Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (Postdoctoral Certificate)

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care nurse practitioner, or AGACNP, postdoctoral certificate program is for advanced practice Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD prepared nurses who are seeking to expand their knowledge and training to an acute care adult population. Graduates will be equipped to function as advanced practice nurses in adult critical care and acute care settings as well in specialty practices. The emphasis of the program is on clinical practice with acutely or critically ill adults across the lifespan, from adolescent to older adult.

You will gain an in-depth knowledge of the following:

• Critical decision-making in the acute care setting
• Differential diagnosis
• Patient/case management and advanced technical skills.

Research has shown that AGACNPs provide quality care, decrease length of stay, and improve patient and family satisfaction. The addition of AGACNPs to the health care team improves communication and overall patient care.

* Residency requires full-time commitment during the last term of the program.
** Students take didactic coursework in both online and on-campus formats. Clinical practice sites are located in the Chicago area.
*** All plans of study are individualized to the student based on previous graduate coursework taken.

Career options

Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners practice in academic medical centers, community hospitals and practices. They work in many settings including the following:

• Critical care units
• Inpatient units
• Outpatient specialty settings
• Specialty practices, such as neurosurgery, cardiology, hematology, trauma and orthopedics
• Subacute settings

Tuition Pricing

As a top ranked college of nursing, Rush programs are competitively priced on a local and national level. 

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