Top Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs in California of 2025 & 2026
If you’re thinking about becoming an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) in California, you’re considering a career in one of the most rewarding and high-demand nursing roles.
ACNPs are among the highest-paid nurses in the U.S., working with patients who have urgent and complex healthcare needs.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Schools in California and everything you need to know about becoming an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) or Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Whether you’re interested in online ACNP programs or traditional campus-based training, this guide will help you find the best fit for your education and career goals.
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Best Acute Care NP Programs and Schools in California for 2025 & 2026
As you consider your path to becoming an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in California, it’s important to select the best training program. Some of the best ACNP programs in California offer specialized tracks in adult-gerontology or pediatrics, with a solid curriculum to prepare you for advanced nursing practice.
Top Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs in California of 2025 & 2026
- University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Website: https://nursing.ucsf.edu
- Description: The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) offers a highly ranked Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program through its School of Nursing. UCSF’s ACNP program prepares nurses to care for patients with complex, acute health conditions across a variety of settings. The program emphasizes evidence-based care, leadership, and advanced clinical practice, with a focus on patient-centered care in critical care and emergency settings. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations at UCSF Medical Center and other prestigious healthcare facilities in the Bay Area. UCSF’s ACNP program is known for its rigorous academic curriculum and its faculty, who are leaders in the field of acute care nursing. Graduates of this program are well-prepared to take on advanced clinical roles in hospitals, emergency departments, and intensive care units.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $14,000 per year (graduate)
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Website: https://nursing.usc.edu
- Description: The University of Southern California (USC) offers an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program through the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. The program is designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced roles in acute care settings, focusing on the management of patients with life-threatening or severe conditions. USC’s ACNP program combines advanced clinical skills training with leadership development, preparing graduates for roles in critical care units, trauma centers, and other fast-paced healthcare environments. Students benefit from hands-on training and clinical placements in some of the most prestigious hospitals in the region, including Keck Medicine of USC. With a focus on interdisciplinary care and collaborative practice, USC’s ACNP program equips nurses to improve patient outcomes in complex healthcare systems.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $1,900 per credit
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- California State University, Long Beach School of Nursing
- Location: Long Beach, CA
- Website: https://www.csulb.edu/nursing
- Description: California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) offers an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program that prepares nurses to manage critically ill patients and provide comprehensive care in intensive care units, emergency departments, and other acute care settings. CSULB’s program emphasizes a strong foundation in advanced nursing practice, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical decision-making. The program includes clinical rotations at leading hospitals, including Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and St. Mary Medical Center, giving students hands-on experience in high-acuity environments. CSULB’s ACNP program is designed to be flexible, offering part-time and full-time study options, so students can balance their education with work responsibilities.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $12,000 per year (graduate, in-state)
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Stanford University School of Nursing
- Location: Stanford, CA
- Website: https://nursing.stanford.edu
- Description: Stanford University offers a rigorous Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to manage complex patients in critical and acute care settings. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum, including advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and specialized clinical training. Students benefit from clinical rotations at Stanford Health Care, one of the nation’s leading medical centers, as well as other healthcare settings in the San Francisco Bay Area. The ACNP program at Stanford emphasizes leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative patient care practices. With a focus on both clinical excellence and research, graduates of this program are well-prepared for leadership roles in acute care settings such as emergency departments, trauma centers, and intensive care units.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $21,000 per year (graduate)
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Website: https://nursing.ucla.edu
- Description: The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers an exceptional Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program that prepares nurses for advanced roles in the care of critically ill patients. UCLA’s ACNP program focuses on the advanced practice skills needed to manage patients in critical care units, emergency departments, and other acute care settings. The program integrates theoretical knowledge with extensive hands-on clinical experience, with rotations at UCLA Health and affiliated hospitals. UCLA’s faculty consists of recognized experts in nursing and healthcare, providing students with valuable mentorship and guidance. Graduates of the UCLA ACNP program are equipped to take leadership roles in clinical settings and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient care outcomes.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $16,000 per year (graduate)
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing
- Location: Azusa, CA
- Website: https://www.apu.edu/nursing
- Description: Azusa Pacific University offers an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program that provides registered nurses with the advanced clinical skills required for acute and critical care settings. The program prepares nurses for practice in intensive care units, trauma centers, and emergency departments. Azusa Pacific’s ACNP program integrates classroom learning with real-world clinical experience, allowing students to work with a variety of patient populations in fast-paced, high-acuity environments. The program is built around the latest evidence-based practices, ensuring that students are prepared to provide cutting-edge care. Students also benefit from Azusa Pacific’s Christian values-based education, which emphasizes holistic patient care.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $1,100 per unit
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- University of California, Irvine School of Nursing
- Location: Irvine, CA
- Website: https://nursing.uci.edu
- Description: The University of California, Irvine (UCI) offers a dynamic Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program designed for nurses seeking to advance their skills in critical care. UCI’s ACNP program emphasizes the development of advanced clinical skills, leadership, and evidence-based practice. Students engage in clinical experiences at UCI Medical Center, one of California’s top hospitals, which allows them to work with a diverse patient population in critical care, surgical, and emergency settings. The program also focuses on improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, with an emphasis on working in interdisciplinary teams. Graduates of UCI’s ACNP program are well-prepared to meet the demands of acute care environments, from emergency rooms to intensive care units.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $15,000 per year (graduate)
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Chapman University School of Nursing
- Location: Orange, CA
- Website: https://www.chapman.edu/nursing
- Description: Chapman University offers a robust Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program designed to provide advanced nursing practice skills for high-acuity patient care. The program focuses on critical care and emergency nursing, preparing graduates for roles in intensive care units, trauma centers, and acute care settings. Chapman’s ACNP program emphasizes hands-on clinical experiences and leadership development, with clinical rotations at top medical centers such as St. Joseph Hospital. Students also benefit from Chapman’s small class sizes, which allow for personalized instruction and mentorship from faculty with real-world clinical experience. The program is designed to prepare nurses to be leaders in healthcare, addressing the needs of critically ill patients in a variety of clinical settings.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $1,400 per credit
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Loma Linda University School of Nursing
- Location: Loma Linda, CA
- Website: https://www.llu.edu/nursing
- Description: Loma Linda University offers an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program that prepares nurses for advanced roles in the management of critically ill patients. The program offers a holistic approach to nursing, emphasizing both clinical competence and compassionate care. Students complete clinical rotations at Loma Linda University Medical Center, a leading hospital in Southern California. The ACNP program emphasizes advanced clinical skills in critical care, trauma, and emergency nursing. Loma Linda’s ACNP program is rooted in Christian values, providing students with a spiritual foundation in addition to their clinical and academic training.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $1,350 per unit
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- California State University, Sacramento School of Nursing
- Location: Sacramento, CA
- Website: https://www.csus.edu/nursing
- Description: California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) offers an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program that prepares nurses to provide advanced care in acute and critical care settings. The program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical, hands-on clinical experience at Sacramento’s top healthcare institutions. The curriculum includes advanced clinical practice, leadership, and research components, with a strong emphasis on patient care in intensive care units, emergency departments, and trauma centers. CSUS’s ACNP program is designed to foster critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and compassionate care, preparing students for leadership roles in acute care environments.
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Approx. $13,000 per year (graduate)
- Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
These schools offer highly regarded California Nurse Practitioner Programs that will set you on the right track to becoming an expert in acute care. When evaluating programs, it’s important to consider factors like clinical experience, accreditation, and specializations available in the program.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an ACNP Program in California
Choosing the right ACNP training in California can be difficult with so many options. Here’s what to look for when evaluating programs to ensure you make an informed choice:
1. Accreditation and Why It Matters for Your Nursing Career
Accreditation is extremely important when choosing a program. To practice as a nurse practitioner in California, you must graduate from an accredited program. This ensures that the program meets the required standards of quality education and prepares you for licensure. Accreditation also allows you to qualify for financial aid and pursue advanced degrees in the future.
2. The Importance of Clinical Experience in ACNP Programs
As an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, you’ll be caring for patients in serious, often life-threatening conditions. Therefore, having real-world clinical experience is crucial. Make sure the program provides clinical placements where you can gain hands-on training. Some programs offer assistance with finding clinical sites near you, which is especially helpful for online students.
3. Specializations in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs
ACNPs usually specialize in either Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) or Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs. If you’re passionate about caring for adults or children, look for a program that offers your preferred specialization. Some programs also offer Postgraduate Nurse Practitioner Programs for those who want to deepen their expertise.
4. Program Length and Flexibility
Most MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs (Master of Science in Nursing) can be completed in about two years, but the duration might vary depending on whether the program is full-time or part-time. Consider the program length in relation to your personal schedule and commitments. Some Online ACNP Programs in California offer flexibility, allowing you to work while studying.
Understanding the Program Curriculum for ACNP Students
When choosing a program, ensure the curriculum aligns with your career goals. An ACNP program should include courses on advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical decision-making, and patient management. It’s important to find a program that prepares you to handle the complex needs of acutely ill patients and provides in-depth education in the specialty area you’re interested in.
How to Choose Between Online vs. On-Campus Acute Care NP Programs
As more schools offer online nursing programs in California, you may be wondering if an online program is the right choice for you. Online ACNP programs provide flexibility and allow you to study on your own schedule. However, you will still need to complete in-person clinical hours, which are crucial for developing hands-on skills. Consider whether you prefer the structure of an on-campus program or the convenience of online classes.
Navigating the Admission Process for California’s ACNP Programs
Each program has its own set of admission requirements, such as a specific GPA, nursing experience, and prerequisite coursework. Some programs might also require standardized test scores like the GRE. It’s important to review the admission requirements carefully and make sure you meet them before applying. This will help you avoid any surprises during the process.
Financing Your Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Education in California
Paying for an MSN Nurse Practitioner Program can be expensive, but there are many options available to help you cover the costs. Consider applying for nurse practitioner scholarships in California, as well as exploring federal financial aid programs. Some schools may also offer tuition assistance or loan forgiveness programs for nurses working in underserved areas. Research these funding options early to ensure that you can afford your education.
What to Expect from Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs
In an online ACNP program, much of your coursework will be completed through virtual classes and assignments. However, you’ll still need to complete clinical hours in-person. Many schools that offer online nursing programs in California allow students to complete their clinical rotations at healthcare facilities close to their homes. This makes it easier for you to balance your studies with work and family responsibilities.
Career Opportunities for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners in California
As an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, you’ll have many career opportunities in California’s healthcare system. ACNPs work in hospitals, emergency rooms, trauma centers, and other high-need healthcare settings. With a growing demand for healthcare professionals, the job outlook for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners in California is excellent. Additionally, ACNPs in California enjoy competitive salaries, with a mean annual wage of around $151,830, making it one of the highest-paying states for nurse practitioners. Notably, California ACNPs receive competitive compensation, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a mean annual wage of $151,830. This surpasses the national median wage of $120,680 for nurse practitioners.
Salary for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners in California
Salaries for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners vary depending on experience, location, and specialty, but California offers some of the highest salaries in the nation. On average, Acute Care Nurse Practitioners in California earn $151,830 per year, which is significantly higher than the national average for nurse practitioners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Acute Care NP
Q: Can you become an acute care nurse practitioner online?
A: Yes, many schools offer online ACNP programs in California. However, these programs still require you to complete in-person clinical hours to gain hands-on experience.
Q: What is the fastest way to become an acute care nurse practitioner?
A: The fastest way to become an ACNP is to enroll in an RN-to-MSN program, which allows you to transition from a registered nurse to a nurse practitioner without having to earn a separate bachelor’s degree.
Q: Where do acute care nurse practitioners work?
A: Acute Care Nurse Practitioners work in hospitals, urgent care centers, emergency rooms, trauma centers, and outpatient clinics. They typically work with critically ill patients in need of urgent or specialized care.
Q: How much do acute care nurse practitioners get paid in California?
A: Acute Care Nurse Practitioners in California earn an average of $151,830 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is one of the highest-paying salaries for nurse practitioners in the country.
Conclusion
Becoming an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in California is a rewarding career choice, with excellent salary potential and a growing job market. Whether you choose to attend a traditional program or an online nursing program in California, make sure you select an accredited school that provides a high-quality education, hands-on clinical experience, and support throughout your studies. By completing one of the best ACNP programs in California, you’ll be well-prepared for a successful career in this dynamic and essential field.
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