Welcome to the Graduate Nursing Program. The purpose of the handbook is to communicate essential information and promote effective operation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in the School of Nursing at Kentucky State University. University policies, School of Nursing policies and procedures, as well as information about advising, resources, and operations are provided for easy reference. Faculty and students are responsible for being familiar with information contained in this handbook and in the School of Nursing catalog. Please Note: Failure to read these sources will not excuse any faculty or students from abiding by policies and procedures documented in this graduate nursing handbook. The School of Nursing reserves the right to make changes in its policies and procedures, and other information in the handbook as deemed appropriate and necessary. All changes will be communicated promptly to students, faculty, and staff. The handbook is prepared and revised annually for the use of administrators, faculty, students, and staff. Suggestions regarding clarification or addition of topics are welcome.

Kentucky State University School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is nationally accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 Atlanta, Georgia 30326. ACEN is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Preamble: There are entry-level competencies for the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AG PCNP) which build on the core competencies for all nurse practitioners (NPs). The AG PCNP Competencies are specific to the adult-gerontology population, which includes adolescents and young adults at one end of the spectrum and frail, older adults at the other. The student is prepared to provide primary care services to the entire adult-gerontology age spectrum across the continuum of care from wellness to illness, including preventive, chronic, and acute care. The main emphasis of primary care NP educational preparation is on comprehensive, chronic, continuous care characterized by a long-term relationship between the patient and AG PCNP. The AG PCNP provides care for most health needs and coordinates additional health care services that would be beyond the AG PCNP's area of expertise. The scope of practice of the AG PCNP is not setting specific but rather is based on patient care needs.

The NONPF AG PCNP competencies can be found at: https://www.nonpf.org/page/DNP_NPCompetencies