Prepare to Lead as an Oncology Nurse Practitioner and Provide a Deeper Level of Specialized Care
Azusa Pacific University’s Oncology Nurse Practitioner Certificate is a nondegree program designed to equip licensed nurse practitioners with the training and knowledge to manage the unique medical and psychosocial needs of cancer patients. While nearly 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, most people survive, thanks to improved treatment and accessibility to care. But there remains a need for oncology specialists to help these patients transition back into their communities and live their best lives after cancer.
APU’s oncology certificate will prepare you to become a leader in high-quality, compassionate care across the illness span for cancer patients and their families. Rigorous didactic courses provide a scientific background on cancer biology, cancer therapeutics, and other relevant topics, enabling you to rapidly adapt to the constantly evolving therapeutic milieu in cancer care. Clinical hours in several rotations at local comprehensive cancer care centers create well-rounded experiential training. The curriculum and clinical training are based on the competencies determined by the Oncology Nursing Society and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) for advanced oncology nursing practice.
If you are ready for APU’s Oncology Nurse Practitioner Certificate, you are likely an excellent candidate for the DNP program. By co-enrolling, you can apply all 12 of your didactic units and nearly half of your clinical hours to the DNP program requirements. Further your education in oncological care and engage in researching a clinical question for your doctoral project, supported every step of the way by experienced faculty. Ask your admissions representative about co-enrolling in the DNP.
Program Highlights
- Didactic units and some clinical units may be applied to the DNP program, if co-enrolled
- High-level training in oncology-specific competencies including medical management, psychosocial support, palliative care, clinical trial management, and leading teams of allied professionals
- Valuable clinical experience through rotations in multiple specialty areas at a comprehensive cancer care center
- Opportunities for mentorship by several clinical experts
- Eligibility, upon completion of the certificate program, to sit for the ONCC certification exam for advanced oncology practice
Program Format
Courses for the Oncology Nurse Practitioner Certificate program are offered as two, back-to-back classes one evening per week in Azusa or Monrovia, as well as 12 clinical hours per week at a local comprehensive cancer care center.
School of Nursing Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Azusa Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The traditional baccalaureate nursing program, upper-division transfer (2+2/LVN to BSN) programs, entry-level master’s program, and the nurse practitioner program are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Azusa Pacific University (APU) is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Note: This information is current for the 2022-23 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.