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UIC - University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Nursing
 
   
   
 

Department of Biobehavioral Health Science

Overview

The Department of Biobehavioral Health Science offers a degree or post-master's certificate in the following areas: Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program or Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program.  Our core courses, such as health assessment, physiology and pharmacology, prepare you with the foundational knowledge required for all graduate students.  Our clinical courses include a wide variety of opportunities that allow you to build on your existing clinical skills, broaden your knowledge base, and gain the knowledge and skills essential to practicing in your concentrated area of either acute or adult primary care.  Because the scope of practice of the primary care adult or acute care NP is not setting-specific but rather based on patient care needs, our programs offer a diverse curriculum to provide care to the entire adult/older adult age spectrum and across the continuum of care from wellness to illness.

Which program is right for me?
Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program (ACNP)

ACNPs assess and manage acutely ill patients within the inpatient/hospital setting and across hospital-to-clinic settings, including the emergency department, intensive care unit, acute and sub-acute care units, specialty clinics, or any combination of the above.  The ACNP can legally diagnose and treat medical conditions.

In addition, some ACNPs provide direct patient management from admission to discharge in collaboration with other members of the health care team.  ACNPs also may continue to follow the patient into the outpatient setting to ensure successful transition after discharge and complete resolution of transition needs.

Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program (AGNP)

AGNPs assess and manage patients in primary and specialty care settings, focusing on diagnosing and managing common acute and chronic primary health care problems, as well as providing health promotion and maintenance.  The patient population of the Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP practice includes young adults (including late adolescents), adults and older adults.

 The AGNP can legally diagnose and treat medical conditions.  The AGNP applies evidence in practice designed to improve quality of care and health outcomes.  AGNPs work in a variety of settings, such as community health clinics, specialty clinics and hospitals.
Innovative Learning
In addition, our programs incorporate innovative learning experiences, including in-person lectures and seminars, Web-based learning, problem-based and team-based learning, simulated experiences and skills workshops.  Graduates of our nurse practitioner programs are highly respected for their knowledge and expertise and are employed in many settings throughout the country.