Liberty's Web-Based Acute Care Masters: Designed for Working Nurses
| School Overview | |
|---|---|
| Serves: | USA |
| Accredited by: | SACS-COC |
| Enrollment: | 9 terms per year |
| Financial Aid: | Yes |
| Scholarships: | Yes |
Graduates Work in a Wide Array of Care Settings
Advanced practice acute care nurses function both clinically and administratively in a variety of traditional and non-traditional healthcare patient settings. Liberty University's online Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Acute Care prepares experienced RNs for a higher degree of patient care and for administrative and leadership roles within the field.
Acute care patients are generally adults with chronic and acute health conditions, some complex. MSN acute care nurses offer advanced patient and care assessments that lead to a holistic regime of health. They are intensively engaged with a patient's family and lifestyle; their goal is to develop a nurse-patient synergistic program that ultimately provides healthcare improvement and even the potential for full restoration to health. Advanced practice RNs are trained to employ integrative care, negotiate the healthcare continuum, and deliver a holistic and personal care plan that allows for modifications when necessary and urges patients toward optimal health.
Requirements for Admission to the MSN in Acute Care
Candidates interested in the LU online MSN Acute Care must have a completed Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a GPA of 3.0, a valid RN license, and at least a year of clinical nursing experience. Online candidates must be prepared to successfully move toward degree completion. Distance learning is convenient for busy RNs with family and/or jobs to negotiate, but challenges participants in self-motivation and perseverance over the long-term.
Curriculum
LU's MSN Acute Care is a blended program: much of the degree is delivered via virtual learning environment, but a significant chunk of credit hours must be completed in acute care practicum. Hands-on clinicals are a necessity for advanced practice clinical RNs, but LU allows distance learners to choose a site and preceptor locally, with faculty approval.
Coursework is divided into fundamental advanced care courses and specialized courses that provide the acute care concepts and skills. Core topics relative to general graduate nursing programs include advanced topics in: nursing theory, nursing research, pharmacology and pathophysiology, and ethics and legislative policies for healthcare systems. Specialized coursework is heavily bound to clinical hours. MSN candidates may choose from a variety of acute care situations in which to hone advanced patient assessment skills, accumulate experience with diverse populations, diverse patient conditions, and even integrate leadership and management responsibilities into practice.
Career Opportunity
Acute care is one of the traditional sub-specialties of general healthcare. Patients exist in an array of settings: hospitals, rehab facilities, outpatient clinics, home health, and long-term care. Advanced practice RNs may find suitable positions in any of these situations with opportunities for advanced clinical practice, as well as leadership and administrative roles and responsibilities.
Liberty University has developed an expansive, Christ-centered educational model that provides traditional, blended, and distance learning degrees to students across the country.
