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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

 

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Program Description

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) DNP specialty prepares nurses to work with adult patients aged 18 years and older suffering from serious illnesses or injuries. AGACNPs assess, diagnose, and treat patients by ordering and interpreting labs and diagnostic tests, performing procedures, and coordinating care. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings with acutely ill patients.

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program is a hybrid program utilizing a mixture of online didactic coursework, on-campus intensives and on-ground clinical practica. Applicants may enter the program either as a post-BSN student or as a post-graduate nurse practitioner seeking additional specialty. The program has both part-time and full-time options. Graduates of the AGACNP specialty are eligible for Nurse Practitioner certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (ACCN).

DNP Program Outcomes

  • Generate and disseminate nursing practice knowledge to stimulate research and improve clinical outcomes
  • Improve health outcomes through scientifically based advanced practice within a specialty
  • Engage in and lead collaborative practice teams
  • Influence clinical practice transformation and policy initiatives
CCNE accredited logo

The U of A DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. See the bottom of this page for full details.

Program Facts

2.5
Years

Full-time Program Length
3-4 Courses per Semester*

3.5
Years

Part-time Program Length
2-3 Courses per Semester*

Hybrid

Program Delivery
Online coursework with
3 on-campus intensives and
a clinical practicum

70
Credit
Hours

720
Clinical
Hours

20
Average
Cohort Size

Aug
15

Applications Open

March
1

Final Deadline

*Course load is approximated and may vary between semester and year. Students should consult their academic program guide for a complete course schedule.

 

DNP-AGACNP Admissions

View Full Admission Requirements


Ishmail Sillah, DNP-AGACNP Class of 2018

"The good thing about the DNP program is that it’s built to be flexible for non-traditional students. You can let your faculty member know what you can do and they’ll help organize your schedule. Without that, it would have been extremely difficult if not impossible for me to finish the program."

Read Student Story

DNP-AGACNP Curriculum

Students admitted to the DNP-AGACNP program must complete a rigorous curriculum consisting of 67 credit hours and 720 clinical hours. In addition, students attend RISE twice and CPI once during their study. Admitted students should refer to and follow the academic program guide for their cohort year.

DNP-AGACNP Program Guide

Additional Program Options

DNP/PhD Dual Degree

If you are interested in attaining broader advanced clinical practice skills with strong research competencies, consider taking advantage of our dual Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. You will be prepared at the highest level of nursing science and professional nursing practice, and with advanced skills for engaging in research to create, apply and translate new knowledge to improve health care – in practice domains and/or academia.

Learn More

DNP-FNP and Certificate-AGACNP Option

The DNP-FNP and Certificate-AGACNP Option is available only to FNP or AGACNP students.

  • Timeline: Requires one additional year (3 semesters).
  • Clinical Requirements: 720 hours for each specialty, total = 1440 hours.
  • RISE and CPI: Attend RISE 3 times and CPI 2 times
  • DNP Project: During the last year with second specialty.
  • Apply: First fall semester the student must meet with their academic advisor, with advisor approval can apply in the spring semester.
View Program Guide

View All Program Options

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Frequently Asked Questions

Consider attending a virtual information session hosted by the College of Nursing for all DNP specialties. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the programs and admissions process. Registration is required, and the session is conducted via Zoom. The DNP program holds multiple information sessions throughout the year. If you are unable to attend a currently scheduled session, request program details by completing the Request Information form on this page, and they will be delivered to your inbox.

Register

For more information about the MS-to-DNP specialty or applying to the DNP program, please contact:

Layla Salazar
Enrollment Coordinator, Doctoral Programs
Email: CON-OSAA@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-1860

No elective courses are required for the MS-to-DNP specialty. Students may take additional courses to meet their needs and interests, but should consult their faculty advisor first.

No clinical placement is required during the MS-to-DNP program. However, applicants must have completed at least 1 year (a minimum of 1800 hours) in any RN role to apply for full-time admission.

Up-to-date information on tuition and fees for the U of A MS-to-DNP program is available here. 

Ready to take the next step?

See the full admissions requirements and application process on the DNP Admissions page.

DNP Admissions

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at The University of Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Program Administration

Courtney Bartlett
Program Administrator
Assistant Clinical Professor

DNP Program Director

Lindsay Ann Bouchard
Interim Chair
Associate Clinical Professor

The University of Arizona College of Nursing is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. To contact the agencies that regulate the University of Arizona College of Nursing or file a complaint, please find: