Top 40 Best MSN-AGNP Programs by Region for 2024

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Full and part-time options that see graduation in between two and three years
• Admission options for fall, spring, and summer terms
• All professors and associate professors have at least one doctoral degree
• Students usually attend classes one or two days per week
• Option for mission trips and study abroad in South Africa
• Maintains resources for scholarships and federal traineeships
• 48 units total

Something immediately stood out to us as soon as we looked at the faculty at the Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing. Every single one of their dozens of associate deans, professors, and associate professors has a doctoral degree. That strong commitment to expertise is reinforced by a strong commitment to students. The School of Nursing at APU maintains an extensive list of resources that help you invest in your future. These include everything from federal traineeships to tuition discount partnerships and scholarships you don’t have to pay back as long as you maintain a GPA above 3.0. You’ll appreciate the flexibility of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at the APU School of Nursing. It offers full and part-time tracks, classes a few days each week, and start time options for the fall, spring, or summer. Ever been to Africa? You’ll find regular opportunities for mission trips and study abroad segments in South Africa.

Master of Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute and Primary Care

(Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Simulation center that is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare
• 100 percent pass rate on the AGNP board exams
• Full-time preceptor placement coordinator assigned to students
• Includes three 7-to-10-day long on-campus summer intensives
• Graduate in three years
• 50 credits, including 700 clinical hours divided into four 14-week clinical rotations

100 percent pass rate on the AGNP board exams. That’s any nursing school’s dream, but it’s a reality for a recent AGNP cohort of 18 students who achieved exactly this. The news was just announced by the Boise State University School of Nursing, which couldn’t ask for a better start for its first graduating class of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners. We salute this program because it allows you to devote your time to studying instead of being stressed about trying to pin down a preceptor. It has a full-time preceptor placement coordinator assigned to you to take care of these time-consuming logistics. We also think it’s very noteworthy that the BSU School of Nursing’s state-of-the-art simulation center was the first in Idaho to be accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. It includes six high fidelity mannequins – they even blink – ranging from newborn to adult. There’s no better way to practice the skills you learn than in a no-risk environment where you can learn from your mistakes. Earning the Society’s accreditation isn’t easy; all programs must demonstrate compliance with seven core standards, proving this over a minimum of two-years.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (AGNP Primary Care)

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Option to complete a thesis, a directed project, or a specialty project
• School maintains a list of three types of scholarships for which graduate nursing students may be eligible
• As a student you’ll have access to the Nursing Learning Center, a specialized facility that’s designed to enhance your learning experience as an AGNP
• Full and part-time options; you can graduate in as little as five semesters over two-and-a-half years, or take up to seven years part time
• 39 units

We love how the Cal State Long Beach School of Nursing puts you in the driver’s seat. Its Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program, offered in both acute and primary care, has some of the best faculty around. The flexibility this program offers is a sign of how it puts you – the student – first. You can choose between completing a thesis, a directed project, or a specialty project. You can choose to study at a full or part-time pace. And last, but certainly not least, should you choose, there are three broad categories of scholarships available to help fund your investment in your future. Devoted to your success, the School of Nursing maintains an extensive database of scholarship opportunities available to graduate students enrolled at the CSULB School of Nursing. The school’s Nursing Learning Center is noteworthy for providing advanced simulation labs that serve as an archive of relevant information available to MSN students. It’s no wonder this program is CCNE-accredited in the first place. To earn and maintain this voluntary designation it demonstrates a commitment to 12 unique values that are fundamental to an advanced nursing education.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Recent $7 million donation to the School of Nursing
• Classes are often held in the evenings, and take place a few days per week
• Option to choose your own preceptor or be assigned one
• Ranks among the best master’s programs for nursing in the nation according to US News & World Report, and among the top-10 in California
• College is home to organizations like the Chin Family Institute for Nursing and the Applied Gerontology Institute
• Full and part-time options
• Option to complete a thesis or take a comprehensive final exam
• 41-45 units in total including 540 clinical/practicum hours

The Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing at CSU Los Angeles ranks nationally for offering the best master’s programs in nursing, and among the top-10 in California. Part of the Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services, last year the college devoted $328,500 to the nursing master’s program for equipment and operating expenses alone. On top of that, in 2017 the School of Nursing landed a $7 million donation to help fund a new state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab. Full-time attendance is encouraged and allows you to graduate after four semesters over two years, however you have up to seven years to complete the program if you prefer a part-time schedule. In both the acute and primary care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner programs you have the freedom to choose your own preceptor or you can opt to let the school take care of that for you. We’re particularly impressed by the quality of research produced by the faculty as part of the college’s Applied Gerontology Institute. This includes grant-supported community-based research programs and peer reviewed articles. The institute is a great place to branch out, discover compelling information, and meet faculty on the front lines of research in their fields.

Master of Science in Nursing – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with an emphasis in Adult-Gerontology

(Online, On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: GRE or GMAT for GPAs below 3.0
• Recommended by the vast majority of graduates
• Graduate in 34 months
• The on-campus version of this program features evening classes
• The online version of this program includes two campus intensives totaling four days altogether
• 53 credits including 675 clinical hours

One of the reasons 93 percent of students recommend Grand Canyon University is its faculty. The dean of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has 20 years of experience in hospital nursing and is affiliated with the AACN, the NLN, and the Arizona League of Nursing. The faculty are also actively involved with things like the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching and the Journal of Institutional Research. You can tap into these resources for academic ideas, to explore the existing body of peer-reviewed research, and to develop professional connections within the adult-gerontology field. The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program with an emphasis in Adult-Gerontology maximizes ease of accessibility with working nurses in mind. Its online version lets you choose when and where to study, while its campus-based version features evening classes to accommodate a busy daytime schedule. Emphases include leadership, advocacy, disease prevention, and health promotion. High standards for admission mean you’ll be learning alongside top-caliber classmates. This is fitting of a program with CCNE accreditation, which is awarded based on an extensive evaluation process that recognizes quality and effectiveness.

Master of Science in Nursing – Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults and the Elderly, Focus in Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist (Primary Care)

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: GRE
• Dual-focus NP-CNS program
• 100 percent AGPCNP-BC exam pass rate
• The School of Nursing maintains a database of scholarship opportunities specifically for nursing students, in addition to the resources SDSU has for general scholarship opportunities
• Enjoy access to a state-of-the-art simulation center, a health assessment laboratory, and a media lab
• You’ll be assigned a personal graduate nursing academic adviser
• Faculty who are plugged-in and active in their professional fields
• Full and part-time options with graduation ranging from between two and three years
• 50 units

The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at San Diego State University’s School of Nursing makes us say “wow” for so many reasons it’s hard to know where to start. It’s the only one in the nation that qualifies you to take both a primary care AGNP exam and a CNS exam. Graduates of the program have demonstrated a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the AGPCNP-BC exam for two years in a row, and counting.Part of the College of Health and Human Services, the school has extensive resources to offer the best possible learning environment. This includes a health assessment laboratory, a media lab full of computers and audio-visual material on nursing, and the Sharp Healthcare Human Patient Simulation Center. This cutting edge facility comes with six patient simulators: four adult, one baby, and one pediatric. It boasts a birthing simulator and is equipped with all the standard material found in a hospital. In fact, it’s designed just like a hospital nursing unit, and features a diverse set of scenarios from hip fractures to emergencies like septic shock.The School of Nursing faculty are active professionals in their fields and offer ongoing research opportunities in a variety of subjects with dozens of professional publications to their names. And if all that wasn’t enough, from the moment you enroll you’re assigned a graduate nursing academic adviser who will stick with you throughout your tenure as a student. Their job is to ensure your success and help you launch seamlessly into a career upon graduation.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Faculty research in a diverse range of topics
• US News & World Report ranks the School of Nursing in the top three percent of its kind in the nation
• Specific fellowship and scholarship resources are available for School of Nursing students
• School hosts several renowned research centers, including the Center for Vulnerable Populations Research and the Center for the Advancement of Gerontological Nursing Science Center
• Ranks ninth in the nation for research funded by the National Institutes of Health
• Half of all faculty are members of the prestigious American Academy of Nursing
• Over 200 clinical affiliation agreements
• Graduate in two years over six semesters
• 77 units

The UCLA School of Nursing is a hub of excellence for the advanced study of adults and gerontology. It is literally home to the Center for Vulnerable Populations Research and the Center for the Advancement of Gerontological Nursing Science, two nationally-recognized institutions that host ground-breaking research and bring together experts from throughout the world who share a common interest. These factors help explain why the school ranks ninth nationally in terms of NIH-funded research, and in the top-three-percent of the nation’s best master’s in nursing programs. You can find your ideal clinical experience thanks to more than 200 community partners, including the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and the Health Center at the Union Rescue Mission, the oldest NP-run health center in the United States. The School of Nursing’s 47 full-time faculty members all have their doctoral degrees, and half are members of the prestigious American Academy of Nursing. Twenty faculty members are also leading research in a diverse range of areas from HIV and stem cell research to drug-resistant epilepsy and memory loss. Since 2005 faculty have published more than 346 articles in the nation’s leading peer-reviewed health journals. In fact, faculty here are so well-known for their expertise that after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, two faculty members from the UCLA School of Nursing were chosen to lead healthcare recovery efforts.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Competitive specializations available within the primary and acute care tracks
• Center for Global Health offers extensive study and work abroad options
• Home of the Institute for Health and Aging
• Starts every fall quarter as a two-year, six semester full-time program, with part-time status granted on rare exceptions
• You’re assigned an adviser prior to enrolling
• State-of-the-art simulation labs
• Entry option for bachelor’s-prepared students without a BSN or nursing experience
• Option for a thesis or comprehensive examination
• Ranks first in research funding from the National Institutes of Health
• At least 38 units

The AGNP program at the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing offers great opportunities academically, as well as some unique opportunities to get involved in research. The School of Nursing’s Institute for Health and Aging is a campus-wide organized research unit devoted to the study of health and aging. It even has its own scholarship program. It’s a great place to network with visiting scholars, touring lecturers, and resident faculty experts. This is one of the reasons why the School of Nursing ranks first in research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The AGNP program also gives you unique opportunities to add additional specializations within your area of focus. Specializations available in the primary care track include HIV/AIDS, and occupational and environmental health. The acute care track has options for critical care, cardio-pulmonary, and emergency department/trauma specializations. The School of Nursing also hosts the Center for Global Health, which will prepare you to work on domestic and international health issues, and includes the opportunity to participate in projects in over a dozen countries throughout the world including Northern Ireland, Russia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Japan. We’re really impressed with the range of options and experiences this program has to offer.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Hosts the Mae Orvis Health Care Symposium every year
• Majority of the faculty have their doctorate degrees
• New cohort begins once each year
• Full and part-time options
• Option for a thesis or comprehensive exam and research project
• 48-50 units

The Orvis School of Nursing stands at the University of Nevada, Reno stands out as one of the best in the west. In addition to the majority of its faculty having doctoral degrees, it offers an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN program that is CCNE-accredited and known throughout the region. Thanks to its dedication to student success – offering flexible time frames for graduation and final culmination projects – and its mission, curriculum, and teaching-learning practices, this program secured the esteemed CCNE accreditation after a comprehensive review process. The School of Nursing hosts the annual Mae Orvis Health Care Symposium. This internationally renowned event puts you at the center of where health care policy is shaped. Well-connected leaders in the field meet here every year to bounce ideas around and come up with tomorrow’s healthcare policies. Alumni of the Orvis School of Nursing have gone on to achieve noteworthy careers including two who were just inducted into the American Academy of Nursing, a national leader in the development of health care policy.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

(Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Part-time program that can be completed in eight terms over less than three years
• Option for a thesis or comprehensive exam
• Most of the faculty have their doctoral degrees
• UNC maintains a searchable list of scholarships based on what you qualify for
• Two summer intensive sessions in Greeley
• 51 credits including more than 500 hours of supervised clinical experience

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Northern Colorado School of Nursing is a beacon on the hill for several reasons, starting with its faculty. Most have a doctoral degree on top of extensive experience in the field. We also like that they are experts in a diverse range of areas, including the US health care system/policy, simulation in nursing education, psychotropic medication in long-term-care clients, and pre-hospital triage, to name just a few. The AGACNP program coordinator has been instrumental in securing grants to fund advanced nursing education tailored to rural environments. We really appreciate how this program is designed with student success in mind. Its part-time schedule means there will be minimal disruptions to your work life, and its online asynchronous delivery lets you maintain your current shift. Practicums are scheduled in your local community. To help you invest in your future, the school maintains a database of scholarships that you can search and filter based on your eligibility qualifications.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Six Centers of Excellence give you vast resources for research and networking
• Opportunity to study or participate in clinical service projects abroad
• Option to blend majors or pursue joint master degree programs while enrolled
• Alumni have gone on to extremely successful careers
• Focused research in areas like aging across the lifespan, neuroscience, symptom science, and more
• Host of a world renowned nurse leadership conference
• Both programs are ranked in the top-20 AGNP programs nationally by US News & World Report, while the MSN program is ranked sixth in the nation
• Flight Nursing specialty can be added to the AGACNP program
• The school maintains partnerships with national leading medical institutions to offer attractive clinical options
• Entry options for ADNs
• Full and part-time options with graduation possible in as little as four semesters
• The programs are 39-41 credits including 600 hours of clinical experience

The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing stands out from the rest of the schools in the nation as a distinguished leader in nursing education. It was the first school to offer a DNP degree, the first to offer an acute care nurse practitioner program, and the first to offer a gerontological nursing program. Bonus: it also gives you the option to specialize in flight nursing! Case Western Reserve University’s campus is ideally situated within range of leading healthcare organizations that offer great opportunities for clinicals, such as the University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, and MetroHealth Medical Center. The school’s six Centers of Excellence offer you amazing options for research, these being the Sarah Cole Hirsh Institute for Best Nursing Practices Based on Evidence, the University Center on Aging and Health, the Self-Management Advancement through Research and Translation (SMART) Center, the Full Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Research (FIND) Lab, the QSEN Institute, and the Dorothy Ebersbach Academic Center for Flight Nursing. Graduates of this program have distinguished careers and have gone on to presidential positions with organizations like the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the Canadian Nurses Association, the International Council of Nurses, the National Black Nurses Association, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. To top it all off, the School of Nursing hosts a nurse leadership conference that brings together experts in this field from all over the world, giving you a great opportunity to develop a professional resource network.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: GRE for GPAs below 3.25
• State-of-the-art Clinical Learning Center complete with high-fidelity mannequins
• Many opportunities to work and study abroad
• School of Nursing designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center
• MSN ranked among the best nationally by US News & World Report, with the AGPCNP program ranked eighth in the nation
• Scholarship opportunities available specifically for School of Nursing students
• Highly distinguished faculty
• Training nurses since 1891
• Option for an occupational health nursing concentration in the AGPCNP program
• Full and part-time options with graduation after two-to-three years
• The AGACNP program is 51 credits and the AGPCNP program is 57 credits. Both include 504 clinical hours.

The University of Michigan Ann Arbor School of Nursing has a proven track record of success that stretches back more than a century. It has been preparing nurses for professional practice since 1891, and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, its master’s in nursing program was just ranked among the best of its kind in the nation, while its AGPCNP program made the nation’s top-10 list. The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the UM Ann Arbor School of Nursing caught our eye for several reasons, starting with its distinguished faculty. You’ll learn from professionals who have recently received accolades that have included an AACN award for research, an induction as a fellow into the International Academy of Addictions Nursing, an induction into the National Academy of Medicine, and American Academy of Nursing and AANP fellow selections. The School of Nursing awards scholarships every year, as well as conference travel funding and achievement awards. The AGPCNP program gives you the option to add an occupational health nursing concentration. We were also really impressed with the School of Nursing’s designation by the World Health Organization as a Collaborating Center. That’s a designation shared by only 10 nursing programs in the United States and only 42 worldwide. The designation reflects the school’s excellence in health promotion research and training programs, along with its global approach in research, education, and service initiatives. To round off its worldly reputation, the school’s Office of Global Affairs can provide you with many opportunities to work and study abroad in places like the Netherlands, Ghana, Honduras, Thailand, and Liberia.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• 2017 graduates had a 95 percent pass rate on their AGNP examinations
• 100 percent job placement rate within six months of graduation
• Designated as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing
• Full and part-time options
• Graduate in two years as a full-time student
• The majority of the faculty have a doctoral degree
• Hundreds of scholarships for Kent State students, with more than a dozen additional scholarships available for students in the College of Nursing
• The College of Nursing has partnerships with more than 350 clinical sites
• The school maintains resources to help you land a job once you graduate
• State-of-the-art Olga A. Mural Simulation Lab
• Option to enroll in the College of Nursing’s study abroad program
• The AGACNP program is 42 credits including 600 clinical hours. The AGPCNP program is 41 credits with 525 clinical hours.

What’s better than a 100 percent job placement rate for graduates within six months, a 95 percent pass rate on the AGNP certification exams, and a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory? Having all that, plus options to study at your own pace in a nurturing learning environment. You can have it all with the MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the Kent State University College of Nursing. Those are some of the reasons why the National League for Nursing has designated this school as a Center of Excellence, and some of the factors that piqued our attention when we came across its AGNP program. Prepare to have a great learning experience. Most of the faculty in this program have their doctoral degrees, and the options for where you do your clinicals will literally seem endless with more than 350 participating clinical partners to choose from. If learning in the world campus is your cup of tea you can do that too. The college’s study abroad program offers options to learn in places like Switzerland, Northern Ireland, and Italy.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• 100 percent AGPCNP exam pass rate; 98 percent pass rate on the AGACNP exam
• Works with the Designated Education Unit model in an actual hospital setting
• Three college-created community health centers with clinical experience options
• Clinical Simulation Center features patient rooms and equipment, high-fidelity simulation mannequins, a clinical exam room, a medical records system, a fully-equipped utility room, and more
• Opportunity to study abroad in dozens of countries
• The college’s Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness is a great place to gain experience, network, and conduct research
• The College of Nursing and Health Professions hosts important conferences and workshops in this field every year, which more than 1,800 healthcare professionals attend annually
• Ranked the 28^th best online graduate nursing program in the nation by US News & World Report
• Possibility to graduate in three years over nine semesters
• Two-day on-campus requirement
• 42 credits with between 660 and 665 clinical hours

The clinical experience offered by the University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing and Health Professions is second to none. Most schools of nursing boast about their simulation centers where a classroom has been loosely converted into an operating room, though you might notice a whiteboard and backpacks in one corner. But that’s not what happens here. Here you literally learn in a hospital. Thanks to the adoption of the Designated Education Unit model of learning, in this Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program you’ll be learning in a designated education wing of either Saint Mary’s Medical Center or Deaconess Hospital, where you will be paired with a staff nurse throughout your clinical rotation. Additional clinical experience can take place at one of three college-created community health centers (Glenwood Leadership Academy, Cedar Hall Community School, and Lodge Community School) thanks to a $1.2 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Of course, the college also offers more of a traditional model of education at its Clinical Simulation Center, featuring patient rooms and equipment, high-fidelity simulation mannequins, a clinical exam room, a medical records system, a fully-equipped utility room, and much more. A dedicated research center for healthy aging and wellness combined with important healthcare conferences throughout the academic year give this program a place on our list. Your professors are dedicated to your success, as evidenced by a perfect pass rate on the AGPCNP exam over the past two years, and a near-perfect 98 percent pass rate on the AGACNP exam over the past six years.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute and Primary Care

(Hybrid, Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: GRE for GPAs lower than 3.2
• College of Nursing’s Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center just awarded nearly $1 million
• Outstanding Clinical Simulation Center
• Training nurses since 1912
• 83 percent of faculty have a doctorate degree
• Part-time program with graduation after seven semesters
• Small class sizes
• Guaranteed clinical placement
• Option for a summer semester in Washington DC at the Les Aspin Center
• Wide range of professional opportunities and institutions associated with the College of Nursing
• 42 credits including 750 clinical hours

Things are only looking up for the Marquette University College of Nursing. And for the MSN in Adult-Older Adult Nurse Practitioner program, that goes double. Welcome to a college that boasts an 8-to-1 student-to-highly-qualified-faculty ratio and a guaranteed clinical placement every student. They know what they’re doing here, having graduated professionally-prepared nurses for over a century. As a testament of quality and trust, the College of Nursing-led Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center was just awarded a nearly $1-million grant from the US Health Resources and Services Administration to continue advanced training in the field of geriatrics and expand its programs to focus on dementia and opioid misuse. You’ll enjoy opportunities to network and research at a range of professional institutions associated with the College of Nursing, including the Institute for Palliative and End-of-Life Care Education, the Institute for Natural Family Planning, the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Center for Clinical Simulation, the Marquette Clinic for Women and Children, Project Beyond, the Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship, and the Wisconsin Center for Nursing. To keep you at the forefront of the nation’s healthcare field you have the option to apply for a summer semester in Washington DC. We really appreciate how this unique opportunity makes the Marquette College of Nursing stand out from all the rest, giving you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the rules and regulations that govern healthcare are made.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Option to study abroad in places like Italy, France, England, Spain, and Belize
• Advanced facilities include the Clinical Simulation Learning Laboratory and the Center for Simulation Education
• New Center for Translational Research and Education
• Option to add an oncology specialty to the AGPCNP program
• Two school-operated nurse-managed community centers
• Over 85 percent of the faculty have their doctoral degrees
• Scholarships reserved specifically for School of Nursing students
• School maintains a database of vacant nursing jobs throughout the area and a Career Development Center
• Range of faculty-sponsored research opportunities
• 43-48 credits

The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner MSN program at the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing impressed us for a number of reasons. Right off the bat we noticed the faculty: more than 85 percent of the full-time nursing school faculty have their doctoral degrees. In addition to being world-class instructors, these faculty members are leaders in research in today’s most pertinent topics, including vulnerable population health disparities and self-management of chronic diseases. The facilities and academic resources at Loyola University Chicago also really impressed us. The multipurpose Clinical Simulation Learning Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art resources including high fidelity mannequins, virtual reality simulators, eight simulated hospital bays, and simulation suites. You’ll also appreciate the Center for Simulation Education along with the new Center for Translational Research and Education. It combines the School of Nursing, Graduate School, and Loyola University Health System under one roof to implement innovative patient-driven health solutions from the lab to the bedside. If you’re an AGPCNP student here you can even take advantage of the unique opportunity to add an oncology focus to your program. The School of Nursing wants to see you succeed. In addition to state, national, and nursing organization scholarships, you can find scholarships that are specifically reserved for nursing students. The school also operates two nurse-managed centers as community outreach projects where you can hone your skills during your clinicals. If you want to venture even further you can opt to gain international experience studying in Europe or Central America.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• In 2017 AGNP students achieved a 100% pass rate on their board exams
• Classes begin summer semester
• Complete your clinical experience with the region’s best healthcare providers
• MSN program ranked among the top in the nation by US News & World Report
• Career assistance available
• The Clinical Simulation Institute provides advanced learning opportunities
• Your faculty are experts in their fields, working in the area’s top medical institutions
• Graduation possible in seven terms over 27 months
• 52 credits for the AGPCNP track with 560 clinical hours, 52 credits for the AGACNP track with 736 clinical hours

The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner MSN program at the Goldfarb School of Nursing is the only program in Missouri that made our list– we just couldn’t pass this one up. And we’re not the only ones who noticed Barnes-Jewish College; US News & World Report also ranked its MSN program among the best in the nation. We are really impressed with how the Goldfarb School of Nursing helps you through the process of career advancement, facilitating job shadowing and mentoring opportunities, exam registration, and offering tips on job search strategies. We’re also impressed with the facilities it provides for learning, like its technologically advanced Clinical Simulation Institute. Measuring 10,500 square feet, the institute includes two 10-bed medical/surgical units, an operating suite, 30 patient simulators, and the list goes on. When it comes time for your clinicals you’ll be encouraged by the fact that the school maintains clinical partnerships with high-quality institutions including the Washington University Medical Center, BJC HealthCare, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and more. Last but certainly not least, a 100 percent board exam pass rate last year is nothing short of amazing. Just as impressive is the 96 percent job placement rate for graduates within six months of…and that’s the average placement rate over the past seven years.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Unique learning model that’s not based on grades
• Special Alverno grants and scholarships available to most students with good academic performance
• Small class sizes
• 98 percent job placement rate
• Clinical partnerships with over two-dozen community organizations
• MSN program open to men and women
• Resources to study abroad through the International and Intercultural Center
• New and technologically advanced clinical learning and simulation centers
• 39 credits including at least 600 practicum hours

There aren’t many colleges in the United States where you don’t get traditional grades, but Alverno College is one of them. As a student in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at the JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions, you’re evaluated on a more detail-rich method. Instead of a GPA you get a narrative transcript that details how you’ve mastered key advanced nursing skills. You’re still evaluated on how well you’ve assimilated information and skills, but Alverno does it in greater depth. But don’t make the mistake of thinking this innovative approach to academic performance is a free ride; quite the contrary. This program doesn’t admit just anyone. It maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio in all classes and academic funding for the best applicants. That’s right. This academic year nearly 100 percent of incoming students received a special Alverno grant or scholarship based on their academic performance. Two features of this program that stood out to us most were the new state-of-the-art Clinical Learning Center complete with audio and video-recorded simulation scenarios, and the Clinical Simulation Center complete with four high-fidelity settings. When it comes time to complete your clinical experience, the school has partnerships with 25 organizations in the community to ensure you have the most ideal clinical experience possible. Once you graduate Alverno still has your back: JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions graduates have a 98 percent job placement rate.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Ranked among the best MSN graduate schools in the nation by US News & World Report
• Designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing by the National League for Nursing
• Training nurses for professional careers since 1963
• Faculty specialize in a variety of research areas
• Learn on multiple high-fidelity simulators in the Nursing Center for Education and Simulation
• Graduate in two years as a full-time student; part-time study available on a space-available basis
• Scholarships available, including those specifically for School of Nursing students
• Graduates have a high pass rate on the AGNP certification exam
• 47 credits with at least 630 hours of precepted experience

The Purdue University School of Nursing caught our attention for a number of reasons, and we’re not the only ones. The National League for Nursing has classified it as a Center of Excellence in Nursing, while US News & World Report has ranked it among the best nursing graduate schools in the nation. We found it particularly compelling that graduates of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program have high certification exam pass rates. We also appreciate how the faculty specialize in a variety of research areas including chronic care delivery, health care delivery systems, nursing education, and promotion of wellness. In addition to the academic research side of your studies, you’ll also benefit from the Nursing Center for Education and Simulation’s multiple high-fidelity simulators that are as close to real life as you can get. As you make your decision on where to invest in your future career, you’ll appreciate the fact that Purdue University maintains a scholarship database, including a listing of scholarships specifically for School of Nursing students.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• 100 percent pass rate on the AGNP exam
• Enrollment options for fall, spring, and summer
• Graduate in as little as three years, or take up to six years
• Option to participate in community service projects and health care mission trips abroad
• The School of Nursing maintains clinical partnerships with several area health care systems
• 48 credits including 600 clinical hours

The University of Indianapolis School of Nursing is one of the few places in the region capable of bragging about a 100 percent AGNP exam pass rate. That impresses us, along with several other factors that make this program stand out from the rest. We like how this program places you in the driver’s seat of your education. You have plenty of options that range from full and part-time scheduling, and your choice of the ideal term to begin your graduate work. We also appreciate the choices this program offers for clinical experiences, which include the region’s leading healthcare institutions like Saint Francis Health, IU Health, and the Community Health Network. If you’re curious about seeing the world while you study, the School of Nursing has that covered too. You have the option to participate in community service projects and health care mission trips abroad to countries like Belize, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic. This is one of the most exciting AGNP programs in Indiana, and the region at large.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: GRE for GPAs below 3.2
• Designated as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing
• Ranked the third-best master’s degree in nursing program in the nation by US News & World Report, with its AGACNP program ranking 9^th in the nation
• The School of Nursing maintains more than 500 clinical partnerships
• 87 percent of MSN students employed within three months of graduation, earning an average starting salary of $96,000
• The School of Nursing’s faculty are highly distinguished, with 37 as fellows at the American Academy of Nursing and eight as members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Fellows
• The school ranks fourth in the nation by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research funding and is home to the number-one NIH-funded nurse researcher in the world
• The School of Nursing maintains an extensive list of merit-based nursing scholarships, and other scholarships reserved specifically for nursing students ($5.1 million in scholarships and financial aid granted in one year)
• Option for dual degrees with an MA in Bioethics or an MPH
• Enrollment options in the fall, spring, or summer
• Extensive research and networking opportunities
• Full and part-time options with graduation possible in as little as four semesters
• AGACNP program is 48 credits with 780 clinical hours; AGPCNP program is 51 credits with 690 clinical hours

Hands down, the MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is one of the best in the nation. You need only go down the list of statistics: more than 500 clinical partnerships… ranked 4^th nationally in terms of NIH research grants received– a testament to the faculty’s body of groundbreaking research with dozens of professional publications to their names… and 87 percent of MSN graduates employed within three months earning near six-figure starting salaries. It almost makes you feel bad for any school that wants to compete in the same arena as the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. As an enrolled student you’ll have access to extensive research and networking opportunities in the centers and initiatives associated with the School of Nursing, including the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility; the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education Center; the Center for Neurocognitive Studies; the Center for Children’s Health, the Environment, the Microbiome, and Metabolomics; the T32 Training Grant; and the Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Project. If that weren’t enough, Emory University is home to the number-one NIH-funded nurse researcher in the world. The School of Nursing wants to see you succeed and carry on its good name, which is why it regularly funds full or partial scholarships to the tune of millions of dollars for hundreds of high achieving, high promise students every year. If you’re the future professional the School of Nursing is looking for don’t hesitate to apply today.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• AGACNP exam pass rates: ANCC – 96 percent (four-year average); AACN – 100 percent (two-year average)
• AGPCNP exam pass rates: ACNN – 93.5 percent (four-year average); AANP – 100 percent in 2017
• AGACNP program ranked the second-best in the nation by US News & World Report, with the AGPCNP program ranked seventh nationally
• Option to add an additional area of focus and sub-specialties
• A total of nine campus visits required, each lasting three-to-four days
• Three-year graduation rate of 97.6 percent
• Three-year employment rate for graduates is 95.9 percent
• Graduate in as little as three semesters full-time, with part-time options also available
• Convenient plans of study including the choice of online and block weeks
• 78 percent of faculty have their doctoral degrees
• 5 research and lab facilities
• Multiple entry options for nurses with all types of educational backgrounds
• Option for a dual master’s degree in divinity
• The AGACNP program is 40 credits with 630 clinical hours. The AGPCNP program is 40 credits with 560 clinical hours.

Cold hard data and academic options are two reasons we love the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner MSN program at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Consider what these numbers mean: an AGNP certification exam pass rate that’s in the mid-to-high 90s when averaged over several years. A three-year graduation rate approaching 98 percent. A three-year employment rate topping 95 percent. If you enroll in an AGNP program at Vanderbilt, in layperson’s terms these statistics mean you’re nearly guaranteed to graduate, become an AGNP, and find a job in your field. In case that isn’t enticing enough, we’ll go over the unique academic choices the Vanderbilt School of Nursing offers that most others don’t. Besides choosing between acute and primary care, you have the option to add sub-specialties in several areas like cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, palliative care, critical care, cardiac surgery, and more. And in addition to these sub-specialties you can also add an area of focus in subjects like Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, a hospitalist focus, or an intensivist focus. All this amounts to endless amounts of specialization you can add to your AGNP education to tailor your career focus to achieve the perfect fit. The faculty who make all these options possible is comprised of experienced experts, more than three-quarters of whom have their doctoral degree. If credit for the success of the AGNP program at Emory must go to someone, it should go to the faculty at the School of Nursing.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Option to work with highly relevant research institutes in your field
• Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship dedicated to helping you succeed
• School maintains relationships with more than 400 clinical affiliates
• 10 Fellows of the Academy of Nursing
• Career placement services are available, with over 90 percent of graduates employed
• Nearly half-a-million-dollars of scholarships available annually to School of Nursing students
• The School of Nursing is about to launch an exciting new research facility
• State-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Center measuring 7,281 square feet
• 50 credits including 660 hours of clinical experience

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN program at the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing initially rose to our attention because of its dedication to students. From the moment you’re enrolled you can count on the Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship to mentor you through your entire tenure as a student. Every year more than $450,000 is offered to students of the School of Nursing in the form of merit and need-based scholarships to ensure those who are qualified can become AGACNPs. And that’s not all. Once you graduate you can still count on the school’s career placement services to help you land your first job. Presently more than 90 percent of graduates have jobs in their fields. And we haven’t even come to the academic part of what makes the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio great. For one, the school is about to launch a new facility dedicated to the study and implementation of technology in medicine, called the Center of Smart and Connected Health Technologies. The school also doesn’t shy away from conducting highly relevant research. Launched in 2017, the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases is just one place where you can delve into important research topics with experts in the field. And at the heart of what makes the School of Nursing so appealing is its faculty. They are dedicated to student success and cutting edge research. In fact, the School of Nursing is home to 10 Fellows of the Academy of Nursing.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• The School of Nursing just received a $15 million gift from a pair of philanthropists, $5 million of which will be dedicated to funding student scholarships
• Opportunity to work and study abroad
• Many research opportunities
• Bjoring Center hosts a unique series of forums about nursing history
• Ranked among the best nursing master’s degrees in the nation by US News & World Report
• Full and part-time options with graduation in two-to-three years
• Curriculum includes a special emphasis on palliative care
• Small class sizes
• Simulation Center
• 43 credits including 560 clinical hours

While the MSN program at the University of Virginia School of Nursing has been ranked among the best in the nation, we’re focusing specifically on the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track. And like the MSN program in general, we found the AGACNP program does not disappoint. Small class sizes and a state-of-the-art simulation center are good introductions to why we think this program stands out from the rest. Juxtaposed to a curriculum that includes a special focus on palliative care, we also like the wider perspective the Bjoring Center takes, presenting AGNP knowledge in a larger contextual framework that helps highlight the importance of recent advances in our understanding of the field of gerontology. The faculty in this program take the success of their students very seriously. The School of Nursing is home to five state and national nursing organization presidents, 12 endowed professorships, and 43 national academy fellows.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Take advantage of insights and opportunities provided by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
• The College of Nursing recently secured nearly $4.5 million in research funding
• Award-winning faculty
• The Center for Global Nursing offers many opportunities to study, work, and learn abroad
• The TWU Institute of Health Sciences-Houston Center is based at the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world
• The AGACNP program is offered on the Houston campus, while the AGPCNP program is offered on the Dallas and Houston campuses
• Fall and spring semester start times
• 46 credits

When we saw the types of research and associated opportunities happening at the Texas Women’s University College of Nursing, we knew we had to feature it on our list of top Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner programs in the region. Home to the Woodcock Institute for the Advancement of Neurocognitive Research and Applied Practice, the Stroke Center, and the Institute for Women’s Health, the university serves as an incubator, attracting professionals from throughout the world devoted to advancing research in specialty areas including women’s health, nursing education, palliative care, patient outcomes, and health systems management. Additionally, the Center for Global Nursing offers many opportunities to study, work, and learn abroad through exchanges and collaborations, and also brings foreign nursing students to Texas Women’s University for seminars and other learning experiences. This concentration of talent attracts funding that helps transform research into reality. In FY 2015 the College of Nursing secured nearly $4.5 million in research funding from sources including the US Department of Veteran Affairs, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the US Health Resources and Services Administration. Funding and expertise combined creates a fertile ecosystem for learning and cutting edge research, right in the heart of the largest medical center in the world. A representative example of the caliber of professors you’ll encounter in the program includes a faculty member at the School of Nursing who was just awarded the Gold Award for Excellence in Nursing-Faculty by the Good Samaritan Foundation, which selected from among more than 260 candidates.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus, Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: GRE for GPAs below 3.0
• Designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing
• 96 percent pass rate on the AGNP exam
• Specialized research laboratories
• Faculty at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation are on the leading edge of research
• Full and part-time options with graduation possible in as little as 29 months
• Smart Hospital is a nationally recognized template for simulation instruction
• Each program is 41 credits and includes 720 clinical hours

Many universities in Texas say they specialize in research, but when the University of Texas at Arlington says it conducts innovative research it means it. We’re so impressed with its Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner MSN program we’re featuring it among our favorites. Regarding research, the school offers specialized research laboratories examining issues like musculoskeletal disease, cardiovascular rehabilitation physiology, and the pathophysiological implications of new ways for identifying diseases. The faculty at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation are on the leading edge of this research, with one having just been recognized for her revolutionary new method for detecting and potentially targeting esophageal cancer using biocompatable and biodegradable nano particles. These types of achievements mean your AGNP curriculum is going to reflect the latest niche developments in the field of adult-gerontology, and as a student you’re going to thrive in an environment that is rich in professionalism, scholarship, and inspiration. This worked for the last cohort of students to take the AGNP certification exam, as evidenced by the 96 percent pass rate they demonstrated.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Ranked first in Florida and 22^nd in the nation for receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health
• More than 900 clinical partners
• Three College of Nursing Faculty were just named as fellows to the American Academy of Nursing
• Simulation Lab includes mannequins and a 3-D holographic headset lens
• Full and part-time options with the possibility to graduate in four semesters
• 45-48 credits

We reviewed every adult-gerontology nurse practitioner MSN program in the nation, and this one stands out for maintaining the most clinical partnerships we’ve seen, coming in at more than 900. That means you have a great chance of finding an ideal clinical placement situation where you can gain exactly the skills you want from an organization you trust. The University of South Florida College of Nursing also stands out for being number one among all nursing schools in Florida for receiving research funding from the NIH. That speaks to the expertise of the faculty at the school and also indicates great opportunities for networking with professionals from throughout the nation. Any AGNP graduate student will appreciate the school’s state-of-the-art simulation labs. In fact, the USF Health Simulation Consortium is the only organization in the state to be fully accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in all areas possible. While you’ll benefit from excellent simulated learning experiences, your professors are the real stars. Three of them were just named as fellows to the American Academy of Nursing.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Large-scale simulated hospital
• Full and part-time options available, ranging between three and six semesters for completion
• More than 170 clinical partners
• The school maintains a list of scholarships available to students
• Well connected and engaged faculty
• Ranks 26^th nationwide for receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health
• Programs range between 35-44 credits with 616 clinical hours

Ranking nationally among the top schools of nursing to receive NIH funding, what really stood out to us about the University of Miami School of Nursing & Health Studies is its dedication to the student learning experience. As a student in the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner MSN program here, you will experience the best of both worlds. The school is a leader in simulated learning and its faculty are top-notch when it comes to classroom and clinical instruction. During your simulated hospital experience you will encounter four fully-outfitted operating rooms, a 280-seat auditorium, a medical-surgical unit, and a skills resource center, all housed in a 41,000-square-foot, five-story building known as the Simulation Hospital. While having advanced state-of-the-art facilities can do wonders for your education, ultimately, your success rests on the quality of your professors. Fortunately, you’ll be learning from the best at the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. In fact, over half of the school’s faculty are engaged in collaborative, federally funded research with other U of M programs, or otherwise hold joint appointments.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

(Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• AACN exam 100 percent four-year pass rate; ANCC exam 94 percent four-year pass rate
• Lots of opportunities to network with professionals who conduct compelling research
• Graduation is possible in just 23 months
• Recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing
• Home to the 5,000 square-foot O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center
• Outstanding faculty with noteworthy professional contributions
• Established in 1903; more than a century of preparing nurses for professional practice
• This online program requires three campus-based intensives
• 40 credits including 600 clinical hours

The Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Sciences is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing, a preeminent accolade that any nursing school would be proud to be honored with. And even as we focus solely on the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN offered here, we feel this program deserves some accolades of its own. Not many adult-gerontology NP programs can boast a 100 percent pass rate on national certification exams, but for the past four years that’s exactly what Georgetown graduates who have taken the AACN exam have achieved. Graduates who took the ANCC exam over that same period did nearly as well, with a 94 percent pass rate. But an excellent exam pass rate isn’t the only thing that makes this program stand out. As a student here you’ll have endless opportunities to network with some of the brightest researchers in the nation, funded by underwriters like the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Commonwealth Fund, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the US Department of State, and the US Department of Defense. And when you’re not rubbing elbows with world-class research professors, you’ll be studying in the 5,000 square-foot O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art facility with high-fidelity patient simulators. The center includes four patient rooms, an ICU, an operating room, a labor and delivery room, and much more. Your professors definitely deserve more than an honorable mention too. As an MSN student here you’ll be learning under the tutelage of world-class instructors. In fact, the person who literally wrote the book on nursing – Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care– is counted among the faculty at Georgetown University.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Clinical partnerships with world class health care facilities
• Faculty members hold prestigious positions as fellows with the nation’s leading nursing organizations
• Range of available options to help you invest in your future career
• Ranked among the best master’s nursing schools in the nation by US News & World Report
• Nursing Skills Lab complete with an exam room, four hospital beds, and six exam tables
• You have access to the Simulator Lab, complete with high-fidelity mannequins
• Faculty come from a diverse range of professional backgrounds
• Classes held one or two days per week for convenience
• Option to add the National League of Nursing Certified Nurse Educator certification to your program
• The School of Nursing has a full-time clinical coordinator
• Full and part-time options
• The School of Nursing offers study abroad opportunities in Nicaragua, Ireland, and Australia
• 48 credits with 540 supervised clinical practice hours

The faculty are the first attribute that stood out to us about the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the Catholic University of America School of Nursing. They come from many backgrounds with expertise you can tap for research in areas like nursing legal issues, wartime nursing, and pediatrics – to name just a few. They are professionally well connected, serving as fellows with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Nursing, some of the most prestigious honors in the field. Naturally, studying under highly qualified faculty will have an effect on your education. That’s especially true when they are dedicated to your success as a student. Classes are held one or two days per week so you can more easily maintain your current work-life balance, and as a School of Nursing student you have access to scholarships and teaching assistantships to help make investing in your future more affordable. The school uses the latest educational technology to ensure you’re well prepared to go into your clinicals, including its Nursing Skills Lab, complete with an exam room, four hospital beds, and six exam tables. When the time comes to think about your clinical segment, feel free to consult with your own specially designated clinical coordinator. Among your clinical choices are 15 world class health care facilities in the DC, Virginia, and Maryland area. And if those aren’t enough, you can gain additional experience studying abroad on one of three continents.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Tons of funded research and specialized learning opportunities
• Expert faculty who specialize in a wide array of subjects
• Center for Interprofessional Clinical Simulation and Practice is a hub for networking and learning
• Option to complete a minor in one of nine different areas
• Four on-campus intensives, each two-to-four days in duration
• 52-57 credits including approximately 800 clinical hours

We think the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions stands out from all the others. And that goes double for the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program. In some ways this should come as no surprise when considering the school has more than 150 years of experience graduating nurses who are ready to hit the ground running. The educational environment here is second-to-none. The Center for Interprofessional Clinical Simulation and Practice is a 22,000-square-foot lab that incorporates the latest technology and simulation experiences. Nurses from the college run and manage the nationally-recognized 11^th Street Center in North Philadelphia, which is just one of many engaging places to gain hours of clinical experience. When it comes to research, Drexel punches above its weight. Within the Nursing Department, faculty members stand out for their achievements, which include serving as the president of the International Society of Nurses in Genetics, active membership in the Gerontological Society of America, and fellowship induction in the American Academy of Nursing. Some of their research topics include nursing care for adults on the autism spectrum, improved health outcomes in older adults through nutrition, and urban women’s health. That is just a sampling of the areas of expertise you’ll find among the 48 highly qualified faculty members involved in graduate nursing programs. It’s a great place to explore your interests and bounce ideas off experts. This will serve you very well if you decide to pursue one of the nine optional minors the college offers, which range from holistic hospice and palliative care to women’s integrative health. The College of Nursing and Health Professions creates a fertile environment for your success through its Office of Nursing and Health Professions Research. It helps coordinate projects and secure funding from sources like the NIH and the American Heart Association. Right now, just within the College of Nursing and Health Professions, there are 50 active research projects.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: GRE
• Ranked among the most selective nursing schools in the nation by US News & World Report, who also ranked it among the top 20 nursing schools overall
• Small class sizes
• Graduate in four semesters over two years full-time, and in up to four years part-time
• The school is currently in the process of upgrading its Simulation Center
• The Center for International Nursing Scholarship and Education provides global study opportunities
• 51 credits with 994 clinical hours for the acute care track and 660 clinical hours for the primary care track

We think the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the Yale University School of Nursing is truly amazing. The problem is so does everyone else. Among all schools of nursing in the nation, Yale’s is the most competitive to get into. Quality and expertise – especially from a dedicated faculty – make all the difference. If you and this program seem like a perfect fit and you get in, worrying about how you’re going to invest in your future should be the last thing on your mind. That’s why most students – 86 percent last year – receive grants and financial aid. You’ll appreciate the fact that your colleagues studying beside you have just as much merit and drive as you do. This is reinforced by individual faculty attention thanks to small class sizes. Last year the full-time faculty to full-time student ratio was 1:7. You’ll appreciate the 5,300-square-foot fully stocked Simulation Center that includes hi-fidelity mannequins and one-way-mirrored clinical monitoring rooms. Currently, fundraising is underway for an even better and more advanced simulation lab. You also have the option to participate in any number of Yale’s global health initiatives through the Center for International Nursing Scholarship and Education. The director of the AGACNP program has more than a dozen publications and presentations to her credit, and is the senior acute care nurse practitioner with joint clinical appointment at the Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General. The director of the AGPCNP program is a Yale alumnus with experience in nursing leadership, internal medicine private practice, and community health environments.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• $3.47 million grant to improve health among those with dementia
• Designated a World Health Organization Collaborating Center in Gerontologic Nursing Education
• Option to add a concentration in one of three additional subjects
• Option for a dual master’s degree with an MPH
• 93 percent job placement rate for graduates
• Fall, spring, and summer start dates
• AGACNP – 51 credits including 649 clinical hours and 42 hours of simulation; AGPCNP – 51 credits including 641 clinical hours and 31 hours of simulation

What first stood out to us about the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the Rory Meyers College of Nursing was the potential making international connections. Since 2004 the Rory Meyers College of Nursing has been designated a World Health Organization Collaborating Center in Gerontologic Nursing Education. That means the college has a specific mandate from WHO to conduct research and otherwise carry out activities that support WHO programs, specifically in the field of gerontology. That’s impressive, not to mention uniquely exciting. If you like learning abroad you’ll want to check out the College of Nursing’s Global Initiatives program. It maintains partnerships with healthcare organizations on six continents with past or present locations in 28 different countries. With these kinds of connections you are bound to find an ideal location to gain some experience, whether it’s in Ghana, Switzerland, Ecuador, or Singapore. The Rory Meyers College of Nursing just received a $3.47 million grant from the NIH to find unique ways to improve oral health among people with mild dementia. As an MSN student here you can even add a specialty concentration in the areas of holistic nursing, palliative care, or substance abuse disorders. You also have the option to earn a dual MPH. As you can see, the academic opportunities offered through New York University’s MSN program are another reason this program made our list. Research centers like the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing attract professionals in this field from all over the world, which helps to explain why the highly qualified – and highly personable – faculty in this college stood out to us too.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Nine faculty and affiliated staff are fellows of the American Academy of Nursing
• 78 percent of faculty have their doctoral degree
• Option to study abroad
• Ranked in the top-10 percent nationally and the top-five percent in New England for being one of the best graduate nursing programs by US News & World Report
• Only public research university in New England
• The new 15,000-square-foot Widmer Wing recently opened
• Full and part-time options with fellowships available
• 45 credits

Last year the University of Connecticut School of Nursing put an exclamation point on its long track record of excellence when it celebrated its 75^th anniversary. We noticed a key aspect that makes it stand out from the rest, and also speaks volumes about the quality of its Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program. That special aspect about the School of Nursing is its faculty, nine of whom are fellows of the American Academy of Nursing. The most prestigious designation in this field, most nursing schools brag about having one faculty member who is a fellow. It should come as no surprise that more than three-quarters of the faculty at the UC School of Nursing have doctoral degrees. The new 15,000-square-foot Widmer Wing was recently opened at the School of Nursing, and includes high-tech simulation technologies and state-of-the-art classrooms. The Clinical Simulation Center is home to 15 mannequins. Once you’ve finished with your on-campus labs you’ll move to a Dedicated Education Unit, literally a space in one of four participating hospitals with a wing reserved expressly for your learning under the supervision of hospital staff. If going out into a hospital in the local community isn’t far enough for you, the School of Nursing’s Education Abroad program lets you explore the world while you learn. It organizes regular learning trips to countries like Ecuador, Ireland, South Africa, Belgium, and Puerto Rico.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Ranks 26th among nursing schools in research funding received from the National Institutes of Health
• 100 percent job placement rate within a year of graduation
• Entry option for non-nurses with any bachelor’s degree
• Active center for research in the field of nursing
• Ranked among the best schools in the nation by US News & World Report for its master’s in nursing program
• Full and part-time options with graduation possible in two-to-three years
• 45-47 credits with 672 clinical hours

The MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Rochester School of Nursing is distinguished by many attributes, starting with faculty expertise. The school is a regional hub for research, bringing together experts from around the world. For you this means access to talent and insight, giving you great opportunities to network with other professionals. In just this year alone the School of Nursing has received $5 million in grants and other contributions to fund its pioneering research. This supports the work of the amazing faculty at the Elaine C. Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging. As a national center for important research, it makes sense that this program uses the Unification Model. This means your education unifies best practices across academics, research, and practice, creating the perfect synthesis for producing outstanding nurse practitioners. This is evidenced by a 100 percent employment rate within one year for graduates of the AGNP program.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Designated a National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (NHCGNE)
• Boyer learning model ensures excellence in teaching and your career performance
• Diverse range of clinical placement opportunities throughout Massachusetts and New England, including major teaching hospitals and specialty clinics; over 100 institutions in Greater Boston
• 43 credits with approximately 600 clinical precepted hours

The MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences was designed based on the Boyer model of scholarship to ensure you’re fully prepared for advanced practice. This means you experience original research, learn through innovative methods, apply what you’ve learned, and synthesize information from related fields into your academic experience. It’s a proven model of learning, and it’s no surprise that Bouvé College has a proven track record of graduating AGNPs who go on to lead highly successful careers. The implementation of this model lies on the shoulders of the faculty at Northeastern University, and those within the School of Nursing live up to the high expectations placed on them. The 71 faculty who make up the School of Nursing include five whose careers are devoted to researching issues specific to older adults, five who focus on chronic illness, six who specialize in health disparities, and five who concentrate on educational technology and simulation. A commitment to excellence and proven results has earned Bouvé College the distinguished honor of being named a National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (NHCGNE) by the National Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing. This non-profit organization is an international collaboration of nursing schools and institutions with the highest level of commitment to the field of gerontological nursing, representing the gold standard of excellence in the field of gerontology.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Online)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• 100% AANPCB exam pass rates for primary care graduates over the past five years
• 95% pass rate for acute care graduates taking the ANCC or AACN certification exam.
• Ranked a best-value college by Forbes magazine
• Ranked among the best schools for a master’s degree in nursing by US News & World Report
• Graduation possible in three-to-four years
• Three campus immersion experiences, one of which can be completed virtually
• 48 credits with 600-675 clinical hours

A quick look at the stats from the Seton Hall University College of Nursing highlight why we think this MSN program is so noteworthy. To start, over the past five years 100 percent of graduates from the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program passed the AANPCB certification exam. Students in the Acute Care AGNP program take either the ANCC or AACN certification exam. Seton Hall’s overall pass rate on these exams is 95%. You can’t get much better than that. The College of Nursing has also been ranked nationally for both its value and for having one of the best master’s programs. We appreciate a quality program, and we really appreciate quality faculty. The College of Nursing just announced that its Associate Dean of Nursing is going to be inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing, the highest honor someone in this profession can receive. The director of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program has won four prestigious awards, has more than 25 years of experience as a nurse practitioner in addition to her PhD, and is responsible for spearheading the clinical research that led to the development of the HPV vaccine. She is a great representation of the kind of quality and professionalism you’ll experience in this program, and a big reason why it makes our list.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: GRE for GPAs below 3.2
• Option to earn a dual degree in several fields
• Choice of 10 optional minors you can add to your degree
• Ranks first nationally among graduate schools of nursing for NIH funding
• 14 active student nursing organizations
• Highest percentage of members of the National Academy of Medicine and Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing than any other peer institution
• Designated a World Health Organization Collaborating Center
• Option to specialize in many different areas within adult-gerontology
• AGPCNP program ranked the best in the nation by US News & World Report
• Full and part-time options with graduation possible in as little as four semesters including summer
• 12 course units

There’s not enough space on this page to briefly explain how great the MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is. Just the sheer number of academic options you have is highly impressive in-and-of itself. You can earn a dual master’s degree in the fields of bioethics, public health, law, or business administration. You can add a minor to your AGNP program from a list of 10 subjects, ranging from adult oncology to global health to palliative care. In the AGACNP program you can choose from at least six clinical concentrations like cardiology or transplants, and you can also choose to focus your program generally in areas like internal medicine, general surgery, and much more. The AGPCNP program is ranked first in the nation by US News & World Report. As a World Health Organization Collaborating Center, the school works on special WHO projects and research. This gives you unique opportunities to expand international nursing connections and gain academic and clinical experience abroad on your choice of five continents in 14 different countries. The School of Nursing’s 93 expert faculty members are the ones who make this program amazing, and they themselves are also amazing. They serve on the boards and panels of organizations like the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Nursing Research, DHHS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Veteran’s Administration, and much more. In fact, the UP School of Nursing has a higher percentage of American Academy of Nursing fellows and members of the National Academy of Medicine than of any other peer organization!

Master of Science – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(Hybrid)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing
• The College of Nursing and Public Health maintains over 250 clinical partnerships
• State-of-the-art 18,000-square-foot clinical simulation laboratory
• New home for the College of Nursing and Public Health in the Nexus Building
• 45 credits including 600 clinical hours

You’re just in time for the MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program at the Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health. It has moved to a brand new building that’s complete with the latest technological developments and space to give you everything you need for a successful education. Combine this with the CESil Clinical Education and Simulation Lab and you can’t get any more advanced. This lab comes equipped with 24 high and low fidelity mannequins, an obesity suit, eight clinical and pediatric exam rooms, a 22-bed lab, a fully functioning community health room, and more. The Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health has been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing since 2014. This is a distinction reserved only for schools that demonstrate outstanding innovations, sustainability of excellence, and commitment. It comes thanks to the vital contributions of exceptional faculty who are both committed to the success of students and to excellence in their profession.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

(On-campus)

• Accreditation: CCNE
• Entrance exam requirement: none
• Ranked among the best nursing master’s degree programs in the nation by US News & World Report
• School is home to the college’s Wellness Center and the Glover-Crask Simulation Center
• Dozens of partnerships with sites for clinical experience
• School of Nursing just awarded a $1.2 million grant
• 46 credits including 600 hours of clinical practice

The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner MSN program at the Wegmans School of Nursing stands out for having the best facilities around. Located near the center of campus, the school calls a 41,000-square-foot building home, complete with teaching laboratories, faculty offices, video conferencing seminar rooms, and Saint John Fisher College’s Health and Wellness Center. One of those teaching labs is the Glover-Crask Simulation Center, itself a 10,400-square-foot facility that comes with five simulation rooms, a faculty control room to run simulations, and much more. Once you’ve grown comfortable with your academic training in the simulation rooms you’ll be ready to start your real-life clinicals. This brings us to another point we think is noteworthy about the Wegmans School of Nursing: its clinical partnerships. The school offers placement in the region’s leading healthcare facilities where you can earn your clinical hours under the supervision of highly experienced preceptors. Possible locations include the Clinton Family Health Center, the Rochester General Hospital, and the University of Rochester Medical Center. And we haven’t even got to the outstanding faculty who make this program’s success possible. For example, the director of the graduate nursing program just secured a $1.2 million grant from the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Program to cover tuition for 25 primary care nurse practitioner students, with the ultimate goal of increasing the skilled nursing workforce in the local area. This program wants to admit successful students like you, and they’re willing to go the extra mile to ensure your success is possible.