ACNP curriculum

I'm surprised they considered an applicant without ICU experience as it was required for my school. I am in the second year of one of the best acute programs in the country and we have also had to do 3 credits of research. I didn't really relish the thought of it but having done it I see how very useful it is because now I feel like I can really look critically at the literature and make clinical decisions based on my understanding of how a certain study is conducted. We also do not specifically have a focus but if you gravitate towards one particular specialty in clinicals they will allow you to gear your experience towards it. It needs to be broad based to cover all the acute specialties and specialization comes after graduation. However, the one thing I would be sceptical about is an acute program that's online. Acute is the most intensive of all the NP tracks (apart from maybe neonatal) and I would want to have a school right behind me. Because my school is a bricks and mortar school my clinical placements are virtually guaranteed and the employment rate upon graduation is 100%. That's one thing I would consider before signing with an online program.

Thank you for your comment. Although the program is online it is affiliated with a very large public university. I actually got my BSN from there (not online). Although I feel like I am a better student when i am in a physical classroom I am willing to take the challenge. The program requires you to come to campus for checkoffs as well ( I think maybe once or twice during the the course). Also, b/c of my full time job and expenses online was the best option. B/c your school has the "best acute care program in the country" perhaps it requires ICU experience to be more selective towards applicants. I say this b/c ACNPs can work in ED settings, but if you ask an ICU staff nurse to work in the ED many would cringe and not handle it although they too care for critical patients. I applied to more than one ACNP program that did not require ICU experience including University of VA. How many clinical hours and credits are required for you to graduate? I'm very curious since your program doesn't require students to specialize. Thanks!