Top Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs in California

Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) in California are among the highest-paid nurses in the country. Responsible for caring for patients with urgent and often complex healthcare needs, ACNPs play an essential role within the healthcare delivery system.

The first step in becoming an ACNP is choosing a degree program that aligns with your goals. To help you make the right choice, the following guide highlights the best California acute care NP programs. It also provides valuable details to help you decide and successfully apply.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best acute care nurse practitioner programs in California, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

We rank the best ACNP programs based on criteria that acknowledge student priorities and how well they prepare nurses for practice. The following metrics contribute to our rankings. As you evaluate different programs, consider the following points to determine which will best meet your needs and help you achieve your goals.

Nursing school accreditation means that an independent organization has evaluated the program to ensure it meets the standards for quality nursing education. Evaluators consider the program’s coursework, faculty, outcomes, and other factors to confirm that graduates are adequately prepared for nursing practice.

Not only does choosing an accredited program ensure a quality education, it:

Online nursing programs differ from in-person ones; acute care nurse practitioner programs offer students flexibility and the ability to further their careers on their schedules, for instance. If you are working full time, the ability to complete coursework when it’s convenient might allow you to maintain a better work-life balance.

Some online programs require students to attend scheduled lectures and discussions, but overall, expect asynchronous courses with work you complete independently.

All nursing education programs include an in-person clinical component for online nursing students to provide hands-on training. Online students typically complete their clinicals at a facility near their home or current workplace. Nursing programs usually assist with finding suitable placements.

Every California acute care nursing program has its own admission requirements, such as test scores, experience, undergraduate GPA, and more. Once you’ve identified a program that aligns with your goals and experience, review the admission requirements and application process to ensure you meet the deadlines and submit the correct materials.

A graduate degree is a significant investment of time and money but one that pays off with an increase in career opportunities and earning potential. However, you still need to consider how you will pay for your nursing education. Several factors can influence your ability to pay out of pocket, including tuition costs (which may be different for in-state vs. out-of-state students), whether you can continue working while going to school, and your financial situation.

Nurses can take advantage of various financial aid options for nurses to earn their MSN and become an ACNP. Individual programs typically offer merit and need-based scholarships and grants, and you can apply for federal financial aid programs that provide grants and loans.

Other options include private grant and scholarship programs for nurses, loan forgiveness programs for nurses, and employer tuition assistance programs.

Acute care nurse practitioners in California provide advanced clinical care to patients in critical care settings. Most ACNPs work in hospitals as part of the care team in critical care, emergency, or trauma units. However, they can also work in other acute care settings, like urgent care or surgical care.

California ACNPs are well paid. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean annual wage of $151,830, which is higher than the national median wage of $120, 680 for nurse practitioners.

ACNPs specialize in either pediatrics or adult-gerontological care; some programs offer additional specializations. Their general responsibility is to care for patients with critical or acute illnesses, which includes making diagnoses, ordering tests, and prescribing medication.

However, they can also perform specialized, advanced life-saving procedures like intubations, central venous line insertions, and lumbar punctures.

All online nursing programs include both classroom and clinical requirements. Some programs also have an on-campus residency component. So while you can complete most of the coursework remotely, you cannot become an acute care nurse practitioner entirely online.

An MSN is the minimum degree for an acute care nurse practitioner. If you do not have a bachelor’s in nursing, the fastest route is to enroll in an RN-to-MSN program after 1-2 years of working in the field.

In either case, plan on 6-8 years of education and training to become a nurse practitioner.

Because they provide advanced care for the sickest patients, acute care nurse practitioners typically work in hospitals. More specifically, they work in intensive or critical care units, emergency rooms, or operating rooms. Some ACNPs work in physicians’ offices, trauma centers, and outpatient clinics.

NPs in California are the highest paid in the U.S., according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual mean wage for NPs in the Golden State is $151,830.

Page last reviewed November 21, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.