Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Master’s)

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's) Program must:  

1. Have graduated from an accredited master's or doctoral program in nursing.
2. Have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0
   1. Applicants with a cumulative graduate GPA of 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered for admission on probation, but must achieve a "B" (3.0) or better in the first nine credits in the certificate program to be removed from probation.  Students who do not achieve a "B" or better in the first nine credits will be dismissed from the certificate program.
3. Have a RN license in CA or be eligible for RN licensure prior to clinical practicum courses.
   1. One year of full-time work experience as an RN. (One year recent clinical experience recommended.)
4. Pre-requisite coursework:  Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment within the last five (5) years. 

In addition to meeting the admissions requirements stipulated above, applicants to the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track must also:  

1. Receive a recommendation for admission from the Graduate Nursing Admissions Committee following an interview.  As part of the admissions process, applicants must submit an original essay for evaluation.  Past academic performance and professional activity will be evaluated, e.g., community, organizational, and volunteer service, as well as creative professional accomplishments.  
2. Applicants to the AG PCNP track must have a minimum of one (1) year of direct patient care experience within the past five (5) years prior to entering AG PCNP courses.  
3. Submission of two (2) letters of recommendation from most recent employer (supervisor) and from a professor who can address the applicant's clinical expertise and academic preparation for the program.  
4. Submit current Curriculum Vitae.  

Transfer Credits

• All students who have taken Advanced Physical Assessment within three years will also need to pass a written exam and an OSCE - Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation, on campus, performed in the presence of the APRN faculty, to assess their readiness to begin the clinical rotations in the AG PCNP track.  
• Students who have previously taken Advanced Pharmacology which was not approved by the BRN as a prescriptive authority will need to pass a 45-Hour Advanced Pharmacology Course to transfer in those credits.  

Program Information and Disclosures

AG PCNP Accreditation & Approvals Disclosure

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner coursework is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202) 877-6791. 

A student in the Post-Master's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program at West Coast University participates in two (2) 3-day On-site Intensive (OSI) weekends.  The OSI brings students to campus to learn, practice and demonstrate essential hands-on skills and competencies needed by nurse practitioners.  

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's) Curriculum

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's) Coursework