The College of Nursing offers certificates for nurses who need additional training. This graduate certificate prepares the advanced practice nurse for a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner in an acute care role. 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. Certificate coursework must be completed within 2 years of admission.
Students enrolling in the PNP Acute Care track must have completed a primary care PNP program and must have a minimum of one year of work in an acute care setting before beginning course work in the acute care courses.
Distance Education (DE) programs in the College of Nursing that lead to professional licensure or require clinical placements or clinical coursework must abide by board and state regulations in the state where the student resides and/or will be completing the clinical experiences. Before applying to and beginning a program, you should become familiar with your state’s licensing and professional requirements and that of the state in which you plan to reside as a practitioner.
It is the responsibility of the graduate student to ensure the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing has a state authorization with their state of residence. Students who reside outside of Tennessee who plan to complete a clinical placement in a state other than Tennessee will need to take additional steps to comply with the requirements of that state. Graduate students may only complete clinical practicum in the state of their official residence (as noted in MyUTK) and licensure. If the student moves from the state of residency after admission to the program, continuation in the program will depend on the availability of the program within the new state where the student physically resides. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the College of Nursing Graduate Programs at congrad@utk.edu of a change in physical residence.
Students may complete clinical practicum in states other than their official residence if they are unable to obtain authorization in their state of residence and it is agreed upon among the student, Concentration Coordinator, Graduate Clinical Coordinator, and Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs. If it is necessary to complete clinical practicum in a state other than their official residence due to being unable to obtain state authorization in the student’s state of official residence, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their RN and APRN (if applicable) licensure is valid in the state of clinical practicum. Students should obtain a multi-state license or temporary licensure (as applicable by state). Clinical practicum cannot be completed in any state where the student is not authorized to practice as an RN and APRN (if applicable).
You may also reach out to the College of Nursing Graduate Programs at congrad@utk.edu.
Distance Education programs in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, cannot currently admit students from the states of Alaska, Arizona, and California.
To find additional information about pre-licensure distance education requirements in individual states, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
