Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) DNP Specialty

DNP Program

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty

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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

DNP Program Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program at The University of Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Notice

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

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

Residential Intensive Summer Experience (RISE)

RISE is an intensive learning experience designed to support student success in the DNP program. DNP students are required to attend RISE in Tucson, AZ on an annual basis. RISE attendance for part-time students may vary.

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Clinical Skills Intensive (CSI) Card Image

Clinical Preparation Intensive (CPI)

Clinical Preparation Intensive (CPI) helps prepare DNP students for further specialty-specific skills under the supervision of a clinical preceptor. Students are required to attend in Tucson, AZ once before the start of clinical coursework.

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Clinical Practicum

Clinical placements for nurse practitioner students are arranged with appropriate preceptors and administrators. Priority is given to arranging clinical placements in the student's geographical area.

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.

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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.
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Rural Health Professions Program

The Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP) is an innovative program to create a community of doctorally-prepared advanced practice registered nurses who have didactic and clinical expertise in providing care to rural and medically underserved patients and will serve as leaders in improving the quality and access to care for these patients. RHPP scholars complete additional coursework that focuses on the care of rural and medically underserved populations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about this 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

See the Costs & Financial Aid page for cost estimates.

Students are assigned clinical sites in coordination with clinical coordinators and the program administrator. Students may be required to travel to a different geographic area if a suitable preceptor cannot be found.

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

Consider attending a virtual information session hosted by the College of Nursing for all specialties EXCEPT Nurse Anesthesia. You will have the opportunity to meet the program team and select members of the faculty as well as ask questions about the program 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, check back soon for the next available session or fill out the Request Information form on this page to have program details delivered to your inbox.

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Ready to take the next step?

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

DNP Admissions