MSN – Acute Care
When students enroll in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, they must choose one area in which to specialize. Most programs include acute care as one of the choices. Acute care is immediate medical care to treat extreme but brief illnesses. Acute care nurses are qualified to work in a number of facilities and situations, including emergency rooms and on ambulances.
Overview of a MSN – Acute Care Program
- Students learn to provide direct patient care to adults with critical and complex illnesses.
- Students learn how to manage patient behavior and how to communicate with family members in highly emotional states.
- Students gain comprehensive knowledge of nursing theory and research, critical thinking, differential diagnosis, problem solving, case analysis and advanced technical skills.
- Most programs require clinical rotations so students learn best care practices and gain hands-on experience.
- Students learn how to integrate the patient’s care across the field of acute care services in association with other health care professionals, families, and patients.
Steps to Become a Acute Care Nurse
- Earn an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.
- Receive a Registered Nurse Certification.
- Enroll and complete a MSN program with a concentration in acute care.
- Obtain ACNP certification and proper licensure, which varies by state.
Acute Care Nurse Salary and Career Information
- Estimated Salary: $53,844 – $109,000 (determined by place of employment and area of specialty), according to Payscale.com.
- Job Setting: Private practices, outpatient care centers, nursing homes, hospitals (intensive care unit), neonatal unit, internal medicine clinics, ambulatory care, family practice offices.
- Job Prospects: Excellent, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Online MSN for Nurse Practitioners – Acute Care Degrees
There are currently no Acute Care MSN programs available.
Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree
Online nurse practitioner programs have grown in popularity in recent years as more accredited schools have begun offering online alternatives to these degrees. Combining flexibility with the lack of campus visitation required these programs are ideal for working professionals. By clicking on links below, you can request information from each school about its tuition, classes, and programs.
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Georgetown University — Stationed out of Washington DC, Georgetown University is a cultural and social hub and is one of the oldest schools in the nation. The school has two online nursing programs available, an MSN in Family Nursing and an MSN in Midwifery and Women's Health. Georgetown is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. |
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Kaplan University — Kaplan University's online presence is almost unmatched, offering over 170 online degrees and programs, including MSN in Nurse Administration, MSN in Nurse Education, and MSN in Nurse Informatics. However, there are also 70 campuses across the country for those interested in a more traditional education. Kaplan is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. |
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University of Phoenix — While it may not be surprising that the University of Phoenix is based in Phoenix, AZ, the school does have over 200 additional locations around the country. Phoenix has more than 200 online programs available, with nursing degrees in Health Education, Health Informatics, and a general track. Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. |
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American Sentinel University — American Sentinel University is an online college focused on technology, business, and healthcare. The school offers several nursing programs like the RN to MSN bridge programs or the MSN in Nursing Informatics. All of these programs require no campus visitation and can be completed online entirely. ASU has an accreditation by the Distance Education and Training Council. |
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Capella University — Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Capella University is an online school with over 37000 current students across the nation. Its online programs like MSN in Nurse Educator (Bridge option also available) have one-to-one tutoring, accelerated study, and low student to teacher ratios. Capella holds several accreditations, including The Higher Learning Commission and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. |
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