Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

This certificate introduces you to the body of knowledge and skills necessary to practice as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. Tailored for MSN-prepared nurses looking for an online curriculum, the certificate gives students access to interdisciplinary faculty members. The coursework includes didactic and clinical experiences that focus on the primary care needs of patients, families, and communities from adolescence through adulthood.

Who Should Apply

If you’re already working as a nurse, have a master’s degree in nursing and are interested in advancing your education to become the primary care provider your patients come to know and trust, with opportunities in home health, long-term care and other fields, you should consider our Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP program.

Application Deadlines

Fall 2024

Application Open: 11/01/23

Priority: 01/09/24
Release Date: Rolling

Final: 05/01/24
Release Date: Rolling

Summer 2024

Application Open: 09/01/23

Priority: 12/13/23
Release Date: Rolling

Final: 02/21/24
Release Date: Rolling

Requirements

Overview

The Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program consists of 20 credit hours and 600 clinical hours. Questions about program requirements should be directed to the program director, Maggie Venzke.

Program of Study

Courses

For full listing of courses and descriptions, please visit the University Bulletin.

On-Campus Requirements

Students in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certificate program are required to attend two on-campus simulation-based learning events.

  • Clinical Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI)

    • Students come to campus before they start their first clinical course to participate in CLASI.  Students participate in simulation-based learning and workshops to progress toward clinical competency
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)

    • While enrolled in NURS 6225 and NURS 6229 you are required to attend a series of simulation-based learning events designed to augment the AGPCNP curriculum. These events also allow faculty the opportunity to objectively evaluate student clinical skills in taking patient history, physical examination, critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, formulation of differential diagnoses, patient management and interpersonal communication while working with standardized patients (SPs). OSCEs also provide opportunities for professional development, networking, mentorship and one-on-one coaching from course faculty in preparation for program completion.

Technology Requirements

Each student admitted to the Certificate program is expected to own and have ready access to a laptop or tablet with basic productivity software for classroom use. View Policy.

Complete applications that are submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications do not have to be verified by the priority deadline, only completed and submitted. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected]

A completed application includes the following components:

  • Master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Preferred scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Current resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Evidence of current nursing licensure

Note:

  1. GW Nursing is subject to state authorization requirements in order to offer an approved nursing curriculum. View available states.
Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology and Advanced Health Assessment are prerequisites for this program. These must be three separate courses, across the lifespan, and designed for advanced practice clinicians.

You must record a minimum of 625 hours of clinical experience with an approved preceptor. You are encouraged to find your own preceptor, but we can provide information on local clinical sites if needed.  A clinical site visit will be conducted, usually during your second or final clinical course, by a faculty member.

Questions about clinical placement requirements should be directed to [email protected].

Complete applications that are submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications do not have to be verified by the priority deadline, only completed and submitted. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected]

A completed application includes the following components:

  • Master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Preferred scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Current resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Evidence of current nursing licensure

Note:

  1. GW Nursing is subject to state authorization requirements in order to offer an approved nursing curriculum. View available states.

Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology and Advanced Health Assessment are prerequisites for this program. These must be three separate courses, across the lifespan, and designed for advanced practice clinicians.


You must record a minimum of 625 hours of clinical experience with an approved preceptor. You are encouraged to find your own preceptor, but we can provide information on local clinical sites if needed.  A clinical site visit will be conducted, usually during your second or final clinical course, by a faculty member.

Questions about clinical placement requirements should be directed to [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions