Specialty Track Overview

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) acquires knowledge and experience to provide direct healthcare services to late adolescents and adults across the lifespan for the purposes of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention and management of common acute and chronic illnesses.

The AGACNP works in a variety of clinical settings that include, but are not limited to, acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician offices, urgent care centers and ambulatory care centers. The population foci consists of late adolescents through older adults experiencing acute and episodic chronic health problems. There are a total of 675 direct clinical hours.

Credit Hours

*Refer to USI Transfer Credit Policy

Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS)

The Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) is an advanced clinician who functions as an expert clinician, leader, researcher, educator and consultant who exerts influence in three spheres: patient/family, nursing personnel and organization system. The AGCNS graduate acquires knowledge and experience to provide services to individuals in an area of specialization across the lifespan in health promotion, disease prevention and management of common acute and/or chronic illness. The AGCNS works in a variety of clinical settings including acute care hospitals, community agencies, long-term care, home care and physician offices. There are a total of 500 direct clinical hours.

Credit Hours

*Refer to USI Transfer Credit Policy

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) acquires a broad base of knowledge and experience to provide direct healthcare services to people of all ages for the purposes of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention and management of common acute and chronic illnesses.

The FNP focuses on care of patients and families and functions primarily in ambulatory care settings. The population in primary care family practice includes newborns, infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, adults and older adults. There are a total of 630 direct clinical hours.

Credit Hours

*Refer to USI Transfer Credit Policy

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced clinician who provides psychiatric/mental health services to individuals across the lifespan. The role includes diagnosis, provision of therapies and medication management for individuals with psychiatric/mental health disorders. Health promotion, disease prevention and management of mental health symptoms along with family consultation and education are included in the role.

The PMHNP practices in various clinical settings including acute care and chronic care hospitals, community agencies, long-term care facilities, home care and outpatient offices. There are a total of 630 direct credit hours.

Credit Hours

*Refer to USI Transfer Credit Policy

Nursing Education Leadership (NEL)

The Nursing Education Leadership (NEL) specialty prepares the nurse to be an educator in schools of nursing or healthcare institutions with skills in curriculum development and implementation, budget management, leadership, teaching strategies for the classroom and clinical settings and measurement of student and program outcomes.

Currently, this specialty track is only available in the MSN program.

Credit Hours

Healthcare Systems Leadership (HSL)

The Healthcare Systems Leadership (HSL) specialty equips nurses to take on leadership roles in diverse healthcare settings. The program emphasizes the integration of finance, business management, information management and marketing resources evaluation into nursing leadership and management responsibilities.

Credit Hours