Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MS)

the nursing dean and simulation director in the lab looking over equipment

Prepare to meet the complex needs of patients in high-acuity healthcare environments. 

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program at D’Youville University equips advanced practice nurses with the expertise to assess, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic conditions in adolescents, adults, and older adults. Through a curriculum aligned with national standards and immersive clinical experiences, you will develop the critical reasoning and leadership skills necessary to thrive in fast-paced settings like intensive care units, emergency departments, and specialty clinics. Join a community dedicated to interprofessional excellence and clinical innovation, and lead the way in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Job Titles to Explore:

  • Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner
  • Critical Care / ICU Nurse Practitioner
  • Emergency Department (ED) Nurse Practitioner
  • Nocturnist Nurse Practitioner

Employment Settings to Explore:

  • ICUs
  • Emergency Departments
  • Hospitalist Services
  • Specialty areas such as:
    • Cardiology
    • Pulmonology
    • Surgery
    • Trauma

Program at a Glance:

  • Modality: Online with one, In-Person Clinical Skills Conference
  • Years to Degree: 2 Years
  • Credits: 45
  • Clinical Hours: 750
  • Entry available in fall or spring
  • $118,644
    US Average Annual Pay 2026
  • 40%
    Job Growth Through 2033
  • 45
    Credits
  • 750
    Clinical Hours

Program Highlights

  • High-Acuity Expertise: Master the management of complex, critical, and emergency conditions across the adult lifespan.
  • Interprofessional Collaboration: Learn alongside a diverse team of healthcare professionals to promote safety, quality, and cost-effective patient care.
  • Certification Readiness: Our curriculum is meticulously aligned with ANCC national certification exam blueprint.
  • Modern Simulation & Skills: Participate in intensive clinical immersions and a dedicated skills seminar to bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice.
  • Mission-Driven Care: Develop a holistic perspective that integrates cultural competence and ethical decision-making into advanced practice.

Areas of Focus

  • Foundations of Acute and Chronic Illness
  • Management of Acute and Complex Conditions
  • Critical Conditions and Emergency Management
  • Advanced Clinical Decision-Making and Informatics
  • Ethical and Legal Leadership in Nursing
two people stand in front of a nurses station reviewing a document.

Admission Details

Applications are processed as soon as they are received. Students may enter the program in the fall or the spring.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC (ACEN) accredited
    program at a college or university.
  • A curriculum vitae (CV) or current resume documenting at least one year of practice as a
    registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree in a critical care area (i.e. telemetry, ICU, OR,
  • Official transcripts from all college/universities attended.
  • College transcripts must show completion of a 3-credit descriptive statistics course or
    equivalent with a grade of C or better.
  • An overall G.P.A. of at least 3.00. Applicants with an overall G.P.A. between 2.75-2.99 will be
    considered based on their professional experience and CV. Preferential admissions will be
    given to applicants with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher.
  • Active unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in New York State
  • A current CPR certification with a psychomotor component.
  • ACLS certification will be required prior to beginning clinical courses
  • Letter of recommendation from current Nurse Manager
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  • Proof of official transcripts are not required for admission but must be verified before students can begin classes. Non-U.S. students must submit ‘course-by-course- evaluation (or equivalent) of all transcripts through the World Education Services (WES) or other approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies. 
  • Canadian RN students must submit both their original Certificate of Registration (issued upon passing initial examination) and a copy of their Annual Registration Renewal (showing current unencumbered license). Note clinical must be completed in the US, and students will be required to attend an on campus skills conference. 
TUITION & FEES

D’Youville University summarizes all tuition and fee information in one location to ensure accuracy and keep things simple for you. The AGACNP Tuition & Fees is detailed on the Tuition & Fees page under master's degree costs. Click here to be re-routed to our Tuition and Fees Page. 

Why D'Youville

group of nursing students working with a manikin with a neck brace

Strong reputation in healthcare education

D’Youville is a long-standing health sciences university with well-established programs such as Nursing, PA, PT, and Pharmacy. Its identity is rooted in clinical preparation, interprofessional training, and producing practice-ready clinicians.

Small-cohort, high-support learning environment
Unlike larger universities, D’Youville offers more personalized advising, faculty access, and individualized clinical placement support, something APRN students consistently say is a major advantage.

Clinical partnerships that give you real-world experience
The AGACNP program partners with hospitals, specialty practices, and acute-care clinical sites across the region, ensuring students train in environments where acute and critical care skills are developed intensively.

Courses & Curriculum

REQUIRED COURSES
  • NUR 600 Theory Development
  • NUR 632 Advanced Pharmacology
  • NUR 631 Advanced Health Assessment
  • NUR 631L Advanced Health Assessment Lab, Co-req NUR 631
  • NUR 601 Research Methods in Nursing
  • NUR 633 Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology
  • NUR 622 Scholarly: Generating & Assessing Research
  • NUR 660 Foundations of Acute and Chronic Illness for the AGACNP
  • NUR 810 Acute/Critical Care Skills Lab (3-day in person)
  • Nur 661 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Practicum I (240 clinical hours)
  • NUR 662 Management of Acute and Complex Conditions for the AGACNP
  • NUR 663 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Practicum II (240 clinical hours)
  • NUR 664 Critical Care: Multi-system Failure and Leadership in Acute Care for the ACAGNP
  • NUR 611 APRN Role Transition
  • NUR 665 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Practicum III (270 clinical hours)
ACCREDITATION

D'Youville University’s Patricia H. Garman School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Possessing CCNE-accreditation is a sign to employers that you have received instruction under rigorous standards. Graduates of this program will be prepared to succeed in their respective certification examination and further demonstrate their knowledge and experience to their future employers. 

Meet Your Faculty

Contact Admissions

Apply now to secure your spot, applications are processed as soon as they are received.