Close Menu
Online

Nursing Post-Graduate (Certificate)

The Post-Graduate Certificate programs through Creighton’s College of Nursing will help you build on your skills and knowledge, explore new professional avenues and expand your leadership role in healthcare.

Perhaps you’ve already earned your graduate nursing degree, but now you have new goals. Maybe you’d like to expand your nursing role—or maybe you have an interest in an area outside of what you studied during your time in a graduate nursing program. If any of these situations sound familiar, a post-graduate nursing certificate could be just what you're looking for.

Request Info
Apply Now
Closeup of the Creighton University crest on the sleeve of a medical student's white coat
Quote from Meghan Potthoff, PhD, associate professor at Creighton University College of Nursing
Creighton banner

Program Details

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.

Specializations

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

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

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — 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 healthcare 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.

Faculty

Meet the program faculty.

    Admission 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-NP 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. View a list of approved agencies. Official evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to Creighton University.

    Tuition & Financial Aid

    Tuition rates change in the fall of each year. Visit our financial aid site for more details.

    Financial Aid

    To help make your graduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available graduate student scholarships and fellowships.

    Have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731 for any additional questions you may have.

    2021-2022 Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)

    Creighton’s College of Nursing is a recipient of the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). Students enrolled in the MSN in Nursing Education program and the Nursing Education Post Graduate Certificate Program are eligible to apply for NFLP funding. Loan recipients may have up to 85% of their loan forgiven by working full-time as a Nurse Educator after graduating from their program. 

    Students must meet the following eligibility:

    • Be a citizen of the U.S. or a lawful, permanent resident of the U.S. and its territories.
    • Be in good academic standing (as defined by the College of Nursing)
    • Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • Enrolled in MSN in Nursing Education program or Nursing Education Post Graduate Certificate Program
    • Student may be enrolled part time or full time

    Read through this document for additional details about borrowing limits, loan forgiveness work, employment eligibility, repayment and other details related to the NFLP.

    Dates and Deadlines

    The tables below details the enrollment deadlines and starting dates of courses for the current academic year. If you have any questions about dates, deadlines, or application materials, please contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.

    JANUARY START - APPLY BY MAY 1

    Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate

    Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate

    Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Certificate

    Nursing Education Certificate

    MAY START - APPLY BY OCTOBER 1

    Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate

    Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner Certificate

    Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

    College of Nursing Events

    Accreditation

    The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program in nursing at Creighton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education http://www.ccneaccreditation.org.

    Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education logo

    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.

    Graduates who complete the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate Program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

    Graduates who complete the Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate Program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).

    Graduates who complete the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate Program meet eligibility for national certification through the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

    Graduates who complete the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate Program are eligible to take the acute care national certification exam through the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB).

    Graduates who complete the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate Program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

    All of the above national certification credentialing agencies are accepted in all 50 states as the initial step in seeking licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

    As a Creighton College of Nursing student, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the greater good. See some of the student organizations and service opportunities available to you.

    Still Have Questions?

    Reach out to a Nursing Admissions Advisor

    Let's Take the Next Steps Together

    Close SidebarClose Sidebar