With increasing patient acuity, an aging population, and a growing need for highly skilled clinicians at the bedside, acute care nurse practitioners are in great demand, and the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner – acute care major (AGNP-AC) in the Duke MSN Program offers excellent preparation. The AGNP-AC major focuses on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver nursing care to individuals from adolescence to older adulthood across acute care settings, including care of individuals in rural and under- served areas. Intensive courses, state-of-the-art simulation techniques, and immersion in clinical rotations maximize the learning experience and enable students to become active members of an interprofessional health care team.

On-campus intensives and state-of-the-art simulation techniques supplement an established program designed to prepare nurse practitioners for management of patients across acute care settings. Example of practice settings include urgent care and emergency departments, hospitalist and intensive care services and step-down units in academic, community, or critical access environments.

This major is also available as a Post-Graduate Certificate.