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The ACPNP program trains nurses to manage complex pediatric conditions and reduce health risks.

Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program Description

The pediatric acute nurse practitioner (ACPNP) program is designed for advanced practice nurses dedicated to addressing the intricate physiological and psychological needs of children with complex acute and chronic health conditions. 

In accordance with this practice focus, ACPNP role activities encompass a wide range of NP practice strategies including contributions to the management of children’s illness/health states, the client-nurses relationship, the teaching-coaching function, the professional role, managing and negotiating healthcare delivery systems, monitoring and ensuring the quality of health care practice, providing family centered care, and demonstrating cultural competency. 

The short-term goal of care is stabilization of the child, minimizing complications, and providing physical and psychological care measures. The long-term goal of care is to restore maximal health potential through implementation of NP strategies to reduce health risks. The continuum of care spans the geographic settings of the home, emergency departments, hospitals, sub-specialty clinics, and intensive care units.

 

The program is divided into 4 parts:

  1. Prerequisite Courses: Pharmacology I & II, Physical Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology meet up in person  up to several times a quarter when they are scheduled.
  2. Clinical Experience: The clinical experience is a combination of clinician hours and DNP Project hours to total at least 1,400 hours. All clinical site placements provided.
  3. DNP Project: The DNP Project can be done in the workplace allowing students to collect evidence-based practice data.

Program Length

The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner BS to DNP program is 3 years and 9 months full-time. The program can be taken part-time or full-time and must be completed within 7 years.

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