PROGRAM DETAILS

Specializations

Through the Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing program, you’ll gain the advanced knowledge and skills you need to be a leader in today’s challenging health care environment.

To help you achieve your goals, our post-graduate certificate program offers these specializations:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care — Specialize in care for adults and geriatric individuals. Graduates who complete the Adult-Gerontology ACNP certificate program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). View the course requirements of this specialization.
• Family Nurse Practitioner — Manage care throughout the lifespan of individuals and families. Graduates who complete the Family NP certificate program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). View the course requirements of this specialization.
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner — Care for newborns in level III neonatal intensive care units. Graduates who complete the Neonatal NP certificate program meet eligibility for national certification through the National Certification Corporation (NCC). View the course requirements of this specialization.
• Nursing Education — Work as an innovative educator in academic or clinical settings using foundational knowledge in teaching and learning principles, assessment, and curricular design. View the course requirements of this specialization.
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — Practice within a variety of pediatric acute care settings. Graduates who complete the Pediatric Acute Care NP certificate program meet eligibility for national certification through the Pediatric Nurse Credentialing Board (PNCB). View the course requirements of this specialization.
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner — Specialize in the provision of psychiatric-mental health care and treatment for individuals and families across the lifespan. Students who complete the certificate program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. View the course requirements of this specialization.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Creighton University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

State Regulatory Requirements

Due to regulatory requirements in the states listed below, we are unable to accept or enroll students in the Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing program who intend to reside in any of these states while pursuing their certificate: Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Tennessee and Oregon.**

** In Oregon, neonatal NP students are still eligible to apply.
This information will be updated as state regulatory requirements change.
For all other states not listed above, regulations vary depending on the program and/or individual situation. Please contact Creighton University College of Nursing at 402.280.3492 for questions regarding a specific state.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

• Formulate a professional framework integrating reflective practice that facilitates ethical reasoning, cultural humility, and advocacy anchored in social justice.
• Demonstrate proficiency in analyzing and utilizing evidence form nursing and other relevant disciplines to improve practice.
• Demonstrate competency in the new advance nursing role.

Creighton University’s Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing program holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This accreditation is earned thanks to Creighton’s carefully designed program curricula and standards, as well as the talented faculty who work to ensure student success.

Meet the program faculty

Specific Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing program, applicants must:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited college of university, with a GPA of at least 3.0
• Active, unencumbered RN license
• Active, unencumbered APRN license for Nurse Practitioner Tracks
• Professional nursing work experience required prior to clinical courses:
  • Family NP and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP – minimum 2,000 hours of professional nursing work experience in direct patient care
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Across the Lifespan NP – minimum 2,000 hours of direct patient care in psychiatric mental health
  • Neonatal NP – minimum 4,000 hours of direct care in level III or IV NICU
  • Pediatric Acute and Primary Care NP – minimum 2,000 hours of direct care in pediatrics
• Provide official transcripts from all educational institutions attended. Read more about sending transcripts here
  • Must include verification of clinical/practicum hours completed in master’s or certificate program
• Submit three letters of recommendations; one from a supervisor/employer, who can speak to your performance in an academic or professional setting
• Include a resume or curriculum vitae
• Submit a personal statement speaking to your long- and short-term goals

A personal interview may be requested in addition to the above requirements. The interview may be conducted in-person or virtually.

Due to the specific features and requirements of this program, international students cannot be admitted. Unique situations may be discussed with your enrollment specialist.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSCRIPTS

Any course work taken at an accredited institution outside of the United States must be evaluated course-by-course by a NACES approved credentialing agency. A list of approved agencies can be found here. Official evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to Creighton University.