Adult Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate 

Program Overview

The University of Washington School of Nursing offers Adult Nurse Practitioner* preparation to nurses with a master’s degree in nursing through the Post-Graduate Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) curriculum. This Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced Practice Nursing (GCPAPN) offers an opportunity for nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing to develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide primary care management to adults.**  Students complete 15 months of part-time study, and are eligible to apply for ANCC certification as Adult Nurse Practitioner and for licensure and an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) in Washington and many other states. 

*Students have the option of further specializing as Acute Adult Care ANP, Older Adult ANP, Infectious Disease ANP or Rural-ANP by taking appropriate additional course work. You would work with a faculty advisor to plan your complete curriculum.

**IMPORTANT: Please note: Beginning with Admissions for Autumn 2009 (January 15, 2009 application deadline) this Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced Practice Nursing will require an earned Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. It will no longer be an option to do the GCPAPN for Adult Nurse Practitioner concurrently with a graduate degree program; the DNP degree must have already been earned.

Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced Practice Nursing ANP courses are offered with distance learning support, making the program accessible to students in Western Washington who live outside of the Seattle area and to students with limited availability during the week.  Students can opt to attend classes at the Seattle campus.  Technologies used include video and audio-streaming, videoconferencing, email, discussion board, voicemail, World Wide Web, video and audio tapes, fax, and mail.  All of the required Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced Practice Nursing ANP coursework is accessible to students in selected Western Washington locations.  Interactive videoconferencing links are established with selected Western Washington sites, eliminating the need to commute to the Seattle campus.  Course plans generally require one or two days of study or clinical practicum weekly.

Program development and fieldwork placements are individualized. Clinical practice experiences are offered in urban and rural locations.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Conduct comprehensive health assessments, including ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests such as laboratory tests, ECGs, and chest radiographs.
• Diagnose and manage health problems and disease-related symptoms.
• Prescribe and evaluate drugs and treatments.
• Coordinate care during setting transitions.
• Work collaboratively and independently to enhance access to and quality of care for patients and families through cost-effective, outcome-oriented, risk-appropriate practice.
• Assume primary responsibility to promote health, assess and manage common acute and chronic health conditions in adults.
• Analyze, articulate, and facilitate resolution of health care issues (economic, societal, legislative, ethical, and legal).
• Synthesize knowledge and skills to provide advanced nursing care among diverse, multi-cultural, and medically underserved patients in various health care settings.
• Develop and use leadership strategies to improve health care.

Curriculum Requirements and Proposed Progression

Year 1 Autumn Courses
NURS 552*** (2) Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
NURS 502 (4) Pathophysiology (IP/VC)
PBIO 405 (4) Human Physiology** (IP/VS)

Year 1 Winter Courses
NCLIN 500/501 (5) Health Assessment (IP for lab; IP/VS lect.)
NURS 445 (2) Professional Issues (Web)
NURS 510 (3) Clinical Management I (IP/VS)
PBIO 406 (4) Human Physiology ** (IP/VS)

Year 1 Spring Courses
NCLIN 549 (*) Clinical Practicum (IP/VC)
NURS 510 (2) Clinical Management II (IP/VS)
PHARM 514 (3) Pharmacotherapeutics (IP/VS)

Year 1 Summer Courses
NCLIN 550 (*) Clinical Practicum (IP/VC)
NURS 510 (3) clinical Management III (IP/VS)

Year 2 Autumn Courses
NCLIN 551/552 (*) clinical Practicum (IP/VC)

(IP = in-person; VC = videoconference; VS = videostream; Web = web-based)
***NURS 552 is also offered during the summer as a Web-based course with 2 in-person sessions.
**PBIO 405/406 is required; students who have completed a comprehensive graduate physiology course may be excused from this requirement.
*a combined total of 19 credits are required for the NCLIN 549, 550,551, and 552 series

Students may consult with faculty advisors to select electives appropriate to their career goals.

Admission Requirements and Criteria

Admission is based on acceptance by the University of Washington Graduate School and School of Nursing.  In addition to meeting required minimum GCPAPN admission criteria, the Adult Nurse Practitioner pathway additionally requires:

• Washington State RN License
• Masters degree from and NLN or CCNE accredited nursing program

 Application Process
To apply you should follow the Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced Practice Nursing application instructions and submit the GCAPN application forms. Click here to access.

Not ready to Apply?
You can take courses as a graduate non-matriculated (GNM) student prior to applying for enrollment. This is an opportunity for nurses who are considering the Post-Graduate program to sample coursework prior to enrolling.  Up to 12 credits of courses taken as a GNM can be applied towards the ANP Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced Practice Nursing . GNM students register for courses on a space-available basis.  For more information about GNM status, call 1-800-759-NURS.  Acceptance as a GNM student does not guarantee admission to a graduate certificate program.

Who can I contact for more information?

For questions about application process:
Academic Services
Telephone: 206-543-8736
Toll free: 1-800-759-NURS (6877)
Email: sonas@u.washington.edu

For questions specific to ANP Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced Practice Nursing curriculum:
Lyn Bond, Professor
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems
206/616-1964
rebond@u.washington.edu

Additional Resources