Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate

Description and Outcomes

If you are a registered nurse interested in expanding your knowledge as it relates to the role of the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, consider the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate program. This certificate program is designed to educate you on the topics of how to promote and provide primary care as a member of an interprofessional team and how to improve the availability of evidence-based, culturally relevant health care in diverse communities. The curriculum helps you develop the skills to evaluate the health and wellness of individuals, families, and their communities. The nurse practitioner is expected to possess skills in diagnosing, treating, and managing acute and chronic health conditions, to deliver preventive care, and to participate in the development of appropriate policy and evidence-based practice.

Note: the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate program is not available in all states. Refer to Program Availability Information for details. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Clinical Practice Experience

You will complete a series of clinical practice sessions designed to provide the opportunity for application of theoretical knowledge while working with a designated, qualified preceptor. 

Refer to the School of Nursing’s Progression Requirements section for additional requirements for clinical and practicum experiences.

Program Length

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 60 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of this program, you will be awarded a certificate.

Program Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate, through synthesis of theoretical and scientific knowledge, the safe, effective practice of primary care through management of both health and illness states.
  2. Collaborate with the individual and community as well as other health care professionals for the purpose of ensuring high-quality, holistic primary care services.
  3. Demonstrate the role of a nurse practitioner as a health educator and coach to individuals, families, and communities using a wide range of skills.
  4. Demonstrate commitment to the implementation, preservation, and evolution of the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner role.
  5. Incorporate critical thinking, collaboration, and interdisciplinary relationships into client care to achieve optimal outcomes.
  6. Serve as an advocate for the client as he or she interfaces with the health care system.
  7. Demonstrate a commitment to ensuring quality of care through consultation, collaboration, continuing education, certification, and self-reflection.
  8. Provide culturally sensitive care in a holistic manner that is responsive to the client's cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Admissions Requirements

You must meet the below admissions requirements in addition to Purdue Global's general requirements.

You must have an approved criminal background check. The criminal background check must not contain information that would prohibit you from being licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse and/or being granted prescriptive authority under your state’s Nurse Practice Act.

You must have a master's degree with an upper-level major in nursing and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from an accredited institution. Refer to the Admissions Requirements for more information on prior degree submission.

If your master’s degree nursing focus is in one of the four advanced practice registered nurse roles (nurse midwife, registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner), or you have completed a postgraduate certificate in one of the four roles, you must also submit evidence of national certification and/or advanced practice recognition/licensure from your state in the role in order to be considered for admission to the program.

Progression Requirements

  1. You will complete clinical courses as part of the requirements for this program. You are required to follow University Catalog and School of Nursing Handbook requirements in completion of your clinical courses.
  2. You must submit all credit for prior learning to the School of Nursing for review and approval.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

If eligible, upon completion of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate, you may sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification. These are primary care certifications. After earning either certification, you may be academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in any state in which the program is available for enrollment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information. 

Please note that most states require nurses to be nationally certified and to have completed an accredited graduate nursing program in order to obtain licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse. Each national certification provider and state Board of Nursing will have eligibility requirements in addition to these educational requirements, such as passing a criminal background check. It is your responsibility to determine whether you will be eligible for state Board of Nursing approval and certification as an advanced practice registered nurse in your state. Please visit the following websites for more information: