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 certificates prepare advanced practice nurses for a career in adult-gerontology nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, and nurse anesthesia, as well as role preparation as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or administrators. 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. Most students complete 16-20 credit hours of graduate course work with the exception of those pursuing certificates in nurse anesthesia or acute pediatric nurse practitioner, where additional credit hours are required. The nurse anesthesia certificate program requires students who have completed the master’s degree in nursing within the preceding five (5) years to complete 60-70 credit hours. Contact the Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies for more information.
Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study and the College of Nursing, the following are required of all nurse anesthesia certificate applicants.
- One year of critical care experience with adult clients.
- Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
- A personal interview.
Course requirements are NURS 506 , NURS 516 , NURS 517 , NURS 518 , NURS 522 , NURS 523 , NURS 524 , NURS 525 , NURS 526 of nurse anesthesia didactic content, plus additional credit hours as determined by the college and 54 credit hours of nurse anesthesia clinical practice courses, NURS 544 , NURS 545 , NURS 546 , NURS 547 , NURS 548 , NURS 549 , NURS 583 .
