Certification Alignment Postgraduate Certificate
Are you an Advanced Practice Nurse interested in an NP Certification to validate your current scope of practice?
Are you an Advanced Practice Nurse interested in Dual Certification?
You may be a candidate for the Duke University School of Nursing Certification Alignment Postgraduate Certificate track.
At Duke University School of Nursing, part of our mission is to provide high-quality, competency-based education for Nurse Practitioners to support the alignment of certification and practice.
Students may be eligible for the Certification Alignment (CA) track if they have 1 year of full-time, independent practice in the program's population area before matriculation.
Examples of Eligibility:
- Primary care certified NP caring for critically ill patients
- Acute care certified NP caring for patients with chronic conditions
Benefits of Certification Alignment:
- Evaluate current competencies and perform a gap analysis to provide meaningful training and clinical placements
- Contain elevated assignments that encourage professional growth
- Catalyze opportunities for personal and professional development
- Focus on thoughtful, curated experiences for skilled Nurse Practitioners
Applicant eligibility for traditional Postgraduate Certificate vs. Certification Alignment Postgraduate Certificate is decided by faculty during the application process.
Learn more about the Importance of Certification Alignment in NP Education below.
Certification Alignment in NP Education
Carolina D. Tennsyon, DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC, CHSE
The current trend of NP Practice are Nurse Practitioners need multiple population of certifications such as Pediatric and Adult.
Objectives:
- Recognize the preparation that determines Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice.
- Describe the purpose of a postgraduate Certification Alignment pathway.
Introduction:
The Consensus Model (2008) defines Nurse Practitioner (NP) scope of practice as determined by NPs’ graduate educational preparation, board certification, and licensure. This model standardizes the definition of scope of practice for the benefit of employers and patients alike. Many certified NPs are seeking postgraduate education to align their certification with their clinical practice. Competency-based education may offer a solution to give these students a more efficient and meaningful experience.
Competency-based education is a framework for teaching based on predetermined skills, which focus on outcomes and performance. This approach is consistent with the AACN Essentials (2021) recommendations.
Certification Alignment Programs:
- Follow all standard gap analysis processes for postgraduate education.
- Perform a comprehensive assessment of the NP’s current scope and skills within their practice.
- Develop a pathway documenting the NP’s competencies and provide education for gaps in competency.
- Prepare the NP for certification in the population of their clinical practice.
RESULTS: A competency-based pathway was developed and implemented for NPs seeking to align their current clinical practice with their educational preparation.
Experienced, certified NPs with competencies in Acute Care completed the AGACNP program successfully within one year and met all requirements for board certification.
Why this is Important:
These postgraduate programs are feasible for NPs who need their certification to align with their practice. Programs that are congruent in purpose should be identified as ‘Certification Alignment’ for the benefit of the consumer. Expert nurse educators can develop these programs and partner with health systems to offer Certification Alignment and ultimately support Consensus Model recommendations.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The AACN Essentials: CORE COMPETENCIES FOR PROFESSIONAL NURSING EDUCATION.
APRN Consensus Work Group & the & National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. (2008). Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education.