St. Catherine University NP Program

The Nurse Practitioner concentration offers two specialty options with specific clinical content in pediatric primary care and adult-gerontology primary care. A primary care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) provides primary care, including physical exams, diagnosis and treatment of common pediatric illness to children of all ages, developmental evaluations and nutritional guidance. PNPs work in

collaboration with other healthcare professionals in various settings, emphasizing health promotion, illness prevention, and supporting parents to develop effective parenting skills. An adult-gerontological nurse practitioner (AGNP) assumes an advanced practice role in the provision of primary healthcare to adults of all ages. Health promotion, health education and the early detection of risk factors are important components of the AGNP’s role. They engage in independent decision making about healthcare needs, promoting the health or managing illness states of individuals and their families or significant others. AGNPs work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, ensure continuity of services across the continuum of settings (home, long term care, transitional care, acute care, clinic, and residential), and act as an advocate for the client in the healthcare system.