Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Certificate
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Certificate program is designed as a nondegree course credit option for nurses with a master’s degree in nursing.1 This program prepares students to provide primary care to the young adult, adult, and older adult age spectrum across the continuum of care from wellness to illness, in settings including community health centers and clinics, private medical practices, long-term care facilities, and patient homes. Graduates are eligible to apply to the state of California Board of Registered Nursing for certification as a nurse practitioner, and may apply for the national AGPCNP certification examination. Note: Students must be admitted to the university before registering for this program (see Admission section below).
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Students may be given credits for previous content completed in a master’s degree program. Students who hold current California certification as a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, and students who hold a master’s degree in nursing and/or national certification as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), may challenge or request a waiver of the coursework required for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program, as appropriate to the student’s current specialty. Petitions for challenge or waiver of courses must be initiated upon admission and approved by the MSN chair. Students must show proof of current nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist certification.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Core Courses | 12 | |
| GNRS 512 | Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion 1 | 4 (3/1) |
| GNRS 513 | Advanced Nursing Practice Role 2 | 2 |
| GNRS 515 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| GNRS 594 | Pharmacology in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Advanced Practice Specialty Courses | 25 | |
| GNRS 580 | Gerontology | 2 |
| GNRS 581 | Primary Health Care of the Older Adult | 5 (2/3) |
| GNRS 589 | Adolescent Health Care | 2 |
| GNRS 591 | Primary Health Care of the Childbearing Family | 4 (2/2) |
| GNRS 592A | Primary Health Care of the Adult and Aging Family | 6 (3/3) |
| GNRS 592B | Primary Health Care Clinical Practicum | 2 (0/2) |
| GNRS 593 | Psychosocial Primary Health Care of the Adult and Aging Family | 4 (2//2) |
| Specialization Option Courses | No requirement | |
| Total Units | 37 | |
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Units in parentheses are classroom/clinical units.
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This requirement is waived for 1992-96 APU master’s graduates, as the content was integrated in the clinical courses.
Admission
University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admission to the University). Program-specific application requirements are available online.
International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:- Articulate a Christian worldview, demonstrating respect for the dignity and uniqueness of others, valuing diversity, and applying spiritual concepts.
- Engage in scholarly inquiry and critical thinking, including evaluation and application of evidence-based research.
- Appraise and apply knowledge to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that promote health and prevent disease.
- Demonstrate thoughtful analysis of the legal, political, ethical, and/or financial factors impacting healthcare.
- Use information systems and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, promote quality, mitigate error and support decision-making.
- Demonstrate the ability to coordinate and collaborate with other health care team professionals.
- Engage in clinical reasoning, effective communication, and act as change agents to develop professional identity and practice skill.