Post-graduate/ A.P.R.N. Certificate

Nurse practitioner concentrations:

At Wilkes, we are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our students. We look ahead to the degrees, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes clinical placement. FAQs

Quality Education Within Reach

We award a post-graduate/APRN certificate of program completion, not a degree, which you can complete in three to five semesters in the same nurse practitioner tracks offered as part of our M.S.N. program. Wilkes University prides itself on providing a quality education to all who are willing, irrespective of their socioeconomic, ethnic or religious background. You’ll find our competitively priced tuition and caliber of faculty hard to beat. Your return on investment is looking good!

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated for admission based on the following criteria. These admissions standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for the program. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates as needed for a more in-depth review of qualifications.

Master/Doctoral in Nursing or Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a 3.0 GPA
Unencumbered R.N. license*
One year of clinical experience (by the start of the nurse practitioner clinical courses)
Resume and cover letter

*Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review process by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the university.

Program Features

Nurse practitioner certificate programs available: Psychiatric/Mental Health, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and Family
$728 per credit hour
Three opportunities per year to start classes
12-week courses

NSG 530 — Advanced Pathophysiology

This course provides an overview of the normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease and serves as one primary component of the foundation for clinical assessment, decision-making and management. The course will prepare the advanced practice nurse for interpreting changes in normal function that results in symptoms indicative of illness in patients across the lifespan (Credits: 3).

NSG-506. Advanced Practice in Adult Gerontology Clinical I

Advance practice nursing students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the adult-gerontology population across the spectrum of young adults, adults, and older adults is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and development of therapeutic interventions for self-limiting conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 250 clinical practice hours).

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3

NSG-546. Family Nurse Practitioner I

Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the family population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and development of therapeutic interventions for self-limiting conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 250 clinical practice hours)

Pre-Requisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 3

NSG-552. Psychopharmacology

This course is designed to assist the P-MH nurse practitioner to develop competence in prescribing and monitoring psychopharmacological agents used in the treatment of common psychiatric-mental health disorders across the lifespan. This course will examine the major classes of psychopharmacological agents on neurobiological function with a particular emphasis on the clinical management of target psychiatric symptoms. Drugs of abuse, side effects, issues of polypharmacy, and management of advanced practice prescriptive privileges are also explored.

Pre-Requisites: NSG-533; Credits: 2

Curriculum Sample

NSG 533 — Advanced Pharmacology

This course provides the basic principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics for broad categories of drugs. Purpose of action, common interactions and contraindications of major drug categories are highlighted. Case studies are integrated to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate application of pharmacological theory in advancing nursing practice (Credits: 3).

NSG-535. Advanced Practice in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I

This foundational clinical course introduces students to advanced practice psychiatric nursing in a variety of mental health settings. Students acquire skills in completing comprehensive mental health assessments. Students identify and apply concepts, theories, and principles to the practice of individual, family, and group psychotherapy, with emphasis on process dynamics. Considerations and challenges in providing psychotherapy to culturally diverse individuals, families, and groups are explored and discussed. Skills are gained in assessing psychopathological symptoms across the lifespan and in implementing planned interventions. Students integrate theory and practice of the advanced practice psychiatric nurse in a supervised clinical practicum (Total: Residency and 250 practice hours).

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550, NSG-552; Credits: 3

NSG-554. Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care I

This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide primary health care to the adult and older adult population during wellness and acute/episodic illness. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of acute/episodic primary care health problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations.

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3

NSG-554. Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care I

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3

In recent years, people are living longer than ever. The aging population presents unique challenges to healthcare professionals. If you desire increased autonomy and authority in your role as a nurse practitioner, a post master’s certificate in adult-gerontology might be right for you.

Wilkes University's online Adult-Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioner track will give you the skills necessary to integrate evidence-based nursing theories with diagnostic reasoning. With this new knowledge, you will be better prepared to offer exceptional chronic primary and acute primary healthcare solutions.

It is anticipated that by 2025, the US will be short of at least 100,000 family medicine doctors. Earning your family nurse practitioner certification through Wilkes allows you to be a part of the solution.

As an FNP, you can make a difference in patients' lives. Enrolling at Wilkes University allows you the chance to expand your knowledge and skill beyond treatment. With your new experience, you will be able to provide disease prevention and management, counseling, and health and wellness education for families.

Our Family Nurse Practitioner track gives you the critical thinking skills to have a positive impact on patient outcomes physically, psychosocially, spiritually, cognitively, and developmentally.

If you’re passionate about offering comprehensive care to an underserved patients, our MSN PMHNP gives you the skills you need. Wilkes University Psychiatric nurse practitioner track will help you develop competence in prescribing and monitoring medications. You can use your skills in the treatment of disorders in all age groups.

Mental illness awareness has finally made it to the mainstream. This means your opportunities to promote mental wellness and advance your career as a PMHNP are rising. Seize this opportunity to practice your calling and emerge from your Wilkes online PMHNP program with the skills you need to be an expert in the mental health field.

NSG 550 — Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners

The nurse practitioner will develop processes for formulating differential diagnoses of acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses in the primary care setting across the lifespan. A case-study approach is integrated to prepare students for management of health status of patients through the implementation of strategies specific to the synthesis of data from multiple sources that promote quality of care outcomes for patients (Prerequisites: NSG 530, NSG 533; Credits: 2).

NSG-515. Advanced Practice in Adult Gerontology Clinical II

Advanced Practice nursing students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the adult and gerontology population across the spectrum of young adults, adults, and older adults is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 250 clinical practice hours)

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3

NSG-526. Clinical Modalities in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice

This course provides a foundation in the major systems of therapy for individuals and groups used in advanced psychiatric mental health nursing and other disciplines engaged in mental health practice. Focus will be on therapeutic modalities such as brief psychotherapy, group processes and practices, milieu therapy and crisis intervention as they relate to advanced nursing practice in mental health.

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550, NSG-552; Credits: 3

NSG-536. Advanced Practice in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing II

This clinical course focuses on refining assessment, diagnosis, and pharmacological and psychosocial management of individuals of all ages with mental illness. Individual, family, and group psychotherapies are refined. Students gain skills in identifying individuals/populations at risk for mental illness and primary prevention in mental health. Mental health needs of culturally diverse, rural, and underserved populations are explored. Leadership and advocacy roles of the advanced practice psychiatric nurse as an agent of healthcare policy change are emphasized. Students integrate theory and practice of the advanced practice psychiatric nurse in a supervised clinical practicum (Total: Residency and 250 practice hours).

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550, NSG-552; Credits: 3

NSG-548. Family Nurse Practitioner Role with Children and Families

This course is designed to prepare Family Nurse Practitioner nursing students to provide primary health care to the pediatric client and their family. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of acute primary care health problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations.

Pre-Requisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 2

NSG 556 — Health Perspectives of Culturally Diverse, Rural and Underserved Populations

This course is designed to introduce the advanced practice nursing student to the issues facing culturally diverse, rural and underserved populations. The theory can be integrated into clinical practice for patients and families in primary care settings to promote an understanding of differences and issues that impact the comprehensive planning of healthcare services (Credits: 2).

NSG-527. Psychopathology, Theories, and Advanced Clinical Modalities

This course focuses on the most frequently observed pathologies in psychiatry and mental health, the various conceptual models and theories related to the practice of psychiatric mental health nursing, and the most advanced clinical modalities congruent with the analysis of the best evidence.

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550, NSG-552; Credits: 3

NSG-549. Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical with Children and Families

Family Nurse Practitioner nursing students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the pediatric population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 84 clinical practice hours)

Pre-Requisites: NSG-500 NSG-530 NSG-533 NSG-550; Credits: 1

NSG-555. Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care II

This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide chronic primary health care to the adult and older adult population. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of chronic, primary health care problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations.

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3

NSG-500 — Advanced Health Assessment

This course presents an overview of the full and comprehensive health assessment of patients across the life span. Emphasis on multiple aspects of assessment including physical, functional, and mental health assessment along with transcultural variations, will prepare the student for advanced nursing practice. (Nurse Practitioner students are required to complete an onsite residency; Credits: 3)

NSG-547. Family Nurse Practitioner II

Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the family population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 250 clinical practice hours)

Pre-Requisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 3

NSG-555. Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care II

Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3

App Due: April 9, 2021
Next Start: May 24, 2021

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