2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Apr 23, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Post-Graduate Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Location(s): Online


Program Coordinator/Contact

Heidi Mennenga, Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Department of Graduate Nursing
Wagner Hall 255, Box 2275
605-688-6924 or 1-888-216-9806 Ext. 3

Program Information

Advanced nursing practice in adult-gerontology acute care focuses on providing advanced nursing care to adult, older adult and elderly patients with acute, chronic, and critical conditions. This certificate prepares graduates to work in many different clinical settings providing advanced nursing care to patients in critical conditions, with chronic or episodic illnesses and/or with acute medical needs. These settings include but are not limited to clinics, physicians’ offices, hospitals, retirement homes, hospices, and private practices. All courses are online and include 500 clinical hours. Graduates are prepared to sit for ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC®) certification exam.

Program Outcomes

To prepare clinical nurse leaders, nurse educators, family nurse practitioners and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who:

  • apply knowledge of evidence-based practice,
  • engage in life-long learning, and
  • serve South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world in urban, rural, and frontier health care settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate skills and knowledge specific to the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) role.
  • Function in an acute care setting providing acute care to adults, older adults, and elderly patients with acute, chronic, and critical conditions.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

The post-graduate APRN certificate at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791.

Certification

Upon completion of the Post-Graduate Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate, students may be eligible for the following certification:

National Certification Eligibility Certifying Body
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC®) American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Course Delivery Format

The program coursework is delivered online and includes a field-based practicum.

Total Required Credits: 15


Notes


For additional information, refer to the Graduate Nursing Department webpage.

Additional Admission Requirements


GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
IELTS: 6.5 total band
Duolingo: 110

In addition to meeting basic requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants for graduate study in nursing must have:

  • Current licensure as a Registered Nurse and APRN in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
  • Completed graduate level courses in Advanced Physical Assessment (Lifespan), Advanced Pathophysiology (Lifespan), Advanced Pharmacology / Pharmacotherapeutics (Lifespan) with a course grade of 3.0 within the last 5 years. A gap analysis review will be completed on the courses to determine if the courses meet the program requirements. Applicants should send the course syllabi for each course along with an unofficial transcript to Assistant Director of Nursing Student Services to initiate the review.
  • Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
  • Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
  • Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and TB test.
  • For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:
    • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
    • Master’s degree in nursing (from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
  • For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:
    • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
    • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Master’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system. 
    • International students: prior to admission: eligible to practice nursing in your country of residence — and RN licensure in one of the 50 states in the United States. We suggest the same state in which you will fulfill your clinical/research requirements; RN licensure in state(s) where you will satisfy clinical requirements or conduct research, if applicable to your course of study.
    • Meet the technical standards.

Additional Information


Students enrolled in SDSU certificate programs are not eligible for federal student financial aid. The non-federal alternative loan programs may be used for students meeting the lender criteria as found at www.sdstate.edu (search alternative loans). For further information, please contact the SDSU financial aid office at 605-688-4695 or finaid@sdstate.edu.