University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing offers Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP
- BSN to DNP – AGACNP
- MSN-to-DNP – AGACNP
- Post Masters Certificate
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | ~$33K | 2 years (full-time) |
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | ~$48K | 3 years (full-time); 4 years (part-time) |
| MSN-DNP AGACNP | ~$21K | 2 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | $12K-$118K | Varies by track |
All programs are delivered 100% online with OSN-coordinated clinical placements (students focus entirely on skill development without securing placements independently), and graduates regularly exceed national first-attempt pass rates with most cohorts achieving 100% ANCC/AACN certification success.
The AGACNP curriculum prepares nurses to provide advanced practice care for physiologically unstable patients experiencing life-threatening illness or injury across the care continuum from disease prevention to critical care.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN: AGACNP program is approximately $33,048 (48 credits × $688.50/credit) and takes approximately 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN requires 48-50 total credits combining rigorous theoretical learning with OSN-secured clinical placements, ensuring students gain robust hands-on experience in real-world acute care settings.
Required Courses:
NURS 705 – Diagnosis, Symptom, and Illness Management (3 units)
Covers diagnostic reasoning and treatment strategies for managing acute illness. Students apply clinical judgment and develop evidence-based care plans for acutely ill patients.
NURS 706 – Introduction to Management of Acute Care Patients (1–2 units)
Introduces the acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) role, focusing on ethics, leadership, communication, and reimbursement fundamentals in acute care settings.
NURS 707 – Assessment and Management for the AGACNP: Clinical Practicum (1–13 units)
Hands-on practicum where students apply diagnostic and management principles to adult and geriatric patients with complex or critical illnesses under preceptor supervision.
NURS 709 – Advanced Prescribing Pharmacology for the Acutely Ill Patient (2 units)
Explores pharmacologic decision-making in acute care environments using an evidence-based approach to prescribing, patient education, and monitoring therapeutic outcomes.
NURS 710 – Management of Chronic Illness in Acute Care (2 units)
Focuses on evidence-based strategies for diagnosing and managing chronic and multisystem disorders in acute care, emphasizing patient-centered and cost-effective approaches.
NURS 711 – Management of Chronic Illness Practicum (3 units)
Practicum emphasizing the clinical and theoretical management of acute conditions. Students collaborate with healthcare teams to deliver and coordinate patient care.
NURS 712 – Management of Comorbid Conditions in Acute Care (1 unit)
Examines advanced nursing practice for adults with comorbid conditions, emphasizing leadership, regulatory policies, and evidence-based care across clinical settings.
NURS 713 – Management of Comorbid Conditions Practicum (3 units)
Immersive practicum refining clinical judgment and care planning for hospitalized adults with multiple complex conditions through collaboration and evidence-based practice.
NURS 714 – Advanced Practice Introduction to Critical Care (3 units)
Enhances advanced practice nurses’ competencies in assessing and managing critically ill patients, with a focus on outcome evaluation and interdisciplinary care.
NURS 715 – Advanced Practice Critical Care Practicum (5 units)
Clinical practicum developing advanced diagnostic and decision-making skills for caring for critically ill adults using technology and collaborative management strategies.
NURS 716 – Advanced Ambulatory Pharmacology (3 units)
Comprehensive review of pharmacologic principles and drug therapy across the lifespan, including prescribing responsibilities and legal considerations for nurse practitioners.
NURS 717 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 units)
Examines physiological and pathological mechanisms behind disease and symptom development across the human lifespan to support advanced clinical assessment.
NURS 735 – Introduction to Knowledge Development and Scientific Inquiry (3 units)
Explores nursing theories and models as foundations for evidence-based research, fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry in nursing practice and leadership.
NURS 736 – Health Care Policy and Social Justice (3 units)
Analyzes healthcare policy, social justice, and leadership strategies that shape advanced nursing practice at local, national, and global levels.
NURS 737 – Populations and Aggregate Health Issues (3 units)
Applies population health principles to disease prevention and health promotion, emphasizing community partnerships, advocacy, and culturally informed practice.
NURS 750 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 units)
Develops comprehensive assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills across the lifespan, integrating humanities and biomedical sciences into clinical evaluation.
NURS 794 – Preparation and Utilization of Evidence-Based Scholarship (1–4 units)
Guides students in applying research and data to create, evaluate, and implement evidence-based projects that advance healthcare quality and equity.
NURS 797 – Thesis (1–6 units)
Capstone research course where students design and conduct an original study, analyze findings, and contribute to nursing science through scholarly writing.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 780 clinical hours in OSN-coordinated supervised settings, allowing complete focus on skill development without the burden of securing placements independently.
Clinical Experiences Include:
- Hospitalist rotations
- Emergency department
- Critical care units
- Specialty areas: cardiology, surgery, nephrology, infectious disease, gastroenterology
- Progressive practicum sequences across multiple courses
- All clinical placements fully coordinated by Orvis School of Nursing
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
Application Deadline: March 1 for fall semester consideration
Academic Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited nursing school
- Overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
- Baccalaureate curriculum must include: statistics, growth and development (covering lifespan), basic research, health assessment
Licensure Requirements:
- Current unencumbered registered nurse licensure in the United States
- Must be eligible to practice as registered nurse in Nevada
Application Materials:
- Statement of intent including graduate-study goals
- Three letters of reference (using OSN form)
- Successful completion of graduate-level applied statistics course prior to fall admission
- Interview may be required
Transfer Credit:
- Graduate-level credit from other universities may satisfy specific course requirements with approval
- Applicants must provide course information for equivalency review
BSN-to-DNP – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP: AGACNP program is approximately $48,195 (70 credits × $688.50/credit) and takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis or 4 years part-time.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The BSN-to-DNP requires 68-72 total credits combining doctoral-level core coursework, advanced clinical practice courses, and DNP Project completion across specialization-specific pathways.
Core Courses:
- NURS 717 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NURS 725 – Scientific Underpinnings & Translational Evidence for the DNP (3 credits)
- NURS 735 – Intro to Knowledge Development and Scientific Inquiry (3 credits)
- NURS 716 – Advanced Ambulatory Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 732 – Economics of Healthcare Delivery (3 credits)
- NURS 736 – Health Care Policy and Social Justice (3 credits)
- NURS 709 – Advanced Prescribing Pharmacology for the Acutely Ill Patient (2 credits)
- NURS 745 – Healthcare Information Systems & Technology (3 credits)
- NURS 737 – Populations and Aggregate Health Issues (3 credits)
- NURS 750 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- NURS 792 – Outcomes Management & Performance Improvement in Nursing (3 credits)
- NURS 728 – Analysis of Healthcare Organizations (3 credits)
- NURS 764 – Practice Development Strategies for the APRN (3 credits)
AGACNP Specialty Courses:
- NURS 705 – Diagnosis, Symptom, and Illness Management (3 credits)
- NURS 706 – Introduction to Management of Acute Care Patients (Lecture) (1-2 credits)
- NURS 707 – Assessment & Management for the AGACNP: Clinical Practicum (1-13 credits)
- NURS 710 – Management of Chronic Illness in Acute Care Lecture (2 credits)
- NURS 711 – Management of Chronic Illness in the Acute Care Patient Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 712 – Management of Comorbid Conditions in Acute Care Lecture (1 credit)
- NURS 713 – Management of Comorbid Conditions in Acute Care Setting Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 714 – Advanced Practice Introduction to Critical Care (Lecture) (3 credits)
- NURS 715 – Advanced Practice Introduction to Critical Care Practicum (5 credits)
DNP Project:
- NURS 765 – Executive/Advanced Practice DNP Residency (4 credits total required)
- NURS 788 – DNP Project (6 credits total required)
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN-DNP Clinicals
Students complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours including 780 direct clinical hours in AGACNP specialty courses plus DNP residency hours, all fully coordinated by OSN.
Clinical Components:
- 780 clinical hours distributed across AGACNP practicum courses
- Hospitalist, emergency department, and critical care unit rotations
- Specialty areas: cardiology, surgery, nephrology, infectious disease, gastroenterology
- DNP residency component (students required to self-place for residency)
- Progressive clinical skill development from basic acute care to advanced critical care management
- OSN coordinates all specialty clinical placements
BSN-DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Application Deadline: March 1 for fall semester consideration
Academic Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from NLNAC or CCNE-accredited nursing school
- Overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
- Baccalaureate curriculum must include: statistics, growth and development (covering lifespan), basic research, health assessment
Licensure Requirements:
- Current unencumbered registered nurse licensure in the United States
- Must be eligible to practice as registered nurse in Nevada
Application Materials:
- Statement of intent including graduate-study goals
- Three letters of recommendation
- Current résumé
- Successful completion of graduate-level applied statistics course prior to fall admission (EDRS 640 at UNR recommended)
- Interview may be required
Transfer Credit:
- Graduate-level credit from other universities may satisfy specific course requirements with approval
- Applicants must provide course information for equivalency review
MSN-to-DNP – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-to-DNP program is approximately $20,655 (30 credits × $688.50/credit) and takes 2 years to complete.
MSN-DNP Curriculum
The MSN-to-DNP requires 30 total credits delivered entirely online except for annual 2-3 day meetings on campus, designed for MSN-prepared nurses already licensed and nationally certified as APRNs.
Required Courses:
- NURS 725 – Scientific Underpinnings & Translational Evidence for the DNP (3 credits)
- NURS 728 – Analysis of Healthcare Organizations (3 credits)
- NURS 732 – Economics of Healthcare Delivery (3 credits)
- NURS 745 – Healthcare Information Systems & Technology (3 credits)
- NURS 792 – Outcomes Management & Performance Improvement in Nursing (3 credits)
- NURS 765 – Executive/Advanced Practice DNP Residency (6 credits total required)
- NURS 788 – DNP Project (6 credits total required)
Advanced Practice Specialization Track:
- NURS 764 – Practice Development Strategies for the APRN (3 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN-DNP Clinicals
The MSN-to-DNP program requires DNP residency hours totaling 6 credits distributed across the program, with students self-placing for the residency component focused on practice scholarship and leadership development rather than direct clinical skill acquisition.
Residency Components:
- 6 total residency credits distributed across program
- Students self-place for residency experiences
- Focus on practice leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice implementation
- Annual on-campus meetings (2-3 days) for collaboration and project development
MSN-DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Application Deadlines:
- Fall admission: March 1 (priority review notification by April 15)
- Spring admission: October 1 (priority review notification by November 15)
Academic Requirements:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with nursing concentration from NLN or CCNE-accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of 3.5 at graduate level
- Graduate-level coursework (grade of B or better) in: pathophysiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, research, nursing theory
Licensure and Certification:
- Licensed at level consistent with DNP study focus
- National certification (or eligibility for certification) in advanced practice role
Application Materials:
- Documentation of clinical and leadership excellence
- Statement of intent including graduate-study goals
- Three letters of recommendation
- Current résumé
Admission Process:
- Eligible applicants reviewed and offered admission on first-come, first-served basis after priority review dates
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate: AGACNP program ranges from approximately $11,705 (17 credits × $688.50/credit) for the APRN Track to $17,901 (26 credits × $688.50/credit) for the MSN Track and varies in duration based on individual track selection.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate offers two tracks: MSN Track (for nurses with MSN degree) requiring 17-26 credits, and APRN Track (for licensed/certified APRNs) requiring 17 credits, both preparing graduates for AGACNP certification.
MSN Track Courses (17-26 credits):
- NURS 705 – Diagnosis, Symptom, and Illness Management (3 credits)
- NURS 706 – Introduction to Management of Acute Care Patients (Lecture) (1-2 credits)
- NURS 707 – Assessment & Management for the AGACNP: Clinical Practicum (1-13 credits)
- NURS 709 – Advanced Prescribing Pharmacology for the Acutely Ill Patient (2 credits)
- NURS 710 – Management of Chronic Illness in Acute Care Lecture (2 credits)
- NURS 711 – Management of Chronic Illness in the Acute Care Patient Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 712 – Management of Comorbid Conditions in Acute Care Lecture (1 credit)
- NURS 713 – Management of Comorbid Conditions in Acute Care Setting Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 714 – Advanced Practice Introduction to Critical Care (Lecture) (3 credits)
- NURS 715 – Advanced Practice Introduction to Critical Care Practicum (5 credits)
APRN Track Courses (17 credits):
- NURS 705 – Diagnosis, Symptom, and Illness Management (3 credits)
- NURS 707 – Assessment & Management for the AGACNP: Clinical Practicum (1-13 credits)
- NURS 709 – Advanced Prescribing Pharmacology for the Acutely Ill Patient (2 credits)
- NURS 711 – Management of Chronic Illness in the Acute Care Patient Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 712 – Management of Comorbid Conditions in Acute Care Lecture (1 credit)
- NURS 713 – Management of Comorbid Conditions in Acute Care Setting Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 714 – Advanced Practice Introduction to Critical Care (Lecture) (3 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 500-780 clinical hours depending on track (MSN Track: 780 hours; APRN Track: reduced hours based on prior clinical experience), all coordinated by OSN in diverse acute care settings.
Clinical Experiences:
- Hospitalist rotations
- Emergency department
- Critical care units
- Specialty areas: cardiology, surgery, nephrology, infectious disease, gastroenterology
- Progressive practicum sequences building from basic to advanced critical care management
- OSN coordinates all clinical placements
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
Application Deadlines:
- Fall admission: March 1
- Spring admission: October 1
MSN Track Requirements:
- Master of Science in Nursing from CCNE or NLN-accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or better
- Current unrestricted/unencumbered RN licensure in Nevada or eligible for Nevada licensure
APRN Track Requirements:
- Licensed and nationally certified as APRN (NP, CNS, CNM, or CRNA)
- Master of Science in Nursing from CCNE or NLN-accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or better
- Current unrestricted/unencumbered RN licensure in Nevada or eligible for Nevada licensure
Application Materials:
- Résumé including education, professional and community service experience
- Letter of intent (single-spaced, 12-point font, maximum 1,000 words) explaining:
- Why you chose University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing
- How you envision functioning in AGACNP role as part of interprofessional team
- Three letters of recommendation
Federal Financial Aid Note: Students enrolled solely in certificate program are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid.
Tuition
Graduate tuition for University of Nevada, Reno is $353.50 per credit hour, with an additional nursing differential fee of $335 per credit hour for 600- and 700-level nursing courses, totaling $688.50 per credit hour for AGACNP programs.
Additional Fees:
- Athletics and Recreation Fee: $3.50 per credit
- Technology Fee: $18.00 per credit
- Counseling Services Fee: $70.00 flat rate (7 or more credits)
- Fitness Center Fee: $55.00 flat rate
- Health Center Fee: $61.00 flat rate
- Joe Crowley Student Union Fee: $3.00 per credit
- Performing Arts Fee: $5.00 per credit
- Online Learning Fee: $34.00 per online course
- Application Fee: $60.00 (domestic students), $95.00 (international students)
- New Student Fee: $35.00 (one-time)
- Graduation Fee: $145.00
See the official tuition page for more details.
Application Deadlines
MSN AGACNP:
- Fall Admission: March 1
BSN-to-DNP AGACNP:
- Fall Admission: March 1
MSN-to-DNP:
- Fall Admission: March 1 (priority review notification by April 15)
- Spring Admission: October 1 (priority review notification by November 15)
Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP:
- Fall Admission: March 1
- Spring Admission: October 1
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Graduates of the AGACNP program are eligible to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam offered by both the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), with Orvis graduates regularly exceeding the national first-attempt pass rate and most cohorts achieving 100% certification success.