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• Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP)
• Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)

• Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP)
• Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• PhD in Nursing

• A personal statement following the guidelines below.
• A resume or outline describing at least the past five years of your employment history and any significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities.
• Applicants need 2 letters of recommendation. Letters should be from academic or professional references that can knowledgeably comment on your ability to successfully complete graduate study. Include recognitions and achievements (e.g. licenses, publications, and awards).
• All Official Transcripts: Transcripts from every accredited college or university attended (not just the degree granting institution) must be sent either to Â鶹ֱ²¥, directly from the academic institution electronically or by mail, or forwarded by the applicant in sealed envelopes from the academic institution.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited baccalaureate program in nursing
• Be licensed as a registered nurse in New York State
• Demonstrate scholastic aptitude as evidenced by previous academic work, motivation, leadership potential and maturity
• Have an undergraduate cumulative QPA of 3.0
• Evidence of successful completion (grade C or higher) of an undergraduate statistics course is required
• A personal interview may be required
• Applicants for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master of Science or the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies program must have one year of inpatient/acute care experience
• No standardized admissions test (GRE or Miller Analogy) is required

As part of your application to the Nurse Practitioner program at Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s College of Health Professions, we invite you to submit a thoughtfully written essay. Your essay provides an opportunity to share your unique experiences, motivations, and professional goals, and to help us understand how our program can support your next steps in advanced nursing practice.

Please address all the following in a 500–600-word essay:

1. Identify your intended specialty
   Clearly indicate which nurse practitioner track you are applying to: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
2. Describe how your current nursing experience has prepared you for this advanced practice role
   Reflect on your clinical background and explain how your nursing experiences have prepared you to pursue the AGACNP, FNP, or PMHNP role. Highlight the ways in which you have developed clinical judgment, critical thinking, leadership, or advocacy skills that align with your chosen specialty.
   
   For PMHNP applicants: Please be sure to also include relevant nursing experiences related to psychiatric/mental health care and explain how these experiences will serve as a foundation for your future advanced practice as a PMHNP.
3. Share your future goals as a nurse practitioner
   Discuss the impact you hope to make as an AGACNP, FNP, or PMHNP. Identify a patient population or healthcare issue you are passionate about. Explore how you envision yourself as a nurse practitioner contributing to the profession, community, and healthcare systems to improve health outcomes.

Formatting Guidelines:

• Include your name and a title for the essay
• Length: 500–600 words
• Font: 12-point
• Spacing: Double-spaced
• Format: Submit as a PDF or Word document

Your essay should reflect your voice, values, and vision for the future. We look forward to learning more about your journey and how Â鶹ֱ²¥ can be part of your continued professional growth.

Per credit: $1,640 | Total cost of program: $80,360
*Tuition based on current year and subject to change.

March 1

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Â鶹ֱ²¥ has many internal scholarships and awards to help its students meet their college expenses. Some Â鶹ֱ²¥ assistance is meant specifically for College of Health Professions undergraduate and graduate students.

Learn more about CHP-specific scholarships and how to apply.

No, an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), also referred to as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), is not a medical doctor. ACNPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with a master’s or doctoral degree. They are licensed to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with acute and complex conditions, often working alongside physicians in hospitals, ICUs, and specialty care settings.

Earning potential, when comparing an FNP and ACNP, depends on several factors, including location, work experience, and setting. FNPs often work in outpatient primary care, while ACNPs/AGACNPs typically work in high-acuity environments like intensive care units and hospitals. Because of this, ACNPs may earn more in acute and critical care settings, especially in hospital-based roles or specialty units. 

Neither an ACNP nor an FNP is better than the other; they are simply different roles. ACNP (or AGACNP) programs focus on acute, critical, and complex inpatient care, while FNP programs focus on primary care across the lifespan. The better choice depends on your career goals: hospital-based acute care vs. outpatient and long-term primary care practice.

An acute care NP program (AGACNP) typically takes two to three years to complete for a master’s degree. Program length depends on whether you study full-time or part-time and includes both coursework and required supervised clinical hours in acute care settings.

In New York, nurse practitioners earn a median salary of approximately $147,000+ per year, according to career resources. Acute care NPs may earn more in hospital-based roles such as ICUs, emergency departments, and specialty inpatient units, where demand and clinical complexity are higher.