1 GRADUATE COUNCIL MEETING 18 January 2012 102 Kern ...

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both a population and context focus. State Boards of Nursing are also changing their
specialty requirements for licensure for adult gerontology nurse practitioners requiring a
primary care or an acute care focus.
This option will parallel the existing adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
option, with 630 clinical hours. There are two additional 1-credit courses required;
assessment skills of the acute/critically ill patient and pharmacology for the acute/critical
care population. This program was developed based on national standards and
guidelines from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and National
Association of Nurse Practitioner Faculty. Strict adherence to these guidelines is
essential for the M.S. program to maintain national accreditation by the National League
for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education.
F. Degree Justification- N/A
G. Accreditation
The nursing graduate program is accredited by the National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In
addition, this new option will need to be approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of
Nursing.
H. Responses from Other Departments
This new option will not impact other departments in the University. The development of
this new option is being partially financially supported by the College of
Medicine/Hershey Medical Center. A letter of support from Dr. Michael Verderame,
Associate Dean for Graduate Education, College of Medicine is attached.
Graduate Bulletin Changes
Old Bulletin with Changes
The graduate programs emphasize productive scholarship and research in the
development of nursing knowledge and the translation of knowledge into practice.
Advanced study is in human health and development throughout the life span, and in
nursing’s role in providing health services to individuals, families, and communities.
The Ph.D. program prepares nurse scientists and clinical scholars to provide leadership
in nursing education, practice and research. Individualized curricula prepare nursing
graduates to assume positions as faculty, advanced clinicians, clinical researchers and
leadership positions in community, governmental, or institutional settings.
The M.S. degree in Nursing consists of a base program with four emphasis areas or a
B.S. to PhD and three four advanced practice nursing options. The Base Program
emphasis areas include: nursing administration, nursing education, clinical trials
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