Nurse Practitioner Advancement Certificate

Kim Dinsey-Read, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN, School of Nursing Director

Anne Sahingoz, DNP, MSN.Ed., BSN, AND, Graduate Program Director

Nurse practitioner advancement options are offered to provide opportunities for nurse practitioners to gain the additional specialty focus in Psych-Mental Health Nursing.

All MSN classes are offered in an accelerated online format of 7-week terms. Each accelerated course contains the same content found in typical 16-week semester courses.  While we appreciate that most students work full time and have family responsibilities the student must acknowledge that these responsibilities may have an impact on successful completion of the program. We cannot alter academic standards/expectations of the program due to these responsibilities. The rigor of the School of Nursing and successful progression requires one’s full attention. We highly recommend that students consider the number of hours required for study relative to these responsibilities.

Student Advising

Students are expected to maintain close contact with their advisor throughout the program of study.  Prior consent of the advisor must be obtained before any deviation is made from full program advising.  Students are cautioned not to rely on the advice of other students regarding applicability of courses.

The MSN program reserves the right to determine the applicability of graduate transfer credit.  A maximum of 40% of your program may consist of transfer work that can be applied toward the program of study.

The MSN program is a year-round program (including summers) designed to be completed in a particular sequence, and may be lockstep fashion and in part-time progression.  Please give consideration to managing work and family while completing a rigorous academic program.

MSN students must achieve a “C” or better in non-nursing courses (specifically BIO 669  and PSY 550 ) and a “B” or better in all MSN nursing courses in the MSN graduate program (including MSN/CHP/DNP). The “B-” is not considered a passing grade in a MSN graduate nursing course. If a grade of “B-” or less is earned the student is required to retake the course.

NP Advancement Admission Requirements

Prior to applying please check the program map (https://onlinedegrees.nku.edu/map.aspx) to ensure our program is available in your state.

In order to be considered for admission to the NP Advancement Program the university requires all applicants to fulfill the following requirements:

1. Submit a complete application for graduate admission to Northern Kentucky University.
2. Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.  Please note that the transcripts sent should reflect all previous conferred degrees (BSN, MSN, previous NP) and any additional courses that you plan to transfer.
3. Master of Science in Nursing degree from an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA accredited program of nursing.  Students who have earned a MSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the MSN come from ACEN, CCNE or CNEA accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
4. Applicants should have a Master of Science in Nursing program GPA of at least a 3.0.
5. Verification of your unencumbered NP nursing license and National NP certification.  Proof of licensure and certification should include expiration date. 
6. Proof of 2000 hours of RN clinical experience in a psychiatric setting. Download the Employment Verification Form on the Office of Graduate Education

Courses transferred into Northern Kentucky University may or may not be accepted for board certification requirements with ANCC or AANP.   Faculty review transfer credit courses as outlined by the ANCC and AANP guidelines.  ANCC and AANP determine eligibility of course work for board certification and this is not determined by Northern Kentucky University. Courses accepted by Northern Kentucky University for transfer credit from another University are not a guarantee to be accepted by ANCC or AANP.