Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 15 Minimum Credits
Serve adult and older adult patients in acute and complex care settings. Students who pursue this specialization will learn how to effectively communicate with families and manage multifaceted acute care situations.
- Certification eligibility: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Board Certified .
Ology For Top 20 Affordable Online Post Masters Certificate Nurse Practitioner Programs 2021
This ranking of the 20 most affordable online post masters certificate nurse practitioner programs includes accredited online programs that may include some brief required time on-campus. These online post masters certificate nurse practitioner programs are from an initial pool of 34 online post masters certificate nurse practitioner programs. Programs were ranked according to in-state tuition costs from the College Navigator website. School profile information came from individual school program websites. Contact your school of interest for most current program and tuition information.
19. South University, Tampa, FL
Tuition $15,600
18. National University, La Jolla, CA
Tuition $15,480
17. Maryville University, St. Louis, MO
Tuition $14,346
16. University of Massachusetts, Shrewsbury, MA
In-State Tuition $14,014
15. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
In-State Tuition $13,737
14. WIlliam Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
In-State Tuition $13,086
In-State Tuition $12,790
Nurse Practitioner Career And Salary
Certified nurse practitioners are in high demand and the job outlook is excellent for these roles. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nurse practitioner positions are expected to rise 28 percent between 2018 and 2028, an increase of over 53,000 jobs . Additionally, nurse-midwifery positions are expected to increase by 16 percent for that same time frame. The average across all occupations is 5 percent, for reference.
Nurse practitioners can expect to earn between $80,670 and $182,750 per year with a median salary landing at $107,030 . NPs play an important role in healthcare, and given their advanced practice training and their significant autonomy and practice authority, NPs can help mitigate the shortage of family practice doctors across the country.
NPs study a wide variety of subjectsincluding courses on:
- Healthcare policy
Recommended Reading: Nursing Degree Online For Non Nurses
Why Earn A Second Nurse Practitioner Post
Earning additional post-masters NP certificates is a cost-effective way to expand your knowledge into other clinical specialties, increasing your value to employers and enabling you to provide high-quality care for a wider range of patients or provide expanded services to existing patients. For example, a family practice nurse practitioner may earn a psychiatric mental health certificate to enhance their ability to care for the whole patient body and mind. Each post-masters NP certificate you earn will broaden your knowledge base and afford you more opportunities for career growth.
Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate Coursework
The coursework required by NP graduate certificate programs generally consists of two or three didactic courses in the theories, principles, and evidence-based practices of advanced practice nursing in the programs area of specialization , as well as two or three clinical placements or practicums in which students learn under the guidance of a qualified preceptor. As a result, curricula vary by specialization, as well as by program, school, and the entry level of the student. RNs who have not previously trained in an APRN specialization, for example, may require general advanced practice nursing courses that students who have prior APRN training do not need to repeat in order to qualify for certification/licensure. Similarly, APRNs who have completed clinical rotations in one or more of the areas required by the program may be exempt from some of a programs clinical requirements.
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Differential Diagnosis
- Clinical Decision-Making
Again, students who have already completed these courses are typically not required to take them again as part of the gap analysis process. Specialization coursework then covers topics pertinent to the specializations particular patient population group , contemporary issues and concerns in that specialization, and common diseases, illnesses, and medical conditions present within that patient population.
Read Also: Adult Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Why Get A Post
Earning a post-masters certificate can be an efficient way to earn a specialty certification as a nurse practitioner, especially if youre not interested in getting another graduate degree. After earning a post-masters certificate, many psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners go on to open their own private practice. Others work within a network of mental health professionals in a counseling office. Other options include working in private or public healthcare systems, addiction rehabilitation centers, or hospitals for people with mental health issues.
Lets take a look at some of the pros and cons of taking this path.
Compare The 2021 Top Ranked Online Pmhnp Post
Finding a great online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate program is the first step for NPs who wish to enter this unique area of care. For those interested in switching to this specialty, we have analyzed and ranked the best online PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate programs below. Browse to find a great program option, or visit our Methodology page to find out more about how we develop our rankings.
- Online/Hybrid
You May Like: Galen Nursing School San Antonio
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee
Tuition: $601 per credit hour | $751 per credit hour | $1,442 per credit hour
East Tennessee State Universitys Online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program requires 24 credits for completion. Unlike most online schools, ETSU accepts non-nursing baccalaureate degree holders with an unencumbered RN license for admission to the program. However, specific applicants must complete a set of graduate prerequisite courses in Population, Community, Public Health Nursing, Advancing to Professional Practice, Leadership and Professional Practice, and Health Promotion and Research. For other nurse practitioner specialty offerings, ETSU also has an Online Post-Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner program for interested applicants.
Types of Aid: Payment Plans and Payment Options, Scholarships, Federal Pell Grant, Work-Study Options, Loans, Tuition Discounts, Summer Aid, Employer Tuition Assistance, Graduate Assistantships, Loan Cancellation, Repayment Options, and Military, Veterans& Disability Benefits
Admission Requirements:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Learn more about East Tennessee State Universitys Online Post-Masters Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program.
How is the employment outlook for individuals who complete a Post-Masters Nurse Practitioner Certificate?
Post Master’s Fnp Program Curriculum & Classes
Designed for nurses who already hold an MSN degree, Herzing’s PMC-FNP program provides nurses the opportunity to go from non-clinical to clinical-based advanced practice nursing. The population-based curriculum begins with three direct care courses followed by FNP certification concentration courses, focusing on the primary care needs of patients across the lifespan.
| Program | |
|---|---|
| Post Master’s Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner | 16-20 |
All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours are required.
3.00
*Students in the FNP program must take NU 610 and NU 611 in the same semester.
3.003.00
You May Like: Anderson University Nurse Practitioner Program
What Is A Post
A post-master’s certificate is a pathway for nurses who have earned a master’s degree to gain specialized knowledge. This affords nurses more opportunity and career growth. Post-master’s certificates add another year or two of graduate study and are usually more specialized. Additionally, post-master’s certificates allow nurses with a master’s degree to become certified in niche specialties.
Nurses may also “cross over” to a different specialty than what they focused on in their original MSN program via a post-master’s certificate. For example, a nurse practitioner with an adult-gerontology specialty can become certified in family medicine. Sometimes the core courses they completed in their original master’s program can be applied towards the certificate program.
Why Should I Pursue A Post
There are several reasons why a master’s-prepared nurse would pursue a post-master’s certificate. As mentioned earlier, nurse practitioners may wish to change specialties, or enhance their current practice. For example, a primary care nurse practitioner may want to become certified in acute care. A family practice nurse practitioner may wish to pursue a mental health certificate. Adding expertise in a clinical specialty helps to increase job prospects as well as provide high-quality care in current practice.
Nurses who hold a master’s degree in nursing may also wish to pursue more administrative or educational roles. For example, master’s-prepared nurses who work as clinical nurse specialists may want to earn certification in education to enhance their practice and expand their career mobility. Nurses with an MSN in nurse leadership may choose a certificate program in informatics, which would help them participate in designing and implementing innovative technology to improve patient care outcomes. Essentially, a post-master’s certificate broadens a nurse’s knowledge base and can help open more doors in their careers.
Read Also: Nursing Programs In New Mexico
Onsite Visits For Intensive Skills Acquisition
During the duration of the FNP program, you will have periodic visits to our campus in Provo, Utah for hands-on training. While onsite, you will focus on intensive skills acquisitions, learn in high-fidelity simulation settings, and apply what you learn by reviewing skills and systems in our cadaver lab. These visits help you gain the knowledge and confidence needed to provide care for patients across the lifespan as an FNP.
What Is The Difference Between A Nursing Certification And A Post
When it comes to nursing certifications, there are several options for nurses based on their degree level. For example, nursing certifications differ from post-master’s graduate certificates for several reasons. First, the requirements for certification are different. Nursing certifications are offered to RNs with a minimum of 2,000 hours of practice in a specific specialty. Post-master’s certificates are offered to master’s degree nurses or higher. Second, nursing certifications usually only require a certain amount of clinical experience. Post-master’s certificates usually require completion of a curriculum in order to become certified.
Don’t Miss: Financial And Business Management For The Doctor Of Nursing Practice
Your Clinical Placement Is Our Pledge
We understand securing clinical placement as part of a post master’s certificate nursing program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, well encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment agreement.
Examples Of Online Post
The schools listed below offer NP graduate certificate programs that provide a representative overview of the kinds of programs that are currently offered online.
The University of Cincinnati offers two online NP graduate certificate programs: an online Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program and an online Post-Masters Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program. Both programs are designed for RNs who hold an MSN degree in any specialization, APRN or non-APRN, and both programs require applicants to have a minimum of one year of post-MSN clinical experience. Students enrolled in the programs must complete 504 supervised clinical hours as part of the curriculum. The FNP post-masters certificate does not require any campus visits, while the PMHNP program requires students to attend one campus-based session at the UC College of Nursing during the first semester of the program. RNs who have already taken courses in advanced pharmacology, advanced physiology, and advanced patient assessment can finish either of the programs in four semesters. RNs who require these courses typically take five semesters to graduate. For further information on these programs, visit the UC College of Nursing at www.nursing.uc.edu.
Read Also: Suing A Nursing Home For Wrongful Death
Prepare To Gain Specialized Knowledge
Need help deciding which online post-masters certificate program best aligns with your needs and goals? We can help. See details about each program below.
Online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate:
- You want to enhance your ability to provide advanced acute care to diverse populations including adolescents, young adults, middle-aged patients, and the elderly.
- You strive to develop your skills in areas such as health assessment, disease prevention, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.
- You want to gain the skills and knowledge to prepare for the ANCC or AACN certification exam.
Online Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate:
- You want to grow your proficiency in areas such as administering checkups, conducting health assessments, and providing health counseling and education.
- You care about helping patients manage chronic health conditions including hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.
- You want to gain the skills and knowledge to prepare for the ANCC or AANPCB certification exam.
Online Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate:
- Youre passionate about family medicine.
- Youre ready to establish yourself as a leader in primary care.
- You want to gain the skills and knowledge to prepare for the ANCC or AANP certification exam.
Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate:
Ways To Save On Your Tuition
Employee DiscountsRegis partner employees can receive a discount on their tuition. Find out if your employer is a partner.
Federal & Military DiscountsFederal government employees as well as active and reserve military and veterans are eligible for a 15% discount on tuition. Find out more.
Alumni DiscountsRegis alumni who have received a previous degree from Regis are eligible for a 10% discount on tuition. Speak to an advisor for more information.
Financial Aid
To be eligible for this program, students must meet the following qualifications:
Registered Nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing Degree Entry:
- Master of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited institution and accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA preferred
- Active unencumbered RN license
- Students are eligible to transfer maximum credit hours from their prior MSN.
Certified Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing Degree Entry:
- Master of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited institution and accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA preferred
- Active unencumbered RN license
- Students are eligible to transfer maximum credit hours from their prior MSN
Recommended Reading: Baker College Accelerated Nursing Program
Advanced Practice Registered Nursing And Nurse Practitioner Specializations Explained
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, or APRNs, are a category of licensed and/or certified senior-level clinicians who have graduate training in a clinical specialty and who are entrusted with greater responsibilities and a broader scope of practice than RNs. For example, APRNs are qualified to order and interpret diagnostic medical tests, manage and direct patient care autonomously and in consultation with physicians and other allied health professionals, and prescribe treatments and medications subject to the prescriptive authority granted by the state in which they practice.
Nurse Practitioners, or NPs, represent a broad category of APRNs who provide primary and/or acute care to specific patient populations throughout the healthcare system, in hospitals, medical centers, outpatient clinics, residential care facilities, private medical practices, and other clinical settings. NPs train in a specialization that aligns with a professional certification or credential as well as with the requirements for licensure outlined by their states board of nursing. Licensing requirements vary by state, and most states license NPs by specialization. While professional certification is not required for NPs by all states, licensure through ones state board of nursing is required by all states in order for an NP to practice. However, most employers require NPs to hold a professional credential in their area of specialization in addition to being licensed. These specializations include:
What Does Drexels Post
- Ranked #5 in 2020’s Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs: Family NP by U.S. News & World Report
- Ranked #16 in 2020’s Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report
- The Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate program at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam through AANP or ANCC
- Graduates of Drexels NP programs have a 100% board pass rate
- Synchronous online lectures offer a highly interactive learning format that challenges and engages
- The FNP Post-Masters Certificate program is taught by industry-experienced and board-certified faculty from Drexels acclaimed College of Nursing and Health Professions
Recommended Reading: Nursing Diagnosis For Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
What Types Of Online Post
Obtaining a post-masters grad certificate provides nurses an educational path to strengthen their capabilities, further their careers, and earn higher salaries. Many American post-graduate certificate programs require between 12-36 credits of work, including clinical hours to satisfy the degree requirements. Programs can vary in length and requirements some can be achieved in less than a year while others can take over two years. The number of credits needed can lengthen or shorten the nursing program, so students will have to do some research.
Common post-masters nurse practitioner specialties include:
Designed For Practicing Nurses
Our program is specifically designed for practicing registered nurses. Keep caring for your patients and living in your place of choice while you earn your next credential. Our online program is designed for you, the busy nurse who is ready to make an even greater impact in your clinic or practice setting.
Read Also: Fiu Nurse Practitioner Program Cost
Reasons To Get An Online Post
Post-masters nurse practitioner graduate certificate programs can be a great choice for the right nurse in the right circumstance. Lets take a look at some of the reasons why a post-masters NP certificate program might be the best choice for you.