Explore 21+ online acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) programs
Acute care nurse practitioner programs help to prepare nurses to care for and support acutely ill patients. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) programs (PDF, 217 KB), which includes acute care nurse practitioner programs.
While the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) only offers renewals of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNP-BC), the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers many acute nurse practitioner certifications for adult-gerontology, pediatric and neonatal for registered nurses (RNs) and APRNs.
Online acute care nurse practitioner program
Online ACNP programs are a flexible alternative for nurses who are unable or prefer not to make significant changes to their lives to attend an on-campus program.
The program cards/tables featured on this page were last updated in March 2021. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.
MS in Nursing – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares registered nurses with acute and/or critical-care experience to provide direct patient management in acute and complex care settings. Graduates are empowered to integrate evidence-based practice, alleviate patient and family suffering, and facilitate ethical decision-making. In support of our long-standing commitment to care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—this program fosters nursing excellence in holistic care across a patient’s adult life.
- CCNE Accredited
- Complete the 40 credit program in as few as 23 months
- Clinical Placement Support
As you search for an online acute care program, whether it focuses on adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioners or pediatric acute care nurse practitioners, be sure to pay attention to the features essential for your success during the program and after graduation. Some critical elements include live classes, clinical hour support teams for online students, career services, and opportunities to network with classmates.
Several schools offer online programs that closely resemble their on-campus counterparts, allowing students to earn a degree from a familiar and reputable school without relocating. Nurse practitioner online programs are gaining recognition as a path for advancing one’s career and becoming a nurse practitioner.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Note: Some of these programs may require on-campus visit requirements as a part of their curriculum and program. Check with your desired university for more information.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Boise State UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Boise, ID | 3 years | Part-Time |
Chamberlain UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | North Brunswick Township, NJ | 3 years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Clarkson CollegeMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Omaha, NE | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Drexel UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Philadelphia, PA | 2+ years | Part-Time |
Duke UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Durham, NC | 1.5+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
George Washington UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Washington, DC | 3 years | Part-Time |
| Washington, DC | 23 months | Part-Time | |
Georgia Southern UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Statesboro, GA | N/A | Full-Time |
Graceland UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Lamoni, IA | 3+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Grand Canyon UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | Phoenix, AZ | 2 years | Full-Time |
Maryville UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | St. Louis, MO | 3 years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Northern Kentucky UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Highland Heights, KY | 1.5+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Ohio UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Athens County, OH | 2 years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Regis CollegeMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Weston, MA | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Saint Louis UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | St. Louis, MO | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Seton Hall UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | South Orange, NJ | 3+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
South CollegeMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Atlanta and Knoxville | 1.5+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Rochester, NY | As few as 28 months | Part-Time | |
Texas Tech UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Lubbock, TX | 3 years | Part-Time |
The University of Alabama at BirminghamMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | — | 2 years | Part-Time |
Thomas Jefferson UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Philadelphia, PA | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of ColoradoMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Aurora, CO | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of South AlabamaMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Mobile, AL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of South CarolinaMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Columbia, SC | 3 years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of Southern IndianaMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Evansville, IN | 3+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
The University of Texas at El PasoMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | El Paso, TX | 3 years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Walden UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Minneapolis, MN | N/A | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Wilkes UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Wilkes-Barre, PA | 3+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Youngstown State UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) | — | 1.5+ years | Full-Time |
Georgetown University • Washington, DC
MS in Nursing – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
Program Type
Master's
Enrollment Type
Part-Time
Delivery Mode
Online
Length of Program
23 months
Credits
40
Admission Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or CNL/entry-level MSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program
- Hold a current U.S. registered nurse (RN) license
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 science GPA
- Have successfully completed a college level three-credit course in statistics with a grade of C or better
- At least one year of full-time experience in an intensive care unit, emergency department, telemetry unit, or progressive care unit.
St. John Fisher University • Rochester, NY
Online Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Program
Program Type
Master's
Enrollment Type
Part-Time
Delivery Mode
Online
Length of Program
As few as 28 months
Credits
46
Admission Requirements
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions;
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who currently work with the applicant and are qualified at the master’s level or higher in nursing (APRN preferred; physician and/or PA, NP, or CNS also accepted)
- A personal statement
- An updated résumé
- One year of current clinical experience
- Unencumbered RN license in the state in which they are employed and intend to practice as a registered professional nurse
- Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification and one year of current acute care clinical experience
Career pathways for acute care nurse practitioners (ACNP)
Acute care nurse practitioners are a type of nurse practitioner that typically specialize in adult or pediatric care. ACNPs provide service to patients with severe injuries or illnesses and typically work in ICUs, emergency rooms, and more.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earned a median pay of $121,610 per year as of May 2022. The states with the highest employment of nurse practitioners are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Tennessee.
For more nursing programs, check out the list of online MSN programs.
Information last updated: February 2024