In May 2017, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approved an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate at Brenau University.

The program, started in fall 2017, is run by lead faculty Jessica Pearson, who discussed the new program with Brenau Window.

What is adult-gerontology acute care?

The study covers different populations in different settings, and nurses with this certification are needed to assess and manage acutely ill senior patients in hospitals and across hospital-to-clinic settings.

How is the Brenau program structured?

This is a 15-hour hybrid program currently based at the Norcross, Georgia, campus and designed for graduates who are already practicing nurse practitioners. The hybrid structure allows working students to complete most of the coursework online and on their own schedule, with just one on-campus class day each month and 125 hours of clinicals.

Why did Brenau add this graduate certificate?

Adult-gerontology acute care hasn’t been as widespread as family nurse practitioner certification programs have been, but we’re seeing hospitals now wanting acute care certified nurse practitioners. It’s becoming not only necessary for the students to have that certification, but it’s what hospitals are starting to require for critical care ICU nurses and other specialties.