Highlights of the DNP in Acute Care Track
In this track, you will:
- Focus on adult and older adult patients with complex acute, acute on chronic illness, surgery, procedural, and specialty care management.
- Prepare to lead in hospitals, ICUs, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, surgery, and specialty care.
- Gain leadership opportunities, nurse practitioner certification & licensure, and potentially an increase in salary.
Take Your Next Step
Application open:
September-December 1
hybrid delivery
2-4 year
timeframe
100% certification pass rate
Your Adult-Gerontology Acute Care DNP Experience
A Flexible, Hybrid Program
We use a hybrid format, combining asynchronous, online content with in-person sessions 1-2 times monthly (on average). When in person, take advantage of our active learning approach and high-tech simulation.

We Arrange Clinical Placements
Our clinical placement coordinators arrange clinical experiences at nationally ranked level one trauma centers, acute and critical care hospitals, community hospitals, and critical access centers.

Share Your Scholarly Excellence
Acute-care-driven scholarly projects enhance and improve the care of your chosen patient population and interest.

We Support Career Advancement
We foster hands-on learning, immediate coaching, community building, and lasting professional support.

Advanced Practice Certificates
Expand your practice with certificates at the UW–Madison. These programs enhances your scope of practice, enabling you to provide comprehensive care to adults and older adults.

Advance Practice Badger Nurses in Action
Nursing Without Constraints
Kelly Ayala DNP’18, uses her passion for innovation to improve the health care landscape for both patients and providers.
Alumni & Student Stories
The Local to Global Ripple Effects of Planetary Health
Ashley Smith, MSN, RN, PHN, is using the DNP in population health to create positive change for her community and the planet.
Transforming the delivery of mental health care for those who need it most
Dr. Gina Bryan was recently featured in the Wisconsin State Journal, discussing her work as a clinical professor and psychiatric-mental health certificate coordinator at the School of Nursing.
UW–Madison School of Nursing on Buzzed Into Madison
Buzzed Into Madison on News 3 Now featured our advanced degrees which prepare nurses to shape the future of healthcare.
- More Stories