Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master's Certificate

Adult/gerontological acute care nurse practitioners work in emergency departments, tertiary care settings, intensive care units, trauma centers and specialty medicine areas treating patients with acute, critical and chronic illnesses, as well as those with disabilities or injuries. 

In Saint Louis University's adult/gerontological acute care nurse practitioner post-master's certificate program, students learn to use complex monitoring and invasive therapies, high-intensity interventions and continuous vigilance within the range of high-acuity care to help meet the specialized physiological and psychological needs of adults of all ages, including the frail elderly.

At the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, we partner with our students on clinical placement. Besides being paired with a faculty mentor with expertise in the students' desired field of study, Saint Louis University helps students obtain preceptors for their clinical rotations.

SLU's School of Nursing is renowned for excellence in nursing education. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our M.S.N.-NP program as a top program in their Best Graduate Schools survey.

Curriculum Overview

Our post-master's nurse practitioner certificate programs are conducted almost completely online, requiring only one visit to the St. Louis campus.

A minimum of 15 credits is required for completion of a post-master's nurse practitioner certificate program. The total number of credits varies, depending on the nurse practitioner specialty certificate pursued. At the school's discretion, students may transfer three to six credits of graduate-level coursework to be applied toward their post-master's certificate program of study.

Student files are individually reviewed. Students may be able to petition for advanced standing in courses such as “Advanced Health Assessment,” “Advanced Pathophysiology” and “Advanced Pharmacology.”

Careers

Upon completion of the post-master's nurse practitioner certificate program, you will qualify to take the national certification exam through your specialty certification board.

The median salary of nurse practitioners in 2022 was $125,900. The best-paid 25% of nurse practitioners made $135,470 that year; the lowest-paid 25% made $103,250. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 38% employment growth for nurse practitioners between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 292,000 jobs are projected to open in the nurse practitioner profession.

Admission Requirements

• A master's degree in a nursing specialty, preferably from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
• A college cumulative grade point of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of a graduate-level physiology or pathophysiology course and a beginning health assessment course, or the equivalent 
• Experience in an advanced practice role in nursing
• Proof of completion of an American heart care provider course and negative drug screening is required after acceptance.

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to our University’s and school’s mission and goals. While we do consider academic metrics we also look at applicant experiences, attributes, potential for success, and how applicants may contribute to the school’s learning environment and to the nursing profession.

The curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the State of Missouri. Note that the Missouri Board of Nursing may impose additional requirements on candidates prior to granting a license; we encourage you to investigate these requirements.

The School of Nursing has not determined whether the curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for nursing licensure in any other states or territories. However, graduates of our APRN programs are eligible to sit for National Board Certification Exams in all states and territories. We encourage you to investigate the requirements in your state or territory prior to accepting an offer of admission.

SLU accepts applications to the post-master's certificate program from students living in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Depending on the state, clinical fees may be required.

Application Requirements

Please follow the five steps outlined below to apply:

• Step 1: Application
  Submit the application form and pay the associated fee through NursingCAS. Select Saint Louis University. 
• Step 2: Transcripts
  Please submit your official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended directly to NursingCAS. They will provide details when the application is initiated.
• Step 3: Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  Attach your CV/résumé documenting your education, clinical nursing experience and service to the nursing profession/community within the NursingCAS application.
• Step 4: Professional Goal Statement
  Attach your professional goal statement within the NursingCAS application. The goal statement should outline your short- and long-term goals as a nurse practitioner and include an explanation of why you've decided on that path. The statement should be one-to-two pages and double-spaced.
• Step 5: RN License
  Attach a copy of your unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done within the NursingCAS application.

Requirements for International Students

International students on F1 or J1 student visas are not eligible for admission, as these programs are conducted entirely online. For additional information, contact the Office of International Services.

Application Deadlines

Admissions are rolling, with the following deadlines:

• Fall semester start: August 1
• Spring semester start: January 1

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financing for this program may be available through grants, scholarships, loans (federal and private) and institutional financing plans. For price estimates, please review the SLU Cost Calculator.

The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing offers scholarship and graduate research assistantship opportunities to eligible graduate students. Additionally, most nursing students will participate in a tuition assistance program provided through their employer.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice at the Valentine School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. To achieve its educational objectives, the school uses the hospitals within SSM Health and many health care organizations in the greater St. Louis area.

1. Graduates will be able to implement collaborative strategies to provide ethical, high-quality, safe, cost-effective, patient-centered care. 

2. Graduates will be able to use scholarly inquiry including evidence-based practice and research application to improve decision-making and health outcomes.

3. Graduates will be able to integrate advanced competencies, skills, theories, and cultural sensitivity in relationships with patients and professionals.

4. Graduates will be able to provide quality care to achieve measurable, effective patient outcomes across transitions and throughout the health-illness continuum.

5. Graduates will be able to facilitate the improvement of health care through leadership within health care systems and communities.

6. Graduates will be able to demonstrate competence for full practice authority in a specialized area as an advanced practice nurse. 

7. Graduates will be able to utilize health care informatics and technologies to support and enhance practice.

8. Graduates will be able to analyze the social and structural determinants that influence policy development to improve population health and advance health equity

9. Graduates will be able to demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning, and exhibit integrity and professionalism as an advanced practice nurse in the clinical setting and within the inter-professional team.

†

May be waived for Post‐Master of Science in Nursing students who are already nurse practitioners depending on the experience and time since relevant course content.  Will be required of a Post-Master of Science in Nursing Certificate Nurse Practitioner student if the student’s clinical experience is not current, or the specialty is not primary care or adult‐gerontological acute care.  

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact the School of Nursing's recruitment and enrollment staff:

Undergraduate Inquiries
314-977-8995 
slunurse@slu.edu 

Graduate Inquiries
314-977-8976 
gradnurse@slu.edu