Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Graduate Certificate)

Program Overview

The Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate prepares nurses for advanced practice in acute care settings. The hybrid program combines online and in-person components, with a focus on holistic care for infants, children, and young adults with complex illnesses. Graduates are eligible for certification as acute care pediatric nurse practitioners and can pursue careers in various healthcare settings, including critical care, emergency care, and specialty services.

Program Outline

• It prepares graduates to provide holistic, client-centered care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic, complex acute, and life-threatening illnesses.
• The program features a hybrid format with online and in-person components.
Students visit campus for orientation and participate in immersions two or three times per semester.
• Core courses include pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment.
• Specialty courses focus on assessment and management of a supportive, family-centered, and culturally appropriate plan of care for pediatric patients with various conditions.
• The program prioritizes multicultural experiences through practicum placements in health profession shortage areas, including urban underserved and rural locations.

Outline:

• The AC PNP Graduate Certificate requires the completion of 20 credit hours.
• Required Core Courses (20 credit hours):
• DNP 606 Principles of Pediatric Acute Care I (3 credits)
• DNP 607 Advanced Pediatric Acute Care Practicum I (7 credits)
• DNP 619 Principles of Pediatric Acute Care II (3 credits)
• DNP 620 Advanced Pediatric Acute Care Practicum II (7 credits)
• The program requires an additional 600 hours of direct patient care with a nurse practitioner or physician preceptor in the clinical setting.
• Clinical experiences are arranged with appropriate preceptors and administrators, considering student location preferences.

Teaching:

• The program employs a diverse teaching methodology incorporating lectures, simulations, case studies, and interactive sessions.
• The faculty comprises experienced pediatric nurse practitioners with expertise in healthcare delivery, research, and education.
• The program's hybrid design allows flexibility for working professionals while promoting interaction and engagement in the learning process.

Careers:

• The AC PNP Graduate Certificate opens doors to diverse career opportunities for graduates as:
• Acute care home services
• Critical care
• Education and training of future healthcare providers
• Emergency care
• Inpatient hospitalist services
• Specialty service provision
• Transport teams

Other:

• Applicants to the program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
• Admission requirements include a bachelor's and master's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00, professional letters of recommendation, a resume, a goal statement, an admission essay, and proof of English proficiency for non-native speakers.
• Students require a current unencumbered RN license in the state where they plan to do clinical practicums and maintain an unencumbered Arizona RN license or an unencumbered compact state RN license.
• Nationally certified primary care pediatric nurse practitioners and certified family nurse practitioners with relevant experience are eligible to apply.
• Admission also involves an interview with program faculty and one year of clinical experience working in the pediatric acute care setting is preferred.
• Health and safety requirements include passing a background check and completing a substance screen.