Advance Your Education Online

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

These courses of study are designed for nurses looking to advance their education to practice and excel in adult intensive care, acute care, and trauma units to help patients in urgent need.

Request Info

You must be a licensed registered nurse or have completed an associate degree of nursing to apply for the program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or a bachelor's degree in a closely related field to apply for this program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree to apply for this program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree or a master's degree in a healthcare related field.

By clicking below, I consent to receive calls and/or text messages* by a university representative with information for educational opportunities at the number(s) provided above. I understand calls may be initiated by an automated telephone dialing system. I need not grant this consent to receive information or to be eligible to enroll with WCU. I also understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from WCU, I can text back “Stop” at any time to unsubscribe from the service. *Standard rates may apply.

Consumer Notice

Personal Information you submit through our Sites, such as your name, address and other contact information, may be collected by West Coast University for internal marketing and development purposes as well as to respond to your inquiry, complete a transaction for you, or fulfill other forms of customer service. You can choose not to receive marketing from us by "unsubscribing" using the instructions in any marketing email you receive from us.

Click here to learn more.

Online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Tracks

Work in acute and/or intensive care with a diverse array of doctors and patients.

Work in acute and/or intensive care with a diverse array of doctors and patients.

Training in telehealth, special populations, and new trends in healthcare

Training in telehealth, special populations, and new trends in healthcare

Multiple starts throughout the year, flexible online classes including mobile-accessible learning, and accelerated and working professional program pacing options

Multiple starts throughout the year, flexible online classes including mobile-accessible learning, and accelerated and working professional program pacing options

Flexibility of study with a mix of online and on-site learning.

Flexibility of study with a mix of online and on-site learning.

Why an AGACNP Track?

Acute care requires a particular passion to respond when the need requires an equally steady heart and hand. At WCU, our online AGACNP is set up to help prepare you to be present and prepared for the unexpected.

The AGACNP tracks are designed to help you develop the skills needed in acute care and trauma units. In addition to online coursework as well as clinical experience on the ground, your West Coast University education will include a forward-thinking approach that anticipates new technologies and practices that will provide a future-focused approach to your education and practice.

Apply Now

Additional Information about the AGACNP specialty

Advantages
Curriculum Information
Academic Calendar
Tuition & Financial Aid
Career Services
Placement Opportunities

With our Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks, you will:

Help prepare you to provide acute care for adults of all ages, from younger adults to geriatric patients
Engage with faculty members who are experienced nursing professionals, active in relevant clinical practice, and nationally board-certified
Complete on-site intensives at our campus for hands-on experience*
Gain experience through clinical placements
Be matched with a AGACNP faculty mentor
Be eligible to sit for the national board certification upon completing the program
Receive 24-hour access to library and courses
Receive help obtaining your transcripts and any eligible transferable credits

* Students enrolled through the Orange County campus must complete their OSI’s in California. Students enrolled through the Texas campus must complete them in Texas. Travel costs are not included in tuition and fees, and students are responsible for arranging transportation.

AGACNP Curriculum Information

Our curricula are aligned with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Here’s a preview of the number of credits needed, and the number of months your degree will take depending on whether you choose the accelerated or working professional pace. We recommend reviewing your prospective curriculum in detail, so you know what to expect.

RN-MSN AGACNP

MSN AGACNP

Post-Masters AGACNP

Academic Calendar

New academic sessions begin, on average, and depending on programs, every eight weeks. You can review and consider an up-to-date start-to-completion schedule by degree.

View Calendar

Support for Students Beyond Graduation

We are committed to helping our graduates throughout their careers, and our Career Services department provides ongoing assistance with professional and career development through workshops and guidance designed for our online AGACNP students and graduates.

Placement Opportunities

Our AGACNP tracks can help you develop the skills you’ll need in the next stage of your career. The healthcare competencies covered help prepare you to take on roles as an acute care nurse practitioner. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings including:

Physician’s offices
Hospitals
Outpatient care centers
Educational services
Offices of other health practitioners¹

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

FAQs

How does the program prepare me for today’s adult-gerontology acute healthcare needs?

All of our nursing programs deliver a student-centric, evidence-based education that includes topics relevant to an evolving healthcare environment. As an AGACNP student, you can expect in-depth learning around acute-care treatment. Our curricula also address telehealth, special populations, and upcoming trends in medicine.

What can I expect from clinical placements?

Our program includes clinical hours for practical experience. When it comes to finding the right facility, WCU has a dedicated clinical team to help you find a placement for clinical training that aligns with your goals.

Will my previous coursework transfer into the program?

We can evaluate your previous coursework for credit. The number of credits you are able to transfer depends on the specific program’s requirements. For example, for the RN to MSN program, you can transfer up to 90 credits.

Speak to your advisor to learn more about the transfer credit policy for your desired program.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Time-to-completion will vary depending on your chosen program and pace.

MSN (Accelerated) – 16 Months
MSN (Working Professional) – 32 Months
RN to MSN (Accelerated) – 28 Months
RN to MSN (Working Professional) – 44 Months
Post-Master’s Certificate – 20 Months

Your admissions advisor can help you determine which pace is right for you.

What is a MSN AGACNP?

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) is a specialized degree that helps prepare you to provide urgent and traumatic care to adults of all ages. WCU's AGACNP program couples online coursework with hands-on clinical experience to advance your caregiving abilities.

Can I get an MSN AGACNP degree online?

WCU's MSN AGACNP program includes 100% online coursework. Some in-person practice experience is also necessary to complete your MSN AGACNP degree.

What is the difference between AGACNP and AGPCNP?

An Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) provides care for adults of all ages with critical conditions. An Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) provides general care for patients of all ages from adolescents to seniors.

How long does it take to complete the MSN AGACNP program?

WCU's online MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program has two different pacing options. The Accelerated program pace lets you earn your AGACNP degree in as few as 16 months. The Working Professional program pace allows you to earn your AGACNP degree in as little as 32 months.

Where can I work as an AGACNP?

An AGACNP can work in a variety of healthcare settings as noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These sites include physician’s offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, educational services, and offices of other health practitioners.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

These courses of study are designed for nurses looking to advance their education to practice and excel in adult intensive care, acute care, and trauma units to help patients in urgent need.

Request Info

Online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Tracks

Why an AGACNP Track?