- College of Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- PhD in Nursing
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Nurse Executive
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Informatics
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
- Note on Licensure, Certification, or Other State Credential Necessary to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner
- Note on CCNE Accreditation
- Certificate Requirements
- Core Curriculum
- Course Sequence
- Note on Field Experience and Relocating
- Field Experience Preparation
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
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
- 43 total quarter credits with 640 clinical hours
- Foundation course (3 credits)
- Specialization courses (40 credits, includes the required 640 practicum hours*)
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
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
Term | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
Quarter 1 |
FECN 6810 - Field Experience Preparation |
0 credits |
FECN 6820 - Field Experience Preparation |
0 credits |
|
FECN 6830 - Field Experience Preparation |
0 credits |
|
FECN 6840 - Field Experience Preparation |
0 credits |
|
NURS 6003 - Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice |
3 credits |
|
Quarter 2 |
NURS 6501 - Advanced Pathophysiology |
5 credits |
NURS 6512 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning |
5 credits | |
Quarter 3 |
NURS 6521 - Advanced Pharmacology |
5 credits |
NURS 6800 - Advanced Pediatric Development and Behavior* |
5 credits | |
Quarter 4 |
NRNP 6810 - Primary Care Approaches for Children* PRAC 6810 - Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum I: Primary Care* |
5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum) |
Quarter 5 |
NRNP 6820 - Management of Complex Pediatric Conditions* PRAC 6820 - Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum II: Complex Care* |
5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum) |
Quarter 6 |
NRNP 6830 - Management of Specialized Populations* PRAC 6830 - Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum III: Specialty Care* |
5 credits (3 credits didactic, 2 credits practicum) |
Quarter 7 |
NRNP 6840 - Synthesis of Pediatric Primary Care* PRAC 6840 - Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum IV: Synthesis Care* |
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 or Tempo coach prior to any decision to relocate in order to determine how relocation may impact progress in their program. They 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 or Tempo coach immediately when considering relocating.
Field Experience Preparation
Walden is committed to providing students with resources and support in preparation of field experience(s). To help ease anxiety in the field experience process, Walden offers a 0-credit Field Experience Preparation course, a structured experience that guides students through the application process and currently available readiness resources. The course is designed to complement other pre-requisite courses needed in preparation for field experience(s). The goal is that students submit their field experience application by the end of the course. Of course, there may be reasons why a field experience needs to be postponed, or the readiness course may not be needed if a field experience opportunity has already been secured. In this instance, students may opt-out of the course. By opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course without having submitted a complete field experience application you are notifying Walden that you have chosen to delay the beginning of your field experience indefinitely, it is your responsibility to notify Walden when you plan to begin the field experience component of your program. In some instances, opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course indicates the foundational components of the field experience process have been satisfied and submission of the field experience application is pending. While the course is not yet available for Tempo students, the same readiness resources are available to Tempo students seeking field experience.