You’re fascinated with the health of adults, committed to your aging patients, and known for your expert advice. You’re ready to become an adult gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP). If you’ve already decided on the DNP, feel free to skip ahead to our program listings. But if you’d like some background on certification requirements, a summary of the DNP curriculum, examples of DNP capstone projects, and real-life advice from a qualified AGNP, read on!
Becoming an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
The Modern Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Adult gerontology nurse practitioners, known in nursing circles as AGNPs, are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who take special care of adults. In this case, “adult” can mean any patient – including young adults – confronted with the challenges of aging. You may sometimes see AGNPs referred to as GNPs, or geriatric nurse practitioners. Nurses holding the title of GNP tend to deal directly with the elderly.
Working under the supervision of a physician, AGNPs are responsible for diagnosing illnesses, conducting exams and screenings, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications and physical therapy, managing a patient’s pain, and educating families on preventative care. Since aging also includes dying, modern AGNPs are renowned for being compassionate caregivers and counselors.
AGNPs work in two major arenas: acute care and primary care. Acute care AGNPs specialize in the care of acutely ill adults and can be found in hospitals (e.g. ICUs, ERs, surgical units, etc.) and outpatient specialty clinics. Primary care AGNPs tend to work in places such as hospices, home healthcare, and nursing homes. Some AGNPs even choose to run their own private practices. Regardless of their specialty, AGNPs must be able to collaborate with families, social workers, nursing staff, therapist, pharmacists, and physicians in order to provide adult patients with the very best advice.
AGNP Certification Requirements
Most employers and states require you to complete a master’s degree or DNP in nursing with a gerontological nurse practitioner focus and become nationally certified before you can practice as an AGNP. Adult gerontology certifications are offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). The ANCC and AANP are retiring their original GNP credentials and replacing them with certifications targeted towards adult gerontology.
If you’re interested in primary care, you could consider the:
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGPCNP-BC) credential from ANCC
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) credential from AANP
If you’re interested in acute care, you could consider the:
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGACNP-BC) from ANCC
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certified – Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) from AACN
Talk to your university and check with your State Board of Nursing for advice on which certification to pursue. In the end, you may wish to complete a number of credentials. DNP programs should clearly state that they are accredited and able to prepare you for AGNP board certification exams. If you can’t find the information on the program website, ask the school for its student pass rates on certification exams.
AGNP Primary Care Certifications
AGPCNP-BC Requirements
- Hold a current, active RN license.
- Hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Complete a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours during your adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program.
- Complete graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology, as well as coursework in health promotion/maintenance, differential diagnosis, and disease management.
- Pass the national AGPCNP-BC exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.
A-GNP Requirements
- Hold a current, active RN license.
- Hold a master’s, post-master’s, or doctoral degree from an adult gerontology primary care practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Complete a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours during your program.
- Complete APRN core courses in advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology.
- Pass the national A-GNP exam administered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
- Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.
AGNP Acute Care Certifications
AGACNP-BC Requirements
- Hold a current, active RN license.
- Hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Complete a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours during your adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program.
- Complete graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology, as well as coursework in health promotion/maintenance, differential diagnosis, and disease management.
- Pass the national AGACNP-BC exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.
ACNPC-AG Requirements
- Hold a current, active RN or APRN license.
- Hold a graduate degree from an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Complete a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours focused on the care of acutely ill adult gerontology patients, including young adults, older adults, and frail elderly.
- Complete graduate-level courses in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment, as well as coursework in the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities of the NP.
- Pass the national ACNPC-AG exam administered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).
- Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.
Helpful Professional Organizations
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE)
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
- National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA)
The Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner DNP
Typical Gerontological NP DNP Curriculum
Many AGNP programs are listed as “graduate tracks” or “concentrations” in DNP degrees. In other words, you start by taking general APRN courses and gradually focus on adult gerontology. Once you have laid the groundwork, you will often have the option to pursue a primary care or acute care sub-specialty in adult gerontology (e.g. cardiology, hospice care, oncology, orthopedics, organ transplant, etc.).
Look for DNPs that focus on advanced clinical knowledge, evidence-based research, and leadership skills. AGNPs deal with adults across the age spectrum, including geriatric patients, so you must be equipped to handle tasks such as case management, patient stabilization, and end-of-life care. That means practicums should expose you to a variety of clinical settings (e.g. long-term care facilities, the patient’s home, hospitals, private practices, etc.) and a range of patient ages. In the case of acute care, you will often conduct your clinical training in ERs and ICUs.
In terms of coursework, you can expect hard-core classes in science and medicine. Programs that wish to meet AGNP certification requirements must cover key APRN courses such as advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology. As a DNP student, you will also be studying areas such as nursing leadership, healthcare policy, and ethics. All of these classes are intended to prepare you to take a proactive role in your workplace. The grand finale of your work is your DNP capstone project – a final assignment that combines research, theory, and clinical practice into actionable steps.
Experience Requirements
Experience requirements vary from school to school. Some program may demand to see proof of two years of full-time work experience as an RN; others don’t list specifics. Generally speaking, acute care AGNP programs are going to want to see at least 1-2 years of experience in hospitals, ERs, or other acute care situations.
Examples of Gerontological NP DNP Capstone Projects
- Improving Care of Assisted Living Residents with Dementia Through a Competency-Based Behavioral Training Curriculum for Assisted Living Caregivers. (University of San Francisco)
- Telehealth Case Management Nursing Process and Technology Enhancements: Reflecting Practice and Outcomes. (St. Catherine University)
Real-World DNP Advice
Dr. Laura Sandquist, DNP, APRN, ANP-C, GNP-C
Certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Laura Sandquist is a Health and Wellness Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Lead at Touchstone’s Community Health and Wellness Center. Her practice is based on the philosophies of functional medicine, integrative nursing, and holistic nursing, and allows her to spend time with her patients, develop relationships, and conduct lots of education and coaching. Dr. Sandquist has also served as a Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Educator, and Integrative Health Consultant. She graduated with a DNP from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2012 – the same year she won the Doctor of Nursing Practice Innovation Award.
Q&A with Dr. Sandquist
Q. Why did you choose the DNP? How did you decide which school to go to?
A. I chose to do the DNP because I wanted a terminal degree. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities was my first choice because it is the only school in the world that has a DNP specialty in Integrative Health and Healing. In the end, I decided to tackle two specialties: 1. Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner 2. Integrative Health and Healing. The AGNP specialty allowed me to pursue my NP license and provide direct patient care. The Integrative Health and Healing specialty gave me a chance to focus on integrative and holistic nursing. U of MN had the added benefit of being close to my home.
Q. What kinds of challenges did you face during the DNP? How did you juggle commitments?
A. The biggest challenge I faced during the DNP was being pulled in multiple directions. To keep my work schedule manageable, I worked a 0.6 the first year, 0.4 the second, and on-call the third year. To finance the DNP, I received a few scholarships, my workplace offered tuition reimbursement, and the rest was loans. I balanced my commitments with a very supportive husband who worked and took care of the cooking and housework!
Q. Was it an online/hybrid DNP or a traditional one? Would you recommend that format?
A. I completed a hybrid DNP. It fit in with my work schedule and meant I didn’t have to spend a lot of time on campus, commuting to campus, or paying to park. I would recommend the hybrid format because it was a balance of working independently and connecting regularly with classmates and professors. My favorite experience was forming relationships with my cohort. You grew together, cried together, stressed out together, and survived together. Taking the journey through the DNP program truly bonds you for life.
Q. What did your DNP capstone project focus on? What did you learn?
A. My DNP capstone project was a “Delirium Prevention Protocol for Hospitalized Older Adults.” I picked this topic because there was a need for a protocol at the hospital where I worked at the time. That meant stakeholders were on-board. Plus, since many of the interventions in the protocol were non-pharmacologic, I was able to combine my adult/geriatric specialty with my integrative health specialty. During this project, I learned how to navigate project development and organization implementation. I also learned how to be flexible and open to uncertainty.
Q. Any other advice or tips you have for future DNP students?
A. Be sure to take care of yourself during the program. Many of my classmates worked themselves to sickness by the end of the program. As nurses, we want to take care of everyone and do it all. In the DNP program, you need to let others take care of you, be okay with saying no or cutting back, and to place priority on doing things that make you feel well.
DNP Programs with a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Focus
Alvernia University
Reading, Pennsylvania
Two post-bachelor's DNP tracks at Alvernia provide a strong dose of leadership training. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track requires a BSN for admission. After taking up to four years of full-time coursework, graduates should be ready to serve as leaders in advance nursing practice with any number of patient populations. Across 79 credits, students complete multiple practicums in pediatric and women's healthcare, which complement advanced practice credits in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnostics. Students also take two leadership practicums plus coursework in informatics, ethics, theory, organizational leadership, and health among local and global populations. Finally, they move from statistics and research methods into developing and implementing a final project. The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner track is just 67 credits but is in many regards similar to the FNP. For example, it uses a blended format and incorporates coursework from Alvernia's post-master's DNP completion program in Clinical Leadership.
BSN required for:
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
ASU's Advanced Nursing Practice (Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner) DNP is based out of the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation in downtown Phoenix. The 84-credit hybrid program features online classes punctuated by periodic trips to campus each semester. The required curriculum calls for 34 credits in the concentration, much of it dedicated to two classes and corresponding practicums. The first is about managing common health problems. The second is about managing complex health problems. Additional work includes health promotion for gerontological clients and a 12-credit clinical residency. Clinicals can happen in a variety of spots. The school has established relationships with Phoenix-area sites and pushes students to pursue opportunities in rural health. It also works with students to arrange experiences in their area. Those looking to fortify their hands-on degree with teaching and research experience can apply concurrently to the PhD in Nursing and Healthcare Innovation program.
BSN required for:
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia
Accreditation: CCNE
The DNP with an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration at Augusta University College of Nursing is 75 credits. Admitted students join a cohort in Augusta or Athens and, if they are in a post-BSN pathway, can expect to finish in three years of full-time study or four years part-time. Courses are delivered in distance-learning and face-to-face formats. Core work in the specialty is broken into three main classes and associated practicums. The first is about managing chronic illnesses, the second explores dealing with urgent health problems, and the third covers complex diseases. In their final semester, students synthesize all they've learned in a final practicum. Post-MSN students can also enter the College of Nursing. Theirs is a fully online program for working APRNs, who can choose between full- and part-time plans.
BSN required for:
MSN required for:
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track of Creighton's BSN-DNP keeps things flexible to meet the needs of a variety of students. To start with, the College of Nursing doesn't require GRE results, and the program welcomes applicants who have just gone back to work after getting their BSNs. Second, the hybrid program is structured to accommodate working RNs, who can also take advantage of a part-time option. A full-time version of the program takes eight semesters and involves 1,200 clinical hours and 68 to 71 credits. Students who are already AGNPs can enroll in the post-MSN program, which includes at least 375 clinical hours and around 30 credits. That program begins with courses in ethics, evaluative methods, healthcare finance, policy, and epidemiology, then leads to a project and final residency.
CUNY Hunter College
New York, New York
The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner specialization at Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing prepares future APRNs to work with urban elderly populations in both outpatient and residential settings. Over the span of 90 credits and 1,000 clinical hours, RNs with a BSN explore topics that will help improve care in either setting. Such topics include policy, ethics, leadership, and financial management. These go along with scientific core work in pathophysiology, genetics, and epidemiology as well as a 12-credit capstone. Within the AGNP concentration, students choose three electives, giving some freedom to sample from Hunter's psychiatric and family nursing programs. Students with an MSN in the specialty may be able to trim as many as 42 credits off the program, which normally takes five years of full-time study and six years part-time. All students need to have a New York RN license, a BSN, and a 3.5 undergraduate GPA to get in.
BSN required for:
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois
Students in the AGNP track at Chicago's DePaul University complete 98 quarter credits. That works out to 38 credits in a doctoral core that covers healthcare costs, economics, leadership, IT, research, and the implementation of their final project. The advanced practice core has 52 credits: 10 classes in the science of nursing, plus three practicums with adult and gerontological patients. Last, the two advanced practicums in the specialty, which take 300 hours combined, are worth eight credits. Entry into the College of Science and Health requires a BSN, an Illinois RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and 2,000 hours of recent work experience. Enrolled students split their time between online study and on-campus courses.
BSN required for:
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
The ECU College of Nursing's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner curriculum actually covers patients as young as adolescents. Indeed, although there is specific coursework for caring for older adults, there are also classes for family care and reproductive healthcare. The AGPCNP is meant for APRNs who want to work in rural areas in the region, regardless of the type of facility or patient. Although many of the classes are online, all clinicals are in North Carolina, letting students dive deep into the area's healthcare ecosystem. Part-time and full-time course plans allow students to complete the 63 semester credits and 720 practicum hours in a relaxed four years or a speedy three. In both plans, students spend their final four semesters completing a DNP project as well as practicums.
BSN required for:
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee
Accreditation: CCNE
The DNP program at ETSU College of Nursing is committed to preparing graduates to work in rural communities. The college, located just outside Cherokee National Forest, runs internships in the area. In fact, because of this, enrollment is only open to Tennessee residents and out-of-state students who live within 250 miles. While clinicals require local travel, most classes can be done online from home with just one trip to Johnson City per term. RNs who want to work with gerontological clients have multiple entry points. With a BSN, students can enter either the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentration or, if they want much more pathophysiology, the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration. Both have full-time and part-time options. For MSN-holders, the 32-credit Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program takes just four semesters. Applicants need to have certification in the specialty.
BSN required for:
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Accreditation: CCNE
The School of Nursing at George Mason employs a variety of course formats. Core courses are held online, while those involving clinical skills development require trips to either the Prince William or Fairfax campus. Still other courses use an executive format in which students study intensively on campus for a few days. All BSN-DNP programs, including the AGNP, require 72 credits. The AGNP specifically starts with coursework but gets full-time students out doing practicums by the second semester; they take a practicum every semester until graduation. The part-time plan, on the other hand, puts off the initial practicum until the fifth semester, letting enrollees first ease into coursework on the science - pharmacotherapeutics and physiology, for instance - as well as practice-oriented skills, such as assessment and decision-making. The MSN-DNP, meanwhile, is between 42 and 72 credits with a personalized study plan that builds off students' graduate work.
BSN required for:
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
The difference between GW's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program and its Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program is mostly where students want to practice when they graduate. The acute care program draws upon GW Nursing's big-city surroundings to put enrollees in intense practicums in urgent care and critical care units. The primary care program is for those who want to be in inpatient facilities with older clients. Both programs incorporate 1,000 clinical hours and coursework with adolescents, adults, and elderly patients into 81 required credits. The programs come in full- or part-time options. Though courses are online, the programs require students to be on campus for several milestones. All applicants need a BSN, and preferably a 3.0 GPA, to be considered. The AGACNP program has additional requirements: Enrollees need one year of critical care experience before starting and must be DC, Maryland, or Virginia residents.
Kent State University at Kent
Kent, Ohio
Accreditation: CCNE
Kent State University structures its BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program so that RNs who want to become an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist can earn the APRN certification and a master's degree in 2 years, then finish the requirements for the DNP in an additional 2 years. The curriculum for the CNS concentration is delivered completely online, and students complete practicum experiences in their home community. CNS students begin their practicum in the second semester and put in more than 500 clock hours in clinical rounds during the first 2 years. Classes and clinical experiences focus on advanced nursing care for adults of all ages across the health continuum, and the curriculum qualifies for Acute Care CNS-Adult-Gerontological certification. Once they've earned the MSN, students start the DNP portion of the program, including classes in evidence-based practice, organizational systems, and quality improvement. DNP students also complete a scholarly project.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
Aspiring advanced practice nurses with BSNs may be interested in three programs from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. The Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP produces nurses who work with patients across the lifespan and in a variety of settings. It takes 84 credits. Practicums in the concentration cover acute, chronic, and long-term care. The Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP is more narrowly focused on urgent situations but still provides exposure to chronic and long-term conditions. It takes 89 credits to complete. Last, the 84-credit Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP is similar to the AGPCNP. However, its practicum hours involve not only providing patient-centered care but also taking holistic looks into how the healthcare system works. Students with an MSN and certification in their APRN role can enter the 36-credit post-master's DNP. Alternatively, they can earn a new certification in the AGACNP or AGPCNP tracks.
BSN required for:
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Omaha, Nebraska
Accreditation: CCNE
Students in the Nebraska Methodist College DNP program earn 57 credits from online study and 18 from clinicals. The course plan is compact enough to be finished in three years, though part-time plans can extend this to four or five years. Two specialties - the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and the Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - put students in a variety of clinical settings with patients from young adults to geriatrics. Though the AGCNS program is more geared toward nurse leaders, this mainly plays out in the practicums. In terms of courses, both programs incorporate studies of finance, policy, and systems leadership. Moreover, with eight elective courses to choose from, including Rural Nursing, Curriculum Planning and Evaluation, and Public Health Ethics, students can customize their degree depending on their career goals. RNs need to have earned a 3.0 from their BSN program to apply. Classes begin in the fall.
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon
OHSU asks enrollees in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program to fully commit to their studies. The AGACNP is a full-time, three-year program that is mostly on campus. The beginning takes place in OHSU classrooms, where participants work in lockstep alongside others in their cohort. After they gain exposure to areas like pharmacology and diagnosis, students head out to work in rotations exclusively within the Portland metropolitan area. Those experiences may include sites as varied as trauma surgery and urology units. The program's intensity is often offset by OHSU's financial aid. For instance, the $15,000 Hearst Endowed Scholarship goes to two DNP students who focus on older adults. AGACNP enrollees are also eligible for an award through the Scholars for a Health Oregon, should they decide to practice in an underserved part of the state after graduation.
BSN required for:
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, Connecticut
Accreditation: CCNE
Quinnipiac's Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner DNP starts up every fall, admitting RNs with a BSN or related degree. Upon acceptance, nurses can enroll in the three- or four-year course plan, depending on whether they want to go full- or part-time. Quinnipiac's DNP aims to produce APRNs who can care for patients from adolescence through old age. The 68-credit curriculum features 500-level classes in epidemiology, policy, assessment, pathophysiology, ECG reading, radiography, and pharmacology. Its 600-level courses ask students to put it all together. To do this, students learn to holistically diagnose patients, they simulate clinical experiences, and they get out into the field to tackle real-life patient problems, both common and complex, across four practicums, a clinical fellowship, and a DNP project.
BSN required for:
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, Pennsylvania
The RMU School of Nursing, Education and Human Studies works with students in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track to individualize their course plans. The fastest version of the onsite program can be completed in under four years. RNs with a BSN start off the 80-credit DNP with didactic coursework but very quickly begin supplementing that with practicums - first in general assessment, then women's health, care for adults, clinical diagnostics, and geriatric care. In addition to honing enrollees' clinical smarts, the program prepares students to work across disciplines. Thus, there's coursework in applied statistics, economics, psychiatry, policy, and healthcare law.
BSN required for:
Rush University
Chicago, Illinois
Rutgers University
Newark, New Jersey
Rutgers School of Nursing runs a post-bachelor's DNP with specializations in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP). Both can be completed with three years of full-time study or four years part-time. And both involve 540 clinical hours plus 500 hours working with a mentor on a final project. The ACNP clocks in at 71 credits, while the PCNP is 68. The two share 41 credits in common, including units on leadership, health data analysis, business practices, epidemiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. The specialty courses in each are split into four theory classes and corresponding practicums, covering either acute or primary care. Students can add an HIV Care certification with just three or six extra credits in the PCNP and ACNP, respectively. The school admits New Jersey RNs with BSNs and 3.2 GPAs. ACNP applicants also need two years of work experience in acute care.
BSN required for:
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana
Two post-bachelor's DNP tracks at Alvernia provide a strong dose of leadership training. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track requires a BSN for admission. After taking up to four years of full-time coursework, graduates should be ready to serve as leaders in advance nursing practice with any number of patient populations. Across 79 credits, students complete multiple practicums in pediatric and women's healthcare, which complement advanced practice credits in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnostics. Students also take two leadership practicums plus coursework in informatics, ethics, theory, organizational leadership, and health among local and global populations. Finally, they move from statistics and research methods into developing and implementing a final project. The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner track is just 67 credits but is in many regards similar to the FNP. For example, it uses a blended format and incorporates coursework from Alvernia's post-master's DNP completion program in Clinical Leadership.
BSN required for:
Seton Hall University
South Orange, New Jersey
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee
Southern Adventist welcomes RNs from across the country to come to southern Tennessee for a DNP program infused with Christian values. There are two emphases for aspiring AGNPs, one for acute care practitioners and one for primary care practitioners. Both are 77 credits, which incorporates enough units for students to take a second emphasis. There are eight total, including three with online courses: Healthcare Administration, Nurse Educator, and Lifestyle Medicine. In keeping with Southern Adventist University's mission, students in all emphases take Christian Leadership and Management as well as Christianity and Ethics in Professional Practice. These classes go alongside standard courses in theory, policy, economics and healthcare technology. Students with an MSN take only 48 credits. They also need at least two years of work experience before they can begin their practicums; there's no such requirement for the BSN-DNP.
The College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, Minnesota
A major selling point of The College of St. Scholastica's BS-DNP program is that students can pursue a dual track. That means enrollees can either go into the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty or add an emphasis in gerontology onto the Family NP, Psychiatric and Mental Health NP, or even the AGPCNP specialties. The AGPCNP itself is an 81-credit program that mixes in five practicums covering different populations: adults, rural patients in emergency situations, women of reproductive age, frail adults, and older adults and families. It takes four years of full-time study to complete. The course plan calls for only two or three classes per term, making it possible for enrollees to keep their RN jobs. Though the coursework is part online, part on-campus in Duluth or St. Cloud, students can complete practicums near their home instead of in Minnesota.
BSN required for:
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, Tennessee
UTHSC College of Nursing allows DNP candidates to seek out something of a bespoke experience. There are three concentrations for family nurse practitioners who enter with a BSN: the FNP concentration, a dual concentration in FNP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, and a dual concentration in FNP/Psychiatric Mental Health. The dual concentrations are 73 units, while the straight FNP is 61 credits. All concentrations share a 30-credit core DNP curriculum with fully online classes in leadership, policy, diagnosis, pharmacology, and other areas. The dual concentration in FNP/Psychiatric Mental Health trims a few courses from the FNP concentration and adds in multiple courses and practicums in mental disorders, therapy, and children's care. The FNP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care does the same, replacing select courses with classes in diagnosis, care, assessment, and management. The dual concentrations are designed for BSN-holders, but the FNP concentration has two tracks: post-BSN and post-MSN.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, Maryland
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences accepts applications from commissioned officers in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Service. Its Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program is for uniformed nurses with a BSN and two years of nursing experience in perioperative care. The program emphasizes pre- and post-surgery throughout the curriculum, and graduates should be qualified to work in critical care situations with wounded soldiers. Some classes, such as Ethics and Policy in Federal Health Systems or Concepts in Operational Leadership and Readiness, tweak the standard DNP curriculum to fit a military context. Others, like Operational Readiness: Critical Care Air Transport Teams, are completely unique. Students looking for further adventure and/or challenges can choose elective practicums in Dive Medicine, Military Mountain Medicine, or Cold Weather Medicine. The 97-credit program follows a three-year course plan and is taught out of USU's Bethesda, Maryland campus.
BSN required for:
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Accreditation: CCNE
The post-master's DNP programs at UB School of Nursing are for APRNs who are looking for a part-time, distance learning experience while they work. Students in the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) and Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist tracks take 200 non-clinical hours, often with their employer, as part of their DNP project. They also take classes that provide them with options beyond simple practice: Scientific Writing, Teaching in Nursing, and a seminar in grant writing. The program is 36 credits long. Post-bachelor's students find themselves on campus much more often because most of their classes are face-to-face. However, full- and part-time options let AGPCNP enrollees control their course load. The program is 82 credits. Current BSN students in their last term can apply via the DNP Early Assurance program. If admitted, they can start on the DNP immediately and skip the GRE and MAT.
BSN required for:
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Accreditation: CCNE
The DNP at University of Arizona's College of Nursing is designed to meet the needs of multiple demographics. That includes RNs who want to get back to full-time work in under three years and out-of-state residents who like online coursework sprinkled with short trips to the Tucson sunshine. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty spans 67 hours, including 720 hours in clinical practicums in students' home states. It's obviously shorter for students entering with an MSN and APRN certification in the specialty. The course sequence is split so that didactic coursework primarily comes in the first four semesters. The final four semesters are devoted to clinical practicums, a DNP project, and additional online courses. Certificate options in Rural Health, Rural Telehealth, and Informatics let students add on to a degree plan that already features an introductory informatics course and diverse clinical practicums.
BSN required for:
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing recognizes that DNP graduates may make excellent teachers. Students in the Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care Nurse Practitioner concentration can add four nursing education classes and a project to their degree. And, since the school participates in the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, such students are candidates to have up to 85% of their school loans forgiven in return for teaching commitments. Arkansas residents determined to teach in the state may also be able to fund their education through the Fields Nursing Scholarship. That award also goes to aspiring practitioners, who will still find plenty at the BSN-DNP program. Clinical practicums cover chronic, common, and acute illnesses in adults and elderly patients. Didactic coursework mixes in writing, finance, policy, and organizational leadership. And a multi-semester DNP project lets students synthesize their knowledge and skills. APRNs in the specialty can skip at least 18 of the required units.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
UCF College of Nursing runs two BSN-DNP programs for aspiring AGNPs: one for acute care (AGACNP) and one for primary care (AGPCNP). Both are hybrid programs that can be taken either full- or part-time. The programs cater to Central Florida residents - all clinicals are scheduled in nine counties in the region and students must regularly visit the Orlando campus for intensives and labs. Full-time enrollees who want to maintain their RN jobs are requested to keep their work schedules to no more than 12 hours a week, while part-time students can manage 24 hours. The AGACNP is a 76-credit program featuring 1,080 clinical hours. It's aimed at patient populations 18 and older and places enrollees in a variety of care settings so they can provide urgent treatment in complex situations. The ACPCNP is 72 credits, though it widens the curriculum to include adolescent care.
BSN required for:
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track of Florida's BSN-DNP program is 76 credits. Enrollees in the full-time program spend their first year taking online classes with occasional on-campus visits. Clinicals, residencies, and project work take up much of their final two years, though they still take courses in areas like diagnosis, policy and finance, and genomics. (A part-time variation is four years.) All clinicals are scheduled within Florida, and applicants must have Florida RN licensure in addition to a 153 on the GRE verbal section and a 144 on the quantitative section. The College of Nursing's MSN-DNP is open to Florida APRNs and is online. The 35-credit curriculum requires the completion of three residencies and an advanced nursing project during the final three semesters. Other topics explored in the five-semester program include policy, statistics, research methods, informatics, and a double dose of leadership.
BSN required for:
MSN required for:
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program at UH Manoa presents multiple paths to entry. The most straightforward is to be an RN with a BSN, but RNs with a bachelor's in a different major can also apply if they agree to take prerequisites. Even non-RNs can apply via the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing, which allows them to earn a BSN in a condensed timeline before transitioning directly into graduate coursework. Once everyone is up to speed, they join a full-time cohort. The 77-credit BSN-DNP takes three years. Students are exposed to both acute and chronic illness management within their first year. Seminars and lab work in Year 2 deepen their knowledge in those areas. In Year 3, they look at special populations and integrating care across the lifespan. Graduates should be able to work with vulnerable populations in community or long-term care.
BSN required for:
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) programs at UIC College of Nursing feature 77-credit curriculums packed with both online and on-campus study as well as clinicals in the Chicago area. AGACNP students get ICU and emergency room experience, while AGPCNP students work in a mix of clinics, home-health settings, and assisted living homes. Practicing AGNPs can enroll in the post-master's DNP, a 42-credit program with much of the leadership-oriented coursework from the BSN-DNP programs, such as social determinants of health, change management, strategic planning, and information systems. The DNP Transition Program lets current RNs without a BSN study online for two terms until they're ready to start graduate work. UIC students in either track can earn an additional concentration in Rural Nursing. AGPCNP enrollees can also get a concentration in Primary Care Mental Health.
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
The AGNP programs at University of Iowa are designed for full-time students living in the state. The College of Nursing's DNP programs put all courses in a hybrid or online format, and all clinicals must be completed in Iowa. A major benefit of the program is the ability to earn dual certification. Enrollees in the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care or Primary Care NP programs may be able to extend their knowledge to psychiatric health, family medicine, or even do both acute and primary care. The AG-ACNP and AG-PCNP both allow for three- and four-year plans. The former mandates 73 credits and the latter requires 79. Earning a dual certificate necessarily adds somewhere around 20 to 25 credits to the tally, but students do not need to complete two projects in such programs. Students who enter the MSN-DNP versions of the program must complete 44 to 45 credits of work to graduate.
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
The University of Kansas School of Nursing runs a BSN-DNP specialty track in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner for licensed RNs with a year of clinical experience and leadership potential to burn. The curriculum is mostly online. Students make periodic trips to the KU Medical Center in Kansas City as they complete clinicals, which are also typically in KC. The program prefers students to finish roughly 15 credits a year for five years. The light course load makes it possible for RNs to continue working while finishing their studies. The first year lays the scientific foundation for what's to follow, with classes in physiology and pathophysiology. Year 2 explores healthcare technology, research, and assessment. The third year is more science: epidemiology, pharmacology, and primary care principles. Clinical practicums dominate the fourth year. And the fifth year is mostly reserved for a DNP project and a clinical residency.
BSN required for:
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Accreditation: CCNE
The DNP program at UK College of Nursing uses a combination of graduate assistantships and scholarships to lure RNs to Lexington. The assistantships provide $4,000 to $10,000 stipends in exchange for teaching or research help. The UK Medical Center DNP Academic Excellence Scholarship, DNP Enhancement Scholarship, and DNP Wright Scholarship go to students who maintain high GPAs, contribute to college diversity, or are otherwise excellent students, respectively. Students in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track may also be able to work toward their degree, thanks to an optional five-year plan. The full-time, three-year BSN-DNP curriculum bookends each term with half-week intensives in Lexington, with the rest of the learning completed online. Enrollees take their first practicum at the start of the second year and begin developing a project proposal shortly thereafter. All told, students complete 74 credits in a program that is similar to the Family Nurse Practitioner track.
University of Maryland-Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
University of Maryland accepts nurses of all stripes into its DNP program. Applicants can have a BSN, MSN, nurse practitioner license in their chosen specialty, or a license in a different specialty. They can then choose between the Adult-Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioner track and the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner / Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist track. Each post-BSN concentration is 80 credits and allows for three different study plans - three, four, or five years - so working nurses can calibrate their work schedules. The program looks for nurses with clinical experience in either critical care or primary care settings, depending on their desired concentration. It also wants students with 3.0+ GPAs and strong grasps of science subjects like anatomy and biology. Enrollees will obviously need it for classes in physiology, diagnosis, and pharmacology. However, the program is much broader, introducing learners to academic writing, information systems, and healthcare leadership.
BSN required for:
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
Accreditation: CCNE
One of the early distance learning DNPs, UMass Amherst's program is totally online. Even the orientation is done via internet. And enrollees only travel as far away as the clinical sites they can find in their area. The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) concentration accepts impressive applicants with either a BSN or just an associate degree in nursing and a baccalaureate in a different major. All applicants need a 3.0 GPA, RN licensure, a scholarly writing sample, and a well-crafted goal statement. Certified AGPCNP nurses with an MSN can enter straight into the 36-credit DNP completion program, as can advanced practice nurses with other certifications. The College of Nursing participates in the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, helping future nurse educators finance their full-time education in exchange for a four-year teaching commitment.
BSN required for:
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Individuals can enter the AG-Acute Care NP or AG-Primary Care NP programs at UMass Medical School in Worcester in a handful of ways. For those without a nursing background (but with a baccalaureate), the school offers a graduate entry pathway that allows applicants to earn a BSN and then enter the program. The actual BSN-DNP curriculum is 75 credits, with the first year devoted to didactic work. The second year mixes practicums and DNP project work. Students tie everything together in their third and final year. Students can further specialize in one of five areas: cancer care, cardiovascular care, critical care, palliative care, or nurse educator. To get in, students need a Massachusetts RN license, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and competitive GRE scores.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts
The College of Nursing & Health Sciences at UMass Dartmouth offers a five-year Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner program for Massachusetts RNs with a BSN. The 63-credit DNP degree never asks students to commit more than seven credits in a semester and doesn't schedule classes during the first two summers, making the program a good fit for students with work and/or family commitments. The first practicum comes in Year 3, with further practicums and residencies scattered across the final two years. The college considers applicants who have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and one year of acute care nursing experience; it does not require the GRE. A MS-DNP program is available for APRNs. Like the BSN-DNP, this 30-credit program requires participants to complete three residencies and undertake a project that applies research to the field.
BSN required for:
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, Michigan
Accreditation: CCNE
The standard way to get into UM-Flint's AGPCNP and AGACNP programs is with a BSN, but it's not the only way. The RN-DNP pathway admits students into either track if they have a 3.5 GPA from their last 60 college credits, even if those were from an ADN degree. Via this pathway, students can complete their BSN before moving into the AGPCNP or AGACNP, which require 67 or 72 credits to complete, respectively. The programs share a 54-credit core with work in biostatistics, pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, informatics, transcultural care, and other topics. Enrollees complete four practicums within their specialty. For primary care NPs, that includes experiences dedicated to women's health and mental health. Both programs are predominantly online with clinicals scheduled near students' residences, though some travel to Flint is required. A dual MBA option lets DNP students apply 15 credits toward a business degree in Health Care Management.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Accreditation: CCNE
The University of Minnesota School of Nursing gives out not just one, but 50 Bentson Scholarships to DNP students each year. The $20,000 award is one of 18 scholarship funds earmarked for graduate students. Competition may still be intense, given that the school runs 12 post-baccalaureate DNP concentration, including an Adult/Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist track and an Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track. Both are 75-credit programs that require full-time commitments for three years (or part-time for four) and three trips per term to campus, including a four-day intensive. The rest of the program is online. Both programs also boast individualized course plans and clinical placements. The subject matter covers a lot of bases, including holistic assessment, innovation, and teaching. Students can opt in to the DNP/MPH dual degree program by adding 12 elective credits to their track and choosing a final project that covers both degrees.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
There are five areas of study in Mizzou's online DNP, including a Clinical Nurse Specialist-Adult Gerontology track. While that curriculum is around 79 credits, applicants have the option of pursuing a dual emphasis. Thanks to the presence of two electives in the curriculum, that only adds anywhere from 11.5 to 21.5 credits to the program, depending on whether students choose the Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Psychiatric and Mental Health NP, Pediatric NP, or Nursing Leadership emphasis. To accommodate working RNs, the Sinclair School of Nursing lays out course plans that take between four and six years of study. Students won't have to move, either, as the school maintains long-term clinical agreements with hundreds of sites from Hawaii to New Jersey. All students must complete 1,000 hours, plus a residency project to graduate. A post-master's plan requires around 39 credits, including 510 clinical hours.
BSN required for:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies accepts applications into its Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program for spring and summer starts. RNs with a BSN can enroll in the 74-credit track on a part- or full-time basis. By taking courses in cultural diversity, ethics, and healthcare leadership, students get a well-rounded curriculum to go along with 1,155 supervised hours. Those take the form of three clinicals, an extended project, and a 330-hour residency during the back half of the curriculum. Though the program is predominantly online, some courses may use a hybrid or synchronous format. Additionally, clinicals take place in Missouri and Kansas, so students must hold RN licensure in both states. Once students begin clinicals, they'll be required to visit the Kansas City campus once per term. The MSN-DNP requires at least 31 credits, but students with different nurse practitioner specializations may craft an individualized study plan.
BSN required for:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The UNC School of Nursing offers a DNP with a standard Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty for RNs interested in caring for everyone from adolescents to the elderly. The curriculum for the BSN-DNP can only be completed over three years of full-time study. The MSN-DNP, on the other hand, allows for part-time enrollment and is online. Students who wish to work in cancer clinics can add an oncology focus to the AGPCNP track. Adding just a few credits to their degree means they qualify to sit for not only the ANCC or AANP certification exams, but also the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner exam. All applicants to the track must have a year of nursing experience as well as an RN license from North Carolina or a compact state.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
The AGNP concentration at UNC Greensboro is a post-BSN program. The 73-credit AGNP is designed for nurses who want a mix of on-campus and online work. Courses in Greensboro, including all labs, are typically grouped together so that enrollees only come to campus once a week. Under a cohort model that spans eight semesters, students take 9 to 11 credits during the fall and spring terms and 4 to 6 credits during the summer. After students receive an initial dose of coursework in diagnostic reasoning, pathophysiology, and disease prevention, they head to their first practicum during the second semester. Later coursework covers non-clinical topics such as informatics, healthcare law, and research methods. The program admits registered nurses from all states and asks that they have a year of clinical experience. The School of Nursing offers some graduate teaching and research assistantships so students can partly cover the cost of classes.
BSN required for:
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, Colorado
Accreditation: CCNE
With a part-time course plan and online courses that are mostly delivered asynchronously, the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner emphasis at UNC meets the needs of working RNs nationwide. To emphasize the point, the school charges students from out of state the same rate as Coloradans. Of the program's 94 credits, 24 go to a BSN-DNP core that's heavy on nursing theory and healthcare leadership. The AGACNP emphasis is 38 credits, including four practicums and corresponding classes on providing care. A research core is 29 hours and provides students with skills in research design and data collection and analysis so they can complete a scholarly project. Though courses are online and practicum sites are scheduled in students' home states, enrollees come to campus for two intensives in the summer that count toward their required 1,185 hours of clinicals, practicums, and labs.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN-prepared nurses in the University of Pittsburgh's DNP CNS program chose a clinical focus area for their studies. Options include general medicine or surgery, critical care, oncology, cardiopulmonary, or trauma and emergency preparedness. The BSN to DNP program is delivered onsite, although some classes may be delivered synchronously via distance technology. Students learn to treat patients in acute and ambulatory settings. The curriculum includes advanced practice nursing classes and coursework supporting the CNS role, such as health care delivery systems, grant writing, and management theory. CNS majors interested in teaching can take additional classes in instructional design and curriculum evaluation. BSN to DNP CNS majors complete their clinical rounds at hospitals in Pittsburgh. The CNS DNP also has pathways for nurses with a master's degree. Students with CNS certification can complete the DNP entirely online. Post-master's students adding the CNS specialty take online and onsite classes.
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
Aspiring nurse practitioners who want to work with families can choose from three relevant DNP specialties at USA College of Nursing. The BSN-DNP pathway is anywhere from 69 to 81 credits depending on whether students enroll in the Family Nurse Practitioner (69), Dual Role FNP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP (81), or Psychiatric (Family) NP specialty (69). The MSN-DNP versions are just 36 credit hours, which equates to around five semesters of full-time study compared to nine semesters for the BSN-DNP. Post-master's students with a certification in a different specialty can also enroll, but they'll still encounter at least 69 credits. DNP students who want to specialize further can add subspecialties in Cardiovascular, Advanced Forensic Nursing Care, Palliative Care, Nursing Education, or Clinical Lipidology. Each requires taking additional classes and/or clinical practicums in addition to the 1,000+ hours required in the DNP.
University of South Florida-Main Campus
Tampa, Florida
USF College of Nursing runs four AGNP concentrations for BS-DNP students. The vanilla version is the 75-credit Adult-Gerontology Primary Care concentration, which creates nurse practitioners comfortable working with 13- to 113-year-olds in residential facilities and outpatient clinics. For something more specialized than primary care, the Occupational Health/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care concentration is a slightly longer program that incorporates classes like Safety Management Principles & Practice and Industrial Hygiene into the curriculum. Similarly, the Oncology/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care program adds courses such as Pathobiology of Neoplasia into an 81-credit curriculum for nurses who want to work in cancer clinics. The Acute Care concentration promises more emergency care and urgent care exposure via a 78-credit curriculum. All concentrations are offered in BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP pathways on a full- or part-time basis, though the expectation is for students to pursue part-time study for 10 to 13 semesters (4 to 6 for MSN-DNP enrollees).
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Accreditation: CCNE
RNs interested in becoming AGNPs can enter University of Utah's Primary Care or Acute Care programs. Both are BSN-DNP tracks that require 78 credits to complete, including 17 dedicated to practicums and 6 for a scholarly project. The first two semesters feature didactic work exclusively. Students then complete a practicum as well as coursework during each of the last six semesters. In their final year, they add the scholarly project to the mix. Students take the program along with a cohort, so they should expect to finish after eight semesters. Students who live in an eight-state stretch from Montana to New Mexico can enroll in the Primary Care program via a distance learning option, though they may still have to attend clinicals in northern Utah.
BSN required for:
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Accreditation: CCNE
UVA employs a 2+2 format for students who enter its BSN-DNP program. After finishing two years of coursework, enrollees receive an MSN. After another two, they can earn their DNP. APRNs who already have an MSN in the specialty enter at the two-year mark. Alternatively, BSN RNs can petition for an accelerated three-year plan or a part-time curriculum that takes five to six years. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner tracks both require 82 credits, including 1,064 clinical hours. There's enough overlap that students can pursue a dual track and complete both specializations with just 92 credits, including 1,624 clinical hours. Doing so would allow them to sit for CNS and NP certifications from AACN or ANCC. Applicants need a Virginia RN license, a 3.5 GPA, plus at least two years of full-time RN experience, with leadership skills and membership in a nursing organization preferred.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, Washington
Accreditation: CCNE
Aspiring AGNPs can specialize in Acute Care or Primary Care in UW's full-time DNP program. The three-year degree uses a hybrid format that brings enrollees to Seattle one day a week during the first year as they learn about healthcare systems, wellness promotion, leadership, and evidence-based practice. The second year is when they break off into specialty-specific coursework and start their clinicals. In the third year, they complete clinicals and do a final project at one of their sites. Acute Care students can find themselves at neurosurgery facilities, cardiology clinics, and intensive care units. Primary Care students, on the other hand, might be placed in veterans hospitals, oncology units, or urgent care facilities. Applicants should have a Washington RN license, as clinical experiences are set up in the Puget Sound region. Acute Care applicants also need one year of experience as a critical care RN.
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, Washington
Accreditation: CCNE
Aspiring AGNPs can specialize in Acute Care or Primary Care in UW's full-time DNP program. The three-year degree uses a hybrid format that brings enrollees to Seattle one day a week during the first year as they learn about healthcare systems, wellness promotion, leadership, and evidence-based practice. The second year is when they break off into specialty-specific coursework and start their clinicals. In the third year, they complete clinicals and do a final project at one of their sites. Acute Care students can find themselves at neurosurgery facilities, cardiology clinics, and intensive care units. Primary Care students, on the other hand, might be placed in veterans hospitals, oncology units, or urgent care facilities. Applicants should have a Washington RN license, as clinical experiences are set up in the Puget Sound region. Acute Care applicants also need one year of experience as a critical care RN.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Accreditation: CCNE
The BSN-DNP program at UWEC College of Nursing and Health Sciences requires 73 credits and can be taken as part of a three-, four-, or five-year plan. The hybrid structure calls for students to be on campus just one day a week. The same is true for the 31-credit MSN-DNP program, which is available in a 2.5-year format. In addition to imparting advanced nursing skills, the Adult-Gerontologic Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist tracks both emphasize culturally sensitive care, leadership tactics, and informatics. Students need Wisconsin RN licensure before matriculation so they can participate in clinical practicums. Enrollees show they've learned how to apply research data to patient-centered care via a seven-credit DNP project spanning their final semesters.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Accreditation: CCNE
The Adult/Gerontology CNS DNP at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has 3 components: leadership/policy expertise, systematic evaluation of practice, and clinical practice. The curriculum includes coursework, clinical experiences, and a scholarly project to enhance skills in the 3 core components. The program follows a cohort model, so students move through the program as a group and develop a strong network. Courses use a hybrid format with in-person meetings at least monthly. BSN to DNP students complete more than 1,000 clinical hours, with half in clinical practice and half in clinical leadership. MSN to DNP students complete at least 500 clinical hours in leadership. All clinical placements are arranged by the School of Nursing. The program has 3-year and 4-year options for post-BSN students and a 2-year plan for post-MSN students. The recent entering class had an average BSN GPA of 3.8 and 4 years of work experience.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
UW Milwaukee's BS-DNP curriculum lets students choose between three- and four-year plans with fall and spring starts. The first year of the Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist track, which requires 65 credits, takes place entirely in the classroom, where students learn about biostatistics and cultural diversity, evidence-based practice and epidemiology, and theory and pathophysiology. In the middle of their second year, they begin taking practicums and creating a game plan for their DNP project, which they complete in their final term. Advanced practice nurses with CNS certification and a master's can sidestep on-campus courses and slide into the 32-credit online DNP. Students in search of funding may find it via the Milton and Joan Morris DNP Fellowship, which is reserved for DNP doctoral candidates who serve older and chronically ill patients. Students from Illinois, Minnesota, and the Midwest benefit from tuition reciprocity and exchange agreements, which bring their tuition costs down.
BSN required for:
Viterbo University
La Crosse, Wisconsin
The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner track at Viterbo University School of Nursing is available to post-bachelor's and post-master's students. The BSN-DNP is a three-year program, while the MSN-DNP features a two-year plan, though students in either pathway may proceed part-time. DNP students get to pursue clinical rotations at Mayo Clinic sites throughout the Midwest. Since the curriculum mixes online and on-campus coursework, the program recruits RNs who have been working in direct patient care for at least two years and can handle a heavy course load in multiple formats. Classes cover scholarly writing skills, process management, and leadership in addition to pharmacotherapeutics, pathophysiology, and other clinical topics.
BSN required for:
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas
Accreditation: CCNE
Wichita State University's School of Nursing has a DNP in Nursing with an individual/family focus that is open to nurses with a master's degree, APRN licensure, and national certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. This 29-credit program lets nurses advance their knowledge in areas such as evidence-based practice, health care systems, and policy. Classes for this program are delivered online. The program has an applied learning approach, which can be seen in the 11-credit capstone sequence. All students take a class in practice management and develop an evidence-based nursing project. During a residency, students complete their capstone project and disseminate the results. Candidates are also required to defend their project during the residency class. Applicants should have an MSN from an accredited school with a GPA of 3.25 or higher on all their master's work. They must complete their DNP in the practice specialization they earned their master's degree in.
BSN required for:
MSN required for:
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist is one of the options for the DNP program at Winona State University. Students who enter the program with a BSN complete 72 credits and 1,140 clinical hours. The curriculum is broadly divided into nursing science core classes and AGCNS specialty classes. Core classes cover health policy, leadership, evidence-based practice, and health promotion. Students are also required to complete a DNP project to demonstrate how they use evidence-based practice strategies in a clinical setting. Classes in the specialty include advanced nursing practice courses covering molecular, genetic and immune mechanisms in disease, clinical pharmacology, and health assessment. Students also develop and synthesize the CNS role. Post-baccalaureate applicants must have a BSN with a GPA of 3.0 and a year of clinical nursing experience. There is also a post-master's track, open to students with an MSN with a 3.0 GPA, APRN licensure, and CNS certification.
