The Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialization (APHN) educates nurses in nursing, social, and public health sciences, while emphasizing population-focused care of vulnerable populations in rural areas.  Skills and knowledge for advanced practice leadership in population-focused care are accentuated. The program is distance-delivered. The course of study requires 44-46 credits, depending on if Thesis or Independent Study option is chosen. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national certifying exam for an Advanced Public Health Nurse, available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (http://www.nursecredentialing.org/). A Post Master Certificate in Nursing for the APHN is also available.

Specialty outcome objectives for the APHN specialization build upon the graduate nursing program objectives by expecting that the student will:

1. Integrate theories, research, and experiential knowledge into advanced APHN practice.
2. Demonstrate advanced practice skills in the provision of population-focused care, consistent with ANA’s Scope and Standards of Practice for Public Health Nursing.
3. Assume the roles and behaviors of a APHN CNS in the spheres of direct client care, nurses and nursing practice, and organizations/systems.
4. Utilize research to effectively improve the care of populations, consistent with CNS role.
5. Effect change in public health nursing using leadership, management, and teaching strategies.
6. Collaborate with other disciplines and partner with communities to improve health and health care and influence health policy for vulnerable rural populations.
7. Contribute to the development of public health nursing policy, nursing practice, and the profession.