Family Nurse Practitioner Post
Each family nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate program sets forth specific admission requirements. While admission criteria can vary between schools, general requirements may include:
- A master’s degree from an accredited school
- Current RN/APRN license
- Provide a written goal statement or statement of purpose
- Have completed a specific number of clinical hours
- Have completed advanced pharmacology, physiology, and health assessment courses
Curriculum And Time Needed To Earn A Certificate
The Post-Master’s program does not have a single separate curriculum. Each MS specialty’s webpage carries information about specific courses and curricula requirements. The specialty coordinator and/or specialty advisor will work with each student on a gap analysis to determine what specific curricular requirements are required for successful completion of the individual program.
The average time commitment is 4 to 8 quarters, depending on the specialty area selected. Students are typically required to attend classes at UCSF an average of 2 days each week and attend clinical a minimum of 1 to 2 days each week. Post-Master’s students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 quarters to fulfill the residency requirement to receive a Post-Master’s certificate. Students are not required to find their own clinical placements.
Designed To Fit Your Life
You need a program that works with your busy life. Riders online post-masters certificate program offers flexible 100% onlinecourses and a choice of multiple start terms throughout the year. Were ready when you are.
Three Convenient Application Deadlines
- Flexible start dates
- Most courses run on a short, 7-week schedule
- Supportive faculty who will evaluate your previous credentials and GPA to determine courses needed for your chosen path
- Earn your certification in five semesters
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Deliver Quality Primary Care To The Entire Family
This online post-master’s FNP certificate is uniquely designed for nurses who’ve completed a master’s in nursing degree. The certificate program provides the knowledge and clinical experiences a master’s educated nurse would need to transition into a role as a primary care family nurse practitioner.
Support the Entire Patient Experience
In the program, you will:
- Develop clinical skills with an emphasis on quality, accuracy and the patient experience
- Expand your problem-solving and investigative capabilities using a range of resources
- Gain an understanding of advanced practice nursing from multiple perspectives and grow as a leader
- Strengthen your approach to a compassionate, multifaceted nursing practice that treats the whole patient
- Go beyond treating illness to understanding the range of factors that can impact health and wellbeing
- Deepen your knowledge of advanced topics such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, patient assessment, treatment methods and applied research to develop essential competencies
- Discover a range of resources for assessment, analysis and diagnosis
- Build the professional, interpersonal and leadership skills needed for success
Accreditation & Awards
- Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education *
- Top 100 nursing schools
- 99% FNP licensure pass rate in 2020
- Recognized as #8 Top Value School by College Factual
Online FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Program Fast Facts
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.
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Are Postgraduate Certificates Worth It
According to Get Educated, graduates of post-masters certificate programs earn a higher income than their peers. A post-masters certificate can equip students for national certification exams. Graduates of post-masters certificate programs may experience higher rates of job satisfaction as their qualifications provide new pathways to previously unavailable career opportunities and positions.
When it comes to the family nurse practitioner post-masters certificate, advanced practice registered nurses who want to broaden their scopes of practice will find the certificate to be worth it as it empowers them to achieve their career goals. FNP certificate graduates will enjoy the work of providing comprehensive primary care for patients and families in such a way that makes a difference in the global community.
Nurse Practitioners Make A Difference
According to a study in the journal Medical Care, practices with nurse practitioners on staff list fewer hospitalizations, ER visits and specialist referrals. Other findings indicate that there is little difference when comparing patient results regarding primary health care provided by a nurse practitioner and MDs.
Apply today to learn how quickly you can complete the program. Get your transcript evaluation within 24 to 48 hours. Contact us or download a free program guide to learn more.
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Question: How Long Does It Take To Complete A Post
Answer: It typically takes one to two years to complete an online post-masters certificate program in a Nurse Practitioner specialization for Registered Nurses who enroll in a program part-time. However, the time to completion can vary based on several factors, including a students prior graduate-level coursework and training in nursing, the area of NP specialization, and the total number of credits and clinical hours required by the program. RNs who hold a Master of Science in Nursing in an Advanced Practiced Registered Nurse specialization may be able to complete an online post-masters certificate program in less than a year of full-time enrollment. RNs whose masters degree is in a non-APRN field, such as nursing administration, may require a year or more of full-time coursework and clinical training to earn a post-masters NP certificate.
Improve Career Satisfaction And Independence
Family nurse practitioners enjoy a high rate of job satisfaction. An FNP is ranked as one of the top four Best Healthcare Jobs and in the top five of the 100 Best Jobs overall, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2020. This satisfaction comes from the ability to define their own practice and be the primary care providers for people of all ages, in the very communities in which they live. Many states also grant prescriptive privileges to FNPs.
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Why Get A Post
This specialized certificate allows you to explore the pediatric nurse practitioner concentration, even if you have previously focused your efforts on another area of nursing. Many nurses pursue the PNP post-grad certificate to add an additional layer to their skills, such as a nurse who has experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner but wants to start focusing more on pediatrics or to switch concentrations entirely.
Depending on your goals, a pediatric nurse practitioner post-masters certificate may lead to employment in a pediatric cardiology unit, as a nurse practitioner in a mental health setting, or in a pediatricians office. Nurses who hold this post-masters cert are eligible for most direct-care PNP roles, and some eventually decide to continue on to earn a DNP degree in the role.
Other factors may also impact your decision to pursue this pathway, including the following:
Guide To Completing The On
Letter of Intent
In 200 words please describe how your previous health studies and clinical experiences have led you to pursue the NP program and influenced your choice of clinical focus .
In 200 words please describe your short and long-term career objectives and how they will be advanced by the Nurse Practitioner program.
In 200 words please outline what you hope to gain from your clinical placements.
Curriculum Vitae
You will be asked to upload your CV to the on-line application. Please use the categories listed below when you are developing your CV. If a particular heading does not apply, you may leave it out.
- Academic education
- Continuing education
- Awards and honours
- Professional employment
- Clinical / administrative / practice innovations
- Membership in research oriented organizations
- Relevant volunteer activities
Completion of Clinical Hours
Applicants to the NP programs must complete at least 3,900 clinical hours as an RN prior to beginning the program. You will complete a form indicating when and where you completed your clinical hours.
Considerations Related to Clinical Experience Pre NP Application:
Each application is reviewed holistically and may demonstrate excellent experience from a variety of perspectives including life experience, volunteering and travel. Looking strictly at prior clinical experience the following may be helpful in regard to ensuring you are prepared as much as possible from an experiential perspective related to RN employment.
Interview
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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.
The post masters family nurse practitioner certificate program is open to registered nurses who:
- Possess a Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university or college
- Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the state in which they live .
Classes Start January 10th
What Do I Need To Apply To The Msn And Post

Please submit the following to complete your application:
2. Official transcripts from each university attended with a cumulative GPA of 3.0*
3. Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an NLN-CCNE-accredited school
4. Active unencumbered RN license
5. Two professional letters of recommendation
6. Résumé and essay
7. Essay topic: Describe an ethical dilemma you were confronted with during your nursing career. Discuss the strategies you used to resolve the dilemma.
8. Completion of BSN prerequisite courses
*students with less than a 3.0 GPA are still encouraged to apply
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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
Next Steps Toward A Pmc
You can advance to the next level of your nursing career with the online FNP Post Masters Certificate from Marymount University. Marymount University has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Nursing School: Masters and Best Nursing School: DNP. Nursing graduates from Marymount University enjoy high passing rates100% of 2019 graduates passed their FNP AANC and AANP certification exams on their first attempt.
The PMCFNP program provides students with MSNs the opportunity to offer patient care at influential levels as primary care family nurse practitioners. The program requires a shorter time commitment than doctoral programs.
The low-residency component of the program is designed with the work-life balance of an MSN nurse in mind. Clinical placements and student support services help nurses enrolled in the PMCFNP by providing regular check-ins to answer questions and see that they get all the tools they need to achieve success while working full-time.
Advance to the next level of your nursing career with the online FNP Post-Masters Certificate from Marymount University.
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Family Nurse Practitioners Are In Demand
Family nurse practitioners typically earn more with their advanced scope of practice than RNs or BSN-prepared nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the 2020 median annual pay for a nurse practitioner is $111,680,. This is approximately $38,000 more than the 2019 median annual pay for a registered nurse at $73,300. By 2029, more than 110,700 nurse practitioner positions are expected to be created.
Is It Better To Get A Certificate Or A Degree
The answer depends upon what youd like to achieve next in your vocation and what your long-term career goals are.
If you would like to achieve a terminal degreemeaning, the highest degree possible in your fieldthen a doctor of nursing practice degree may be the best fit. You may also want to pursue a DNP if you value independence and autonomy in your work life.
If your goal is to supplement or shift your current nursing knowledge and practice, then a family nurse practitioner post-masters certificate program will meet your needs. For example, if you are a pediatric nurse practitioner who would like to serve adult patients as well, an FNP certificate would broaden your practice scope, which increases your job opportunities and potentially raises your job satisfaction as you achieve the goal of providing care across the lifespan.
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Entry Two: Already An Np Expand Your Practice
Choose this track if you are an MSN-prepared NP looking to expand your area of practice by adding an additional NP specialty.
- Complete your Post-Masters Nurse Practitioner Certificate in as few as 12 months.
- Choose from six NP specializations to expand your NP practice into Pediatrics, Family, Womens Health, Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult Gerontology Primary Care, and Adult Gerontology Acute Care.
- Students are eligible to transfer maximum credit hours from their prior MSN.
Choosing A Specialty Area
We offer Post-Master’s options for specialized study as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner or health policy specialist.
MS specialties become available on a year-to-year basis, depending on faculty and funding resources. For details on which MS specialties offer Post-Master’s options and for specialty-specific details and requirements, visit the webpages for our specialties. You may also contact the coordinator for the specialty you’re interested in if you have questions.
Nurse Practitioner Specialities
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Pursue Additional Aprn Certifications With A Post
Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers an online Post-Graduate Certificate program.
The Post-Graduate Certificate program empowers advanced practice nursing professionals to advance their careers and pursue board certification in one of four Advanced Practice Registered Nurse specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner , Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner , Nurse-Midwifery , and Womens Health Nurse Practitioner ..
Students complete this post-doctoral/post-masters certificate program on a part-time basis. Applicants must hold a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or the equivalent from an international college or university, maintain a current registered nurse license, and have earned either a Master of Science degree in Nursing1 from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program, or a doctoral degree to be eligible for consideration. Learn more about application requirements and admissions deadlines.
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 .
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Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Advanced Practice Nursing Education for Working Nurses
UNCs Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s graduate certificate provides working nurses with specialized expertise that can help you advance your career. Youll gain skills that qualify you for new professional challenges, expanded responsibilities, leadership opportunities, and readies you for advanced clinical practice as a family nurse practitioner .
The FNP emphasis area provides in-depth instruction in primary care health promotion and disease management across the lifespan. This program stands out for its strong emphasis on evidence-based care and direct primary care services to diverse populations and underserved populations particularly within rural communities.
Designed for nursing professionals who already hold an MSN, this certificate provides you with exceptional academic and professional guidance from our clinically active faculty. This program has been designed with advanced practice clinical simulations in addition to didactic coursework in order to prepare each student for the live clinical setting. A minimum of 660 clinical/simulation/lab hours are completed while enrolled in the clinical/practicum courses.
How To Choose An Online Post
If youre like many nurses, you plan to continue working as you pursue your AGNP post-graduate certificate. Choosing an online program that doesnt require on-site visits to the college campus is likely to fulfill your needs. Its a good idea to make sure the online AGNP post-masters certificate program you choose is properly accredited.
Prospective students should also decide whether they want to pursue an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certificate or an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate. Both options are regularly available at the post-masters certificate level.
While you might think that a shorter course is best because it allows you to put your certificate to use more quickly, ensure that it meets the requirements that are necessary for licensure and/or certification. Another consideration is figuring out how the program handles the clinical experience. Will you need to find your own facility or does the program have contracts with clinics or hospitals in your area, for example?
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