East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers 2 Acute Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
- BSN to DNP – AGACNP
- MSN to DNP – AGACNP
The program follows a blended online format with primarily asynchronous coursework and required virtual intensives held twice per year.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP ACNP | ~$50,400 | 9 semesters (~3 years full-time) |
| MSN-DNP ACNP | ~$20,832 | ~2 years full-time |
Students benefit from a joint partnership with Tennessee Tech University, dedicated clinical placement support, and full-time or part-time study options designed for working nurses. Graduates qualify to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner national certification exam.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP) – ACNP
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program is approximately $50,400 for Tennessee residents (75 credits × $672 per credit) and would take about 3 years (9 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The 75-credit curriculum includes core DNP coursework, acute care concentration courses, and a scholarly DNP project.
Core Courses (35 credits):
- NRSE 5000 – Conceptual Systems for Advanced Nursing Practice
- NRSE 5001 – Nursing Research for Evidence-Based Practice
- NRSE 5006 – Advanced Role Development
- NRSE 5009 – Advanced Health Assessment Throughout the Life Span
- NRSE 5010 – Advanced Health Assessment Lifespan Practicum
- NRSE 5016 – Advanced Pathophysiology
- NRSE 5018 – Advanced Clinical Pharmacology
- NRSE 5100 – Principles of Population Health and Data Analysis
- NRSE 6002 – Health Policy Leadership
- NRSE 6050 – Quality/Translation
- NRSE 6713 – Systems Management
ACNP Concentration (28 credits):
NRSE 5604 – Advanced Pathophysiology and Clinical Reasoning for Acute Disease Management I (3 credits)
This course teaches students to link pathophysiology with advanced assessment findings to form accurate diagnoses. Students use current evidence to guide management decisions for complex acute and chronic problems in hospitalized adults and older adults.
NRSE 5608 – Advanced Pathophysiology and Clinical Reasoning for Acute Disease Management II (3 credits)
This course focuses on advanced analysis of complex disease processes in critically ill adults. Students apply evidence-based clinical reasoning to diagnose and manage high-acuity acute and chronic conditions.
NRSE 5612 – Acute Care and Pharmacotherapeutics (3 credits)
This course covers medication selection and monitoring for adults with acute, chronic, and critical illness. Students evaluate drug therapy plans to support safe and effective acute care management.
NRSE 5613 – Advanced Pathophysiology and Clinical Reasoning for Acute Disease Management Practicum I (2 credits)
This practicum provides supervised clinical application of advanced assessment and pathophysiology concepts. Students practice diagnostic reasoning and management planning for hospitalized adults and older adults with complex conditions.
NRSE 5610 – Diagnostic Interpretation and Therapeutic Modalities (3 credits)
This course develops skill in selecting and interpreting diagnostic tests for complex adult and geriatric patients. Students match results to appropriate therapies to support care in acute and critical settings.
NRSE 5614 – Advanced Pathophysiology and Clinical Reasoning for Acute Disease Management Practicum II (2 credits)
This practicum places students in clinical settings that serve critically ill adults and older adults. Students apply advanced disease management concepts to real-time decision-making in high-acuity care.
NRSE 5617 – Diagnostic Interpretation and Therapeutic Modalities Practicum (2 credits)
This practicum strengthens hands-on skills in diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning. Students use advanced assessment, testing, and therapeutic tools to manage complex acute and critical conditions in adults and older adults.
NRSE 5616 – Internship in Acute Care NP Practice (2 credits)
This internship supports role readiness through integrated acute care practice. Students synthesize prior coursework to deliver advanced clinical management, prevention, and health promotion for common acute and chronic problems.
NRSE 6021 – Integrative Application of Advanced Practice Skills (2 credits)
This course supports the transition into the DNP role in acute care practice. Students integrate advanced practice skills to diagnose and manage acute and chronic problems in adult and older adult populations.
NRSE 6022 – Strategic Planning for Healthcare Delivery (2 credits)
This course explains how leaders plan and improve healthcare services across systems. Students analyze industry pressures and develop practical strategies for delivery models in settings such as hospitals, networks, public health, and private practices.
NRSE 6023 – Palliative/End of Life Care and the APN (2 credits)
This course teaches palliative and end-of-life care for advanced practice nurses. Students apply cultural care principles and ethical decision-making to assess, manage, and evaluate care for seriously ill patients and their families.
NRSE 6024 – Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology (2 credits)
This course applies advanced pathophysiology to acute care decision-making in adults and older adults. Students integrate disease mechanisms with clinical management plans for high-risk acute problems.
DNP Project (12 credits):
- NRSE 6801–6804 – Project Identification, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation
For detailed curriculum information, see the official catalog page
BSN-DNP Clinicals
Students complete advanced clinical practicums and a structured internship in acute care settings. Clinical hours focus on adult and gerontology populations in hospitals and specialty clinics. ETSU and TTU assist with clinical site agreements and preceptor placement.
BSN-DNP Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet Graduate School and College of Nursing standards. Key requirements include:
- BSN from an accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Unencumbered U.S. RN license
- Two years of full-time RN experience
- Personal statement in APA format
- Resume or CV
- Interview
- Dual application through NursingCAS and ETSU Graduate School
Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN to DNP) – ACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program is approximately $20,832 for Tennessee residents (31 credits × $672 per credit) and would take about 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN-DNP Curriculum
The 31-credit pathway includes advanced leadership coursework and a DNP scholarly project.
Core (11 credits):
- NRSE 5030 – Scholarly Writing
- NRSE 5100 – Population Health and Data Analysis
- NRSE 6050 – Quality/Translation
- NRSE 6713 – Systems Management
ACNP Concentration (8 credits):
- NRSE 6021 – Integrative Application
- NRSE 6022 – Strategic Planning
- NRSE 6023 – Palliative and End-of-Life Care
- NRSE 6024 – Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology
DNP Project (12 credits):
- NRSE 6801–6804
More curriculum details available here.
MSN-DNP Clinicals
Students complete DNP project residency experiences and integrative practice experiences aligned with acute care leadership and systems management. Clinical components build on prior APRN certification.
MSN-DNP Admissions Requirements
Applicants must hold an MSN with APRN certification in a related specialty. Additional requirements include:
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Unencumbered RN license
- National certification in specialty area
- Professional resume
- Personal statement
- Interview
Tuition
Graduate tuition is structured per credit hour:
- Tennessee Residents: $672 per credit
- eRate (online out-of-state): $835.50 per credit
- Out-of-State: $1,513 per credit
- Additional university and program fees may apply
See the official tuition page for more details.
Application Deadlines
BSN-DNP students are admitted in the Fall term. Applicants should review the College of Nursing website for current application cycles and deadlines.
Accreditation
The ETSU-TTU DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
More Tennessee ACNP Programs
- Tennessee Tech University - Cookeville
- University of Memphis - Memphis
- College of Nursing - Memphis
- Vanderbilt University - Nashville