Nursing, Post-D.N.P. Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Graduate Certificate*

General Program Information

Dr. Lisa Haddad, PhD, RN, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs
207 Roy S. Nicks Hall
Box 70619
(423) 439-5626
e-mail: HaddadL@etsu.edu

The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) certificate offers a Post-D.N.P. certificate for nurses who have completed a D.N.P. degree in nursing. This customized special studies program provides education and clinical training in the AGPCNP role. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible for the national certification examination and to assume practice and leadership positions in population- focused health care teams.

For application terms and deadlines please refer to the College of Nursing website.

Admission Requirements

Students may be admitted to the Post-D.N.P. Graduate Certificate programs in one of two ways:

1. as D.N.P. degree-holding applicants. These individuals must hold the earned D.N.P. degree with a designated concentration in advanced clinical practice or nursing administration; OR
2. as concurrently enrolled ETSU D.N.P. degree program students. Concurrently enrolled ETSU D.N.P. degree program students must:
   1. be in academic good standing; and
   2. have completed BSTA 5310 or equivalent; NRSE 5000; NRSE 5001;
   3. for the Nurse Practitioner Post-D.N.P. Graduate Certificate programs (FNP, A/GNP, or PMHNP), have completed NRSE 5009; NRSE 5010; NRSE 5016 or in progress; and NRSE 5018 or in progress.

Applicants seeking admission to the Post-D.N.P. Graduate Certificate programs must fulfill all the requirements for admission to both the ETSU School of Graduate Studies and the CON.

The School of Graduate Studies requires that all students submit the following materials:

• a completed application with payment of nonrefundable application fee;
• transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework;
• a written essay.

Additional requirements for admission to the Post-D.N.P. Graduate Certificate programs include:

1. Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States and eligibility for licensure in Tennessee or equivalency for international students;
2. A cover letter expressing the applicant’s personal goals for Post-D.N.P. Graduate Certificate study;
3. A current resume or vita.
4. Earned D.N.P. degree with a designated concentration in advanced clinical practice or nursing administration. Transcript documentation of content equivalent to the D.N.P. degree program core (26 credits) is required for all D.N.P. degree-holding applicants. Students without this content will be required to take courses from the D.N.P. degree core to make up any deficiencies. For the Nurse Practitioner Post-D.N.P. Graduate Certificate programs (FNP, A/GNP, or PMHNP), transcript documentation of content equivalent to NRSE 5009; NRSE 5010; NRSE 5016; and NRSE 5018, the Advanced Practice Nursing Core (12 credits) is required. Applicants without this content will be required to take the missing coursework; OR
5. Concurrently enrolled ETSU D.N.P. degree program student with completion of BSTA 5310 or equivalent; NRSE 5000; NRSE 5001; and for the Nurse Practitioner Post-D.N.P. Graduate Certificates (FNP, A/GNP, or PMHNP), completion of NRSE 5009, NRSE 5010, NRSE 5016 or in progress, and NRSE 5018 or in progress.

Progression Policy

1. Students in graduate nursing programs must meet the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies to remain in good standing. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or better must be maintained.
2. In addition, a nursing student must achieve a “B” or better in every graduate nursing course. Policies of the School of Graduate Studies for progression will apply.
3. Students who receive less than a “B” in a course will have one opportunity to repeat the course.
4. If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, she/he will be placed on academic probation the following semester. If the student does not achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the conclusion of one probationary semester, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and the Associate Dean Graduate Programs in the College of Nursing will determine if the student should be dismissed from graduate study or continued on academic probation. No student will be allowed more than two probationary semesters, whether consecutive or cumulative. At the end of a second probationary semester, a student whose cumulative grade point average is still below 3.0 will be dismissed from graduate study.
5. Students whose performance results in a GPA so far below 3.0 as to make it mathematically impossible to attain an overall GPA of 3.0 after one semester may be subject to dismissal without a probationary term.
6. An incomplete grade (“I”) indicates that the student was passing the course at the end of the semester, but due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, was unable to complete the course work for which the “I” is assigned. The “I” grade cannot be used to allow a student to do additional work to raise a deficient grade or to repeat a course. An “I” grade must be removed no later than one calendar year from the time the grade is awarded. Students with more than one “I” grade cannot progress in the program.  Time extension requests for removal of an “I” grade must be submitted to and approved by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies before the allotted time expires. An “I” grade not removed under the guidelines in the Graduate Catalog will be converted to an “F.”
7. Students may have grades of “WF” in no more than one semester within an academic year. 
8. Students must maintain an unencumbered registered nurse license in all states where they are currently licensed throughout the duration of the graduate program and in the state(s) where they fulfill clinical course requirements. If at any time during enrollment in the graduate program a student’s nursing license becomes encumbered, is suspended, or revoked, the student must immediately report this to the Associate Dean Graduate Programs in the College of Nursing. If a student’s registered nurse license is suspended or revoked, or if a student fails to report any changes in licensure status to the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the graduate program. A student’s ability to continue enrollment in the graduate program with an encumbered license will be reviewed on an individual basis considering the restriction/limitations placed on the student’s practice as a registered nurse by the board of nursing in the state issuing the encumbered license.
9. Grade Scale: A=93-100; B=84-92; C=75-83; F=less than 75. Grades may be rounded at the discretion of the faculty.
10. The student is referred to the Graduate Catalog for more detailed progression information.

Post-D.N.P. Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Graduate Certificate Requirements: 32 credits

Required Courses: 32 credits

• NRSE 5011 - Health Promotion, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Clinical Management: Nurse Practitioner I (3 credits)
• NRSE 5012 - Health Promotion, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Clinical Management: Nurse Practitioner I Practicum (3 credits)
• NRSE 5013 - Health Promotion, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Clinical Management: Nurse Practitioner II (3 credits)
• NRSE 5014 - Health Promotion, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Clinical Management: Nurse Practitioner II Practicum (3 credits)
• NRSE 5021 - Life Span Assessment and Clinical Management: Women’s Health (2-3 credits)
• NRSE 5022 - Life Span Assessment and Clinical Management: Women’s Health Practicum (3 credits)
• NRSE 5031 - Care of Older Adults with Chronic Health Problems and Complex Needs (3 credits)
• NRSE 5032 - Care of Older Adults with Chronic Health Problems and Complex Needs Practicum (3 credits)
• NRSE 5038 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Older Adults (2 credits)
• NRSE 6400 - Improving Mental Health Outcomes in Primary Care (3 credits)
• NRSE 6514 - DNP Role in Long-Term Care of Adults (3 credits)