Graduate Nursing Programs

Specialty Tracks

Augustana University's online graduate nursing programs offer two speciality tracks. Augustana is the first university in South Dakota to offer these options to nurses. These tracks are available for the MSN and post-graduate certificate programs.

AG-ACNP

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) specialty prepares students to care for patients ages 13 and older with complex, acute medical conditions in the inpatient health care setting.

  • An ACNP provides care from disease prevention to acute care management
  • Graduate students in this specialization develop multi-faceted treatment plans
  • Clinical hours will involve direct patient care in acute care units, including critical care and a variety of specialty areas

Graduates of this specialty track are eligible to take the AG-ACNP certification exam.

MSN

AG-CNS

The Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS) specialty prepares students to impact patient outcomes through a leadership role that provides advanced care for adult and geriatric patients from wellness to acute care as a clinical practice expert, educator, researcher and consultant.

  • This advanced practice nurse is an expert clinician who provides expertise and support to nurses caring for patients at the bedside.
  • CNS also provides education and support for nurses, leads practice changes at the system level and ensures best practices and evidence-based care to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
  • Clinical hours will focus on management of patients in acute or primary care settings and leadership to facilitate practice changes within the healthcare system.

Graduates of this specialty track are eligible to take the AG-CNS certification exam.

MSN