Hopkins Program Sets Nurse Practitioners On Fast Track For Acute Care Certification

A new accelerated post-master’s program now offered by the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing allows nurse practitioners with previous acute care experience to acquire the advanced knowledge and skills necessary for practice as certified acute care nurse practitioners in two semesters.

The new fast-track post-master’s certificate program for acute care nurse practitioners, the first of its kind in the country, prepares adult, family, or geriatric nurse practitioners to serve in specialized acute care settings where patients are acutely ill, including intensive and critical care units and emergency rooms.

According to Martha N. Hill, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, the innovative program comes at a time when the need for well-trained and highly skilled practitioners in these areas has intensified. “As our nation’s population ages and hospitals admit more patients and care for more critically-ill patients, there is a particularly strong need for nurse practitioners in the acute care setting.”  She adds, “We have created this program at the school to meet that demand and to quickly prepare—according to the Hopkins standard of excellence—outstanding nurse practitioners who can provide the more complex care these patients require.”

The School of Nursing is now accepting applications for the first cohort beginning in the fall 2004 semester. For applications and further information, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services at 410-955-7548.