Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs

fry.girl · Aug 9, 2005

I think Columbia & Drexel University are the only 2 schools that offer the DrNP, it is fairly new. I think you must already have your MSN. I have read about so many programs I can't remember for certain!
Check out this website: http://www.allnursingschools.com/fe...ractitioner.php
for more information.

Here is a list of DNP programs

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPProgramList.htm

Rush's DNP is offered online.

Cheri :)

glascow · Aug 9, 2005

Cheri,

Thanks, great link! So what's the way to go, DNP or DrNP?? I guess I already know the answer. You have to look at each program and see which one "fits" for you, LOL!

I have looked at Rush's program, and the fact that it can be done online really "fits" well with my life, unfortunately, the program isn't exactly what I am looking for!

dqbanrn · Aug 10, 2005

The drnp is an academic degree, meaning you must do a dissertation at the end of it. The dnp is considered a professional degree, meanin no research project is required. Columbia substitutes a clinical portfolio for the research project. Because more work is involved with academic degrees they are typically considered more difficult and more prestigious but in reality, academic and professional degrees both usually result in the same scope of practice.

As far as practice goes, neither the DNP nor the Drnp will gain you any scope at this time. There are currently no liscencing boards or certifications beyond those available for the masters prepared nurse. However, the idea is that the minimum requirement for advanced practice nursing will be a doctorate by 2015. Presumably, nurses currently holding a masters will be grandfathered in. This is similar to what happened when the minimum requirement for advanced practice moved to the masters level.

If you follow the development of the degree at Columbia, it seems they intend it to give nurses more responsibilities and priviliges. Their school gives ARNPs admitting privleges, referral rights, and reimburses the ARNPs at the same rate as physicians (in some areas at least).

hope that helps :)

button2cute · Aug 10, 2005

The drnp is an academic degree, meaning you must do a dissertation at the end of it. The dnp is considered a professional degree, meanin no research project is required. Columbia substitutes a clinical portfolio for the research project. Because more work is involved with academic degrees they are typically considered more difficult and more prestigious but in reality, academic and professional degrees both usually result in the same scope of practice.
As far as practice goes, neither the DNP nor the Drnp will gain you any scope at this time. There are currently no liscencing boards or certifications beyond those available for the masters prepared nurse. However, the idea is that the minimum requirement for advanced practice nursing will be a doctorate by 2015. Presumably, nurses currently holding a masters will be grandfathered in. This is similar to what happened when the minimum requirement for advanced practice moved to the masters level.
If you follow the development of the degree at Columbia, it seems they intend it to give nurses more responsibilities and priviliges. Their school gives ARNPs admitting privleges, referral rights, and reimburses the ARNPs at the same rate as physicians (in some areas at least).
hope that helps :)

hello,

DQ, what is an ARNP?

thanks,

buttons

dqbanrn · Aug 10, 2005

hello,
DQ, what is an ARNP?
thanks,
buttons

ARNP stands for advanced registered nurse practitioner. For the most part, you need a masters degree to earn this title @ this time. Their may still be some programs or certifications that grant an ARNP without a masters, but I am not aware of any. The current trend is to push advanced practice towards the doctoral level (by 2015 i believe).

dkinger · Oct 5, 2005

Is anyone in an acute care nurse practitioner program? I have mentioned on another thread that I am in a family nurse practitioner program now, but would ultimately like to work in critical care. I have worked ICU since 1991 and have had CCRN since 1993. I choose the FNP program because there are no ACNP programs close to home.
Does anyone know if there are any ACNP programs that can be done online, while doing clinicals in your home area?

I am currently looking at Drexel in Philadelphia ($720/credit) and University of Southern Indiana (about $525/credit). I am closest to Philadelphia, so Drexel looks attractive to me. They are both online program and clinicals can be set up in your home town. Drexel seems more user friendly to me, but the cost can be an issue. I am looking at a post masters certification and not the full MSN, but both colleges have both options. I am appying to both to see which will take the least credits, then I will decide. Hope this helps. :specs:

button2cute · Oct 6, 2005

I am currently looking at Drexel in Philadelphia ($720/credit) and University of Southern Indiana (about $525/credit). I am closest to Philadelphia, so Drexel looks attractive to me. They are both online program and clinicals can be set up in your home town. Drexel seems more user friendly to me, but the cost can be an issue. I am looking at a post masters certification and not the full MSN, but both colleges have both options. I am appying to both to see which will take the least credits, then I will decide. Hope this helps.

Hello, all

DKlINGer,

I lik Drexel as well. the price is a mortage payment. I am looking into thomas Jefferson down the street as well. I like them as well. You are paying for the name only and nothing else. You the same education at other unversities and colleges. I just like them because the clinical experiences will be top notch. I want to learn from the best hospitals in the area and hopefully, I can be picked up by one. That is my plan attack for the future job. Then I learn for two to three years and then go to Maine or New Hamsphire or Vermount and practice. I will be bringing great experiences to the states and I can be in a relax atomsphere as well. You know what I mean?

Too bad Temple does not have a Nurse practitioner program (acute). Unversity Penn would be great to attend. However you are paying mounds and mounds of money for the same education at a cheaper price somewhere else.

Also, I am considering a resident program for a year as well and university of penn would be excellant, John hopkins, Thomas Jefferson, Temple, George washington and Shock Trauma. WHo knows....we shall see.

Good Luck to you,

Buttons

christianRN · Oct 6, 2005

The University of Southern Indiana has an online ACNP program.

rnhunter · Sep 15, 2007

I will graduate from Wichita State university in December with my MSN/ACNP. Wichita will initiate their DNP program in the fall of 2008. I currently see no point in going beyond the MSN at this point. There is no increase in scope of practice nor is there an increase in pay. All it is another title. Nursing wants to keep up with the Jones (medicine, pharmacy, ect...). Instead of creating more confusion for the medical community and more importantly the public, why doesn't the profession clarify exactly what we are. More imprtantly clearly identifying the role of the FNP, PNP, ACNP, ANP, CNS. Currently we have FNPs, ANPs, and CNSs functioning in the role of an ACNP. PNPs seeing adult patients. ACNPs (adult) seeing pediatric patients. In my facility, we have FNPs practicing in the role of an ACNP. FNPs are trained in primary care. They receive no hospital training. A NP is not an NP. AN ARNP is not an ARNP. We need to practice within out training and true scope of practice.

djk2 · Nov 30, 2007

rnhunter,

I am looking very seriously at WSU ACNP program. Could you please tell me more detailed information about the course? You live in OK, how often did you have to drive to Wichita for class? What was the class load like? etc. I have my email on the profile if you would like to contact that way. Thanks.

eeeee · Mar 19, 2010

For anyone reading this and seeking an online ACNP, Allnursingschools.com is worthless. An exhaustive search revealed six such programs, most with small to moderate campus visit requirements. Clinicals are arranged in the student's own community. They are (in order of US News ratings as I remember them)

UAB (favors Alabama candidates)

SLU (has the most effectively "online" program, and a pig lab for line insertion and intubation training)

Vanderbilt (most expensive and a 25% attrition rate!!!)

Rutgers

Uams

USA (South 'bam)

This stuff was very hard to find online, which is surprising considering demand for these programs.

eeeee · Mar 19, 2010

Make that seven programs- I forgot about Drexel, which only serves the Northeast.