Online acute care nurse practitioner programs prepare RNs to help patients manage complex, often critical health situations. For those who have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and are ready to advance their career as a nurse practitioner, becoming one can be an excellent option.
Currently, two entry-level advanced practice board certifications in acute care are available for NPs: pediatric acute care and adult gerontology acute care.
How is the Online Learning Experience Different from a Traditional Classroom Learning Experience?
Compared to traditional classroom learning, online learning allows students to complete their education at their own pace. It also allows students to work around existing work and family commitments. Students can also immediately apply the new knowledge they have learned to their day-to-day job roles.
The most apparent difference between a traditional and an online learning experience is that instructors and students have no face-to-face interaction. However, this doesn’t mean students don’t interact with their peers or instructors. Online learning uses virtual discussions, livestream classes, and group projects to help students feel connected to their classmates and instructors. Pursuing an acute care nurse practitioner programs online, can be a transformative experience, enabling you to make a significant impact on critically ill patients in dynamic healthcare settings. The Master of Science in Nursing program for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners integrates theoretical, scientific, and contemporary clinical knowledge to evaluate, manage, and treat acute health and disease conditions in patients. It enables graduates to lead interprofessional teams in emergency care settings and inpatient medical-surgical units. It also helps nurses prepare for national certification as an AGACNP.
What is the Online Learning Experience Like?
Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) work in fast-paced, high-intensity environments, making life-saving decisions for patients experiencing severe injuries and acute illnesses. They also make decisions that impact long-term patient health and often have non-traditional hours. If you are passionate about helping people in their most difficult moments and are comfortable with non-traditional shifts, becoming an ACNP may be the right fit for you.
When looking at the overall online learning experience, students across all countries surveyed listed timely content and course structure among their top five most important features. They also cited having an instructor present during lectures and in-person discussions as critical elements. These aspects are necessary for online learning to be more effective. One way to overcome these challenges is to select an accredited program that offers a variety of delivery formats. In addition to traditional classroom courses, many programs offer hybrid and fully online options. It allows you to learn at a pace that works for you.
How do I Get Started?
Licensed registered nurses looking to expand their nursing career can pursue an online acute care nurse practitioner program. These programs are ideal for working registered nurses who want to avoid putting their current careers on hold or uproot their lives to attend a traditional on-campus graduate school program.
Acute care nurse practitioners assess and treat patients with acute illnesses and injuries. They can also assist in coordinating a patient’s care and serving as the point of contact between numerous parties involved in their treatment, including surgeons, critical care registered nurses, physicians, and social workers.
Those who wish to become adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioners must complete a rigorous graduate nursing program and clinical training to obtain national certification. Once they have obtained their credentials, they must maintain them by completing several continuing education (CE) courses each year.
