Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Master’s)

Program Location	Distance Education/Online
Program Credits	28 Credits
Program Length	5 Semesters, 80 Instructional Weeks
Time to Complete	20 Months

 Total program length may vary.  WCU distance education programs may not be available to residents in all states.  Program delivered out of the campus in Texas. 

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 29-1141.00, 29-1170.00

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program Purpose:

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG PCNP) is a Registered Nurse educated at the Master's level as a nurse practitioner. The focus for the AG PCNP is to provide primary care to individuals across the adult age spectrum from late adolescence through older adulthood. In addition, AG PCNPs are prepared to provide comprehensive end of life care to adults. The AG PCNP is educated to provide high quality, continual and comprehensive wellness and illness care to adults by providing preventive health services, patient education, disease management and illness prevention. The AG PCNP is prepared to implement evidence-based practice guidelines and to critically analyze and adapt health care interventions based on individualized assessments of individual needs. The AG PCNP practices in the context of community, with broad knowledge, sensitivity and awareness of the specific needs of people from diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. AG PCNP delivers care may include community health centers and clinics, private medical practices, specialty clinics, health maintenance organizations, Veteran's Administration facilities, Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) units, adult day health centers, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities and other long-term care settings, acute and chronic rehabilitation centers, urgent care and emergency departments.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's) Program must:  

1. Have graduated from an accredited master's or doctoral program in nursing.
2. Have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0
   1. Applicants with a cumulative graduate GPA of 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered for admission on probation, but must achieve a "B" (3.0) or better in the first nine credits in the certificate program to be removed from probation.  Students who do not achieve a "B" or better in the first nine credits will be dismissed from the certificate program.
3. Provide proof of current unobstructed professional licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States.  
   1. One year of full-time work experience as an RN. (One year recent clinical experience recommended.)
4. Pre-requisite coursework:  Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment within the last five (5) years. 

In addition to meeting the admissions requirements stipulated above, applicants to the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track must also:  

1. Receive a recommendation for admission from the Graduate Nursing Admissions Committee following an interview.  As part of the admissions process, applicants must submit an original essay for evaluation.  Past academic performance and professional activity will be evaluated, e.g., community, organizational, and volunteer service, as well as creative professional accomplishments.  
2. Applicants to the AG PCNP track must have a minimum of one (1) year of direct patient care experience within the past five (5) years prior to entering AG PCNP courses.  
3. Submission of two (2) letters of recommendation from most recent employer (supervisor) and from a professor who can address the applicant's clinical expertise and academic preparation for the program.  
4. Submit current Curriculum Vitae.  

Transfer Credits

• All students who have taken Advanced Physical Assessment within three years will also need to pass a written exam and an OSCE - Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation, on campus, performed in the presence of the APRN faculty, to assess their readiness to begin the clinical rotations in the AG PCNP track.  
• Students who have previously taken Advanced Pharmacology which was not approved by the BRN as a prescriptive authority will need to pass a 45-Hour Advanced Pharmacology Course to transfer in those credits.  

 

Program Information and Disclosures

AG PCNP Accreditation & Approvals Disclosure

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner coursework is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, [phone]. 

A student in the Post-Master's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program at West Coast University participates in two (2) 3-day On-site Intensive (OSI) weekends.  The OSI brings students to campus to learn, practice and demonstrate essential hands-on skills and competencies needed by nurse practitioners.  

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's) Curriculum

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's) Coursework

NURS 530A	Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology	1.5
NURS 676A	Advanced Pharmacology - APRN specific	1.5
NURS 530B	Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology	1.5
NURS 676B	Advanced Pharmacology - APRN specific	1.5
NURS 680A	Advanced Health/Physical Assessment - APRN specific	1.5
NURS 601A	APRN Bridge course	1.5
NURS 680B	Advanced Health/Physical Assessment - APRN specific	1.5
NURS 601B	APRN Bridge course	1.5
NURS 663A	Primary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient: Theory	1.5
NURS 663L-A	Primary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient: Practicum	1.5
NURS 663B	Primary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient: Theory	1.5
NURS 663L-B	Primary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient: Practicum	1.5
NURS 660	Advanced Practice Nursing Role	1
NURS 664A	Primary Care Women's Health Theory	1
NURS 664L-A	Primary Care Women's Health: Practicum	1
NURS 664B	Primary Care Women's Health Theory	1
NURS 664L-B	Primary Care Women's Health Practicum	1
NURS 665A	Care Management and Coordination - Theory	1
NURS 665B	Care Management and Coordination - Theory	1
NURS 668L-A	Advanced Health Care Residency	1.5
NURS 668L-B	Advanced Health Care Residency	1.5
Total Credit Hours:		28.0

Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's) Certificate Program Costs

For program costs, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees section.