DNP Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs

What Could You Learn in an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner DNP?

Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner programs aim to help prepare nurses for patient care in an acute situation. This may include emergency situations or being critically ill. This may include providing care across a wide range of services. The AGACNP DNP prepares students to work in the sometimes complex and fast paced environments where critically ill patients typically are.

The courses a student takes in this educational path may range. They typically include extensive assessment skill-building, therapeutics, and technology. Some students may finish clinical experiences in an intensive care environment. This could be in an area such as trauma, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, medicine, and other areas. They may provide care for acute coronary services, heart failure, transplant services, emergency rooms, and other locations.

Students may gain more knowledge in areas such as nursing theory and research, differential diagnosis, critical decision-making, patient and case management, and technical skill building.

AGACNP Courses May Include

Schools differ on how they teach, but this path may include clinical, lecture, simulation, and intensive practicum. Below are some examples of the types of courses students may finish in an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner DNP.

Acute and Critical Care Pharmacology

In this course, students may be introduced to different medications and approaches to treatment. Topics may include drug interactions and proper dosage based on multiple factors.

Advanced Clinical Assessment

This course may cover a number of topics. Topics may include assessing a patient in different ways, from asking questions to performing an actual physical exam to see how things stand.

Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan

Elements of this course may include understanding and comprehending the physiology of patients as well as how different things affect it. Topics may include determining courses of treatment and extrapolating possible outcomes.

Introduction to Evidence Based Practice

In this course, topics may include research and tools used to determine the diagnosis of a patient. Students may learn how to use different data sources and where to go to look for information.

Management and Advanced Practice Nursing

In this course, students may be introduced to how to run and manage a practice. Topics may include finances, equipment, and how to find the correct resources for success.

Informatics for Practice

This course may serve as an introduction to information technology and how to use it in a medical practice. Topics covered may include different types of technology as well as applications of such.

Find Funding for Nursing Programs

For those considering the completion of the adult-gerontology acute nurse practitioner DNP program, covering the cost may be a concern. According to NCES information, the average cost of graduate school for the 2019 to 2020 school year was $19,792. For those looking for help covering that cost, financial aid may be available to those who are eligible.

A variety of types of ways exist to help cover these costs. Here are a few examples:

Nursing Scholarships

A scholarship may help cover some of the costs associated with a nurse practitioner degree program like this. Typically, these do not require repayment. Scholarships providers set the terms and conditions for these offers. Individuals may have to apply and beat out other applicants to receive the offer. You may be able to find scholarships for nurse practitioners at Unigo.

Here are a few potential examples:

Is an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner a rewarding career?

An adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner is an individual who works in the care of adults throughout a person's lifespan. They provide critical care and support to individuals. A nurse practitioner works to diagnose and treat conditions. They may work alone but may also work as part of a healthcare team. They may provide health promotion and prevention, but in the critical care sector, many provide treatment for acute and critically ill needs. They may order and interpret diagnostic tests, create treatment plans, and prescribe medication.

A person working in this field may create and maintain records of patient health care plans, develop treatment plans based on professional practice guidelines and standards of care, and provide diagnostic services. They may also analyze and provide care to patients based on their histories, symptoms, diagnostic information, and physical findings.

Important skills for Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners:

• Active Listening – Giving full attention to speakers, taking time to understand the points being made, asking appropriate questions, and not interrupting.
• Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing information to evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

As an acute care provider, these professionals may also diagnose and treat complex cases, unstable individuals, those with emergency conditions, and other chronic illness needs.

To do this type of work, a nurse practitioner typically needs to finish a graduate level of education. They may also need some experience in the field. There may be some level of on-the-job education provided, but many need to have the required skills to do the work in this position.

2020 Median Annual Salary for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP)

The following is the median salary for those working as a nurse practitioner in 2020, according to information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for each state.