MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online Program

In this course, the student encounters advanced content in pathophysiology and human physiologic responses across the lifespan. The student explores, analyzes, applies, and evaluates the normal and abnormal human responses to selected pathophysiologic mechanisms and conditions. 

This course expands the knowledge of health assessment principles specific to the role of the APN. The student will develop assessment techniques related to history and physical examination of clients across the lifespan, including psychiatric-mental health and related supportive assessment. Student will explore, analyze, apply and evaluate these principles in the classroom setting. This course includes approximately 25 hours of lab practicing physical assessment skills using both a virtual and on-ground learning environment. A remote hands-on physical examination check off will also occur in the course. The student will submit a video recording to complete this assignment. Additionally, an immersion skills lab will occur in this course. The student is responsible for completing and certifying at least 25 hours practicing physical assessment skills in the course. The remote physical examination check-off and the immersion lab are graded as pass/fail and are not factored into the course GPA. Students must pass each of these in order to pass the course and progress in the program. If either are failed the course grade will revert to a failing grade (F). 

In this course, the student focuses on mastering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, fundamental pharmacology, and therapeutics, covering broad categories of agents used to treat common conditions encountered by the advanced practice nurse. Emphasis is placed on the decision-making process utilized to prescribe and monitor pharmacotherapeutics for the treatment of acute and chronic diseases appropriate to the patient’s situation safely and effectively. 

In this course the student builds expanded knowledge of pharmacology in critically ill adults and older adults while applying foundational principles from previous courses. Specific issues in the pharmacologic management of critically ill adults will be addressed including the effects of culture, ethnicity, age, gender and funding on pharmacologic management. Legal and ethical aspects of prescribing will be also addressed. 

In this course students will master content regarding formulating differential diagnoses of individuals within the acute care setting, along with an introduction to critical diagnostic skills to cultivate evidence based behaviors. An emphasis will be placed on processing client information in a logical, progressive manner and formulating differential diagnoses for critically ill adults and older adults in a practicum experience in a precepted acute care setting. 

In this course the student expands knowledge in care of patients specific to the role of the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) with a focus on common acute care problems and healthcare needs of the adult and older adult patient. The student will explore, analyze, apply, and evaluate acute and chronic health conditions frequently encountered in acute care of adults and older adults. Students will further develop their skills related to patient education, protocol development, follow-up, and referral through a practicum experience in a precepted acute care setting. 

In this course the student will gain knowledge needed to manage the multidimensional care of adolescents, adults, women and at-risk and marginalized populations specific to the role of the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) with a focus on common acute and chronic diseases. The student will explore, analyze, apply and evaluate acute and chronic health conditions frequently encountered in primary care of adolescents, adults and women. Students will further develop their skills related to patient education, protocol development, follow-up and referral through a practicum experience in a precepted primary care setting. 

In this course the student learns theoretical and practical knowledge of diagnostic principles specific to the role of the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP), for the healthcare needs of advanced critically ill adults and older adults. Students will further develop their skills related to health promotion, prevention of illness, diagnosis and management of advanced acute and chronic conditions, including behavioral health. Care strategies will include patient education, protocol development, follow-up and referral through a practicum experience in a precepted advanced acute care setting. 

In this course, students participate in a faculty-supervised lab in which they have the opportunity to learn and practice advanced skills for assessments and procedures used in managing the care of acutely or critically ill adults. 

The student will synthesize all elements of clinical management skills and knowledge and continue to analyze, apply and evaluate diverse aspects of patient assessment and healthcare intervention, with a focus in growing independence. This precepted practicum will be with an approved provider in a complex acute care practice setting. 

The student will continue to synthesize all elements of clinical management skills and knowledge and continue to independently analyze, apply, and evaluate diverse aspects of patient assessment and healthcare intervention. This precepted practicum will be with an approved provider in an advanced acute care practice setting. Focus topics include independent clinical management skills, case studies, chart reviews, and practice critique, with a capstone product evidencing increasing complex acute care clinical management skills. At the end of this course the student will be prepared for entry into clinical practice providing advanced healthcare to critically ill adults and older adults after first passing the national certification for the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. An on-ground intensive review session occurs during the course.