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Wilkes University Online — Online APRN Certificate

Post-Graduate Certificate — Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

**Nursing Clinical Placement**
Complimentary placement services to prepare you for success

**Impressive Pass Rates**
Board exam pass rates consistently above national average

**Multiple Start Dates**
3 entrance opportunities per year

**Affordable Tuition**
$728 per credit hour

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Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate

Clinical Placement	Program Features	Admission Requirements	Curriculum	Program Outcomes	Concentrations

Nurse Practitioner Concentrations:

Family Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care

Psychiatric/Mental Health

Hear from a Recent Graduate

* The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

Preparing You to Advance Your Career

Wilkes University's 100% online (excluding clinicals and residencies) post-graduate/Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certificate program focuses on the advanced clinical skills that are in high demand as well as evidence-based practice for improved patient outcomes. We offer three nurse practitioner (NP) concentrations to give you the opportunity to align your post-graduate study with your career goals: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and Psychiatric/Mental Health.

Quality Education Within Reach

Wilkes University prides itself on providing 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. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow more than 50% through 2029. Your return on investment is looking good!

More About Clinical Placement Services

The Wilkes Clinical Placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that is compliant, meets the University and national guidance for clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future nursing career.

How Does the Clinical Placement Process Work?

What Value Will the Placement Team Provide?

When Will I Receive My Placement Details?

How Should I Prepare for Clinicals?

The Placement Team will collaborate with you to help you secure quality placement sites and preceptors. In addition to completing a Placement Intake Form, you will be responsible for completing all of your clinical clearance requirements prior to the start of your first clinical rotation.

You are not alone in preparing for clinicals! Your Placement Coordinator will be with you through the entire process by answering your questions, providing a clinical orientation, verifying your clinical clearances and walking you through the clinical checklist. The checklist details the dress code, clinical tools and professional expectations to ensure your success throughout each rotation.

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

Admission Requirements

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

MSN, DNP or BSN to DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
Unencumbered RN license*
One year of clinical experience (by the start of the NP clinical courses)
Current resume
Check state authorization

*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.

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

To see the full program curriculum, access your free program guide.

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

The role of the psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is to assess, diagnose and treat the mental health needs of patients, including children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. If you’re passionate about offering psychiatric health care services to underserved patients, our APRN-PMHNP track gives you the skills you need, such as competency in prescribing and monitoring medications for patients with mental health disorders or substance abuse problems.

You will develop knowledge of clinical modalities and theories used in health promotion to identify individuals and populations at risk of mental illness. In this role, you will offer primary prevention in mental health, with consideration to culturally diverse, rural and underserved populations. Our program fully prepares you to pass the ANCC and AANP national certification examinations.

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 APRN adult-gerontology primary care 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 and acute primary healthcare solutions to adults of all ages. Our program fully prepares you to pass the ANCC and AANP national certification exams.

According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the United States will be short at least 120,000 family medicine providers by 2030. Earning your family nurse practitioner (FNP) certification online through Wilkes' APRN post-graduate program allows you to be part of the solution.

As an FNP, you can make a difference in patients' lives by expanding your knowledge and skills beyond treatment. With your new experience, you will be able to provide disease prevention and management, counseling, and health and wellness education for families.

Some of the most rewarding nursing positions are APRN roles. Our online APRN-FNP track gives you the critical thinking skills to have a positive impact on patient outcomes physically, psychosocially, spiritually, cognitively and developmentally. Our program fully prepares you to pass the ANCC and AANP national certification exams.

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-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 591: Scholarly Preparation for Nurse Practitioner Boards

In this course the student will synthesize and review topics relevant to their NP specialty area of clinical practice. This course is designed as a review of specialty focused curriculum for the nurse practitioner national board certification examination.

NSG-555. Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care II

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.

Applications are currently being accepted for January 2023

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Something that I loved about this program is the attention that I got from my advisors early on, before even being accepted to the program. I was able to talk with my advisor over the phone and ask all of the questions that I had at the time to decide whether or not to move forward with the program. I had looked at a lot of schools, but this one fit what I needed."

Trenise Griffith, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

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I have or will have at least an associate’s degree in nursinga bachelor’s degree in nursinga master's degree in nursing, as required for this program except for ABSN, where I have at least a bachelor’s degree in any field.

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Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate Program Outcomes

Becoming a nurse practitioner is a smart move for career advancement. Nurses are in demand in hospital settings and a variety of other practice areas, and the need will only increase as our country's population ages. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, projected job growth for NPs is expected to increase 52% by 2029, and the average NP salary is $111,680.

Wilkes academic programs are helping to fulfill the great demand for nurse practitioners in the U.S. Our program curriculum develops you in the following areas so that you can:

Prepare for advanced practice from clinical, theoretical and professional standpoints to:

Harness skills and abilities to assume leadership roles.
Describe, analyze and evaluate current theories of nursing.

Develop your capabilities in research and reasoning, diagnosis and critical thinking to:

Understand the relationship of research and practice to theory.
Examine various research designs and methodologies.

Gain substantial insight into major healthcare systems and policies to:

Develop healthcare policy, politics and advocacy systems.
Strengthen knowledge of advanced professional nursing roles in healthcare from a historical, social, economic, political, ethical and interprofessional perspective.

Deliver informed care with respect to patient populations and cultural perspectives to:

Demonstrate an understanding of issues of culturally diverse, rural and underserved populations.
Integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues.

FAQs About the Online Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate Program

How does the nursing clinical placement process work for the post-graduate/APRN certificate program?

We do the heavy lifting for you. For more information on the nursing clinicals placement process, visit our Clinical Placement Services page or fill out a form to chat with an admissions advisor.

How long does the post-graduate/APRN certificate program take to complete?

Length of completion for the post-graduate/APRN certificate program depends on the concentration chosen.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration: 12 courses / 5 terms / 1.67 years
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) concentration: 10 courses / 4 terms / 1.3 years
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration: 11 courses / 5 terms / 1.67 years

How much does the post-graduate/APRN certificate program cost?

Tuition for the post-graduate/APRN certificate program depends on the concentration chosen.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration: $20,384
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) concentration: $18,200
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration: $19,656

Is financial aid available to online post-graduate/APRN certificate students?

Yes, financial aid is available to qualifying nursing students. Please fill out a form to schedule an appointment with an admissions advisor and learn if you qualify for financial assistance.

Are the classes for the post-graduate/APRN certificate program 100% online?

Excluding nursing clinicals and residencies, all coursework is 100% online. Each course experience is primarily asynchronous.

Focus Your Practice

Our three post-graduate/APRN nurse practitioner certificates give you the opportunity to align your advanced degree with your career goals in the nursing field. Choose the track you’re most passionate about and explore curriculum, tuition, admission requirements and more.

Wilkes University FNP

Wilkes University AGPCNP

Wilkes University PMHNP

More About Wilkes

At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.

Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.

Reach Out to an Admissions Advisor

We’re here to talk about everything Wilkes, everything nursing and anything you need to make the right choice for your career. We'll even help with the application process. Click the link below to fill out a form and start the conversation. We can’t wait!

Get Started

Wilkes University Admissions Advisor

Out-of-State Students

Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. ABSN graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.

Requirements Not Met

To proceed with the Associate Degree in Nursing (R.N.) to M.S.N. program, you are required to have an associate’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.

If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.

To proceed with the M.S.N. program, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.

If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.

To proceed with either the D.N.P., Ph.D. or the Post Graduate A.P.R.N. Certification programs, you are required to have a master’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.

If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.

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Online APRN Certificate

Post-Graduate Certificate — Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Preparing You to Advance Your Career

Quality Education Within Reach

More About Clinical Placement Services

Program Features

Admission Requirements

Curriculum Sample

Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate Program Outcomes

FAQs About the Online Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate Program

Focus Your Practice

Reach Out to an Admissions Advisor

Out-of-State Students

Requirements Not Met