Emergency Nurse Practitioner

The Emergency Nurse Practitioner program prepares nurses to provide health care to patients across the lifespan in emergency and primary care settings. Program content is built on family nurse practitioner preparation but also prepares graduates to manage the care of patients presenting to emergency settings with acute, life-threatening health care needs. Fifty-five credit hours are required for degree completion.

The Emergency Nurse Practitioner program is a rigorous, four-semester, FNP enhanced curriculum that requires prior experience in emergency nursing, disaster/crisis management, military service or related work experience.

Flexible studies

The degree requires four semesters of full-time study, or students may pursue it part time. Due to the nature of the clinical rotations for this specialty, full-time study is strongly recommended.

Clinical Experience

The clinical portion of the program includes training in advanced procedural skills such as advanced suturing, x-ray and ECG interpretation, trauma and cardiac resuscitation. Students complete over 700 clinical hours including women’s health, pediatrics, family practice, and in high acuity medical and trauma settings.
Clinical sites include, but are not limited to emergency care and primary care settings within the metro Atlanta area, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and primary care health settings throughout Northeast Georgia.

Unique Highlights

Learning opportunities include interdisciplinary learning experiences with medical students, physician assistants, and emergency residents; a state-of-the-art clinical laboratory; clinical experiences in a Level I Regional Trauma Center; and classroom instruction in forensic issues in emergency settings, including disaster preparedness.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of studies, graduates are prepared to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam of the American Nurse Credentialing Center or the certification exam of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Graduates of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner program are prepared to work in trauma centers, urgent care and emergency settings caring for adult and pediatric patients.

Requirements for MSN admission include

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, NLNAC)
• Unencumbered RN license in the state of Georgia
• GRE Test Scores

 Admission Requirements

• Application for Admission
• $50 Application Fee
• Official transcripts from each school attended
  • Students with international transcripts must provide an evaluation from Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (www.cgfns.org) for previous nursing coursework
  • Students with international transcripts must provide an evaluation from World Education Services (www.wes.org) for previous non-nursing coursework
• Official GRE score report
  • The GRE must be retaken if scores are older than 5 years
  • TOEFL scores are required if English is a second language
• Resume

The average GPA for admitted students is 3.5. Students are encouraged to submit GRE test scores that fall within the 50th-99th percentile of all test takers

The GRE requirement may be waived for applicants meeting at least ONE of the following criteria**: 

• GPA greater than or equal to a 3.5 from an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
• Previous master’s degree (or higher) completed from an accredited college or university+

**It is at the discretion of the Admission Committee to request test scores despite meeting GRE waiver.

Scholarships

• Robert W. Woodruff Scholars and Fellows
• Veterans Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership Scholars
• Veterans Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership for Graduate Education
• Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellowship
• Building Nursing's Diverse Leadership at Emory (BUNDLE)
• Fuld Palliative Care Fellows
• Fuld Service Learning Fellows
• Susan D. Flynn Memorial Oncology Nursing Externship

The Emergency Nurse Practitioner program at Emory University is a specialized advanced practice nursing program designed to prepare registered nurses for a focused role in emergency healthcare settings. This program emphasizes the development of advanced clinical skills, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities necessary to manage a wide range of acute and critical conditions encountered in emergency departments. The curriculum integrates rigorous coursework in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced health assessment, coupled with extensive clinical practicum experiences in diverse emergency care environments. Students are trained to perform comprehensive patient evaluations, initiate treatment plans, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, efficient care under pressure.

The program is structured to accommodate working professionals, often offering flexible scheduling options, including part-time or online components, to better fit the needs of practicing nurses seeking career advancement. It typically requires completion of prerequisites such as a valid RN license, a certain amount of clinical experience in emergency or acute care settings, and often a graduate-level degree or coursework in nursing. The duration of the program varies depending on the student's previous education and part-time or full-time enrollment status but generally spans over one to two years.

Upon graduation, students are prepared to sit for certification exams offered by recognized certifying bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which validates their expertise as emergency nurse practitioners. Graduates of this program are equipped to serve in diverse healthcare environments, including hospital emergency departments, urgent care centers, and pre-hospital emergency services. They play a crucial role in providing immediate intervention for acute illnesses and injuries, performing procedures, and coordinating patient care within high-stakes settings.

Emory University's emphasis on research, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration enhances the educational experience, fostering critical skills needed to improve patient outcomes and advance emergency nursing practice. The institution also offers ongoing professional development opportunities, networking, and research collaboration to ensure graduates remain at the forefront of emergency care innovation. Overall, the Emergency Nurse Practitioner program at Emory University aims to produce highly skilled, compassionate, and adaptable emergency clinicians dedicated to addressing the complex healthcare needs of diverse populations in urgent and emergent situations.