Frequently asked questions for UCF’s adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) graduate certificate program.
What does hybrid-online mean?
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) post-master’s certificate at UCF’s College of Nursing is offered in a mixed mode format with reduced on-campus seat time.
- Most courses are taught online in an asynchronous format, providing convenience and flexibility.
- Lab courses are offered live and require some on-campus attendance.
- Clinical courses require on-campus attendance one or more days per semester for simulation.
- Examination reviews, focused on preparation for board certification, are provided live on campus. While optional, they are highly recommended.
All on-campus requirements are subject to change. Dates are provided as far in advance as possible so students can plan their work and other schedules accordingly.
What’s the difference between an acute care and primary care nurse practitioner?
The biggest difference is the acuity level of patients they care for and the care setting that reflects that acuity. Adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), family (FNP) and adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP) nurse practitioners are graduate-educated, nationally certified and state licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners care for patients, focused on 18 years and older, with medically-complex, stable and unstable acute, critical and chronic illnesses across care settings ranging from hospitals to sub-acute, ambulatory care, clinic and home care environments. AGACNPs provide a spectrum of care from disease prevention to acute and critical care management.
AGACNPs are uniquely qualified to provide specific healthcare functions to acutely and chronically ill hospitalized patients who may be physiologically unstable, technologically dependent and highly vulnerable to complications.
Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners provide preventative care and care for patients with acute, chronic and complex conditions focusing on patients 13 years and older. Family nurse practitioners provide the same type of care to patients across the lifespan, from children to adults.
Both AGPCNPs and FNPs diagnose and manage self-limiting and chronic conditions, emphasize health promotion and disease prevention, and work in a variety of practice settings. Their services include, but are not limited to, ordering, conducting and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescribing pharmacological agents and non-pharmacological therapies, and teaching and counseling.
Acute care nurse practitioners complete clinical rotations in a hospital or acute care setting, whereas primary care nurse practitioners are educated in a variety of settings, including clinics, provider offices, skilled nursing facilities, hospices and private practices.
Can I work while I am in the program?
While UCF’s AGACNP post-master’s certificate is a part-time program, it is quite rigorous and requires students to make serious decisions about commitments that extend beyond graduate school. Students may require a reduction in work hours particularly once clinical coursework begins.
Do I have to find my own clinical sites and preceptors?
Clinical sites are secured by UCF graduate internship experience coordinators and the clinical experience coordinator, and are reviewed by the program director to ensure appropriate placements. Students are not required to find their own clinical sites or preceptors.
Where do I complete my clinical hour requirements?
Clinical hours are completed within the Central Florida region. Please contact the program director with questions.
How many hours per week am I in clinicals?
Clinical hours are spread across multiple semesters and vary by semester depending upon clinical courses. See plan of study below for a detailed breakdown.
Upon graduation, will I be eligible for AGACNP national certification?
Yes. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) post-master’s certificate at the University of Central Florida prepares graduates for national certification through curriculum and clinical experiences that meet educational requirements for certification and subsequent licensure in Florida.
Graduates are prepared to sit for the AGACNP board certification examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Learn about accreditation.
UCF is an approved institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership in NC-SARA requires the university to disclose information regarding state licensing and certification requirements for the selected program of study when licensing and/or certification are a requirement to practice in the profession after graduation.
We are unable to confirm the educational and licensure requirements of other states, territories or foreign entities. If you intend to pursue credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements for licensure and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria.