Online acute care nurse practitioner programs are a great option for nurses looking to expand their professional skillset and earn their MSN. However, there are some things that prospective students need to consider before applying.
Don’t just meet the minimum admission requirements — go above and beyond. That extra effort will pay off when it comes time to apply for clinical and get admitted to the program.
Get Accredited!
Accredited acute care nurse practitioner programs online offer specialized education and training for nursing professionals. Generally, these graduate programs will require students to complete a nursing degree and also provide instruction in advanced pharmacology and health care research.
In addition, students should look for a program with a high minimum admissions criteria. Students can increase their chances of acceptance into an online ACNP program at Arkansas State University by exceeding these minimum requirements.
Applicants should also ensure that organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education properly accredit the school. This will ensure the program is a quality educational experience and provides valuable, marketable skills to graduates. Aside from accreditation, prospective nurses should also consider applying for financial aid and scholarships. This will help them pay for the cost of tuition.
Get a Job
Many nurses’ desire to boost their career opportunities and work independently of physicians strongly motivates them to pursue an acute care nurse practitioner degree. However, the process can be daunting.
Whether the program is online or in person, students must be prepared for intense and demanding study and sacrifice certain aspects of their lives.
Get a Mentor
A nurse mentor can be critical to your success in an online acute care nurse practitioner program. They can be objective advisors to help you navigate the academic rigor and serve as teachers and friends who will help you grow in your nursing career.
According to Emerging RN Leader, mentorship goes beyond daily guidance and may include helping nurses make important career decisions. Many sites provide person-to-person mentoring interactions that complement and enhance online communications.
Get Your Clinical Sites
Many online acute care nurse practitioner programs provide clinical placements to allow students to practice classroom learning. These sites can be in hospitals, specialty clinics, or long-term care facilities. They also help students meet certification requirements for the role.
Acute care NPs work with patients recovering from surgery, injury, or severe illness. They use their advanced nursing skills and medical knowledge to assess patients, make diagnostic judgments, and prescribe treatments.
Online ACNP programs generally offer classes via a university’s learning management system, with students meeting online at a set time to interact with instructors and classmates. Some programs also offer prerecorded lectures that can be watched on-demand. This gives students flexibility that may appeal to busy professionals.
Take Care of Yourself
The highs of nursing can be paired with the lows of seeing patients deteriorate and even losing patients whom you build warm relationships with. Managing these emotions can be difficult for nurses, so finding ways to connect with others and stay emotionally healthy is important.
Creating and sticking to a routine can help nurses stay on track with their schoolwork.
