ACUTE
CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER (ACNP)
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Post-Master's Certificate
THE ROLE
The Master of Science in Nursing
(MSN) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates
to function as advanced practice nurses in adult critical/acute
care. The emphasis of the program is on clinical practice with
acutely or critically ill adults that prepares practitioners to
function autonomously across the spectrum of health care in a
variety of settings. The ACNP student will gain an in-depth knowledge
of nursing theory and research, critical decision-making, differential
diagnosis, patient/case management, and technical intervention
skills related to health maintenance, health restoration, and
illness prevention.
THE PROGRAM
There are six unique aspects of this program: a) a combination
of online and onsite didactic courses; b) accessible clinical
practice sites; c) individualized clinical practica precepted
by expert health care practitioners; d) individually designed
post-master's certificate options; e) a combined ACNP and Critical
Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program of study; and f)
competency-based application of knowledge to clinical practice.
ACLS certification and two years of recent full-time critical/acute
care experience is required prior to enrollment in the clinical
seminar/practica courses.
THE FACULTY
Rush College of Nursing faculties are highly experienced practitioner-teachers
with doctoral and master's degrees and certification in their
specialties. The Practitioner-Teacher model at Rush University
allows faculties to maintain and enhance their clinical expertise
and apply it to research and academic programs. Faculties are
nationally and internationally known in their various areas of
expertise and are actively involved and often leaders in professional
organizations. Faculties are also well published and frequently
speak at local, regional, national, and international professional
meetings. Additional program faculties include experienced health
care providers such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists,
and physicians, as well as allied health care professionals with
expertise in adult acute/critical care.
Faculty contact for the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
program:
Barbara Hinch, DNP,
RN, ACNP-CS
312-942-5733
Barbara_Hinch@rush.edu
CLINICAL SITES
Rush University Medical Center offers graduate practitioner students
clinical experiences in a wide variety of settings with a focus
on managing a caseload of acutely/critically ill patients. Practicum
sites include acute in-patient hospital units, general and specialty
intensive care units, emergency departments, sub-acute care institutions,
and specialty acute care practices (e.g., cardiology, neurosurgery,
bone marrow transplant).
Clinical practice experiences are planned on a student-centered
basis by Rush College of Nursing faculty. Planning is based on
individual student learning needs, available clinical sites and
preceptors, and specifically designed clinical objectives.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Career opportunities for acute care nurse practitioners cross
the spectrum of healthcare. Acute care nurse practitioners provide
care in a variety of acute and critical care settings in tertiary
and community hospitals, as well as diverse settings in private
practices. They function independently and collaboratively with
a variety of adult acute/critical care providers to deliver quality,
evidence-based care that will maximize patient care outcomes.
CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION
Completion of the ACNP program provides eligibility for certification
as an acute care nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center of the American Nurses Association and for state licensure/certification
where available.
To apply or for further information, please contact:
College Admission Services
600 S. Paulina, Suite 440
Chicago, IL 60612
Telephone: 312-942-7100; Fax: 312-942-2219
Rush_Admissions@rush.edu
To apply online, go to:
www.rushu.rush.edu/nursing/admission.html
Acute
Care Nurse Practitioner
Master
of Science in Nursing - Program of Study |
| Credit |
Graduate
Nursing Core |
| 2 |
* NUR 501A Theoretical Foundations
for Advanced Practice |
| 2 |
** NUR 502A Professional Issues in
Role Development |
| 2 |
** NUR 502B Implementation
of the Advanced Practice Nurse Role |
| 4 |
* NUR 503 Physical Diagnosis: Assessment
and Evaluation Across the Lifespan |
| 3 |
** NUR 510 Biostatistics |
| 3 |
** NUR 521A Research for Advanced Practice
|
| 3 |
** NUR 522 Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention in Diverse Populations |
| 2 |
** BHV 505 Interdisciplinary Studies in Palliative Care
(offered every qtr.,
add to sample program of study below) |
| 1 |
NUR 548 MSN Capstone Project |
| Subtotal 22
credit hours |
| Credit |
Advanced Practice
Nursing Core |
| 4 |
* PHY 551 Advanced Physiology I |
| 2 |
* PHY 552 Advanced Physiology II |
| 2 |
* PPH 511 Advanced Pathophysiology I |
| 4 |
* PPH 512 Advanced Pathophysiology II |
| 3 |
* NUR 529 Pharmacology |
| 3 |
*** NUR 530D Pharmacotherapeutics
in Acute Care |
| 3 |
* NUR 505 Diagnostics for the Advanced Practice
Nurse |
| 3 |
** BHV 528 Major Psychopathological Disorders
|
| Subtotal 24 credit
hours |
| Credit |
Speciality Curriculum
Content |
| 4 |
*** NUR 534B Management
of the Adult Patient: Critical Illness |
| 4 |
*** NUR 534R Management of the Adult Patient:
Acute & Chronic Illness I |
| 4 |
*** NUR 534S Management of the Adult Patient:
Acute & Chronic Illness II |
| 12 |
NUR 541 Master’s Practicum. Additional
practicum hours may be required by area of concentration/individual
student needs. |
| 2 |
NUR 600 ACNP Residency is 400 clock hours.
Additional residency hours may be required by area of concentration
and/or individual needs. Students must register for 2 credit
hours per quarter until the residency hours are completed.
|
| Subtotal 26 credit hours |
| Total |
72
credit hours |
Courses are available in the following formats:
* Web-based and on-site
** Web-based and/or compressed weekend
***
On-site only
Please note: All programs of study are subject
to change
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science
in Nursing - Sample
Program of Study
MSN
Part-time plan - 9 quarters
|
| Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer |
| 1 |
4 PHY 551
|
2 PHY 552
|
3 NUR 522
|
2
NUR 502A |
| |
2 PPH 511
|
4 PPH 512
|
3
NUR 521A
|
3 NUR 529 |
| |
2 NUR 501A
|
3 NUR 510
|
3 BHV 528 |
4 NUR 503 |
| Total |
8 credit
hours |
9 credit hours |
9 credit hours |
9
credit hours |
| 2 |
3 NUR 530D
|
4 NUR 534R
|
4 NUR 534S
|
4 NUR 534B |
| |
3 NUR 505
|
4 NUR 541
|
4
NUR 541
|
4 NUR 541 |
| |
|
|
2 NUR 502B
|
1 NUR 548 |
| Total |
6
credit hours |
8 credit hours |
10
credit hours |
9 credit hours |
| 3 |
2 NUR 600
|
|
|
|
| Total |
2 credit hours |
|
|
|
MSN
Part-time plan - 13 quarters |
| Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer |
| 1 |
4 PHY 551
|
2 PHY 552
|
2 NUR 502A
|
2 NUR 501A |
| |
2 PPH 511
|
4 PPH 512
|
3 NUR 522
|
|
| Total |
6 credit hours |
6 credit hours |
5 credit hours |
2 credit hours |
| 2 |
3 BHV 528
|
3 NUR 510A
|
4 NUR 503
|
3 NUR 529 |
| |
|
|
3 NUR
521A |
|
| Total |
3
credit hours |
3 credit hours |
7
credit hours |
3 credit hours |
| 3 |
3 NUR 530D
|
4 NUR 534R
|
4 NUR 534S
|
4 NUR 534B |
| |
3 NUR 505
|
4 NUR 541
|
4
NUR 541
|
4 NUR 541 |
| |
|
|
2 NUR 502B
|
1 NUR 548 |
| Total |
6
credit hours |
8 credit hours |
10
credit hours |
9 credit hours |
| 4 |
2 NUR 600
|
|
|
|
| Total |
2 credit hours |
|
|
|
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's
Non-Degree Option
Program of Study
|
| Credit |
Specialty
Curriculum Content |
| 3 |
*** NUR 530D Pharmacotherapeutics:
Acute Care |
| 3 |
* NUR 505 Diagnostics for the Advanced
Practice Nurse |
| 3 |
** BHV 528 Major Psychopathological
Disorders |
| 4 |
*** NUR 534R Management of the Adult
Patient - Acute and Chronic Illness I |
| 4 |
*** NUR 534S Management of the Adult
Patient - Acute and Chronic Illness II |
| 4 |
*** NUR 534B Management of the Adult
Patient - Critical Illness |
| 4-12 |
NUR 541 Post-Master’s Practicum.
Additional practicum hours may be required by the area of
concentration and/or individual student needs. |
| 2 |
NUR 600 ACNP residency is 400 clock
hours. Additional residency hours may be required by the area
of concentration and/or individual student needs. Students
must register for 2 credit hours per quarter until the residency
hours are completed. |
| Total |
27-35 credit hours |
| Prerequisites:The
following are prerequisite graduate level coursework which
must be completed prior to beginning the clinical courses
for the program. These courses may be from a master’s
program from another institution or completed at Rush. |
| 2 |
** NUR 502A Issues in APN Role Development
|
| 2 |
** NUR 502B Transition to the APN Role
|
| 4 |
* NUR 503 Physical Diagnosis: Assessment
and Evaluation Across the Lifespan |
| 4 |
* PHY 551 Advanced Physiology I |
| 2 |
* PHY 552 Advanced Physiology II |
| 2 |
* PPH 511 Advanced Pathophysiology I |
| 4 |
* PPH 512 Advanced Pathophysiology II |
| 3 |
* NUR 529 Advanced Pharmacology
|
Courses are available in the following
formats:
* Web-based and on-site
** Web-based and/or compressed weekend
***
On-site only
|
