All other programs and certificate programs in the College of Nursing not listed on this page are not designed or intended to lead to professional licensure or certification.

The following information is intended to provide an overview of professional licensure and certification information to prospective students interested in the Walden University College of Nursing’s MSN program with the following specializations:

• MSN - Adult/Gerontology/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN - Adult/Gerontology/Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
• MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
• MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

MSN Program Note on Certification

Walden’s MSN program is designed to academically prepare graduates to apply for national certification. Walden makes no representations or guarantees that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to achieve national certification. We encourage students to consult an appropriate certifying body for the specific certification eligibility requirements. Students should also consult their state board of nursing or other state agency to determine what certifications are required or accepted in that state. It is an individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification, as requirements vary widely. For more information about nurse practitioner certification exams, students should visit the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board at www.aanpcert.org, the American Nurses Credentialing Center at www.nursingworld.org/ancc, or other nurse practitioner certification websites.

Professional Licensure – Nurse Practitioner

The following information is intended to provide an overview of professional licensure information to prospective students interested in the Walden University College of Nursing’s MSN program with the following nurse practitioner specializations.

• MSN - Adult/Gerontology/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN - Adult/Gerontology/Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
• MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
• MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Note on Licensure, Authorization, Endorsement, or Other State Credential Necessary to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner

Walden’s MSN nurse practitioner specializations are designed to academically prepare graduates with an active registered nurse (RN) license to practice in the U.S. as nurse practitioners. However, each state has its own academic preparation and authority to practice requirements and issues its own license for an RN to be permitted to practice as a nurse practitioner in that state.

No graduate program can guarantee that graduates will obtain licensure to practice as a nurse practitioner. We encourage students to consult the appropriate board of nursing or regulatory authority in the states or jurisdictions in which they reside or intend to seek licensure to determine specific requirements. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide information relating to licensure; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to licensure for the state in which they intend to practice, as requirements vary widely.

The MSN specializations in Nurse Executive, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, or Public Health Nursing are not licensure-leading program specializations and will not prepare students as nurse practitioners.

Walden currently cannot enroll residents of the following states/districts into any Nurse Practitioner specializations: Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island.

Please refer to the chart below for state professional licensure eligibility status for Walden’s MSN Nurse Practitioner Specializations. Please remember that licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice, and prospective students should visit their state board’s website for the most updated and accurate information.

State-Required Disclosures

Some states require specific notifications to students interested in certain programs offered in their respective states. For prospective students in Alabama or Washington, please see below for required statements.

Prospective Alabama NP students: State approval of a program to offer Alabama licensed nurses’ opportunities for advanced degrees does not indicate eligibility for approval to practice as an advanced nurse in Alabama. Applications for approval in Alabama are required to meet the Alabama requirements for national certification, graduation from a specific-type program for the advanced practice approval, and completion of the appropriate application. Any program offering a pre-licensure track to Alabama students shall meet the requirements of the Alabama regulations for pre-licensure programs or the graduates may not be eligible to take the national licensure examination required by the Alabama Board of Nursing to enter the practice. www.abn.alabama.gov

Prospective Washington students: Walden University is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to provide practice experiences in Washington State for a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, Leadership and Management, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, as well as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. For more information, go to the following website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/NursingCommission/NursingEducation/NursingPrograms

October 11, 2018

Note on Field Experience and Relocating
Students who are considering relocating are advised to contact their Student Success Advisor prior to any decision to relocate in order to determine how relocation may impact progress in their program. Advisors can provide information and guidance on how relocating may result in possible changes, restrictions, and/or additional requirements affecting field experience. Each Board of Nursing and Higher Education Authority governs the field experience rules and regulations in their respective states, and students may be unable to complete field experience in the state in which they plan to relocate. While Walden is committed to working collaboratively with students to secure field sites across the United States, it is imperative that students contact their Student Success Advisor immediately when considering relocating.