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Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Assist the Critically Ill

The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) is educated to provide comprehensive, holistic care for patients with episodic, critical, and complex illness or injury, as well as chronic disease exacerbations. 

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Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Overview

The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) graduate is prepared to:

  • Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning and integrate pathophysiological, pharmacological, and diagnostic knowledge to manage complex, acutely ill adult and older adult patients across settings by applying evidence-based, patient-centered care principles.
  • Lead and collaborate effectively with interprofessional teams in both hospital and specialty outpatient environments to coordinate care transitions, manage post-acute follow-up, and advocate for systems-level improvements that enhance patient outcomes and safety.
  • Apply systems thinking and knowledge of healthcare delivery structures to effectively manage care in high-acuity inpatient and outpatient specialty settings, optimizing resource use, facilitating safe discharges, and improving longitudinal care planning for patients with complex needs.
  • Demonstrate ethical reasoning and cultural humility when addressing complex, emotionally charged care scenarios in acute and specialty care settings. 

Program Length

The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Track is completed in 8 semesters

Mode

Hybrid (synchronous and asynchronous online learning with some on-campus activities required)

Clinical

Gain hands-on experience through 840 Direct Patient Care Hours

Pass Rates

Our combined national certification pass rate stands at 87%

Track Information

    Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification from the American Nurses' Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates are eligible to become certified or licensed to practice.

    Contact Us

    Heidi Favero, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN
    Specialty Track Director
    Heidi.Favero@hci.utah.edu

    Shelley Kern, MPC
    DNP Program Manager
    shelley.kern@nurs.utah.edu

    Faculty

    Our faculty come from various backgrounds, providing our students with learning opportunities from experts in multiple clinical areas. Our faculty specialize in areas such as:  hospitalist nursing, internal medicine, and intensive care, as well as other clinical specialties. The AG-ACNP role is widely applicable in the health care workforce, and we are proud to have this reflected within our faculty.

    Faculty Directory