Grand Canyon University | MS in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Adult Gerontology
Current nurses seeking to develop specialized knowledge and skills in the area of elderly care could take the first step toward this career goal when they choose to study in the Master of Science in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an Emphasis in Adult Gerontology program at Grand Canyon University. Read on for more detailed information about this online master's degree program.
Official Program Name:
Master of Science in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an Emphasis in Adult Gerontology
School Offering Program:
Grand Canyon University
Degree Level:
Master's
Program Prerequisites:
Interested students of this MS in Nursing program should have current nursing licensure and have experience in the nursing field. They should also hold a bachelor's degree. Applicants to Grand Canyon University should have a high school diploma or equivalent; some programs may have additional requirements.
Program Description:
The curriculum of Grand Canyon University's Master of Science in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an Emphasis in Adult Gerontology program combines online courses with clinical experiences, labs, and on-campus experiences to give students an extensive training opportunity to obtain the skills needed to become a gerontology nurse practitioner. In the program's coursework, students will examine advanced topics in human physiological systems; advanced pharmacological concepts such as clinical toxicology, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics; clinical assessment practices; and leadership theories and strategies in health care settings. Three adult-gerontology acute care courses combine practical experiences and studies in evidence-based research and theories to ensure that students understand how to develop care plans for adult-gerontological patients, from diagnosis to management of chronic or sudden health issues. A two-part acute care on-campus experience emphasizes diagnostic reasoning and the impact of illness on not only patients but the family and community as well.
Learning Format:
Online
Program Length:
53 credits.
Financial Aid Available:
Eligible students could be able to receive financial aid in the forms of grants, loans, and scholarships. Contact Grand Canyon University's financial aid office for more information.
Required Courses for a Master of Science in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an Emphasis in Adult Gerontology:
The 53 credits needed to earn this graduate degree reflects 32 credits in coursework and 21 credits in a series of three adult gerontology acute care courses/clinical practice. Degree program and course requirements are subject to change. Contact Grand Canyon University to confirm the most accurate information before enrolling in a program.
Degree Requirements (53 credits)
- Introduction to Advanced Registered Nursing
- Organizational Leadership and Informatics
- Translational Research and Population Health Management
- Evidence-Based Practice Project
- Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning With Skills Lab
- Health Promotion and Maintenance and On-Campus Experience I
- ANP-635 On-Campus Experience I
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III and On-Campus Experience II
- ANP-654 On-Campus Experience II
Post-Graduation Opportunities
Furthering Your Education:
In many cases, graduates of the MSN: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an Emphasis in Adult Gerontology program will be prepared to pursue supervisory positions in a clinical setting; however, those intending to seek an academic or research career might go on to earn a doctorate. At the doctorate level, students could expect to find more extensive discussions in nursing theory, nursing science, nursing research methods, and advanced nursing practice diagnostic and clinical processes.
Among the doctorate degrees that graduates might consider are:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- PhD in Nursing with a Research Emphasis in Aging/Healthy Aging
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Career Paths:
Once they have earned the MS in Nursing degree in the ACNP - adult gerontology emphasis, graduates could possess the clinical skills needed to work with elderly patients in various healthcare settings. They might be responsible for inserting catheters and chest tubes, caring for incisions, managing patients on ventilators, and interpreting radiology and other reports.
As an acute care nurse practitioner with training in adult gerontology, graduates could find work in the following:
- Hospitals
- Trauma centers
- Emergency care units
- Nursing homes
- In-patient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
