Kaplan University Gets Graduate Nursing Programs Approved in Maryland

The Maryland Board of Nursing gave Kaplan University approval to offer its nurse practitioner programs – Adult Gerontology and Family, Post Masters, and Masters – to students in Maryland. The approval allows Kaplan University (KU) Maryland and its campuses in Hagerstown and Rockville to begin enrolling prospective students in the nurse practitioner programs within the next month.

In anticipation of the approval, admissions and advising staff in Maryland completed a training program provided by the KU School of Nursing and Dr. Chandice Covington, Dean and Vice-President of the KU School of Nursing, coordinated the approval through the KU Maryland Campuses and the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Nurse practitioners function as primary care providers of health care services and health promotion education to groups of patients and their families. They diagnose and treat patients, order tests, interpret results, prepare treatment plans and, in many states, can prescribe medication.

Maryland allows nurse practitioners to have full practice privileges – including prescribing certain medications independently and managing their own primary care centers or clinics. “More and more nursing professionals are seeking credentials that will allow them to expand their role and functions,” according to KU Maryland Campuses President Chris Motz. “The need for nurse practitioners is growing in all primary care settings such as private family practices. “Hospital-based outpatient facilities, public health sites and home-based care.”