6 Best Accelerated Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs For Non-Nurses (Online & Campus-Based)
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Not everybody makes the right choice when they’re first planning a career. If you’ve been thinking that you’d like to work on the front lines of healthcare delivery, there are programs that can help you earn a nurse practitioner degree with a focus in acute care even if your bachelor’s degree is not in nursing science. You’ll be entering an occupation with practically limitless employment opportunities and a deep sense of personal satisfaction. Sound good? Then your next question may be, “What are the best accelerated acute care nurse practitioner programs for non-nurses?” We’ve compiled the list below of the 6 best accelerated (campus-based and online) acute care nurse practitioner programs for non-nurses to help you get started.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ACCELERATED (CAMPUS-BASED AND ONLINE) ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS FOR NON-NURSES IN THE NATION?
(Based on our
Ranking Methodology, the following are the 6 best accelerated Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs for non-nurses. The following list includes both (Campus-Based and Online) programs. These programs are for students with a degree in a non-nursing field.)
Specialty Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
Program Length: 6 Semesters
Program Details: If you are looking for the best accelerated acute care nurse practitioner programs for non-nurses, then Vanderbilt University offers an excellent option. The program is designed for non-nursing professionals who want to obtain high-quality training in the care of adults and elderly patients.
Because the program is meant for non-nurses like you, students first enter the pre-specialty master's program. The pre-specialty program builds on your BA/BS degree and prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam after which you enter the nursing field as a registered nurse. The pre-specialty coursework is offered on-campus and comprises 47 credits and 700 hours of clinical training. The pre-specialty courses cover topics such as legal & ethical accountability, enhancement of community & population health, pharmacology, fundamentals of clinical practice, leadership & management, and theoretical & clinical aspects of nursing.
Thereafter, students enter the MSN-NP coursework where they must complete MSN core and NP-related courses. The MSN-NP coursework comprises 40 credits and covers courses in advanced health assessment, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, evidence-based healthcare, and leadership & management in nursing. The program also teaches you the healthcare management of acutely ill adults and elderly patients. Upon graduation, you’ll obtain your MSN and be prepared to take the AGACNP certification exam.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: Vanderbilt University’s accelerated AGACNP can be completed within six semesters.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for Vanderbilt University’s AGACNP, you must have a BS or BA degree from an accredited university. The program also requires applicants to have a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must also complete pre-requisite courses with a minimum grade of C. To complete the admission requirements, you must also be prepared to submit your transcripts, a personal goal statement, and three letters of recommendation.
Why Choose This Program
• Vanderbilt University’s accelerated acute care nurse practitioner program for non-nurses not only boasts of an excellent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam but also takes pride in the excellent performance of its graduates on the AGACNP national certification exam.
• Vanderbilt University’s graduate nursing programs rank among the nation’s best as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Vanderbilt University’s AGACNP program ranks among the top 5 in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Vanderbilt University is a leader in using simulation technology to provide AGACNP students with unparalleled clinical learning experiences. Moreover, being home to a world-class medical center, students explore ample interdisciplinary learning and research opportunities.
Specialty Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Program Length: 3 Years
Program Details: University of Rochester provides non-nursing professionals with an opportunity to transition to the field of advanced practice nursing. By offering one of the best accelerated acute care nurse practitioner programs for non-nurses, the university prepares you for leadership roles in the advanced care of critically ill adults and elderly patients.
Accelerated AGACNP students at the University of Rochester, first start with the ABSN coursework. The ABSN coursework comprises 49 credits and includes 700 clinical hours. After completing the ABSN coursework, you’ll be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam and work as a registered nurse.
Students then continue with the program to complete the MSN-NP courses. The MSN-NP coursework requires the completion of 47 credits and 672 clinical hours. The MSN-NP courses cover topics such as advanced physiology, pathophysiology, ethics & public policy, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, health assessment, evaluation & management of common health problems, and healthcare management for adults and elderly patients suffering from acute and critical illnesses. Upon completion of the MSN-NP courses, you’ll earn an MSN and be prepared to take the AGACNP certification exam.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: Well, at the University of Rochester, you should be able to complete the accelerated AGACNP program within three years.
Admission Requirements: If you are interested in applying for the University of Rochester’s AGACNP program, you must have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. While the ABSN portion does not require an active RN license, to qualify for the MSN-NP coursework, you must have an active RN license in New York State. In addition, at least one year of nursing experience in acute care is required. To complete the application requirements, you must be prepared to submit your transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a current resume.
Why Choose This Program
• University of Rochester’s accelerated acute care nurse practitioner program for non-nurses not only confers an MSN but also a BSN degree.
• The University of Rochester offers one of the leading nurse practitioner programs in the nation and ranks among the top as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• University of Rochester’s AGACNP program is taught by active faculty members who are expert clinicians and leaders in the field of advanced practice nursing.
Specialty Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Program Length: 8 Semesters
Program Details: If you want a second career in adult gerontology acute care advanced nursing, then at Northeastern University, you can seamlessly take your career from a non-nurse to an MSN-prepared adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. Among the reputable accelerated acute care nurse practitioner programs for non-nurses, the program equips you with the clinical skills and knowledge to face the complex challenges of adult-gerontology acute care.
The program starts with the prelicensure coursework, comprising 64 credits. Upon completion of the prelicensure coursework, you’ll take the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse. At this point in the program, you’ll be awarded a BSN degree. Thereafter, you must obtain one to two years of experience in acute care nursing.
After gaining sufficient experience, you continue with the program to complete the MSN-NP coursework worth 47 credits. The MSN-NP coursework includes courses in health assessment, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, mental health nursing, and advanced nursing care for adults and elderly patients. The program also requires you to complete courses in leadership and research in nursing.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: Northeastern University’s accelerated ACNP program for non-nurses can be completed within eight semesters.
Admission Requirements: Northeastern University’s accelerated ACNP program accepts applications from candidates who have a BS or BS and a GPA of at least 3.0. In addition, completion of prerequisite courses such as microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry is required. Also, work experience in acute care is required. The admission requirements also include the submission of a personal goal statement and two letters of recommendation.
Why Choose This Program
• Northeastern University’s ACNP students practice clinical skills at some of the top leading facilities where they obtain hands-on training in a wide range of nursing specialties.
• Northeastern University’s ACNP program reports an excellent pass rate on the AGACNP certification exam. The program also takes pride in an impressive placement rate, having most of its graduates find jobs, soon after graduation.
Specialty Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Program Length: 3 Years
Program Details: Do you care about helping elders and critically ill patients? If you find your calling in adult gerontology acute but do not know where to start, then MGH Institute of Health Professions is a great place to begin. MGH Institute’s accelerated acute care nurse practitioner program for non-nurses is a quick pathway to a fulfilling career in adult gerontology acute care. Designed for candidates who come from varied professional backgrounds, the program first starts with three semesters of prelicensure coursework. The prelicensure coursework, consisting of 46 credits, leads to the NCLEX-RN exam and the position of a registered nurse.
After becoming a registered nurse, you can choose to work part-time or full-time, while continuing with the program to complete the MSN-ACNP coursework. The MSN-ACNP coursework comprises another 45 to 46 credits in MSN core and ACNP-related courses. The graduate portion of the program covers topics such as healthcare policy & politics, nursing research, and advanced health assessment & diagnostic reasoning. Further, students also learn about transitions in life & health, professional issues, and adult gerontology acute healthcare management. Upon graduation, you’ll obtain your BSN & MSN and be prepared to sit for the ACNP certification exam.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: At MGH Institute of Health Professions, the accelerated ACNP program for non-nurses should not take more than three years to complete.
Admission Requirements: For admission into the ACNP program at MGH Institute of Health Professions, you must hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The program also requires the completion of pre-requisite courses such as chemistry, human anatomy & physiology, human growth & development, microbiology, human nutrition, and statistics. To complete the admission requirements, applicants must be prepared to submit their transcripts, a personal statement, and recommendation letters.
Why Choose This Program
• At MGH Institute of Health Professions, during the prelicensure phase of the program, ACNP students hone clinical skills under the close supervision of faculty where the student-to-faculty clinical ratio is maintained at 1:6.
• The MSN program at MGH Institute of Health Professions is recognized for the excellent quality training it offers aspiring advanced practice nurses, no wonder the program is among the top in the nation and #3 in the state of MA as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• MGH Institute of Health Professions has a wide network of clinical affiliates. With more than 600 clinical partners, the school provides students with a range of learning opportunities in adult gerontology acute care nursing.
Specialty Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
Program Length: 4 Years
Program Details: If you are wondering how to become an advanced practice nurse without any healthcare experience, then Seattle University offers you an excellent path to a career as an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. By offering one of the well-known accelerated acute care nurse practitioner programs for non-nurses, the university produces healthcare leaders who transform healthcare at all levels of the population.
Because the accelerated ACNP is designed for non-nurses, the program first prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam after which you become a registered nurse. The prelicensure coursework spans five quarters and requires students to complete 67 credits and 600 hours of clinical training.
Thereafter students enter the doctoral coursework where they complete the MSN core, DNP core, and ACNP-related courses. The graduate-level courses make you proficient in several topics such as advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, health program planning & development, and health care management of critical and unstable conditions in adults and elderly patients. In addition, you also learn clinical reasoning, health informatics, quality improvement process, healthcare economics & finance, and leadership in the healthcare system.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: The accelerated format of the ACNP program at Seattle University allows you to go from a non-nurse to a DNP-prepared adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner within four years.
Admission Requirements: The admission requirements for Seattle University’s accelerated acute care nurse practitioner program for non-nurses include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a GPA of at least 3.0. Further, completion of prerequisite courses such as algebra, psychology, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, statistics, and chemistry is required.
Why Choose This Program
• Seattle University’s nursing education is grounded in Jesuit values of service and compassion.
• Seattle University has a long history of training healthcare leaders who transform healthcare within their communities and beyond.
• Seattle University’s overall placement rate is impressive, and it is no different for its ACNP program. Almost all ACNP graduates find suitable placements soon after graduation.
Specialty Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
Program Details: UMass Chan Medical School’s accelerated ACNP is an ideal pathway for non-nursing professionals who want to become leaders in advanced nursing practice. Here, you start the program as a non-nurse and leave with a doctoral degree in nursing and the eligibility to take the ACNP certification exam.
UMass Chan Medical School’s accelerated ACNP program starts with one year of prelicensure courses, after which students enter doctoral and ACNP-related courses. The prelicensure courses prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam and a career as a registered nurse.
Thereafter, the DNP-ACNP courses cover topics such as population health, advanced pathophysiology, epidemiology, health policy, healthcare quality & informatics, diagnostic reasoning, and organizational systems & healthcare financing. In addition, the ACNP-related courses make you proficient in the healthcare management of adults and older patients who are suffering from acute and critical health conditions.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: Another one of the accelerated acute care nurse practitioner programs for non-nurses, UMass Chan Medical School’s DNP-ACNP program can be completed within eleven semesters.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for UMass Chan Medical School’s ACNP program, you must have an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0. Further, completion of prerequisite courses such as anatomy & physiology, microbiology, nutrition, human growth & development, and statistics is required. Other requirements include the submission of two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and all your transcripts.
Why Choose This Program
• Among the other ACNP programs for non-nurses, UMass Chan Medical School’s ACNP stands out for being offered by a top-ranking medical school campus.
• UMass Chan Medical School’s ACNP students enjoy meaningful learning opportunities at its state-of-the-art simulation center and health science center.
• UMass Chan Medical School’s accelerated ACNP students not only excel on the NCLEX-RN exam but also perform rather well on the ACNP national certification.
VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF THESE PROGRAMS EXPECT TO EARN?
Hourly | $44.42 |
Weekly | $1,777 |
Monthly | $7,700 |
Annual | $92,390 |
(Source: Nursingprocess.org) |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR EXPERIENCED GRADUATES OF THESE PROGRAMS?
Hourly | $63.41 |
Weekly | $2,536 |
Monthly | $10,990 |
Annual | $131,890 |
(Source: Nursingprocess.org) |
10-YEAR JOB OUTLOOK FOR GRADUATES OF THESE PROGRAMS
2022-32 |
+44.54% |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |