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College of Nursing:
Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

This certificate program prepares nurses with an MSN or a nurse practitioner MSN degree with the specialized information, knowledge, and skills to be eligible to take the national NP certification examination appropriate to the specialty and to obtain NP licensure at the state level.

Note on Licensure, Certification, or Other State Credential Necessary to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner

Most states require graduation from a CCNE-accredited nurse practitioner program to be eligible to apply for certification to practice as an NP. However, the requirements for certification as a nurse practitioner vary from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of nurse practitioners has its own academic requirements and issues its own credential to practice in that state. While Walden University enrollment specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden University makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure and certification eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure/certification-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate and understand the requirements of the applicable board of nursing or agency that has jurisdiction over Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in the state in which they intend to relocate.

Note on CCNE Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

 

 

Note on Certification

The post-master’s certificate nurse practitioner specializations are designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for national nurse practitioner certification exams, which are required for practice as a nurse practitioner in most states. Because no graduate program can guarantee that graduates will be permitted to practice as a nurse practitioner upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency to determine specific certification exam requirements. Walden enrollment specialists can provide information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she resides, as requirements vary widely. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information about nurse practitioner certification exams, students should visit the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCBB), or other nurse practitioner websites.

 

Certificate Requirements

  • 38 total quarter credits
  • Core course (3 credits)
  • Specialization courses (35 credits, includes the required 640 practicum hours*)

Fast Track (for licensed and certified Family Nurse Practitioners or Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners)

  • 38 quarter credits
  • Core courses (3 credits)
  • Specialization courses (15 credits, includes the required 500 practicum hours)
  • Prior nursing credit from Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program (up to 20 credits)

Core Curriculum

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Course Sequence Table

 

Term Course Credits
Quarter 1

NURS 6003 - Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice

3 credits

NURS 6501 - Advanced Pathophysiology

5 credits
Quarter 2

NURS 6512 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning

5 credits

NURS 6521 - Advanced Pharmacology

5 credits
Quarter 3

NRNP 6566 - Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings I

PRAC 6566 - Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings I Practicum

5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum)
Quarter 4

NRNP 6540 - Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults* 

PRAC 6540 - Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum* 

5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum)
Quarter 5

NRNP 6550 - Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Care Settings II

PRAC 6550 - Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Care Settings II Practicum

5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum)
Quarter 6

NRNP 6560 - Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings III* 

PRAC 6560 - Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings III Practicum* 

5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum)

 

*Courses must be taken at Walden University.
With the exception of NURS 6003, all didactic courses are 5 quarter credits.
All clinical courses are 3 credits didactic and 2 credits clinical practice.

Fast-Track

Licensed and certified Family Nurse Practitioners are eligible for the Fast Track and can transfer in up to 20 credits of prior nursing credit from an APRN program; Fast Track students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Term Course Credits
Quarter 1

NURS 6003 -Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice

3 credits
Quarter 2

NRNP 6566 - Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings I*

PRAC 6566 - Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings I Practicum

5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum)
Quarter 3

NRNP 6550 - Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Care Settings II

PRAC 6550 - Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Care Settings II Practicum

5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum)
Quarter 4

NRNP 6560 - Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings III

PRAC 6560 - Advanced Care of Adults in Acute Settings III Practicum

5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum)

 

*Courses must be taken at Walden University.

With the exception of NURS 6003, all didactic courses are 5 quarter credits.

All clinical courses are 3 credits didactic and 2 credits clinical practice.

Note on Field Experience and Relocating

Students who are considering relocating are advised to contact their student success advisor prior to any decision to relocate in order to determine how relocation may impact progress in their program.  Advisors can provide information and guidance on how relocating may result in possible changes, restrictions, and/or additional requirements affecting field experience. Each Board of Nursing and Higher Education Authority governs the field experience rules and regulations in their respective states, and students may be unable to complete field experience in the state in which they plan to relocate. While Walden is committed to working collaboratively with students to secure field sites across the United States, it is imperative that students contact their student success advisor immediately when considering relocating.