Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Graduate Certificate

Contact Information

Stephanie S. DeBoor, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs
Associate Professor
University of Nevada, Reno
Orvis School of Nursing
1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0134
Reno, NV 89557
775-682-7156
deboors2@unr.edu

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

1. Integrates scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings.
2. Provide advanced, ethical, evidence-based nursing services for multi-cultural and ethnic individuals, families, aggregates, and select populations.
3. Apply patient-care and communication technologies to deliver, enhance, integrate, and coordinate care.
4. Collaborate with other professionals and members of the community to provide optimal coordinated healthcare to individuals, families, special populations, and communities with and emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.
5. Respect diversity to address complex healthcare needs of persons, including the un-served and under-served, populations, and communities, in the role of nurse leader, education, and/or advanced practice nurse.
6. Participate in the ethical organization, management, and policy negotiations of healthcare delivery systems to use advocacy strategies to influence health and healthcare.
7. Participate in the application of safe patient care and quality healthcare practices.
8. Participate in the development of nursing as a science, through the use of theory, research, and scientific processes, while acquiring a foundation for doctoral study.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the Orvis School of Nursing Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Graduate Certificate program include:

• Successful completion of a Master’s of Science in Nursing from a CCNE or NLN academic institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Current unrestricted/unencumbered licensure as an RN in Nevada or eligible for licensure in Nevada.

Applicants must meet both the University’s Graduate School requirements and the Orvis School of Nursing MSN requirements. Applicants should begin by completing an application to the University’s Graduate School.
The following must be submitted along with the application:

• A resume that includes education, professional and community service experience.
• A letter of intent should be single spaced, 12 point font, and no longer than 1,000 words. Explain why you have chosen the University of Nevada, Reno, Orvis School of Nursing for your graduate studies.
• Identify which track (AGACNP, PACNP, FNP, PMHNP, EDU, or CNL) you have chosen to pursue and describe how you envision functioning in this role as part of an inter-professional team.
• 3 Letters of Recommendation.

The deadline for fall admission is March 1 and the spring admission deadline is Oct. 1. Admission for the AGACNP, PMHNP and FNP Advanced Degree (Post-Master’s) Certificate vary depending on entry plan.

I. Program Requirements

A sample curriculum follows.  Additional courses may be required depending upon previous coursework completed. Students must have completed the “3 Ps” (Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical/Health Assessment) as part of an accredited (CCNE, NLN, NLNAC, and ACEN) nurse practitioner program.