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Post Graduate Certificate - Clinical Nurse Specialist

The Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program will prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to function as an advanced practice nurse to meet the needs of adult-geriatric patients. Students can develop subspecialty expertise within the adult-gerontology population including such areas as cardiology, nephrology, neurology, and oncology, among others. CNSs are equipped to advance quality of care, integrate evidence into practice, develop and lead clinical innovations, and improve patient and system outcomes.  Graduates practice in a wide range of health care settings that include hospitals and acute care, long-term care, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation care.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist curriculum prepares graduates to apply for and sit for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Adult Gerontology certification exam. 

Program Outcomes

Those who earn a post-graduate clinical nurse specialist certificate often: 

  • Lead and collaborate in an interdisciplinary healthcare team 
  • Assist and offer guidance to patients and their families as they navigate the complex healthcare delivery system 
  • Serve as educators, consultants, evidence-based researchers, change agents and case managers, as well as clinical nurses 

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements:

  • Completion of a Master's degree in Nursing from a United States regionally accredited institution.
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Oklahoma or compact state by the time of enrollment in the first semester.  
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA for 3.0 in all college coursework at the time of application and at the time of enrollment. 
  • Resume or CV.
  • The most qualified applications will be invited to an interview. 

Additional Admission Details:

  • Please Note: The LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP programs in the OU College of Nursing are hybrid and/or online or part-time programs. The F-1 visa regulations require in-person courses, and these programs do not meet those requirements. Thus, international students are not accepted for these programs (LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP). International students are only eligible to apply for the ABSN and TBSN pathways as they have in-person requirements.
  • All applicants should refer to the professional licensure disclosure information for the programs available at this link: https://www.ouhsc.edu/academicaffairs/professional-licensure-disclosure
If after reviewing the qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact Nursing@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.  
 
For more information on how to apply and materials needed please visit: https://nursing.ouhsc.edu/admissions-financial-aid/apply-now/application-process 
 
NOTICE: Admission requirements are subject to change. It is the applicant’s responsibility to stay informed regarding current applicable requirements. Please check the website often for updates. 
 

Curriculum

Post-Graduate AGCNS Certificate Curriculum  

Prefix and Course #

Course Title

Credit Hours

PATH 5503 Applied Principles of Pathology 3
NURS 7043 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses 3
NURS 7153 Advanced Physical/Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning 3
NURS 7113 Advanced Concepts in Adult/Gerontology Nursing I 3
NURS 7133 Advanced Concepts in Adult/Gerontology Nursing II 3
NURS 7063 Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making 3 / 96 clinical hours
NURS 7103 Clinical Nurse Specialist Systems Management 3 / 96 clinical hours
NURS 7154 Synthesis in Nursing for the Clinical Specialist 4 / 192 clinical hours
NURS 7123 Advanced Practicum in Adult/Gerontology Nursing I 3 / 192 clinical hours
NURS 7143 Reproductive Nursing 3/ 192 clinical hours
     
    Total Credit Hours: 31 
    Total Clinical Hours: 768