Academics

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

The School of Nursing prepares nurses for the care of acute and chronically ill adults in the Adult-Gerontology CNS program at the MSN or post-master's level. This advanced practice program prepares the student to assume the roles of clinician, educator and researcher, as well as clinical consultant and clinical leader. Emphasis is placed on providing the student with the advanced theoretical knowledge and practice skills needed to function in increasingly complex acute care settings. Evidenced-based practice, outcomes management, clinical research, and advanced clinical decision-making are emphasized.

The curriculum builds on both the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse.

Full-time students can complete the MSN in Adult-Gerontology Care CNS in 21 months. In the first year, the student has didactic classes on Thursdays and Fridays (in the fall and spring). In the second year, the didactic component is on Thursday, and clinical practica are generally Monday to Wednesday, or as the individual's schedule allows.

WOC Nursing: Students in the Adult-Gerontology Care CNS program can select to pursue Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing specialty preparation. Students in this program complete two didactic courses in WOCN, as well as an additional preceptorship in WOC nursing, which enables the student to sit for AWOCN certification following program completion.

BSN-to-DNP pathway:  The School offers a BSN-to-DNP program for students interested in pursue the Adult-Gero Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certifications. The first students in this program will enroll in fall 2013. You can learn more about the BSN-to-DNP program here.

Program Coordinator:  Audrey Snyder, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FAANP; (434) 924-0094
Direct all questions on admissions and financial aid to Assistant Dean Clay Hysell, (434) 924-0141


Clinicals

Students complete 560 clinical hours, divided evenly between GNUR 7311 and GNUR 7312. The first clinical course (GNUR 7311) is generally completed at top-ranked UVA Medical Center, which adjoins the School of Nursing. UVA Medical Center -- a 590-bed, Level I trauma center with 6 adult ICUs -- provides an excellent clinical site with a wealth of professional and technological resources. The second practicum (GNUR 7312) may be completed at another facility in Virginia with prior arrangement of the clinical coordinator.

The individual student determines the focus of his/her specialization (ie: cardiology, ER/trauma, digestive health, nephrology, wound/ostomy/continence, neurology or neuro-surgery, general surgery, pulmonary, transplant, oncology, etc.). The acute care graduate program can accommodate students interested in preparing for more than one specialty and/or preparation as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP).  In such cases, students should expect additional clinical hours, and will receive individual faculty advisement.

Certification

At the completion of the program, the student is qualified to sit for the ANCC certification examination for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. To be considered for the Master's of Science in Nursing, applicants must submit a completed application and:

  • Have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school.
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study.
  • Be licensed as a registered nurse in the U.S. and be eligible for a RN license in Virginia. 
  • Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations, one of which should be from an APN.
  • Submit a copy of your resume or C.V.
  • Have completed an undergraduate or graduate statistics course within the past five years.
  • Be available for an interview, if requested.
  • International applicants have additional admissions requirements.

Note: Applicants should have at least one year of full-time RN experience before entering the program.  A minimum of one year of full-time, relevant clinical nursing experience is necessary before enrolling in GNUR 6020 (Advanced Pharmacology) and GNUR 6025 (Advanced Health Assessment) and the clinical practica.

Technology requirements:  All graduate nursing students are required to have a laptop.  Students in the Advanced Practice programs (CNS and NP) are required to have a smartphone (Apple or Android) in addition.  Information on the laptop and smartphone requirements will be sent to enrolling students in the summer before classes begin.

Application deadline: Fall entry: November 1

*Submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional.  If you want to have GRE scores sent to UVA, the institutional code is R-5820.  The School of Nursing accepts GRE scores that are more than five years old.  If you have your 'older' scores, you may submit a copy of the Student Report. 

Programs of study, links, fliers

 

 


For More Information

For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVA School of Nursing, please complete the online inquiry form. You are also welcome to call the Office of Admissions and Student Services at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703.

Questions on admissions and financial aid should be directed to Clay Hysell, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, hysell@virginia.edu.

 

 

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Contact Us

University of Virginia - School of Nursing
225 Jeanette Lancaster Way
Charlottesville, VA 22903-3388
(434) 924-0141

Recognitions
"The power of nurses. The strength and quality of our caring, set against the history of health care, and the University of Virginia. We’re so proud of what’s going on here." - Dorrie Fontaine, Dean