Program Overview

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Pediatric Primary Care Nursing, Capstone Certificate

The post-graduate Pediatric Primary Care Capstone Certificate is a hybrid program designed for advanced practice nurse practitioners seeking to expand their scope of practice by adding pediatric primary care licensure. Targeting practitioners in fields such as pediatric acute care, neonatal acute care, adult/geriatric primary care, and acute care, this program addresses a growing demand for pediatric primary care providers, particularly in family clinics, emergency departments, rural settings, and hospital-based care. The program helps bridge the gap in pediatric primary care education, filling critical roles in a rapidly expanding job market. The curriculum includes specialized courses focusing on advanced practice nursing for pediatric populations, and the program is designed to enhance clinical leadership and decision-making skills. Upon completion, advanced practice nurses will be dual-certified, better equipped to meet the increasing healthcare needs within various communities.

How to Get in

The School of Nursing conducts a holistic review of all application materials. Regardless of experience level, ideal candidates possess a desire to improve their ability to deliver complex care and expand their knowledge and understanding of the specialty. The program seeks candidates who are committed to providing care to underserved populations in need of services. Since the program requires a significant time expenditure for clinical training and coursework, candidates must understand these demands and indicate they are prepared to make time in their schedules accordingly.

Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelors degree from an accredited nursing program
• Masters degree from an accredited nursing program
• RN license
• Certification as an advanced practice nurse or eligible to apply for certification as an advanced practice nurse
• Completion of prerequisite courses in advanced assessment across the lifespan, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics prior to starting the certificate

Admissions Timeline

• Application opens: Early September
• Application deadline: February 1
  • All materials, including transcripts, must be received by the deadline.
• Applications reviewed: February-March
• Notification of admission decision: April

Requirements

Required Courses

Course List Code | Title | Credits
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Core|
Students must complete the following courses.|
NURSING 741| Advanced Practice Nursing Theory: Family Process & Child Development| 3
NURSING 726| Foundations for APN Clinical Practice I| 3
NURSING 727| Foundations for APN Clinical Practice II| 3
NURSING 826| Foundations for APN Clinical Practice III| 3
Application|
Students must complete each of the following courses for 2 credits each.|
NURSING 728| Advanced Practice Clinical Application and Role Development I| 2
NURSING 729| Advanced Practice Clinical Application and Role Development II| 2
NURSING 828| Clinical Leadership III| 2
Total Credits| 18

Minimum Requirements for Capstone Certificate Completion

• Students must earn a minimum grade of C in each course used to meet Capstone Certificate requirements.
• Courses in which a student elects the pass/fail or audit option will not count toward completion of Capstone Certificate requirements.
• All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned "in residence" (which includes on campus and distance-delivered courses) at UW-Madison.
• All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned while enrolled in the Capstone Certificate program.

Learning Outcomes

1. Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment of health and illness parameters in complex situations.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate care-driven interventions based on nursing science and other sciences.
3. Develop and sustain care-driven relationships and partnerships with patients (individual, family, or populations) and other professionals to facilitate optimal care and patient outcomes.
4. Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.
5. Guide, mentor, and support other nurses to achieve excellence in nursing practice.
6. Educate and guide individuals and groups through complex health and situational transitions.
7. Use conceptual and analytical skills in evaluating the links among practice, organizational, population, fiscal, and policy issues.

Accreditation

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Certification/Licensure

This program prepares students to meet the pediatric primary care nursing coursework and clinical hour requirements to sit for the ANCC Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner board certification examination and gain the PPCNP-BC credential.

Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)

The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose informa