Aug. 16, 2023
Next Start Date
7
Courses Required
$743
Cost Per Credit Hour
16-25
Total Credit Hours
Program Details
This program prepares nurses who have already earned a master’s degree, or higher, in nursing to sit for the national certification examination offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
The post-graduate PNP certificate program requires a minimum of 16 credits that are earned in 4 courses. Two courses are clinical, affording the student the opportunity to complete the 600 hours of supervised clinical practice with child populations as required in order to sit for the national certification examination. Two courses are didactic and offered via webcast and the internet, affording the student the opportunity to take these courses off-campus.
Each student’s program will be individualized based on educational and experiential background. Prerequisites to registration for the four required courses in the program are evidence of competence in the following three areas: advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced assessment.
At the completion of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate, the graduate will be prepared to demonstrate the following outcomes:
- Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment of health and illness parameters in complex situations, incorporating diverse and culturally sensitive approaches.
- Design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions based on nursing science and other sciences.
- Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships and partnerships with patients (individual, family or group) and other professionals to facilitate optimal care and patient outcomes.
- Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.
- Guide, mentor, and support other nurses to achieve excellence in nursing practice.
- Educate and guide individuals and groups through complex health and situational transitions.
Admissions
Application Information
Qualifications
- Degree of Master of Science in Nursing (or higher) from a nationally accredited nursing program.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on graduate degree work.
- Hold an active, unrestricted RN license in at least one state.
- Must provide evidence of completion of stand-alone graduate level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced physical assessment.
To be considered, applicants will be required to meet all WVU admission requirements in addition to program-specific admission criteria.
Note: Any student who has been dismissed from the West Virginia University School of Nursing or any other nursing program will not be readmitted or considered for admission to the program.
Apply To WVU
Depending on pre-requisites completed, entry term into the program will vary from student to student.
- Complete the online application
- Pay graduate application fee
- Submit current curriculum vita or resume
- Submit professional goals statement. View the guidelines on writing the essay.
Computer Application Checklist
Once the WVU application has been completed, you must complete and submit the Application Checklist, a tool designed to ensure you have submitted all required information for your application to be considered complete.
Request Official Transcripts from All Colleges and Universities Attended
- It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment to graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu.
- Alternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent directly to: WVU Graduate Admissions, P.O. Box 6510, Morgantown, WV 26506-6510.
- Applicants who completed prior education outside of the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Please request a “course-by-course” International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP).
Acceptance
Students will be evaluated based on the following:
- Nursing GPA
- Work Experience
- Professional Writing Statement Score
- Overall GPA
Orientation
Students are required to attend an online orientation session prior to the start of the semester.