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BSN to DNP – AGACNP Program

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Overview

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Advance to the Doctoral Level and Specialize in Acute and Critical Care

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According to census records, there will be more than 77 million adults over the age of 65 in the United States by 2034.* Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) will be critical to delivering advanced nursing and specialized care to adults with complex, acute, and chronic illnesses.

This CCNE-accredited, practice-focused pathway allows you to become an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) while earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree — without needing a separate MSN.

Developed for working registered nurses, Hawai‘i Pacific University’s program blends asynchronous online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences. You’ll gain the acute care competencies and systems leadership skills to manage complex adult and older adult populations in fast-paced hospital environments.

*U.S. Census Bureau

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CALENDAR

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Application Deadline:
December 5, 2025

Upcoming Start Date:
January 12, 2026
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Program at a Glance

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100% online coursework with mobile-friendly delivery
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Small classes with accessible faculty who care about your success and well-being
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Prepare to pass the ANCC certification exam on your first attempt
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Dedicated student support from first contact through graduation
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Earn your BSN-DNP in as few as 34-44 months*
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Transfer up to 12 credits
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*Full-time students take 34 months and part-time students take 44 months to complete the program.
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Why Choose HPU’s Online BSN to DNP – AGACNP?

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HPU’s BSN to DNP – AGACNP program is designed for experienced RNs seeking to become advanced practice providers and leaders in critical care. You’ll graduate eligible for national certification and equipped to drive evidence-based care and organizational change.

ONE PROGRAM. TWO CREDENTIALS

Earn your AGACNP certification and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

CLINICAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Courses go beyond diagnosis to include healthcare quality, population health, and ethical decision-making.

HOSPITAL-BASED CLINICAL PREPARATION

Designed for ICU, trauma, and acute care environments.

FLEXIBLE, ONLINE COURSEWORK

Complete your degree on your schedule.

PERSONALIZED SUPPORT

Receive one-on-one guidance from faculty and clinical placement specialists.

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MEET OUR DNP FACULTY
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MEET OUR DNP FACULTY
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Member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
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The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Hawai‘i Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
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Member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
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Accredited by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC/WSCUC)
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Participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) to offer distance education in member states
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BSN to DNP – AGACNP Career Outcomes

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What Does an AGACNP Do?

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Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners are advanced practice providers who deliver comprehensive, high-acuity care for adults and older adults with complex, unstable, or urgent medical conditions. As a BSN to DNP student, you’ll train to step into one of the most dynamic roles in healthcare, bridging bedside expertise with advanced diagnostics and leadership.

AGACNPs typically:

  • Assess and manage acute and chronic illnesses in hospitalized and critically ill patients
  • Perform advanced procedures (e.g., central line placement, intubation oversight, chest tube management)
  • Interpret lab results, imaging studies, and other diagnostics to inform urgent care decisions
  • Prescribe and adjust treatment plans, medications, and interventions
  • Serve as key members of interdisciplinary care teams in trauma, cardiology, neurology, and surgical specialties

These practitioners work in settings such as ICUs, telemetry units, specialty clinics, and inpatient hospitals, often leading or collaborating in rapid response and critical care teams.

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Career Opportunities

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Clinical Practice Roles

  • Hospitalist NP
  • Trauma or Surgical NP
  • Critical Care Team Lead
  • Internal Medicine or Cardiology NP

Leadership & Academic Roles

  • Acute Care Program Director
  • Clinical Faculty
  • Quality Improvement Coordinator
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Job Outlook

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  • Median Salary: $116,000 (ZipRecruiter)
  • Projected Growth: 40% projected increase from 2023 through 2033 (BLS)

The program is designed to prepare graduates to sit for AGACNP board certification through AACN or ANCC.

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BSN to DNP Careers

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Ready for your next step?

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BSN to DNP – AGACNP Curriculum Overview

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As a BSN-prepared nurse advancing directly into HPU’s DNP program, you’ll complete an intensive curriculum that prepares you for national AGACNP certification and leadership in complex care environments.

Each concentration takes a holistic approach to creating patient-centered change. You’ll gain a deep understanding of clinical decision-making and advanced practice while also mastering systems-level thinking, quality improvement, and evidence-based leadership.

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COURSES INCLUDE:

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  • Fundamentals of Acute Care I, II and III
  • Advanced Clinical Decision Making
  • Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing
  • Leadership and Systems Management
  • Informatics and Technology for Advanced Practice
  • Optimizing Quality in Health Care Systems
  • Business and Finance Essentials for the DNP
  • Development and Implementation of Health Care Policy
  • Clinical Scholarship and Scholarly Writing
  • Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
  • Doctoral Projects: Development, Implementation, and Data Analysis and Dissemination
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CLINICAL PLACEMENT SUPPORT

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HPU’s clinical placement services are tailored to the needs of acute care nurse practitioner students. Our team works with you to find qualified preceptors and approved sites based on your location and specialty area.

  • Coordinated placement in hospital-based and specialty care settings
  • Support identifying preceptors in ICU, ER, and cardiopulmonary units
  • Assistance with documentation and onboarding
  • DNP project mentorship in real-world acute care settings
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You’ll complete over 1,000 supervised practicum hours, including site-based experiences in acute and critical care, and a final scholarly project addressing a real-world healthcare issue.

Coursework is 100% online and asynchronous, allowing you to build advanced practice skills without pausing your nursing career. You’ll engage with HPU’s expert faculty through virtual office hours, group discussion forums, and personalized feedback to keep you supported throughout the program.

Students may transfer up to 12 eligible credits from another college or university into HPU’s online BSN-DNP program.

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Note: Upon completion of our BSN to DNP program, the DNP degree will be awarded. This program does not lead to the MSN degree.
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Core Courses

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NUR 6000 Introduction to Advanced Practice Roles / 3 Credits
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This course covers the definitions of advanced practice nursing (APN) roles in community environments. Theoretical content includes ethics, multicultural population-focused care, community coordination strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and leadership. Roles of the nurse as case manager, administrator, educator, researcher, consultant, and practitioner are explored. Communication issues including assertive behavior, conflict resolution, and the dynamics of change are examined.
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NUR 6010 Advanced Pathophysiology / 3 Credits
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This course covers the in-depth exploration of pathophysiological responses involved in processes affecting the body's optimal functioning. The ability to implement diagnostic reasoning, critical thinking, and the integration of scientific concepts with psychosocial and spiritual aspects of the human condition are enhanced using case studies. Human pathophysiological responses across the life span that incorporate the individual, families, and communities are surveyed.
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NUR 6020 Advanced Nursing Research / 3 Credits
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A broad range of quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry are explored as a means to forward nursing research.
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NUR 6025 Advanced Pharmacology / 3 Credits
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This course covers advanced knowledge of pharmacology integrated with the needs of the community served by the practitioner. A case-study method is utilized to support increased knowledge, development, and application.
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NUR 6030 Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning / 3 Credits
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This course expands upon health assessment skills and diagnostic reasoning concepts to determine the health status of clients across the life span. Focuses on the collection and interpretation of clinical data derived from the history and physical exam.
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NUR 8050 Development and Implementation of Health Care Policy / 3 Credits
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In this course the DNP student will develop knowledge, skills, and tools toward the DNP terminal competencies related to policy, policy development, and change to maintain high-quality care while remaining accessible and using scarce resources wisely.
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Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program Curriculum

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At the conclusion of the program, AGACNP students will have completed a total of 630 clinical hours:

  • NUR 6984 AGACNP Practicum I – 126 clinical hours
  • NUR 6986 AGACNP Practicum II – 252 clinical hours
  • NUR 6987 AGACNP Practicum III – 252 clinical hours
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NUR 6980 Fundamentals of Acute Care I / 3 Credits
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This evidence-based course investigates the evaluation and management of adult and gerontologic populations experiencing acute and critical illnesses, including disease classification, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, assessment, and diagnostic evaluation. An emphasis is placed on advanced clinical decision-making, integrating advanced pharmacology, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual factors, genetics, and the impact of aging.
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NUR 6982 Advanced Clinical Decision Making / 3 Credits
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This didactic and Sim Lab course focuses on critical care diagnostics and management technologies, including ABG analysis and ventilation management; cardioversion and pacing; lab; radiology; and CT interpretation. Emphasis is on obtaining comprehensive medical histories, conducting examinations, analyzing biotechnological data trends, performing differential diagnosis, and decision-making for critically ill adults.
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NUR 6983 Fundamentals of Acute Care II / 3 Credits
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This evidence-based course investigates evaluating and managing adult and gerontologic populations experiencing acute and critical illnesses. This includes disease classification, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, assessment, and diagnostic evaluation. An emphasis is placed on advanced clinical decision-making that integrates advanced pharmacology; psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual factors; genetics; and the impact of aging.
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NUR 6984 AGACNP Practicum I / 3 Credits
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This first practicum course will explore and apply the adult-gerontological ACNP role within the infrastructure of American health care. The focus will be on developing ACNP competencies and clinical decision-making. Discussions will include reimbursement, billing, role development, nursing and medical interventions, and other activities.
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NUR 6985 Fundamentals of Acute Care III / 1 Credit
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This third evidence-based course investigates evaluating and managing adult and gerontologic populations experiencing acute and critical illnesses. This includes disease classification, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, assessment, and diagnostic evaluation. An emphasis is placed on advanced clinical decision-making; integrating advanced pharmacology; and psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual factors.
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NUR 6986 AGACNP Practicum II / 6 Credits
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This first practicum course will explore and apply the adult-gerontological ACNP role within the infrastructure of American health care. The focus will be on developing ACNP competencies and clinical decision-making. Discussions will include reimbursement, billing, role development, nursing and medical interventions, and other activities.
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NUR 6987 AGACNP Practicum III / 6 Credits
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The third practicum course will solidify the ACNP role with the expansion of advanced clinical competencies and clinical decision-making. Clinical experiences will focus and substantiate the utility of comprehensive patient assessment, management, and intervention strategies across the continuum of acute care. Seminars will focus on a variety of professional role development.
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DNP Courses

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Courses in the HPU BSN to DNP program are built around the nationally recognized Essentials set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
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NUR 8000 Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing / 3 Credits
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This course provides learners with the theoretical and practical foundation for evidence-based practice with an emphasis on evidence-based conceptual models, refining skills in searching and critiquing the literature for application to practice change, and synthesizing a body of literature to design interventions pertinent to a practice problem.
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NUR 8010 Leadership and Systems Management / 3 Credits
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In this course the doctoral student will prepare to assume complex and advanced leadership roles to guide change as a practitioner, clinical executive, educator, clinical scientist, and clinical scholar, among others.
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NUR 8020 Informatics and Technology for Advanced Practice / 3 Credits
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In this course the doctoral student will acquire competencies in using technology systems that capture data on variables for the evaluation of health care, integrating appropriate technologies to translate evolving technical and scientific information. The student will demonstrate information literacy skills in complex decision-making and ability to contribute to the design of clinical information systems that promote safe, quality, and cost-effective care.
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NUR 8030 Optimizing Quality in Health Care Systems / 3 Credits
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In this course the doctoral student will acquire competencies to continuously improve the quality of systems practices focusing on day-to-day responsibilities and realities of guiding change. The student will evaluate the impact of access, cost, quality, and safety of proposed change. The interaction of organizational structure, care processes, financing, marketing and policy decisions, and regulatory pressures will be examined in relation to quality improvement decisions.
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NUR 8040 Business and Finance Essentials for the DNP / 3 Credits
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The student will develop knowledge and skills toward the DNP essentials regarding organizational leadership and systems thinking. The topics of health care economics and the business of practice will be examined. Economic concepts and tools will be used to examine issues, costs, and solve problems pertaining to health care delivery.
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NUR 8050 Development and Implementation of Health Care Policy / 3 Credits
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In this course the DNP student will develop knowledge, skills, and tools toward the DNP terminal competencies related to policy, policy development, and change to maintain high-quality care while remaining accessible and using scarce resources wisely.
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NUR 8070 Clinical Scholarship and Scholarly Writing / 3 Credits
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This course is designed to introduce students to scholarly writing and dissemination for clinicians. The four areas of scholarly writing covered will be argument, evidence, paragraphs, and academic voice. The course provides students with practical information, exercises, and resources for successful clinical manuscript preparation, journal article abstract preparation, and clinical conference poster and oral presentation. This course prepares graduate students for a lifelong approach to integrating scholarship into clinical practice.
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NUR 8080 Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice / 3 Credits
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This course is designed to provide the foundation for applying and implementing research by exploring the nature of inquiry and evaluating designs, methods, and measurements of evidence. Topics of validity, reliability, generalizability, rigor, and trustworthiness will be addressed in this course. Appropriate statistical analysis used to predict and analyze health care outcomes will be presented. Evaluating and using output from statistical computing software are also addressed.
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NUR 9010 Doctoral Project I: Development / 3 Credits
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In this course the DNP student will refine and prepare for implementation of the project proposal at a practice site in their state of licensure. The final project proposal will be submitted to the HPU IRB and the research review process of the project site.
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NUR 9020 Doctoral Project II: Implementation / 3 Credits
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In this course, the DNP student will refine and prepare for implementation of the project proposal at the practice site in their state of licensure. The final project proposal will be submitted to the HPU IRB and the research review process of the project site.
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NUR 9030 Doctoral Project III: Data Analysis and Dissemination / 3 Credits
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Under the guidance of their academic and external advisors, the doctoral student will analyze the results of their selected project by analyzing data, evaluating project outcomes, and disseminating results within the organization, the university, and the professional community. Findings will be disseminated in the form of a publishable scholarly paper and an oral community presentation.
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Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited university
  • 3.0 GPA from undergraduate degree preferred
  • U.S. unencumbered state RN license
  • Before or during the program, applicants must also demonstrate completion of a Statistics and Research (Evidence-Based Nursing) course. This may be listed on transcripts as Statistics, Research Methods, or Evidence-Based Practice

To complete your application, you’ll need:

  • Application and application fee
  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Statement of purpose
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Transfer Credits

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Students wishing to transfer course credits from an outside institution will need to meet with their Program Chair to review transcripts, course syllabi and fill out appropriate forms. A maximum of 12 semester credits of graduate work is transferrable if the following requirements are met:

  • The institution is accredited
  • Official transcripts and syllabi are available for review
  • The courses are deemed to be equivalent in level, content, objectives, and competencies to the HPU graduate course it will be replacing
  • The proficiency attained is equivalent to a "B" grade or higher
  • Courses were completed within five calendar years of admission to HPU graduate nursing
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The following courses cannot be transferred to HPU for credit:

  • Final project/paper or Capstone course
  • Courses taken as part of a granted degree. For example, if a student has had a Master's degree in Public Health conferred, a health policy course taken during that curriculum may not be transferred in and applied to another degree requirements.
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Graduate-level attainments completed at institutions or through programs or examinations, evaluated by the ACE (American Council on Education) will be considered for appropriate transfer credit on the same basis as prospective transfer credit from graduate programs at U.S. colleges and universities. The Program Chair will use the ACE credit award recommendation as the starting point for the deliberation of credit award; in no case will more credits be awarded than the ACE recommends; usually the award will be more stringent.
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FAQs: BSN to DNP – AGACNP

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How is the BSN to DNP – AGACNP program different from a traditional MSN?
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This program allows BSN-prepared nurses to earn their DNP and prepare for AGACNP certification in one seamless pathway. It eliminates the need for a separate master’s degree, saving time and offering a more integrated educational experience focused on advanced practice and leadership.
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What kind of patients will I care for as a BSN to DNP AGACNP student?
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You’ll train to manage complex, acutely ill adults and older adults in hospital-based settings. Your patients may include those in ICUs, emergency departments, surgical units, and specialty clinics requiring critical or post-acute care.
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Will I receive help with finding clinical placement sites?
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Yes, HPU provides clinical placement support to help you secure practicum experiences that align with AGACNP certification requirements and your geographic preferences.
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How does the scholarly project fit into the program?
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The DNP scholarly project is integrated into your final terms and is designed to address a real-world issue in acute or critical care. You’ll develop, implement, and evaluate a systems-level solution under faculty guidance.
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What certification will I be eligible for?
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Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for national AGACNP certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
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Tuition & Financial Aid

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HPU’s online MSN program is designed to be affordable, flexible, and accessible for working nurses advancing into APRN roles.

  • $1,117 per credit
  • Program length and total cost vary by specialization
  • Eligible for federal financial aid and scholarships
  • Employer-sponsored tuition assistance welcome
  • Special tuition benefits available for active-duty military and veterans
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