7 Best ACNP Programs in Florida (Online & Campus) – 2024
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
It takes compassion and extensive training to care for critically ill or injured patients. You already have the first, and you can learn the second by enrolling in one of the many ACNP programs in Florida. Acute care practice is personally rewarding and financially lucrative: ACNPs average $116,520 a year in the Sunshine State. And you won’t have any difficulties finding a job. Openings for ACNPs in Florida are projected to increase by a whopping 71 percent in the next 10 years. What are you waiting for? Get started on your new career as an acute care nurse practitioner by reading the descriptions below of the 7 best ACNP programs in Florida for 2024.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 7 BEST ACNP PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 7 best campus-based and online ACNP programs in Florida.)
1. University of South Florida - Tampa
MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
About the School: Do you know adult-gerontology acute care NPs enjoy a promising career graph as well a remunerative pay scale? If you aspire to enter this in-demand field of advanced practice nursing, then you must start by applying to the best ACNP programs in Florida. The University of South Florida, a leader in nursing education offers acute care NP training through its evidence-based MSN and BSN-to-DNP programs. With a positive learning environment, this school empowers you to care for the health needs of critically ill patients. Whether it is through its innovative research, state-of-art advanced simulation experiences, or extensive clinical partnerships, you will be effectively mentored to take on leadership roles and impact change in the field of adult-gerontology acute care.
MSN Program Details: This ACNP program in Florida is a 48-credit coursework that takes you through ample didactic and clinical training. Courses are offered sequentially, with part-time and full-time enrollment options. The program starts with 24 credits in core courses, including research & evidence-based practice, health promotion & population health, advanced health assessment, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics. Additionally, you must complete 21 credits in AGACNP-specific courses. These courses prepare you for the clinical management of critically ill young and older adults. Also included are clinical courses that comprise 540 clinical hours. The clinical placements can be anywhere in Florida.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are keen on achieving the highest degree in nursing practice, then this BSN-to-DNP program is a seamless way of achieving this goal. Open to registered nurses holding a baccalaureate degree, this program leads you to the terminal nursing degree and the AGACNP certification. The curriculum requires completing 75 credits in core courses, AGACNP-specific courses, clinical courses, and a doctoral project. Also, you must complete a minimum of 1000 clinical hours to earn your DNP. Towards the end of the coursework, you complete a doctoral project. Both, your clinical practicum and your project must be completed in Florida. As a graduate of this acute care nurse practitioner program in Florida, you will gain proficiency in providing patient-centric quality care to adults and the aged population. You will maintain the health and wellness of your patients, mainly focusing on critical care.
2. University of Miami - Coral Gables
MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
About the School: If you are considering a career in acute care, then obtaining your training from one of the best ACNP programs in Florida makes the utmost sense. The University of Miami can be a great place to gain professional skills and knowledge in adult gerontology acute care nursing. The college offers three paths, MSN, BSN to DNP, and a post-master’s certificate, so you can choose a path that is aligned with your goals. The school ranks among the nation’s best grad schools for nursing by the U.S. News & World Report. This accolade testifies to the superior quality of education ACNP students receive at this graduate nursing school.
MSN Program Details: This ACNP program in Florida prepares holistic acute care practitioners who use evidence-based knowledge to improve health outcomes for adults and elderly patients. The program is offered full-time as well with a part-time option. Throughout the 37-credit coursework, you will focus on research and evidence-based practice and complete the program within one year or 1.5 years.
The curriculum integrates well-designed didactic courses with clinical experiences throughout South Florida. To graduate, in addition to didactic courses, you must complete 616 hours of clinical training. Some of the courses that you take include, advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment & diagnostic reasoning, concepts in advanced practice nursing, diagnostic & therapeutic interventions, and research & evidence-based advanced nursing practice.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: This BSN-to-DNP program takes your baccalaureate-level nursing education straight to the doctoral level. The program requires completing 70 credits and a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical training. You can complete this program within two or four years, depending on whether you opt for part-time or full-time training. The coursework prepares you for leadership roles, wherein you will use your knowledge to transform health at the organizational level. The highlight of this program is the clinical training through which you provide care to diverse patient populations from South Florida, the Caribbean, and South America.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: To be eligible for this post-master’s certificate, you must be an RN holding an MSN. Upon enrollment, the coursework will be tailored, based on a gap analysis of your transcripts. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the AGACNP certification exam.
3. University of Central Florida - Orlando
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
About the School: University of Central Florida offers some of the best ACNP programs in Florida. Distinguished in the nation for producing competent NPs, the school has won many accolades, and ranking among the U.S. News & World Report’s best graduate nursing schools is just one of them. With an accomplished faculty that is nationally recognized, the school offers flexible learning options to accommodate the needs of working students. With training rooted in evidence-based knowledge, the school’s graduates not only ace the certification exam but also effectively serve the state’s diverse patient population in a variety of acute care settings. To fulfill your goal of becoming an acute care NP, the school offers two paths in adult gerontology acute care, BSN to DNP and a graduate certificate.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: This BSN-to-DNP program prepares you for the highest level of practice in the care of adults and the geriatric population. Whether you are keen on taking your nursing career to its peak or simply want to transform healthcare, this ACNP program in Florida will provide you with the skills and knowledge to reach your goals. Through a hybrid 76-credit coursework, you will build on your BSN knowledge. Also, you must complete a minimum of 1080 hours of clinical training for which the college assigns clinical sites and preceptors. You can either choose to complete this program within nine semesters of full-time study or twelve semesters if you study part-time. To be eligible for this program, you must have an active RN license and a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Graduate Certificate Program Details: Are you an APRN keen on expanding your scope of practice in acute care? Are you looking at online ACNP programs in Florida to complete your training conveniently? If your answer is yes to both these questions, then you are in the right place as this certificate program is designed for APRNs who want to add the AGACNP certification to their advanced nursing practice. You will complete 23 credits and 660 clinical hours through part-time coursework that spans four semesters. Also, although most of the courses are offered online, to enhance learning the program requires limited campus visits for lab courses, simulation training, and optional exam reviews.
4. Barry University - Miami Shores
MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
About the School: If you are searching for affordable ACNP programs in Florida, then Barry University’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs can be a befitting choice. Here, not only is the education affordable but because the college participates in several nationwide and statewide financial aid programs, you can further reduce the cost of your education. Besides, the personalized attention that you receive in its small-sized classes, not only makes learning more effective but also helps you in nurturing meaningful bonds with peers and faculty. Whether you are a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, an MSN graduate, or an APRN, here you will find a suitable ACNP path to match your career aspirations.
MSN Program Details: This acute care nurse practitioner program in Florida boasts an excellent pass rate on the certification exam. To be eligible for application, you must be an RN with a BSN. The transition from being an undergraduate nurse to an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner requires the completion of 51 credits. During the two years of full-time study, you will complete courses, including advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, health promotion, disease prevention, behavioral health, and evidence-based practice in nursing. To complete your clinical training, the college provides a list of preceptors from which you are required to secure a preceptor for your practicum.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Meant for baccalaureate-prepared RNs, this acute care nurse practitioner program in Florida leads to a doctoral degree and the AGACNP certification. Through a hybrid coursework, the college prepares you for competent health care of acutely ill adults and elderly patients. Offered with part-time enrollment that spans 12 semesters, through this program you will obtain skills in leadership, critical thinking, advocacy, and professionalism. Graduation requires completing 79 credits and a minimum of 1000 clinical hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: You can enter this post-master’s certificate if you are an RN or APRN with a master’s degree in nursing or higher. The program consists of 35 to 37 credits, however, the exact graduation requirements for this program are individualized after a review of your previous transcripts. Courses are delivered through a hybrid format, with limited campus requirements, including one for the DNP project which you must fulfill in the last semester. The program starts in the fall and takes six semesters of part-time study to complete.
5. University of Florida - Gainesville
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Pediatric Acute & Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
About the School: Whether you are inclined towards the acute care of newborns or tending to the critical needs of the aged, at the University of Florida, you will be able to fulfill your aspirations. Offering some of the well-known ACNP programs in Florida, the college trains you for the highest level of clinical practice. Leading NP education in the state, the college’s DNP through which it offers acute care NP training, ranks #1 in the state as per the U.S. News & World Report’s list. Besides, being housed within the state’s flagship university, ACNP students will benefit from the interdisciplinary learning environment and the vast resources of the university.
Here, you have three BSN to DNP acute care tracks to choose from, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, or Dual Pediatric Acute & Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Depending on your interests and career goals, you can choose to specialize either in adult gerontology acute care, or pediatric acute care or enter the dual specialty track of pediatric acute and primary care. Regardless of the track, to be eligible for application, you must have BSN and an active RN license.
The adult gerontology acute care track prepares you for the management and treatment of young, middle-aged, and older adults suffering from critical health conditions. The program can be completed part-time or full-time, depending on your preference. To graduate, you must complete 76 credits and 1008 clinical hours.
On the other hand, the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track focuses on the healthcare management of critically ill infants, children, and adolescents. In addition to the evidence-based didactic training, the track provides diverse clinical experiences, including practicing at the UF Health Shands Hospital for Children. Graduation requires completing 78 credits and 1008 clinical hours, which can be done either through part-time or full-time enrollment.
If you want to broaden your area of practice in pediatric care, then the dual acute and primary care track will be perfect for you. The coursework, also offered with full-time and part-time enrollment, requires the completion of 93 credits and 1392 clinical hours.
No matter the track you enter, upon completing the BSN to DNP program, you will be eligible to take the certification exam within your chosen population focus.
6. Jacksonville University - Jacksonville
MSN Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
About the School: Another of our featured acute care nurse practitioner programs in Florida is the acute care NP training offered by Jacksonville University. Here, to complete your ACNP education, you have two paths, an MSN and a post-graduate certificate. Regardless of what path you choose, you will be taught by an experienced and dedicated faculty who are committed to the success of ACNP students. Further, to enhance practical learning, the college provides clinical training in varied healthcare settings, including hospitals, ICUs, trauma centers, and in various specialties. Before transitioning to clinical training, you will go through simulation practice at the college’s state-of-art lab, under the expert guidance of its faculty.
MSN Program Details: This acute care nurse practitioner program in Florida trains you to become an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. While most students complete this program within 18 months, however, if preferred you can choose the slower pace of the part-time schedule. The program is offered once a year in the fall through in-person classes. The coursework mainly entails completing MSN core, APRN core, and AGACNP-specific courses.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: Mainly designed for APRNs keen on adding another specialty to their advanced nursing practice, you can complete this program within four to five semesters. Graduation requirements are customized, based do your previous transcripts. Upon completion of the coursework, you will be eligible to take the AGACNP certification exam.
7. Nova Southeastern University - Ft Lauderdale
MSN Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
About the School: Adult gerontology acute care is an excellent field to advance your nursing career. Not only will you achieve career fulfillment by helping adult/elderly patients feel healthier, but you will also earn some big bucks as this NP position is growing in demand. If you decide on entering this field, then you must learn about Nova Southeastern University‘s ACNP programs. Among the reputable ACNP programs in Florida, here you can enter either the MSN, BSN to DNP, or post-graduate certificate program, based on educational background. Rigorous didactic training and diverse clinical experiences at hospitals and health centers is what you can expect out of your ACNP training at this school. Asides from this, you will be able to obtain your training without breaking the bank as the college offers several financial aid opportunities and scholarships to make your education affordable.
MSN Program Details: This ACNP program in Florida is a 51-credit coursework offered with a choice of online and on-campus delivery options. Some of the courses you take educate you on advanced nurse roles, theory & research, evidence-based practice, health care & policy, and health promotion & disease prevention. You also learn about advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and behavioral health.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If your ambition is to transform health by gaining the highest level of practice skills, then this BSN-to-DNP program is right for you. By building on your BSN education, you will complete 75 credits and over 1000 clinical hours in the adult gerontology acute care NP courses. The curriculum includes graduate core, AGACNP-specific courses, clinical courses, and a DNP project.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: Have you ever thought of expanding your advanced nursing practice to adult gerontology acute care? If so, then this is your chance to do it by completing 24-credit worth of courses through a convenient hybrid format. To start with this program, either you must have already completed or must complete nine credits in courses, including advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment.
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