[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are considering a nurse practitioner (NP) career, but need to continue working during graduate school, you may consider an online acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) program. Online NP programs offer convenience and flexibility, allowing students to continue working while getting a master’s degree in nursing or a doctoral degree in nursing practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn what to look for in online acute care nurse practitioner programs, why accreditation is important, and how to apply for and pay for an NP program. Finally, see our list of the top online acute care NP programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use a [hen-ui-link href=”/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best online acute care NP programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: Academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn About the Best Online Acute Care NP Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”strokeLight” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″][hen-ui-icon icon=”badge-check” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] How We Rank Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This list is from 2023.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an Online Acute Care NP Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are several important factors to consider when narrowing down your best options. These include the admission requirements, specializations, clinical experience requirements, and online learning formats.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Examining essential data points, such as graduation rates, can tell you what you need to know about a program’s quality before applying. These data points also contribute to the selection of our top picks.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Is Online Acute Care NP Program Accreditation Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]accreditation process for nursing programs[/hen-ui-link] involves third-party experts who review a program’s instructors, course content, clinical requirements, and other aspects of the program to ensure it meets quality benchmarks. There are many reasons that accreditation is essential, including:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accreditation ensures quality in a college, university, or specific program.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Only accredited courses are considered for board certification and state licensure.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most employers only hire graduates of accredited programs to ensure all employees provide safe, effective practice.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accredited schools will not accept transfer credits from an unaccredited program.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Federal loans and many other types of financial aid are typically only awarded to students attending accredited schools.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Online Acute Care Programs Work[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Choosing between an [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//in-person-vs-online-nursing-programs/”]online or in-person nursing program[/hen-ui-link] requires much consideration. While attending an online program is convenient, distance learning involves some challenges.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many online nurse practitioner programs offer asynchronous courses, but students may be required to log in to take live courses during a specific time. Students who participate in hybrid programs must complete on-campus requirements.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Even when acute care NP programs offer a 100% online curriculum, the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//clinical-experience-for-online-nursing-students/”]clinical component for online nursing students[/hen-ui-link] must be completed in person. There may also be other face-to-face requirements, such as [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//types-of-simulation-in-nursing-education/”]lab simulations[/hen-ui-link], lectures, or orientation requirements. Campus-based expectations are usually scheduled in advance for students who need to make travel arrangements.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Applying to an Online Acute Care NP Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applying to an acute care NP program requires time and effort. Several important steps are involved. Prospective students must consider the school’s admission requirements, materials, and prerequisites, such as a bachelor’s degree, minimum GPA, and mandatory entrance exam scores.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Most acute care NP programs require prospective students to have a bachelor’s in nursing or an entry-level MSN (such as clinical nurse leader), a current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license, and advanced cardiac life support certification.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There may be specific course completion requirements with a minimum GPA in classes such as statistics or sciences. You must also have a minimum of two years’ work experience, usually in the intensive care unit, the emergency department, or the telemetry unit of an acute or progressive care center.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Materials: [/hen-ui-text]Applicants are usually required to submit an application, a resume, personal statement or essay, a current copy of a U.S. unencumbered RN license, and official school transcripts.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many programs require criminal background checks and a pre-admission interview. The interview could be in person or online (for remote students).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]GPA Requirement: [/hen-ui-text]Most programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for students to be accepted; if your GPA is lower than 3.0, you can talk to an advisor to find out if there are any exceptions to this prerequisite.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Paying for Online Acute Care NP Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many variables can influence your ability to [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//financial-aid/paying-for-your-nursing-degree/”]pay for an NP program[/hen-ui-link], such as:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether the program is offered at a public or private institution (private schools are usually more expensive)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether distance students pay in-state or out-of-state tuition[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The overall length of the program[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The ability to earn income while completing an NP program (e.g., the flexibility of the program schedule)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether a student has [hen-ui-link href=”/financial-aid/”]financial support for nurses[/hen-ui-link] (e.g., loans, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/”]nursing scholarships or grants[/hen-ui-link], or help with tuition from friends or family members)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Several types of financial aid are available for graduate students, including federal aid, private loans, and grants. You can find information on the school’s website on any special financial assistance offered specifically for NP programs and graduate students.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Can You Do as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/acute-care/”]Acute care NPs[/hen-ui-link] work with people of all ages, usually in a hospital setting. ACNPs provide advanced care to people who have experienced injury or trauma and are undergoing serious cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, women’s health, or psychiatric issues.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These nurses work with critically ill patients in fast-paced healthcare settings, such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, operating rooms, or urgent care facilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs plan patient care, order lab work, perform advanced patient care (like intubating patients), prescribe medications, and order lab work. A nurse practitioner is often responsible for leading interprofessional teams, evaluating and formulating nursing diagnoses, diagnosing medical conditions, and planning patient care. An [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/np-practice-authority-by-state//”]NP’s scope of practice varies by state[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to a November 2022 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Acute_Care_Nurse_Practitioner_(ACNP)/Salary” target=”_blank”]Payscale report[/hen-ui-link], the average annual salary for an ACNP is $106,150.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Explore all the different types of speciality practice areas in our nurse practitioner specialties guide” href=”/nurse-practitioner/specializations/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Acute Care NPs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is an acute care nurse practitioner degree worth it?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are many factors to consider when deciding on a nurse practitioner degree. These include your current personal and work obligations, career and financial goals, and nursing aspirations. If those factors align with becoming an NP, it is certainly worth it.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioners enjoy a much higher level of autonomy than other nurses and a wider range of job prospects; they can even own and operate private practices in many states.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are online acute care NP programs respected?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, if the program is accredited. Online programs must follow the same standards regarding instructors, curriculum, and clinical practicum hours as accredited in-person programs. The courses are usually taught by the same professors that teach onsite. This means you will be receiving the same level of education as on-campus NP graduates.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What does an acute care NP do?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An acute care NP works with critically ill patients of all ages, usually in the intensive care unit, hospital emergency room, or operating room. They may also work in urgent care or other healthcare settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioners can diagnose conditions, treat patients, assist during procedures, and prescribe medications. They are responsible for managing patient care, including after surgery.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are acute care nurse practitioners in high demand?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 40% from 2021 to 2031. Acute care nurse practitioners are among the NPs most in demand.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]