About the Program:
This advanced course of study is designed to prepare nurses who have earned a master’s degree for careers as Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioners. Upon program completion, the candidate is eligible to sit for the Adult Nurse Practitioner/Primary Care national certification examination with the American Nurses’ Association or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Students in the Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner certificate program gain advanced comprehensive assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills, and knowledge and skill in management of health problems common to individuals age 13 to end of life. They possess particular knowledge in prevention and management of adult health problems related to a focus area of choice. Students will be prepared to implement and evaluate interventions across settings as well as throughout the trajectories of chronic illness. Their practice will be evidence based, collaborative and reflective of understanding of current health care delivery, economic, ethical, and professional issues.
Oncology Focus (dependent on a sufficient cohort of students and faculty resources):
This advanced course of study is designed to prepare nurses who have an earned master’s degree for a career as an Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner with a specialty focus in Oncology. Students receive advanced comprehensive assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills, and knowledge and skills in both the prevention and management of common health issues in adults and in the care of adults at risk for, or with, cancer.
Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the American Nurses’ Association (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Adult Nurse Practitioner certification examination and the Oncology Nursing Certification (AOCNP) examination upon completion of additional hours in oncology after graduation.
Who May Apply?
Individuals who have earned a master’s degree in nursing from accredited programs, are currently licensed as RNs, and have at least one year’s clinical experience are eligible to apply.
Application Materials
You will be asked to submit the following documents with your application:
- Request for an official review of prior MSN coursework
- Official transcript indicating completion of master’s degree in nursing (or equivalent degree)
- Minimum of one year of clinical work experience as a Registered Nurse is required, preferably in area of specialization.
- One employee letter of recommendation from a current, immediate supervisor
- Curriculum vita or resume, detailing experience since completion of entry nursing degree
- Cogently written professional statement (3-5 pages) addressing all elements requested as detailed in Application Instruction
- Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the state in which the student will do clinical course work. Note: an "unencumbered license" means neither the license, the licensee’s practice, nor the licensee is associated with any type of restriction, encumbrance, or probationary limitations imposed by the applicable Board of Nursing or any judicial entity.
How Does the Program Work?
The program is approximately 25-30 graduate credits in length, depending on prior coursework, the population and specialty preparation desired, and clinical courses must be completed sequentially. Transcripts of post-master’s candidates are reviewed by the Advanced Practice Coordinator in the selected area of study. Additional or alternative coursework may be recommended based on this evaluation, specifically in the areas of health promotion, health care policy and the advanced practice role. Post-master’s students who are not nationally certified as master’s prepared nurses will be required to take additional coursework and consequently a longer program of study. For applicants currently certified and approved as a nurse practitioner working with adult populations, an individualized program of study will be designed based on the student’s prior educational background and clinical experiences. Courses are taken with graduate students in the Master of Science in Nursing program. Students are expected to complete the program as planned. Student’s who drop out must competitively reapply for the next academic year.
Upon acceptance to the program, a student will generally enroll in two courses in the fall semester, two in the spring, one in the following fall, and one in the second spring. You will complete one intensive clinical practicum during the summer session between the first and second years. During the fall and spring semesters you will attend classes on campus one to one and a half days per week. Clinical practice requires an additional 8 hours per week in the first three semesters and 16 hours per week in the fourth semester. You also need to plan for ample class preparation time each week.
Preceptors and clinical placements are selected to give you a broad exposure to adult health problems in a variety of settings, including community-based and hospital settings. Placements enhance the student’s management of health and illness across the care trajectory. Clinical practice sites are generally located in central North Carolina but they may extend across the state and require travel. We work with you, the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program, and the School’s Clinical Placement Coordinator to find experiences that fit ANP program expectations and your professional and personal goals.
Adult Nurse Practitioner faculty members are sensitive to students’ learning needs by employing a variety of instructional modalities including seminar or classroom settings, on-line and/or Web-enhanced instruction. As a result, the courses may be offered in traditional classroom settings and/or via distance technologies.
How Long Does it Take to Complete the Program?
The program takes up to two academic years plus one intervening semester to complete.
How Much Does the Program Cost?
Under revision. Please check back soon for updates.
When Should I Apply?
Admission to the Post-Master’s Certificate Program is offered only once per year (Fall). The deadline for applying for fall admission is January 8th, 2013.
What Will I Gain From Completing the Program?
Upon satisfactory completion of this program, students are eligible to sit for national certification as an Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and apply for approval by the joint committee of the North Carolina Board of Nursing and North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners to practice as a nurse practitioner in North Carolina
Additional Information:
Suggested Plans of Study:
School of Nursing
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Carrington Hall, CB #7460
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460
For general information on the School of Nursing and application materials, contact:
Office of Admissions and Student Services
(919) 966-4260
nursing@unc.edu
Update June 2012