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Graduate Studies
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Programs
Enroll in our adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner programs with options to complete an MSN, DNP, or post-master's certificate. As an acute care NP, you'll have the opportunity to provide patients with advanced healthcare services across many fields.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Master's (MSN)
Doctorate (DNP)
Post-Master's Certificate
Format
100% Online Courses
w/ 1 In-Person Health Assessment Lab
Credits & Avg. Completion Time
- MSN: 45; 18-36 months
- DNP: 73; 24-36 months
- Post-MSN Cert: 30; 18 months
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs
Widener offers master's, doctorate, and certificate programs for adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs). All acute care courses can be completed entirely online, with just one in-person Health Assessment Lab required on our Chester campus.
Why Earn an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree?
- Be prepared to sit for national certification and obtain required hospital credentialing.
- Learn to provide immediate care for diverse patient populations.
- Diagnose and treat an array of patient scenarios across many fields.
- Enjoy a well-rounded career without a narrow nursing specialization.
- Experience a fast-paced, unpredictable environment.
Through Widener's adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) programs, you’ll partner with experienced health care providers to develop the skills to provide advanced health care services to patients with acute needs.
Our expert, full-time faculty will guide you through rigorous academics and connect you with clinical experiences in various medical and surgical ICUs, trauma units, and hospitalist rotations that align with your personal and professional goals. You will graduate with the expertise you need to provide care as a successful and respected nurse practitioner eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) credentialing examinations.
The master's and doctoral degree programs in nursing at Widener University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Acute Care Nursing Program Options
Acute Care classes are offered mostly online with only one on-campus health assessment course required, in addition to an in-person clinical practica that can be completed in your home state of residence for the MSN and DNP programs.
Widener's AGACNP BSN-MSN curriculum prepares advanced practice nurses to be care providers to young adults, adults, and older adults with acute, critical, and complex health care needs. Coursework and required clinical experiences will help you foster skills in diagnostic reasoning, decision making, clinical management, inter-professional practice, and leadership across diverse populations.
The master's program can be completed either full-time or part-time at your own pace within the five-year time limit post matriculation.
Widener's AGACNP BSN-DNP coursework, required clinical experiences, and Capstone advisement will help you strengthen clinical leadership skills to deliver culturally competent, evidence-based, value-based and system-based care. With guidance from our experienced, full-time faculty, you’ll be prepared for leadership positions in direct care of individuals and populations, as well as for positions that focus on patient outcomes and complex systems management and transformation.
The BSN-DNP program can be completed either full-time or part-time at your own pace within the 5-year time limit post matriculation.
Students who hold a master's (MSN) degree have the potential to pursue specialization through a post-master's certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care.
View the academic catalog for program Loading...
Outlook & Outcomes for Acute Care Nursing
Why Study Acute Care Nursing at Widener?
Elevate Your MSN Journey by Joining a Dynamic Cohort
Jump on the opportunity to join a dynamic MSN cohort, where you'll connect with a diverse group of nursing faculty and peers right from the start. This collaborative environment not only enriches your learning experience but also helps you build a valuable professional network early on.
Begin with our comprehensive core curriculum to establish a solid foundation in nursing principles, then seamlessly transition into specialized pathways tailored to your interests and career goals.
Learn via Online Courses that Support Busy Professional & Personal Lives
Our acute care courses are delivered entirely online, with the exception of one in-person Health Assessment Lab. This approach offers maximum flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal commitments while pursuing your education.
Receive Mentorship & Support from an Engaged Nursing Community
You'll thrive in a learning community that is guided by expert faculty with close mentorship and one-on-one support. You'll complete courses led by clinically active professors and build a network that will follow you long after graduation.
You'll also have the opportunity to join multiple clubs and organizations across campus, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), and many more.
Here, you'll build a network that will follow you long after graduation. Widener's expansive professional alumni network will continue to provide opportunities for engagement and building connections.
Acute Care Program Highlights
Our Faculty
I oversee the DNP program and teach in both the DNP and PhD programs. My teaching philosophy revolves around nurturing students' interests while guiding their growth in clinical and research excellence. My dual role as a health services researcher and nurse practitioner fuels my passion for exploring how nurses impact care delivery and outcomes, as well as the influence of practice and payment policies within healthcare organizations. I seamlessly integrate these insights into my teaching and mentoring, fostering a deep engagement with evidence-based practice and nursing science.
Featured News
Ready for Any Nursing Role
Widener’s nursing program prepares students for fruitful and fulfilling careers working across the patient lifespan.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
Graduates of accredited bachelor's programs in nursing are invited to apply for admission by submitting evidence of:
- Complete online application.
- Transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education, including a transcript from a previously completed bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in a BSN program.
- Completion of an undergraduate statistics/research course with a grade of C or better.
- Two recommendations, preferably from professional nurses with graduate degrees, regarding applicant’s practice and potential for graduate work in nursing.
- Valid Pennsylvania or multi-state license as a registered nurse.
- Personal Statement (see below)
- Updated resume.
- International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country.
View English Proficiency Requirements - International applicants who will be seeking licensure in the U.S. should work with Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to utilize their credentials evaluation service.
Graduates of accredited bachelor's programs in nursing are invited to apply for admission by submitting evidence of:
- Completed online application
- Transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education, including a transcript from a previously completed bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
- Undergraduate statistics course with a grade of at least C (2.0)
- Two references—one from an educator or advanced practice nurse and one from an employer with a graduate degree
- Goal statement that highlights the applicant’s interests with emphasis on health care practice improvement
- Curriculum vitae
- Valid Pennsylvania or multi-state license as a registered nurse.
- Interview with a nursing faculty member (arranged after a preliminary review of application materials)
- International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country.
View English Proficiency Requirements - International applicants who will be seeking licensure in the U.S. should work with Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to utilize their credentials evaluation service.
GRE scores are not required.
Registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited MSN program.
- Completed online application.
- Transcript from completed master’s degree program.
- Valid Pennsylvania or multi-state license as a registered nurse.
- August 15 - for matriculation in the fall semester
- December 15 - for matriculation in the spring semester
- April 15 - for matriculation in summer sessions
Financial Aid
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
Widener Scholarships
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Graduate Admissions Office
-
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Mary C. Francis
Director, Acute Care (AGACNP) Program
-
Founders Hall
Room 324 - (610) 499-4212
- mcfrancis@widener.edu