Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Schools

[JustinTRN]

I've looked at U.S. News and Reports on NP schools but ACNP schools are not listed. They have about 10 APN NP specialties but not ACNP. Does anyone know if there is a rating for ACNP schools? I'm trying to find the best ACNP schools to apply too. Any ACNP's out there that would recommend their program? I want to go to a program that will make me a very strong ACNP when I graduate. I hear there is a lot of programs that put students through the same classes at their FNP or ANP students. I'm looking for a thorough ACNP program that is highly regarded.

Thanks

Justin

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

where do you live? are you looking to relocate to where the said schools are located? I went to ACNP school in Michigan and the two schools that offer good training there are University of Michigan and Wayne State University. I'm now working here in the west coast and based on the quality of ACNP students who go through our ICU during their clinical rotations, I'd say UCSF is excellent.

[JustinTRN]

I live in San Francisco actually. I've looked into the UCSF program but I can only work part time which I don't want to do. I'm not looking to relocate and leave my job. So far I've found the University of South Alabama ACNP/GNP BSN-DNP program, rush university MSN ACNP, UAB MSN ACNP programs that looked interesting. Although these schools have good reputations in other areas I never read or hear anything about their ACNP programs.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I've actually worked with an ACNP grad from Univ of South Alabama back when I was still in Michigan. This fellow spoke highly of the program and at the time, Thomas Barkley was a member of their faculty. He runs a well-known review program for the ACNP boards and is an author of ACNP review materials. He now teaches here in California in one of the CSU campuses (LA, if I'm not mistaken). It sounds like you are investigating the online program format. I have worked with another ACNP who went to St Louis Univ in Missouri (online). She also spoke highly of the program but admits that the cost of the program is high.

Between the schools you mentioned, if what you are after is name recognition or prestige, your best bet is probably UAB and Rush. You can also look into Vanderbilt's program. It is not online but it is an accelerated format (less time than traditional Master's) which allows blocks of didactic sessions taken in Nashville. You do your clinicals in your state of residence if you do not reside in the Nashville area.

There is no formal ranking of ACNP programs. Even US News rankings are not as grounded in solid data. But school name recognition does matter to some people and some employers and that's largely what the US News rankings are based on.

[SFNP127]

I graduated from UCSF's ACNP program in June. I would highly recommend the program. The instructors and director are wonderful and they care about us and our education. However, they program has high expectations of its students and I would caution you against applying for a program that you think can "make" you a very strong NP. The NP program is designed to put the information at your fingertips and get you into a clinical position to make the best of that information with the help of your preceptors at some amazing institutions. You get out of your education only what you're willing to put in, and only YOU can make/develop yourself into a strong and amazing NP!

[celclt]

I am stating Vanderbilt's program next week- it has a ecelent reputation-and is online and requires travel to Nashville several times a semester for block classes- I am really excited!!

[sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN]

Go 'Dores! Keep us up2date on your progress Celclt. I'm so excited for you

[JustinTRN]

I am stating Vanderbilt's program next week- it has a ecelent reputation-and is online and requires travel to Nashville several times a semester for block classes- I am really excited!!

The only negative thing about Vanderbilt's program is they require the GRE and a bit more travel than most distance accessible programs.

[JustinTRN]

I’ve been accepted into the University of Arizona’s DNP, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Can you tell me how to look for clinical placement, what I should be doing in clinicals or focusing on, and how to find a good Preceptor in my area. I live in San Francisco.

Thanks.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I’ve been accepted into the University of Arizona’s DNP, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Can you tell me how to look for clinical placement, what I should be doing in clinicals or focusing on, and how to find a good Preceptor in my area. I live in San Francisco.

Thanks.

I only know of ICU NP groups in the area and I can think of two different hospitals in San Francisco that have them. One is through the hospital I work for and the other one is through another hospital also located in the city. Our hospital is university affiliated but I've seen medical students from outside medical schools around though I am not sure what rotations they are actually doing. I know our own medical and NP students get a thorough rotation in our ICU and are well supervised. The other hospital is not university affiliated and doesn't have extensive residency programs or major teaching service but I hear the NP's get to do a lot more because of those same reasons. I think there are ICU NP's or maybe PA's in that other university hospital an hour away in Palo Alto. I know I'm not saying the exact names but I think you are getting the idea. By the way, your educational institution needs to have a contractual agreement with a particular hospital to allow student/s to have clinical placements.