Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs

[Fursan]

I am currently working as an ICU nurse and applying to some ACNP programs at this time. I feel that I would prefer an on-campus program, but I have do have some interest in the online AG-ACNP program at UT Arlington due to its flexibility and the ability to continue to work full time. Although, I do have some concerns with attending a fully online program for this specialty, such as is there adequate skills training/simulations for procedures such as intubations/central line placements? How can this be done if the program is fully online? I understand there will be clinical hours done in the hospital setting, but what about skills training in the academic setting? Is there anyone that can weigh in on this? Much appreciated!

[pro-student]

Programs like this usually teach skills in on-campus "intensives" which are more or less bootcamps for procedures. These campus visits may include everything from teaching multiple skills, allowing some practice times, and doing some type of testing for competence (at least to the level that you are about to perform in your clinical). The actual amount of practice you get is most dependent on your clinical setting(s) which, for online programs like UT-Arlington, you are usually responsible for arranging as the student. If you know several excellent providers who meet the school's requirements and are willing to precept you, you might come out with some good, high quality experience. If you don't already know someone who could precept you (and give you the kind of experience and supervision that will help you learn) then I would run far away. You're online program will probably not be much, if any, help at locating potential preceptors and even if you are able to find someone, the quality of the experience is highly variable.

[Fursan]

Programs like this usually teach skills in on-campus "intensives" which are more or less bootcamps for procedures. These campus visits may include everything from teaching multiple skills, allowing some practice times, and doing some type of testing for competence (at least to the level that you are about to perform in your clinical). The actual amount of practice you get is most dependent on your clinical setting(s) which, for online programs like UT-Arlington, you are usually responsible for arranging as the student. If you know several excellent providers who meet the school's requirements and are willing to precept you, you might come out with some good, high quality experience. If you don't already know someone who could precept you (and give you the kind of experience and supervision that will help you learn) then I would run far away. You're online program will probably not be much, if any, help at locating potential preceptors and even if you are able to find someone, the quality of the experience is highly variable.

Thank you for your input! It seems like an on-campus program would be much more organized in providing you with those resources and possibly a simulation lab to practice those skills.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to student NP forum