The College of Nursing offers certificates for nurses who need additional training. A master’s degree in nursing is required for admission. The post-MSN certificate prepares the advanced practice nurse for a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner in the primary and/or the acute care role. Students enrolling in the acute care track must have completed a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner program. Advanced practice nursing involves the delivery of care, management of resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and application of technology, information systems, knowledge, and critical thinking.
The total credit hours will vary depending on the student’s academic record, clinical experience, and objectives. Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours. Contact the Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies for more information.
Course requirements for the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner program are: NURS 550 , NURS 551 , NURS 527 , NURS 528 , NURS 562 , NURS 563 , plus additional credit hours as determined by the college.
Course requirements for the acute care pediatric nurse practitioner program are: NURS 541 and NURS 527 plus additional credit hours as determined by the college.
Primary care pediatric nurse practitioner students can expect to complete approximately 20 credit hours of graduate course work. The acute care track is an additional 7 credit hours. A minimum of one year of work in an acute care setting (usually a hospital) is required before beginning coursework in the acute care track.
The College of Nursing will observe the following grading scale:
A = 92 – 100 4 quality points
B+ = 88 – 91 3.3 quality points
B = 83 – 87 3 quality points
C+ = 78 – 82 2.3 quality points
C = 75 – 77 2 quality points
D = 67 – 74 1 quality point
F = 66 or below 0 quality points
