Program Overview

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Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Graduate Certificate

Overview

The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate provides nurses who already have a graduate nursing degree the additional specialized knowledge and clinical experience for the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner role. The certificate meets the educational requirements for national certification examination.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in nursing or a doctorate in nursing practice from an accredited nursing program
• Minimum 3.000 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s) of all previous graduate coursework
• Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which practicum hours will be completed
• Curriculum vitae
• Goal statement (no more than 250 words) describing reasons for seeking the certificate in the identified specialty and professional goals
• Admission essay responding to the following questions (two pages, double spaced, 500 words):
  • How do you plan to contribute to the nursing profession and healthcare community after earning your M.S.N. degree?
  • How has your experience, professional development and service within the profession contributed to your readiness for graduate education?
  • What experience do you have working as a nurse caring for the underserved, high-risk, or vulnerable populations?
• Syllabi of all courses to considered for transfer in the gap analysis
• Three professional letters of reference from healthcare professionals, either a supervisor and/or an advanced practice nurse who can speak to the applicant's professional capabilities
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester: Priority deadline - March 1
• Spring Semester: Priority deadline - October 1
• Summer Term: Priority deadline - March 1

Coursework

Certificate Requirements

• NURS 60015: ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT 1 (3 credit hours)
• NURS 60045: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE 1 (3 credit hours)
• NURS 60129: ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER I (3 credit hours)
• NURS 60130: ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER II (1 credit hour)
• NURS 60230: ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER III (4 credit hours)
• NURS 60330: ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER IV (2 credit hours)
• NURS 60441: PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE 1 (3 credit hours)
• NURS 60506: CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES (3 credit hours)
• NURS 61092: ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER I PRACTICUM (2 credit hours)
• NURS 61392: ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER II PRACTICUM (2 credit hours)
• NURS 62392: ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER III PRACTICUM (2 credit hours)
• NURS 63392: ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER IV PRACTICUM (2 credit hours)

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum Certificate GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Meet standards for advanced practice certification or other advanced professional distinction.
2. Demonstrate competencies based on professional standards to assume advanced roles in nursing and for leadership and career advancement, including doctoral study.
3. Communicate, integrate and apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to provide equitable, evidence-based and inclusive nursing care, and to promote quality outcomes in nursing and health care.

Program Policies

Clinical Compliance Policy

This policy applies to all students enrolled in B.S.N., M.S.N., D.N.P. degree programs and postmaster's certificates. Students must provide documentation of the following items to a third-party vendor that is approved to track and maintain student health and other compliance documents.

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or American Red Cross CPR/AED.
• Background Check: Students are required to submit federal and state criminal background checks and incur the related costs.
• Healthcare Insurance: Students must provide proof of health insurance.
• Immunizations/Immune Status Testing: Evidence of the required immunizations/tests must be provided on the Immunization and Physical Compliance Form.
• Physical examination: A physical examination is required within one year prior to admission to a clinical site.
• Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure: Students enrolled in the B.S.N. (Nursing for Registered Nurses major), M.S.N., and D.N.P. degrees or post-master's certificates must have an active, unrestricted RN license in either the state of Ohio for students taking on-campus courses or who will be completing practica in Ohio or the state of residence and practice for applicants residing and completing practicum outside Ohio.

Time Limit for Graduate Nursing Courses

Certain courses are critical to be completed within a timely manner for patient safety as well as student success in the program. This policy ensures that clinical skills and critical knowledge learned in specific courses taken three or more years ago are refreshed before moving to more advanced levels of practice.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.