Post-MSN Certificates for Nursing Leadership

As employment opportunities and demands of the health care environment change, nurses at the graduate level need additional specialty education. The College of Health Professions at Wilmington University has developed several options for nurses holding an earned MSN degree: Executive, Educator, and Legal Nurse Consultant certificates.

All candidates for the post-master's certificate must make an application to the program as a certificate candidate and must meet the admission requirements for the MSN program. A course of study may be individualized based on the type of MSN held by the candidate. As of fall 2007, all LNC specified courses are offered through Online Learning. Applicants may obtain a Graduate Certificate Program Form from the Semester Guide or by downloading it from the Wilmington University Registrar's webpage.

Candidates who are nurse practitioners already, and are seeking additional certification in a different track, need to meet different requirements from those MSN graduates seeking nurse practitioner certification for the first time. This applicant must have graduated from an accredited program with an earned MSN and be licensed as a nurse practitioner. A portfolio must be submitted to verify previous clinical experiences. A range of 140-260 previous clinical hours may be accepted as Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), based on the portfolio. However, a minimum of 240-360 clinical hours (2-3 clinical courses) will be required within the course of study at Wilmington University. The type of clinical experiences will be based on the student's portfolio, which will identify the gaps in their clinical knowledge base. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Certificate Program Competencies

Through completion of the selected certification program, graduates will:

Executive Role

1. Demonstrate a firm knowledge base in the areas of executive and management theories.
2. Fill a leadership role in executive nursing practice through collaboration; client, staff, and management advocacy; sensitivity to diversity; and ongoing involvement in professional organizations.
3. Negotiate an appropriate role within the context of an evolving health care system.

Educator Role

1. Incorporate findings from teaching/learning theories and research to educate individuals and groups.
2. Fulfill a leadership role in the area of education by facilitating and encouraging the exploration and application of knowledge.

Legal Nurse Consultant

1. Implement knowledge of the medical and legal system to meet the needs of their clients and society.
2. Negotiate an appropriate role within the dynamic legal system.
3. Promote the art of nursing by valuing the unique relationships among people, which create meaning and preserve human dignity.

Course of Study