A Post Master's Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate option is also available. In the first year of study, emphasis is placed on developing skill in health history taking, physical assessment, and assessment of the elected specialty population. Students study research and theory as a basis for developing conceptual models for advanced nursing practice. During the final year the focus is on clinical nursing management and role development as an advanced practice nurse. Leadership, change, case management, and consultation are emphasized.
Students implement a practicum in the advanced practice role during the spring term.
An eight-week course. The course plan for scheduled part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office. Courses are taken from both the Adult Advanced Practice Nursing specialty and the Adult Nurse Practitioner specialty. On completion of the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner track, students are eligible for GNP Certification through the American Nurses' Association. In the first year of study, the focus is on history taking, physical assessment, ambulatory diagnostics, differential diagnosis, and management of simple geriatric problems across a variety of primary care settings.