Program Overview
Gain insights into our online MSN – AGACNP program
Develop the knowledge and clinical experience you need to provide advanced nursing care for adults throughout their life span with the Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner online program from Northern Kentucky University. This fully online program equips you with specialized knowledge to manage treatment of patients from adolescence through old age with high acuity needs, including acute, chronic, and complex health conditions. As a graduate, you will be eligible to take the Adult-Gero Acute Care certification examination.
MSN core coursework includes fundamentals of theory and research for advanced nursing and evidence-based practice; advanced clinical pharmacology for APRNs; analysis and application of health data; and diagnostic reasoning and advanced physical assessment. In addition to core coursework, this 46-credit-hour program's five concentration courses focus on diagnostics, advanced technologies, health promotion, and clinical decision-making in acute care. Clinical residencies and a capstone course round out the program to synthesize your learning.
In this online MSN Adult-Gero Acute Care NP program, you will:
- Prepare for the Adult-Gero Acute Care certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients from adolescence to geriatrics
- Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
- Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
- Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
- Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations including patients and providers
- Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
- Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Master of Science in Nursing degrees, an RN to BSN, a Post-Master's DNP, and several nursing certificates online. Check out our other online nursing programs.
Tuition
Pay by the course for your online program
The MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP online program features affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition, and the rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $550 | $1,804 | $27,104 |
Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Some fees are course-based and subject to change based on date student enters such course.
Northern Kentucky University has been designated an Age-Friendly University by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, in conjunction with The Gerontological Society of America, due to its commitment to increasing educational access for all learners. NKU is the only university in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky to join the international effort to support intergenerational learners.
Calendar
Learn the dates to apply, pay and start
The MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP online program features 7-week courses and six start dates a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you and note the corresponding deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 05/08/2023 | 04/26/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/2023 | 06/14/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/2023 | 08/09/2023 | 08/14/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/2023 | 10/05/2023 | 10/10/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 10/18/2023 | 12/08/2023 |
| Spring 1 | 01/08/2024 | 01/02/2024 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/202$ |
| Spring 2 | 03/11/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/04/2024 | 03/08/2024 | 03/11/2024 | 04/26/2024 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
Apply easily to the online MSN - AGACNP program
We've simplified the MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP online admission process to help you get started sooner. Please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state. Requirements for admission include:
View full admission requirements
MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alumni or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee; the fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from both a regionally accredited program and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited program
- Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work and any graduate work completed
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
- Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date from the state in which you are licensed and practice
- 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.
- 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse; fill out the verification form here
- 1 year of critical care experience. Critical Care Verification Form
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Note: The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Licenses are granted by the licensing authority in individual states, and those licensing boards might require an additional exam on laws and regulations specific to that state. Some states may also have other requirements. Out-of-state students who require subsequent licensure by the state of residence (e.g., nursing or education) should check with the state licensure office.
If at any time during your program of study you relocate to another state, restrictions may apply and adversely affect your program progression. Change of state residency may affect student program status. Notify your advisor and concentration coordinator immediately if you plan to relocate.
Courses
Preview the courses in the online MSN – AGACNP program
For the MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP online program, the curriculum is comprised of 18 courses covering 46 credit hours, including eight core courses (24 credit hours), five specialty courses (15 credit hours), four clinical residency courses (4 credit hours) with a total of 500 clinical hours, and a capstone course (3 credit hours). Each course is seven weeks long.
Students must take the following courses:
MSN 600: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Examination, critique, and evaluation of the theoretical foundations of nursing practice. Appraisal of diverse scholarly resources to inform advanced nursing practice. Identification of a research problem with development of a research question.
MSN 602: Advanced Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Explores health care issues, policies and economic factors influenced by technological, social, economic, and political factors; availability of and access to health care for varied populations; social distribution of health care, actions for dealing with health care dilemmas, federal and state regulatory programs, and health care financing will be examined.
DNP 816: Analysis and Application of Health Data for Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Understanding and analysis of health data for application to evidence based nursing practice for public health, health promotion, clinical prevention, and population health. Emphasis is placed on the use of health data and the best evidence in the application and evaluation of recommendations to improve health outcomes. Prerequisite: MSN 602.
MSN 601: Health Care Policy and Economics in Population Health
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Explores health care issues, policies and economic factors influenced by technological, social, economic, and political factors; availability of and access to health care for varied populations; social distribution of health care, actions for dealing with health care dilemmas, federal and state regulatory programs, and health care financing will be examined.
MSN 610: Diagnostic Reasoning and Advanced Physical Assessment
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Development of advanced skills in assessment of physical, cognitive, nutritional and functional domains: integration of appropriate test data and diagnostic reasoning.
BIO 669: Human Pathophysiology
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 611: Advanced Clinical Pharmacology and Intervention for APRN's
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Review of pharmacological physiology of selected therapeutic agents; pharmacological management of clients, including drug selection, client/family education, and monitoring and evaluating pharmacological interventions.
MSN 612: Role Development in Advanced Practice Nursing
Duration: 7 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.
Students must take the following courses:
MSN 624: Differential Diagnosis and Disease Management in Acute Care I
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 625: Differential Diagnosis and Disease Management in Acute Care II
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 626: Differential Diagnosis and Disease Management in Acute Care III
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 627: Advanced Technologies for Acute Care and Diagnostic Reasoning
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 628: Seminar in Health Promotion and Acute Care Clinical Decision Making
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 660L: Adult Gero Acute Care Residency I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 125 hours in an ICU/ED/Urgent Care setting. It is designed to provide the beginning Acute Care Nurse Practitioner student with experience in the assessment and documentation of histories, physical examinations and diagnostic laboratory results of acutely ill adults with complex conditions.
MSN 661L: Adult Gero Acute Care Residency II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 125 hours in an ICU/ED/Urgent Care setting. It is designed to provide the intermediate Acute Care Nurse Practitioner student with beginning experience in integrating the management of acutely ill adults with complex conditions in high acuity and specialty areas.
MSN 662L: Adult Gero Acute Care Residency III
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 125 hours in an ICU/ED/Urgent Care setting. It is designed to provide the beginning Acute Care Nurse Practitioner student with experience in the assessment and documentation of histories, physical examinations and diagnostic laboratory results of acutely ill adults with complex conditions.
MSN 663L: Adult Gero Acute Care Residency IV
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
This is a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 125 hours in an ICU/ED/Urgent Care setting. It is designed to provide the Advanced Acute Care Nurse Practitioner student with comprehensive experiences in integrating the management of acutely ill adolescents and adults with complex conditions in high acuity and specialty areas.
MSN 633: A/G Acute Care Capstone
Duration: 7 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. Prerequisite: MSN 628. Co-requisite: MSN 633L.
