Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Online (M.S.) (2025)

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Online (M.S.)

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Online (M.S.) (1)

Cultivate your nursing expertise with the online Master of Science (MS) Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program at UNH, using evidence-based practice to develop your skills in diagnostic reasoning and management of the acutely ill patient. Prior work experience is optional and our graduates are prepared to sit for certification by AACN or ANCC.

Credit Hours:46 | Program Length: 24 months| Tuition Cost

Why get a master's degree in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

If you enjoy complex clinical patient management in a fast-paced environment, the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner role may be the right fit for you. Acute care nurse practitioners are respected members of the healthcare team and are recognized in the medical field for their contributions to improving patient care. The need for these providers continues to grow with changing national demographics and increasing acuity. Geared for the hospital and acute settings, Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioners use skills in diagnostic reasoning and management of the acutely ill patient using evidence-based practice. 

Why choose UNH's M.S. in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program?

This master’s degree program prepares students to sit for certification as an Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with the AACN (American Association of Critical Care Nurses) or ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center). You will learn to stabilize acute and critically ill patients, formulate diagnoses and evidenced-based treatment plans, prescribe therapeutics, assess outcomes, prevent readmission and create safe discharge plans. At UNH you’ll be supported by a productive faculty and state-of-the-art facilities as you advance your nursing career. Our faculty has extensive experience in the field, and they coordinate with the student success coach team to support you from application through graduation.

Potential Career Areas

  • Cardiology and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
  • Critical Care and Trauma
  • Healthcare Research
  • Hospital administrator
  • Hospitalist Medicine
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Transplant Medicine and Surgery
  • Specialty Clinics
  • Acute and Sub-acute Care Facilities

Contact

Callie Ierardi

Online Graduate Recruitment

Email: unh.online@unh.edu

Phone: (885) 250-6699

Accelerate your journey – prior work experience optional

"By completing an MSN when I first began nursing, I developed early in my career the tools to become an excellent nurse. The dual investment of hard work and education delivers top-notch skills and advanced career options."

Brittany Biega, RN, NP demonstrates the success of an accelerated nursing path. Within three months of earning a BSN from the University of South Florida, she enrolled in their AGACNP program to complete an MSN while simultaneously working as a clinical nurse at Tampa General Hospital. An adjunct teacher for our AGACNP program, Biega served as an Acute Care Practitioner with NYU Langone Health for four years. She graduated from the online DNP program in 2024.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Online (M.S.) (2)

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Curriculum & Requirements

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The Master Entry Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program (MS-AGACNP) will prepare the baccalaureate prepared nurse (BSN, RN) to practice as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and increase access to acute care medical and surgical services. Building upon a background in nursing, graduates can apply newly learned knowledge and skills within the acute care setting, including and not limited to hospitals and ambulatory care centers. Successful completion of this program permits students to sit for national certification with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to have:

  1. Unencumbered, active RN license in the United States
  2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing or another field
  3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0
  4. Minimum one year nursing experience preferred.
  5. Successful completion of undergraduate statistics course and undergraduate research course
  6. 3 letters of recommendation. References should be substantial with one academic, if available, and two current nursing professionals with graduate education background.
  7. Personal Statement: Write an essay that addresses the following:
    1. Your interest in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program and AGACNP role. Include specific professional interests, experiences, or research in this area.
    2. Immediate and long-range goals as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Non-BSN Admission Requirements:  RNs whose baccalaureate degree is in a discipline other than nursing may apply to the Master of Science degree in Nursing (MS) program and will be considered for the track that is commensurate with their clinical experience based on faculty discretion.

Degree Requirements

Clinical Hours: 500*

Course List
Code Title Credits
Required Courses
NURS818Foundations of Evidence Based Practice3
NURS816Health Promotion Theory and Population Health3
NURS910Genomics & Ethics3
NURS820Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan3
NURS812Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics3
NURS814Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan3
NURS911Diagnosis & Management - Diagnostic Reasoning3
NURS850Foundations in Acute Care3
NURS851Foundations in Acute Care Clinical Practicum2
NURS852Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I3
NURS853Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I Clinical Practicum2
NURS854Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II3
NURS855Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II Clinical Practicum2
NURS856Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III3
NURS857Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III Clinical Practicum2
NURS858Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV3
NURS859Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV Clinical Practicum2
Total Credits46
*

Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses: NURS851, NURS853, NURS855, NURS857, NURS859.

At the completion of the Master's nursing program, the graduate student is prepared to:

  • Serve in a healthcare leadership and change agent role as part of a diverse, complex, and patient-centered health care system.
  • Act as a practice scholar to design, direct and evaluate system changes to promote safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered care.
  • Use data analytic methods, information systems and technology to evaluate, integrate and apply knowledge that will improve programs of care, outcomes of care and care systems.
  • Use translational science and analytic methods to develop, identify, implement, and evaluate best practices to improve health care and health care systems.
  • Design and implement health promotion and clinical prevention strategies across the health/illness continuum to optimize health and disease management.
  • Systematically use improvement methods to monitor and evaluate care processes and outcomes and applies data for continuous improvement and safety
  • Advocate for social justice through policy, professional and political engagement.
  • Apply leadership principles that support inter-professional practice.

Additionally, MS-AGACNP graduate will:

  • Meet eligibility requirements for certification as an AGACNP with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or as an ACNPC-AG with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
  • Meet state requirements for certification, licensure, and prescriptive authority
  • Obtain federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) authorization to prescribe controlled substances (Schedules II through IV) for patients within the AGACNP’s practice area
  • Participate in the education of future AGACNPs through preceptorship
  • Be lifelong learners

Apply now

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 1
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Online

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form.International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Resume

A current resume is required with your submitted application.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalentexamination scores. English Language Examsmay be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

Licensing Requirements

Applicants who intend to pursue licensure after completing UNH's online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, MSNshould become familiar with their state's licensure requirements. To assess if UNH licensure programs meet the requirements in your location, visit the Professional Licensure Disclosure Information webpage.

Learn more

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Online (M.S.) (6)

Advance your nursing career with a top-ranked nursing degree from the University of New Hampshire.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Online (M.S.) (7)

UNH Nursing Department is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Explore Program Details

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Tuition & Fees:

The University of New Hampshire’s online graduate tuition and fees information is available on the UNH Business Services Website. Program costs and technology fees are subject to change.

Course Fees:Specific courses may have additional course fees. Visit thecourse schedulefor more information.

TUITION & AND FEES INFORMATION

Financial Aid:

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are a form of federal financial aid available to Graduate Students. To apply, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN courses are taught by faculty with excellent practical and pedagogical experience.

Meet our Faculty

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Online (M.S.) (2025)

FAQs

What is the difference between ACNP and AGNP? ›

Education and Certification:

To practice as ACNPs, grads must also pass certification exams, such as the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNPC-AG) offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). AGNPs, on the other hand, pursue education specializing in adult-gerontology care.

What is the difference between adult-gerontology NP and FNP? ›

FNPs work almost exclusively in primary care. An adult-gerontology nurse practitioner is an APRN who specializes in the treatment of adults and geriatric populations. FNPs will hold either a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP).

Is ACNP worth it? ›

ACNPs are well-compensated for their advanced education and specialized skills. Their salaries are often higher than those of registered nurses, reflecting the increased responsibility and expertise required for the role. A competitive salary can provide financial stability and job satisfaction.

What is the difference between acute NP and FNP? ›

Scope of Practice: FNPs provide primary care across all ages, managing general and chronic health conditions. ACNPs focus on acute, critical illnesses in adults and the elderly, often in emergency room and hospital settings.

Can you switch from ACNP to FNP? ›

NPs can switch specialties at any point in their career; depending on the context of the shift, doing so may entail additional training, as well as a new certification exam.

What is the role of an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner? ›

Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNP) focus on the management of complex health needs and more commonly work with critically ill adult patients in the acute setting, such as a hospital emergency room or a special care unit.

What is higher than an NP? ›

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are the highest-level nurses. APRNs include certified nurse midwives (CNMs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs).

Is FNP better than NP? ›

When it comes to an FNP vs. other NP degree specialties, the main difference is that an FNP program is more flexible, enabling graduates to treat people of all ages, from infants to older adults. The other NP specialties are narrower in scope and focus on a specific age group, branch of medicine, or medical setting.

Which NP specialty is the hardest? ›

What are the Hardest Nurse Practitioner Specialties?
  1. Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. ...
  2. Oncology Nurse Practitioner. ...
  3. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. ...
  4. Emergency Nurse Practitioner. ...
  5. Armed Forces NP. ...
  6. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. ...
  7. Correctional Nurse Practitioner. ...
  8. Substance Abuse Nurse Practitioner.

Can an FNP intubate? ›

Yes, an acute care NP can intubate patients and perform other procedures such as lumbar punctures, wound debridements, chest tube insertions, and central venous catheter placements.

Can FNPs work in ICU? ›

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) who do not have acute care certification may be recruited to work in ICUs that lack enough acute care nurses, which is a challenge for both the ICU and the FNP.

What type of nurse practitioner works in the ICU? ›

Critical Care NPs work in the acute care setting, primarily in intensive care units (ICU), emergency departments, and other units that deliver care to critically ill patients. This may include cardiac, pulmonary, trauma, medical-surgical, and neurology ICUs.

Is nurse practitioner less stressful than RN? ›

Despite these positives when compared to working as an RN, the NP role can be very challenging and more demanding. Their duties may be more stressful compared to RNs because nurse practitioners often manage complicated patient cases and are responsible for making higher-level decisions.

What settings can an acute care NP work in? ›

Acute care NPs often work in hospital settings, including emergency departments and intensive care and trauma care units. But job opportunities also exist in doctor's offices, urgent care centers, outpatient emergency clinics, and long-term care facilities.

What do AGNP do? ›

An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) specializes in treating patients from adolescence through adulthood. AGNPs are classified as Advanced-Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), which gives them additional treatment privileges registered nurses do not have.

What does ACNP stand for? ›

An acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) is a registered nurse who has completed an accredited graduate-level educational program that prepares them as a nurse practitioner. This program includes supervised clinical practice to acquire advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities.

How much does an AGNP make in PA? ›

The average Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) salary in Pennsylvania is $107,832 as of August 27, 2024, but the range typically falls between $100,062 and $117,148.

What is MSN AGNP? ›

With your MSN in adult-gerontology primary care, you'll be able to: Take care of an increasingly aging population who desires to remain at home and requires less costly outpatient and home care. Work with teenagers, adults and older individuals as a primary care provider.

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