Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Post Masters Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Certificate Program

As part of Walsh University's Master of Science in Nursing program, the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) track meets the health care needs of the acutely ill person by providing the following services, in congruence with the AGACNP competencies established by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) (2012): Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for a national Adult Gerontology Acute Care certification exam.

• Direct health care services, ranging from disease prevention to acute and critical care management.
• Health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment.
• Assessment and diagnosis of health status.
• Synthesis of data to assist clinical decision making.
• Creating and implementing plans of care.
• Educator of patients, families, and other health care professionals.

The AGACNP functions in an acute care environment, typically defined as the hospital setting, but is inclusive of specialty clinics, home care, emergency departments, rehabilitation centers, and beyond. The AGACNP must be nationally certified in order to be classified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate competent and safe care of the acutely ill adult gerontology patient and population, ranging from health promotion to disease prevention, to maintenance and stabilization of complex acute and chronic conditions.
2. Synthesize theoretical, scientific, and evidence-based clinical knowledge for the assessment and management of adult and aging patients with acute, chronic, and critical conditions.
3. Analyze situations to improve quality of care through consultations and collaborations with other professionals.
4. Demonstrate leadership skills through a commitment to the implementation, preservation, and evolution of the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner role and advocate for health policies that positively affect APRN practice.
5. Provide culturally competent care with respect to cultural and spiritual beliefs and make health care resources available to patients from diverse cultures.

Global Experiences

While enrolled in the program, students may participate in the Byers School of Nursing’s global experience(s). The student is advised to seek more information on global experiences from the Graduate Program Director or the Office of Global Learning.

Certificate Academic Guidelines

Admission Policy

Participants enrolled in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate program must comply with the Byers School of Nursing Graduate admission requirements.

pROGRAM dELIVERY

The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program is offered using a distance learning methodology* and requires students to be on campus for two intensives and other planned experiences.

rEGISTRATION PROCEDURES

New students are given instructions on how to register with their acceptance letter. Before or during the first half of the first semester, students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisors to map out a curriculum plan. For the remainder of the program students are responsible for registering for their own classes. The process is as follows:

• Graduate students may register on-line via the Walsh University Cavalier Center (www.walsh.edu (http://www.walsh.edu) (http://www.walsh.edu). To register on-line, the student must obtain an alternate PIN from their assigned academic advisor and resolve any holds that may prevent registration.
• Obtain a form from the website www.walsh.edu (http://www.walsh.edu) (http://www.walsh.edu) . Click on “Academics” and scroll down to the “Office of the Registrar” link. Scroll down to the link “forms” and then on “Graduate Registration Form”. Download a copy and fax (330) 490-7372, mail or present the completed form to the Registrar’s Office (located in Farrell Hall).

*Online refers to the definition from the Higher Learning Commission: Distance-delivered courses are those in which all or the vast majority (typically 75% or more) of the instruction and interaction occurs via electronic communication, correspondence, or equivalent mechanisms, with the faculty and students physically separated from each other.

Certificate Requirements

To receive the Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care, a student will complete the following courses: