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 34 credit hours of 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
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
Learn more about our affordable tuition
The Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate online program offers the same affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included in the total tuition cost.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate | $550 | $1,574 | $20,274 |
Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Some fees are course-based and subject to change based on date student enters such course.
Northern Kentucky University has been designated an Age-Friendly University by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, in conjunction with The Gerontological Society of America, due to its commitment to increasing educational access for all learners. NKU is the only university in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky to join the international effort to support intergenerational learners.
Calendar
Note these important dates and deadlines
Our Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate program is delivered in a flexible online format featuring 7-week courses with six start dates a year. View the calendar to find the best class start for you and note the associated deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 05/08/2023 | 04/26/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/2023 | 06/14/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/2023 | 08/09/2023 | 08/14/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/2023 | 10/05/2023 | 10/10/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 10/18/2023 | 12/08/2023 |
| Spring 1 | 01/08/2024 | 01/02/2024 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/202$ |
| 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
Get ready to apply for this online Post–Master’s AGACNP program
The Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate online program features a simplified admission process to help you get started right away. Please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state. Requirements for admission include:
View full admission requirements
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 Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
View the degree plan for our AGACNP Post–Master’s Certification courses
In order to earn the Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Certificate online, students must complete 14 courses comprising 34 credit hours. These include nine core courses (27 credit hours), 4 credit hours of supervised clinical residencies with a total of 500 clinical hours, and 3 credit hours for a capstone project. All courses are seven weeks in length.
Students must take the following courses:
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.
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.
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 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.
Students must take the following course, totaling 3 credit hours, as part of the Post-Master's Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate practicum.
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.
