What can I do with a degree in Nursing as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

Graduates of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialization are eligible to seek national certification as acute care nurse practitioners. Graduates are in high demand and obtain positions in a variety of acute/critical care settings. 

How many credit hours are required for this degree?

The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration of the MSN requires 48 credit hours.

What are the prerequisites for admission to this program?

Applicants must have completed a college-level statistics course and a health assessment course prior to admission.

Am I able to attend part-time?

The program can be completed in five semesters of full-time study or part-time over 8 terms.

What criteria must be met for admission to this program?*

Cumulative GPA of 3.0, GRE or MAT taken within the last 5 years with a minimum combined score of 1000 on verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE or a minimum score of 400 on the MAT.  Applicants must also have current and unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with eligibility for Florida RN licensure and a minimum of one year practice experience as a registered nurse.

*Meeting the required criteria does not guarantee admission into the program.

What are the deadline dates for this program?

The MSN program admits students for the spring semester only.  Applications will be accepted through December.

Can I begin taking classes for my master’s degree as a non-degree seeking student?

Yes, you may take up to nine credit hours (three classes) as a post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking student prior to admission into the program.  These courses may count toward the completion of your degree.  See college advisors for approval of courses and assistance with registration after submitting a post-baccalaureate non-degree application to the Office of Graduate Studies.

I have a Master's degree already.  Do I need to take GREs?

No, if your degree is from an accredited university.  The Admission Committee, however, will look very closely at the academic record both for your undergraduate and graduate work.

I do not have a bachelor's degree in nursing.  What might be an acceptable bachelor's degree?

Biology or biochemistry might be acceptable.  Education, psychology, business are generally not.  Transcripts will be reviewed by the Admission Committee after application.  It will depend on the specific coursework taken by the applicant.

I had several years of experience in the ICU as a respiratory therapist, or ER experience as a paramedic or some health care professional other than nursing.  Will that fulfill the requirement for acute care nursing experience?

No.  All of your life and professional experiences will be considered.  But experience as a registered nurse is essential.  The minimum of one year will not be waived.

I had several years of experience in the ICU as a registered nurse before I earned my BSN.  Does this experience count as acute care nursing experience?

Yes.

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Accreditation

Florida Gulf Coast University is accredited by the

Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees.

1866 Southern Lane

Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097

Telephone number 404-679-4501

Florida Gulf Coast University School of Nursing baccalaureate nursing program
is fully accredited through the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120
(202-887-6791)
for initial program accreditation.

Florida Gulf Coast University School of Nursing baccalaureate nursing program
is fully approved by the
Florida Board of Nursing
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C02
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3257
(850) 488-0595
Program approval extends from 2001-2006

Florida Gulf Coast University MSN Nurse Anesthesia Program
is accredited by the
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
222 South Prospect Avenue

Park Ridge, IL.  60068

(847) 655-1160

The program's next accreditation review by the COA  is scheduled for May 2009