Bellarmine University offers 2 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN-AGACNP)
- Post-Master’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The MSN-AGACNP program is online with only one required on-campus visit during the entire program.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $44,625 | 2 years (part-time) |
| Certificate AGACNP | $16,830 | ~1 year |
Bellarmine professors work as active nurse practitioners in the community, and practicum hours can be completed at locations in your area with preceptor supervision coordinated through the clinical coordinator.
MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is $44,625 and would take 2 years to complete on a part-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 45-credit program combines nursing core courses, a cognate course in bioethics, and specialty courses focused on acute care practice:
Nursing Core Courses:
NURS 600 Health Policy (2cr)
This course teaches how health policy and politics shape care delivery and health system rules. Students review laws, regulations, and payment or delivery changes that affect care. Students also plan provider actions that reduce health disparities and support policy change.
NURS 604 Transition to Advanced Practice (3cr)
This course prepares students for advanced practice roles and professional leadership. Students study role history, role theory, and team leadership in health organizations. Students practice communication, writing, presentations, and basic tech skills to support safe and efficient care.
NURS 605 Clinical Prevention and Population Health (2cr)
This course trains students to plan and test prevention and health promotion programs for groups and communities. Students use epidemiology and population data to guide decisions. Students also apply social and cultural factors to build patient-centered interventions.
NURS 620 Quality and Safety in Healthcare (2cr)
This course introduces patient safety and quality improvement methods. Students learn how to measure quality and interpret common quality metrics. Students also review how to apply these methods across care settings.
NURS 621 Informatics and Clinical Decision Making (3cr)
This course covers how informatics supports clinical decisions and care improvement. Students use health technology to collect, organize, and analyze data. Students also evaluate safe use of new tools and the risks of poor system design.
NURS 624 Introduction to Knowledge Translation: Evidence to Practice (3cr)
This course teaches how to turn research evidence into clinical practice. Students write focused clinical questions, search for evidence, and judge study quality. Students then apply findings to real practice problems to support better outcomes.
Cognate Course:
This course applies ethical theory to common problems in healthcare practice. Students examine moral duties, patient rights, and professional responsibilities. Students also use team discussion to resolve cases that involve conflict and risk.
Specialty Courses:
NURS 611 Advanced Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (3cr)
This course builds advanced assessment skills for adult and pediatric patients. Students practice system-focused exams through lab, demonstration, and supervised practice. Students also link findings to anatomy and physiology to support clinical reasoning.
NURS 629 Pathophysiologic Concepts for Clinical Decision Making (3cr)
This course explains disease mechanisms that guide assessment and treatment choices. Students connect pathophysiology to prevention, early detection, and ongoing disease control. Students use this knowledge to strengthen critical thinking in clinical cases.
NURS 650 Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice (3cr)
This course prepares students to select and manage medications in advanced practice. Students study drug actions, safe prescribing, and monitoring for benefit and harm. Students apply dosing and patient factors to build effective treatment plans.
NURS 665 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Pharmacology (1cr)
This course focuses on medication management for acutely ill adult and older adult patients. Students review drug classes, indications, and adverse effects in critical illness. Students also learn titration and maintenance strategies used in high-acuity care.
NURS 669 Adult Gerontology Acute Care I (6.5cr)
This course combines class and practicum work for acute and critical illness in adults and older adults. Students learn assessment, differential diagnosis, and management using tests and high-acuity interventions. Students deliver supervised acute care that uses evidence, ethics, and cost-aware decisions.
NURS 670 Adult Gerontology Acute Care II (6.5cr)
This course continues AGACNP acute care management with advanced case complexity. Students refine diagnosis and treatment plans for episodic and chronic critical illness. Students also strengthen safe use of diagnostics and therapies with attention to outcomes and cost.
NURS 673 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Comprehensive Practicum (4cr)
This practicum integrates prior coursework in the care of unstable and high-risk adult and older adult patients. Students assess, diagnose, and manage complex illness across admission, transition, and discharge. Students complete full histories and exams, document findings, and build evidence-based plans with a preceptor.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Clinical practicum requirements are integrated throughout the specialty courses, with students completing clinical hours at locations in their area supervised by preceptors.
The program includes three advanced practice courses (Adult Gerontology Acute Care I, Adult Gerontology Acute Care II, and Comprehensive Practicum) totaling 17 credits of clinical experience, preparing students to perform advanced skills including central line placement, arterial line placement, and intubation.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- BSN from CCNE or ACEN accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Two professional references from managers, directors, or professors
- Goal statement describing career plans
- Resume detailing relevant work, professional, and volunteer experience
- Active, unrestricted RN license in Kentucky and/or compact state
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- GRE scores if requested
- Vaccination requirements per CDC guidelines
- Grades of B- or higher required in NURS 611, 629, 650, 665, 669, and 670
Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate is $16,830 and would take approximately 1 year to complete.
This certificate is designed for registered nurses who hold an MSN degree in another concentration.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires 18 semester credits in four specialty courses:
- NURS 665 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Pharmacology (1cr)
- NURS 669 Adult Gerontology Acute Care I (6.5cr)
- NURS 670 Adult Gerontology Acute Care II (6.5cr)
- NURS 673 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Comprehensive Practicum (4cr)
Students who have not completed Advanced Physical Assessment (NURS 611), Pathophysiologic Concepts (NURS 629), or Pharmacotherapeutics (NURS 650) must complete these prerequisites, bringing total credits to 27.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements mirror the MSN track’s advanced practice courses, with 17 credits of direct clinical experience across three specialty courses.
Students complete practicum hours at local facilities with coordinated preceptor supervision, developing competencies in critical care management, disease prevention, and acute care interventions for adult and geriatric populations.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- MSN degree in another concentration
- Active RN licensure
- Students are not eligible for federal financial aid
Tuition
Graduate tuition for the MSN-AGACNP program is $820 per credit hour plus $85 per credit hour for AGACNP specialty courses, totaling $905 per credit for specialty courses.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Master’s degree program in nursing at Bellarmine University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to apply for certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Other ACNP Programs for Kentucky Nurses
- Northern Kentucky University - Highland Heights
- University of Kentucky - Lexington
- University of Louisville - Louisville