Admissions: Post-Degree Options
Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner Option: Acute/Critical Care Accelerated Option

The goal of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Accelerated Post-Master's Option is to allow experienced nurse practitioners with recent acute care experience to acquire additional knowledge and skills necessary for certification as an acute care nurse practitioner. Graduates of this option will be eligible to apply for the American Nurses Credentialing Center certification as an Acute/Critical Care Nurse Practitioner.

This option will prepare already certified adult, family or gerontologic nurse practitioners to provide care to patients who are physiologically unstable, technologically dependent, and highly vulnerable for complications due to acute, chronic or critical illnesses. Graduates will be prepared to practice across the continuum of acute care services in inpatient and specialized acute and critical care departments such as emergency, cardiology, surgery, oncology, and trauma. They may also provide comprehensive, follow-up care to patients with complex chronic illnesses (e.g. cancer, heart failure, end stage renal disease before or after organ transplantation) in outpatient settings.

Clinical experiences will be tailored to the individual's needs and interests and will include a variety of settings serving adult patient populations.

Potential applicants are encouraged to speak with the coordinator of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner option, Dr. Julie Stanik-Hutt, for more information and individual review of previous clinical experience.

Admissions Criteria

Each student will be selected by the Admissions Committee. Selection factors include:

• Completed application for admission
• Master of Science in Nursing, with certification as an adult, family or geriatric nurse practitioner from an accredited college/university
• Official graduate level college transcripts
• Scholastic grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Pathophysiology and Clinical Pharmacology completed within the last five years with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Demonstrated commitment to nursing practice and scholarly pursuit
• Written expression of goals
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Personal interview may be requested
• Copy of Maryland State Nursing License
• Copy of ANCC or AANP certificate as ANP, FNP, or GNP
• Copy of BLS/ACLS provider certificate
• At least three years prior acute care experience as a nurse practitioner, such as, but not limited to: Acute care inpatient unit, intensive care/critical care unit, or emergency department

Prerequisites

Course Requirements