Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. Program (AGACNP)

Adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioners specialize in treating adults with complex, acute and chronic health conditions. At OHSU, you'll develop advanced skills in clinical decision-making, critical care and leadership.
Earn your AGACNP degree from OHSU
- Learn from top faculty. You’ll learn from experienced clinicians and educators dedicated to helping you succeed and grow.
- Convenient hybrid program. Complete most coursework online, with labs, clinicals and simulations in person.
- Quality clinical experiences. Gain more than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in diverse settings, including ICUs, hospitals and specialty clinics.
- Clinicals set up for you. OHSU handles your clinical placements, so you can focus on learning.
- Proven success. Most graduates pass their certification exam on the first try and secure jobs or fellowships by the end of the program.
Nursing scholarships
OHSU offers more nursing scholarships than ever before. See if you qualify.
Admission and application requirements
Admissions
Requirements for the AGACNP program:
- B.S. or B.S.N. in nursing by the time you start the program
- Oregon RN license by the time you start the program
- BLS and ACLS by the time you start the program
- Two years of inpatient nursing experience before applying
- A GPA of 3.0 across all undergraduate and graduate courses, including all science courses
How to apply
- Apply by April 30 for a fall start.
- Go to Nursing CAS and apply.
- Enter your college courses in Nursing CAS.
- Submit 3 letters of reference, your resume and essays in Nursing CAS.
- Send transcripts to Nursing CAS. Contact Nursing CAS to ensure your transcripts arrive.
Tuition and scholarships
- Cost: $699 per credit for Oregon residents and $908 for non-residents. Learn more about tuition and fees.
- Scholarships: Access more nursing scholarships than ever before. You may also qualify for loan forgiveness and repayment programs.
Classes and degree requirements
You need 106 credits to earn your Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree. This includes 25 credits from clinical practicum courses (1,000 clinical hours) and 7 credits from D.N.P. project courses.
Why earn your Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree at OHSU?
During OHSU’s AGACNP program, you’ll learn from leading acute care experts and graduate with a degree from Oregon’s only academic health center.
- Diverse clinical settings. Gain hands-on experience in hospitals, ICUs, specialty clinics and community-based settings.
- Flexible learning. Balance online coursework with in-person labs, clinicals and simulations.
- Small class sizes. Learn in classes with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:15.
Still have questions? Contact an admission counselor to schedule a call.
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. degree program FAQs
What does an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner do?
An adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) provides advanced care for adults, including the elderly, with acute, critical and complex health conditions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Assessing and diagnosing patients
- Managing critical illnesses
- Focusing on disease prevention, health promotion and end-of-life care
Common settings include:
- Intensive care units (ICUs)
- Hospitals
- Specialty clinics
Is the AGACNP program offered online?
This is a hybrid program. You’ll complete most coursework online, while labs, clinicals and simulations are in person.
What kind of clinical experience will I get in the AGACNP program, and are there any clinical requirements?
The program includes required rotations in general medicine, surgery and critical care to give you a well-rounded experience. You’ll gain hands-on experience managing complex, acute and critically ill patients. The program partners with OHSU’s clinical departments and local hospitals to provide diverse clinical experiences.
Clinical rotations include:
- Cardiology
- Thoracic surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Intensive care units
Does the AGACNP program offer simulation-based education?
Yes, the program includes simulation-based education over four terms in the RLSB simulation lab using high-fidelity simulations. The lab has classrooms, debriefing rooms and an eight-bed skills-training lab. You’ll also work in eight advanced simulation suites, where audio and video systems capture simulations and other activities to support your training.
Can I work during the program?
Yes. You can work during the program, but keep in mind that it’s demanding. You’ll need to spend several hours each week on coursework outside of class, so balancing work and study can be challenging. Faculty suggest limiting work hours to help you focus fully on your studies.
Will I need to arrange my own clinicals and preceptors?
No. OHSU arranges clinicals and preceptors for you.
How many applicants does the AGACNP program accept per year?
Typically, between 8 to 12 students are accepted each year.
How long does it take to become an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner?
The OHSU AGACNP program takes three years to complete, including clinical training and coursework.
Are scholarships available to become an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner?
OHSU offers a variety of scholarships to help fund your degree. Loan repayment options are available for D.N.P. students.
Explore scholarships.
View loan repayment options.
Still have questions? Contact an admissions counselor.
Contact us
- Ask admissions
- Attend an information session
- Call us at 503-494-7725 or 866-223-1811 (toll free)

Accreditation
OHSU is accredited by the NWCCU and OHSU School of Nursing is accredited by the CCNE.