- Navigate this page:
- Admission Requirements
- Curriculum Snapshot
- Clinical Placement Services
- FAQs
Online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate Program (AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate)
Become Certified to Care for Adults and Older Adults with Acute Illness
If you’re an active, advanced practice nurse practitioner looking to bolster your clinical competencies, you can expand your scope of practice through Rockhurst University’s Online AGACNP Post-Master’s Certificate. Our program will allow you to:
- Become certified to care for adults and older adults with acute and complex conditions in fields such as cardiology, oncology, endocrinology and more
- Participate in an accredited program focused on scholarship, leadership, discovery and ethical practices delivered by Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Complete the program in just 4 semesters* and broaden your career opportunities
Guided by Jesuit values, Rockhurst University prepares adult-gerontology acute care advanced practice nurses to care for the needs of the whole person through rigorous academics, rich and varied clinical experiences, and a spirit of inquiry and reflection.
Affordable
Competitive tuition
Graduate in 1.25 years
Transform your career in as few as 4 semesters*
Free clinical placement
Preceptor matching services
*may vary depending on evaluation of your MSN courses
The online MSN-AGACNP Program is available for residents in the following states:
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Nursing is a work of Heart.
Director of Rockhurst University Graduate Nursing Programs Dr. Barbara Ludwig and Associate Dean of Nursing/Chief Nursing Administrator Kristina Henry are joined by MSN students to share their goals, experiences and what students can expect from Rockhurst University’s Graduate Nursing programs.
-
- MSN degree from an accredited institution
- Active nursing license
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Check state authorization
- Must reside in one of the following states: Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia
- While we welcome all students, students must provide proof of immigration status for clinical placement.
-
-
-
-
- MSN degree from an accredited institution
- Active nursing license
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Check state authorization
- Must reside in one of the following states: Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia
- While we welcome all students, students must provide proof of immigration status for clinical placement.
-
This course is designed to provide acute care nurse practitioner students the knowledge of a variety of topics commonly encountered in the acute care setting. The students will increase their knowledge of advanced pharmacologic management, advanced pathophysiology, and diagnostic testing interpretation of hospitalized and critically-ill patients, while applying advanced knowledge gained through previous or concurrent coursework. (1 credit) Prerequisites or Concurrent: NUA 5650, NUA 5750, NUA 5950
-
-
-
This course is designed to provide acute care nurse practitioner students the knowledge of a variety of topics commonly encountered in the acute care setting. The students will increase their knowledge of advanced pharmacologic management, advanced pathophysiology, and diagnostic testing interpretation of hospitalized and critically-ill patients, while applying advanced knowledge gained through previous or concurrent coursework. (1 credit) Prerequisites or Concurrent: NUA 5650, NUA 5750, NUA 5950
Learn More
Get your guide to find out more about our AGACNP Post-Master's curriculum.
How does the clinical placement process work?
You’ll work with a dedicated Rockhurst Student Success Advisor who will walk you through the process and be your primary point of contact. Based on your goals and where you live, the placement team will identify an appropriate site and preceptor for you.
How should I prepare for nursing clinicals?
You will be in close communication with your Student Success Advisor all the way through to graduation. They will ensure you complete all requirements and meet deadlines, and will answer your questions, verify your clearance requirements, and walk you through the nursing clinicals checklist.
When will I receive my clinical placement details?
You will receive a notification from your Student Success Advisor prior to each clinical start date. Once the placement has been confirmed and communicated, you are encouraged to begin working directly with your preceptor to establish a schedule.
What can I expect during nursing clinicals?
All clinical experiences are a bit different because students work in a variety of health care environments. During clinical rotations, you will be under the close supervision of your preceptor and the indirect supervision of Rockhurst clinical faculty.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you don’t find the answers to your questions here, contact your Rockhurst University (RU) enrollment adviser and schedule a time to talk that’s convenient for you.
The Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Rockhurst University and Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
You will learn from active clinicians who bring real-world experience into the online classroom. As trusted Rockhurst faculty members, they are committed to your success as an advanced practice nurse.
Yes. Clinical placement services are built into the cost of the program. You’ll work with your Student Success Advisor who will walk you through the process and be your primary point of contact. Based on your goals and where you live, the placement team will work to help source and secure placement sites.
This online program can be completed in 4 semesters or more, depending on evaluation of your MSN courses.
The Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate program requires 20 credits of coursework and 750 clinical hours to graduate.*
*may vary depending on evaluation of your MSN courses
Our Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate program costs $780 per credit hour, for a total program investment of $15,600, plus fees.* Financial aid may be available to our online students.
*may vary depending on evaluation of your MSN courses
Lori Walters, Dual MSN-AGACNP | MSN-FNP graduate, Rockhurst University
Austin Dye, MSN-AGACNP student, Rockhurst University
Alison Cantualla, MSN-AGACNP student, Rockhurst University
CAMPUS IMMERSIONS FOR ONLINE AGACNP POST-MASTER'S CERTIFICATE STUDENTS
In addition to one virtual immersion, Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate students will attend one clinical immersion on the Rockhurst campus in Kansas City, Missouri, for three days of clinical instruction in the new, state-of-the-art simulation lab and renovated nursing facilities. In these immersive clinical experiences, students will receive hands-on skills training, complete high- and low-fidelity simulation, and demonstrate competencies through objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).
Following the clinical immersion, students will return home and continue their online coursework. Additionally, they will complete the rest of their clinical hours at a predetermined site under the direct supervision of a licensed preceptor and the indirect supervision of a Rockhurst clinical faculty supervisor.
ACUTE VS. PRIMARY CARE NURSE PRACTITIONERS
The scope of practice is uniquely different.
Acute Care NPs care for patients who are physiologically unstable, technologically dependent, highly vulnerable to complications, and require frequent monitoring and intervention.
Primary Care NPs care for stable patients across the life span, emphasizing wellness education, comprehensive health maintenance, and management of chronic conditions.
