero Acute Care certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients from adolescence to geriatrics
  • Integrate assessment, implementation, and evaluation of advanced technologies in the diagnosis and management of acutely ill adults
  • Exhibit the integration of theory, research, critical thinking, complex case analysis, and evidence-based research into your practice and within the context of individual clients' conditions

As a certified adult-gero acute care nurse practitioner, you will be fully prepared to provide a full range of healthcare services to adolescent through geriatric patients in a variety of acute care settings, such as:

  • Long-term care facilities
  • Intensive care units
  • Emergency departments
  • Hospitals and other treatment facilities
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Intensive care units
  • Emergency departments
  • Hospitals and other treatment facilities
  • Rehabilitation centers

Also available:

Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Nursing programs online. View our selection.

Total Tuition $25,828
Program Duration As few as 20 months
Credit Hours 35

Accreditation

CCNE Accredited

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.

Tuition Breakdown:

Total Tuition $25,828
Per Credit Hour $578
Age Friendly University blue and white logo

Age-Friendly University

Northern Kentucky University has been designated an Age-Friendly University by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, in conjunction with The Gerontological Society of America, due to its commitment to increasing educational access for all learners. NKU is the only university in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky to join the international effort to support intergenerational learners.

Calendar

Note these important dates and deadlines

The Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Fall 210/16/2410/3/2410/8/2410/11/2410/16/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/7/251/10/251/13/25
Spring 23/17/253/5/253/10/253/14/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/254/30/255/5/255/9/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/18/256/23/256/27/256/30/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/3/25
Class Starts 1/13/25
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Admissions

Get ready to apply for this online post-master’s AGACNP program

The admission process is the first step toward earning your Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate online. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.

Admission Requirements:

  • 3.0 GPA or higher on accredited MSN degree
  • RN license current and unencumbered
  • 1,000 clinical hours of practice as an RN

Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Online Admission Requirements

  • Completed application for graduate admission
  • $40 application fee paid
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate academic work
  • Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date in the state in which you are licensed and practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing degree from an ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited nursing program
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in MSN graduate coursework
  • 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse; fill out the verification form here
  • A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found here.
  • 1 year of critical care experience. Critical Care Verification Form

Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:

NKU Office of Graduate Education
302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099

[email protected]

During our application review, you may receive a request for syllabi for the courses listed below and/or program curriculum information, to ensure the courses you have taken in your master’s program are equivalent to the corresponding NKU course.

  • MSN 610 – Diagnostic Reasoning & Advanced Physical Assessment*
  • MSN 611 – Clinical Pharmacology & Intervention*
  • BIO 669 – Advanced Human Physiology*
  • MSN 612 – Role Development in Advanced Practice Nursing

*must be over the lifespan

Upon this review, if our faculty determine you do not have equivalent coursework, you may need to take those courses at NKU if admitted. Click here to search the syllabi for each of the courses above as taught at NKU.

Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.

Courses

View the degree plan for our AGACNP post-master’s certification courses

For the Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate online, students must complete a total of 35 credit hours. These include nine core courses (27 credit hours), 5 credit hours of supervised clinical residencies with a total of 750 clinical hours, and 3 credit hours for a capstone project. All courses are seven weeks in length.

In order to earn the Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate online, students must complete 15 courses comprising 35 credit hours. These include nine core courses (27 credit hours), 5 credit hours of supervised clinical residencies with a total of 750 clinical hours, and 3 credit hours for a capstone project. All courses are seven weeks in length.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 150 hours in various acute care settings. It is designed to provide the beginning AGACNP student with experience in the assessment and documentation of histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic laboratory results of acutely ill adults with complex conditions. Pre-req: MSN 626 and MSN 627
Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course aims to cultivate APRNs' skills and knowledge for comprehensive patient evaluation through in-depth study, hands-on practice, and case-based learning. Students learn to conduct patient-centered, safe, and high-quality holistic health assessments while interpreting diagnostic data in patients across the lifespan.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course students learn the APRN pharmacological management of patients across the lifespan. Students learn the management of pharmacotherapeutics across all major drug classes. Outcomes include appropriate selection, administration, education, and interventions for pharmacological therapy. Emphasis is given to the psychosocial, cultural, ethical, and legal aspects of pharmacological management. Pre-req: MSN 610
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the history and role of Advanced Practice Nurses. This includes an overview of the role of the Advance Practice Nurse as a Provider, Consultant, Educator, Researcher, Collaborator, Leader and Administrator. Selected legal, practice, and ethical issues are explored. Nursing theory is incorporated into the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A systems-based approach designed to study the physiology and pathophysiology relating to human health. Integrative regulatory mechanisms responsible for homeostasis and cellular adaptation will serve as the foundation for clinical assessment, decision-making, and management in clinical practice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses differential diagnosis, diagnostic and management issues related to the care of acutely ill adolescents, adults and the elderly with IP issues, Cardiac, Pulmonary and Transplant problems in the Acute Care setting. Pathophysiology, acute care pharmacology, culture, age, genetics and ethical/legal consideration influences are incorporated into the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses differential diagnosis, diagnostic and management issues related to the care of acutely ill adolescents, adults and the elderly with Fluid and Electrolyte, Renal, Endocrine and Gastrointestinal problems in the Acute Care setting. Pathophysiology, acute care pharmacology, culture, age, genetics and ethical/legal consideration influences are incorporated.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses differential diagnosis and management issues related to the care of acutely ill adolescents, adults and the elderly with problems related to Infectious Diseases, Hemostasis, Thrombus, Musculoskeletal, Neurological and Medical Emergencies. Pathophysiology, acute care pharmacology, culture, age, genetics and ethical/legal consideration influences are incorporated.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course integrates assessment, implementation, and evaluation of advanced technologies in the diagnosis and management of acutely ill adults. An introduction to invasive interventions and diagnostic device application within the ACNP scope of practice will be provided.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this didactic course, the ACNP student will demonstrate the integration of theory, research, critical thinking/diagnostic reasoning, complex case analysis, and outcome evaluation. Emphasis will be placed on the application of evidence based research / practice guidelines within the context of the individual client condition.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 150 hours in various acute care settings. It is designed to provide the intermediate AGACNP student with beginning experience in integrating the management of acutely ill adults with complex conditions in high acuity and specialty areas. Pre-req: MSN 659L
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 150 hours in various acute care settings. It is designed to provide the intermediate AGACNP student with progressive experiences in integrating the management of acutely ill adults with complex conditions in high acuity and specialty areas. Pre-req: MSN 660L
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 150 hours in various acute care settings. It is designed to provide the advanced AGACNP student with progressive experiences in integrating the management of acutely ill adults with complex conditions in high acuity and specialty areas. Pre-req: MSN 661L
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 150 hours in various acute care settings. It is designed to provide the advanced AGACNP student with progressive experiences in the management of acutely ill adolescents and adults with complex conditions in high acuity and specialty areas. Pre-req: MSN 662L
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Practicum synthesizing content from all previous courses in the Advanced Practice Nurse majors. This culminating experience will result in a project synthesizing all previous learning.

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