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Indiana University

Degree Options

Master of Science in Nursing

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The acute care nurse practitioner major is a 43-credit-hour, 600-clinical-hour program that prepares students to provide direct patient care to adults with complex, acute illnesses. Many times these patients have multiple problems and chronic underlying conditions. Graduates will be eligible for certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Association as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.  The program is designed for either part-time or full-time study.  You must have a minimum of two years' recent full-time critical care or emergency department experience before applying.

The curriculum focuses on adults with complex, acute illnesses who are cared for in intensive care units, emergency departments, trauma units, or specialty practices. The major emphasizes critical thinking, case analysis and problem solving, and the research process in collaboration with other health care professionals.

What is a nurse practitioner (NP)?

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who use theory, research, and clinical expertise to improve the health of people of all ages. As a health care provider, the nurse practitioner may:

  • Assess patient health status
  • Provide disease prevention and health promotion services
  • Diagnose and treat common acute health problems
  • Manage care for stable, but chronically ill, patients
  • Manage prenatal care during pregnancy
  • Participate in, or manage, clinical research projects
Potential employment opportunities for acute care nurse practitioner graduates:
  • Intensive care units
  • Trauma units
  • Specialty practices
  • Cardiopulmonary
  • Neurology
  • Surgery
  • Oncology
  • Emergency departments
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Home health care
Curriculum

Review the list of School of Nursing course descriptions.

Core courses (9 credits) Credits
N502 Nursing Theory I 3
N504 Leadership for Advanced Practice Nursing 3
R500 Nursing Research 3
Courses in the major (27-28 credits) Credits
Y515 Pathophysiology 4
Y550 Physical Health Assessment 3
Y612 Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners 3
S674 Management of Acutely Ill Adult I 6
S675 Management of Acutely Ill Adult II 6
S676 Management of Acutely Ill Adult III 6
Directed study (3-6 credits) Credits
R590 Nursing Study 3
OR  
R699 Master's Thesis in Nursing 3-6

For specific questions about this major, please contact:

Julie Settles MSN, APRN, BC, ACNP, CEN
Assistant Clinical Professor
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Coordinator
jsettles [at] iupui [dot] edu
(317) 274-4456