Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are increasingly vital in shaping the future of healthcare, and Nurse Practitioners specializing in acute care are at the forefront of this evolution. For registered nurses seeking to become leaders in acute healthcare settings, the Ucla Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program offers a robust and pioneering pathway.
UCLA has been a leader in Nurse Practitioner education since the early days of the profession. Recognizing the growing need for advanced practice nurses, particularly after the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, UCLA School of Nursing stepped up to shape the field. In 1971, UCLA was among the first institutions to receive funding from the Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA) for family nurse practitioner programs. Building on this foundation, UCLA further demonstrated its commitment to advanced nursing practice by establishing one of the West Coast’s first and largest acute care nurse practitioner programs in 1994.
UCLA’s MSN-APRN Program: Your Acute Care Focus
The UCLA School of Nursing provides a comprehensive two-year Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program designed for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared registered nurses aiming for advanced practice roles. This MSN Advanced Practice Registered Nurse/Post-licensure program is meticulously structured to prepare graduates for national certification exams within their chosen specialty. For those passionate about high-acuity settings, the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialization at UCLA stands out as a premier choice.
Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization
Within the MSN-APRN program, the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track provides specialized training for nurses to manage complex patient populations in critical and acute care environments. This rigorous curriculum equips students with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive care to adult and older adult patients experiencing acute and critical illnesses. Graduates of this specialization are prepared to excel in roles demanding rapid assessment, intervention, and management of patients in hospitals, intensive care units, and specialized care settings.
While the acute care program is a key offering, UCLA School of Nursing also recognizes the diverse needs within advanced practice nursing and offers a range of other specializations within its MSN-APRN program, including:
- Adult/Gerontology Primary Care
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Population
These diverse options ensure that UCLA caters to a broad spectrum of interests within advanced practice nursing. However, for nurses driven to provide expert care in the most challenging and dynamic healthcare environments, the UCLA Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program remains a distinguished path to professional fulfillment and leadership in nursing.
Explore the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care — Nurse Practitioner curriculum to learn more about specific course details and program requirements.