Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Programs
Program Description
A post-graduate APRN certificate program is defined as either a post-master's or a post-doctoral certificate (non-degree) program that is preparing students for an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) role such as nurse practitioner (NP) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS). The program is designed for master's or doctorally prepared APRNs who desire additional specialty certification.
The following specialty tracks are offered:
- Post-Graduate Certificate: Adult-Gerontology CNS
- Post-Graduate Certificate: Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty
- Post-Graduate Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program will be able to achieve the following outcomes:
- Inquiring Faithfully: The student will demonstrate knowledge, skill, and behavior of the evidence-based practice of nursing which integrates growth in reasoning, analysis, decision-making, and the application of theory with the goal of advocating for others and/or self. This includes holistic nursing skills and the nursing process.
- Caring Faithfully: The student will embrace a calling to the ministry of compassionate care for all people in response to God’s grace, which aims to foster optimal health and bring comfort in suffering and death.
- Communicating Faithfully: The student will actively engage in the dynamic interactive process that is intrapersonal and interpersonal with the goal of advocating for others and/or self. This includes effective, culturally appropriate communication which conveys information, thoughts, actions and feelings through the use of verbal and nonverbal skills.
- Following Faithfully: The student will integrate the ordinary work1 by complying with and adhering to regulatory and professional standards (e.g., ANA Code of Ethics, The California Board of Registered Nursing, Scope of Nursing Practice, SON Handbook). This includes taking responsibility, being accountable for all actions and treating others with respect and dignity.
- Leading Faithfully: The student will incorporate a foundational relationship with Christ and others and embrace a willingness to serve others in the midst of life circumstances (e.g., illness, injustice, poverty). The student will role-model the need for “Sabbath Rest” as a means for personal renewal, and true care of self, so that service to others is optimally achieved. The student will incorporate the characteristics of a servant leader including: humility, courage, forgiveness, discernment.
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Defined as claiming the challenge from Florence Nightingale that nursing is a “divine imposed duty of ordinary work.”
Program Eligibility for Certificate Programs
- Master's or doctoral degree in Nursing or other discipline from a National League for Nursing (NLN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or accredited Nursing program (i.e., WASC);
- Official transcripts - BSN and all MSN, DNP, Ph.D. and/or Ed.D. All foreign transcripts must have a course by course evaluation by World Education Services or another member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services that includes a degree equivalency and GPA;
- Minimum GPA of 3.200;
- Current California licensure as a registered nurse - or - in state of residence if attending clinical outside of California1;
- Current employment as an RN or at least 1 year of full time RN practice in the last 5 years is required prior to the start of clinical coursework;
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume;
- Two (2) professional references from a supervisor or mentor who has observed you in an academic setting;
- A personal essay of 250 words demonstrating graduate-level writing skills;
- A completed university application form and fee; and
- An interview with the graduate nursing selection committee.
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A valid RN license in good standing in another state may suffice for active military service members or their spouses for clinical within California, per California BRN process and federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) requirements. The student must be registered in the SCRA State Registration Database available on the CA Department of Consumer Affairs website.
English Language Requirements
A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to the Graduate School of Nursing. Applicants, including international applicants, permanent residents, immigrants and transfer students who are not citizens of the United States on the date of admission and whose native language is other than English, must meet this requirement. A test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the measure of competency. The test must have been taken within the past two years. The following scores must be met:
- 550 for the paper-based test
- 80 for the internet based test with a minimum section requirement score of 20 in reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
Only the following countries are exempt from proof of English proficiency: Australia, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
Other Provisions
To satisfy the requirements of the university’s clinical agencies, upon acceptance into the program students are required to provide copies of the following documentation:
- Current California licensure as a registered nurse - or - in state of residence if attending clinical outside of California;
- Current Healthcare Provider CPR certificate from the American Heart Association;
- Completed School of Nursing Health Form Packet with officially documented proof of immunizations;
- Current TB screening upon admission into the program (2 step process);
- Current HIPAA certificate;
- Infection Control Module; and
- Background check and drug screening (failure to pass this may result in an inability to complete the program)
Per agreement with the San Diego Nursing Service Education consortium and affiliated hospitals, a background check and drug screening is required prior to the student’s first clinical experience. If a red flag occurs from either the background check or drug screening, this may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC): CNS Tracks
These courses will assist the student in preparing for various aspects involved in the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) based on the spheres of influence and clinical specialty. An overview of advanced practice roles and their implementation and utilization in health care systems will be explored. The investigation of issues and trends related to quality, legislation, policy, and reimbursement as they affect advanced nursing practice will be emphasized.
An individualized gap analysis of previous academic credit will be conducted for each applicant to determine courses needed to fulfill the requirements at PLNU.
- Any CNS applicant may submit prior course syllabi and clinical hours log to be reviewed for course equivalency.
- All graduate students take 3Ps courses (NSG 6006 - Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG 6007 - Advanced Pharmacology, and NSG 6008 - Advanced Health Assessment) as foundational courses for the advanced nursing practice role. Any applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency. A prerequisite or transfer 3Ps course must meet the required criteria per California Board of registered Nursing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Syllabi may be required to verify equivalency prior to acceptance of any course toward PLNU Graduate Nursing program requirements. Students who have not taken APRN Core Prerequisite Courses may take them concurrently with their program at PLNU.
The CNS Role practicum hours will allow the student to apply and master the role of the CNS within a variety of specialty-specific clinical settings. The PGC: Adult-Gerontology CNS track consists of 2 Graduate core courses (5 units), 4 APRN core courses (9 units), and 9 CNS-specialty courses (21 units, which includes 12 units/500 clinical practicum hours).
The PGC: Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty track consists of 2 Graduate core courses (5 units), 4 APRN core courses (9 units), and 11 CNS-specialty courses (24 units, which includes 12 units/580 clinical practicum hours).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses 1 | ||
| NSG 6003 | Following Faithfully: Healthcare Policy and Ethics | 3 |
| NSG 6009 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| APRN Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 & 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| CNS-Specialty Courses | 21-24 | |
| Choose one (1) specialty from the following: | ||
Adult Gerontology CNS Courses: | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Adult Gerontology | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Practicum 2 | ||
Adult Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty Courses: | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Adult Gerontology | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Women's Health | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Women's Health CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Women's Health CNS Role Practicum | ||
| Total Units | 35-38 | |
- 1
0-9 units, per gap analysis.
- 2
500 clinical hours required.
- 3
80 clinical hours required.
Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC): FNP Track
These courses will assist the student in preparing for various aspects involved in the role of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) based on National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) standards.
An individualized gap analysis of previous academic credit will be conducted for each applicant to determine courses needed to fulfill the requirements at PLNU.
- Any FNP applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency.
- Any applicant who has taken Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology in the last five (5) years (5 years or less at the time of matriculation) must provide the syllabi to be reviewed for equivalency. If the course is determined to be an equivalent course taken within the last five (5) years and the grade earned was a B- or higher, the course may be waived. (Note: Determination of equivalency does not necessarily mean that PLNU transfer credit has been awarded. Equivalent courses may not appear on the PLNU transcript.)
- At a minimum, a total of 750 direct patient care hours are to be included in the past APRN graduate education program and post-graduate certificate program, specifically to meet the end-of-program hours for the new NP role and/or new population (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 2022, Criterion III. N.).
The PGC: FNP track consists of 4 APRN core courses (9 units) and FNP-specialty courses (33 units, which includes 16 units/750 clinical practicum hours).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses 1 | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 & 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| FNP-Specialty Didactic and Practicum Courses | ||
| NSG 7030 & 7030L | Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing and Diagnostic Reasoning and Diagnostic Reasoning and Procedures Practicum | 4 |
| NSG 7031 & 7031L | Health Management I: Adults with Acute and Episodic Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management I Practicum: Adults with Acute and Episodic Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7032 & 7032L | Health Management II: Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management II Practicum: Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7033 & 7033L | Health Management III: Adults with Chronic and Complex Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management III Practicum: Adults with Chronic and Complex Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7034 & 7034L | Health Management IV: Pediatric and Adolescent in Primary Care and Health Management IV Practicum: Pediatric and Adolescent in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7035 & 7035L | Health Management V: Clinical Immersion and Health Management V Practicum: Clinical Immersion | 4 |
| NSG 7036 | Entry to the Advanced Practice Role | 1 |
| Total Units | 42 | |
- 1
0-9 units, per gap analysis.
Total Post-Graduate CNS Certificate Units: 26-38
Minimum Required Clinical Hours for Adult-Gerontology CNS and Pediatric CNS Tracks: 500
Minimum Required Clinical Hours for Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty Track: 580
Total Post-Graduate FNP Certificate Units: 33-42 Minimum
Minimum Required Clinical Hours for FNP Track: 750
Completion Requirements
In order to earn and receive a Post-Graduate APRN Certificate, a student must satisfy all of the following:
- Successful completion of all required program courses.
- A cumulative grade-point average of 3.000 or higher. A minimum grade of B- is required to progress in the program. Throughout the curriculum, students may repeat one prerequisite, corequisite, or nursing course. Repeatability of the course and progression in the program is dependent on space availability. Students who are unsuccessful in passing a repeated course will be dismissed from the program.
- Payment in full of all tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the university.
- All requirements for the program must be completed within an eight-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.