Post-Graduate Certificates

The Creighton University College of Nursing offers an APRN post-graduate certificate for nurses who have previously earned a graduate nursing degree as an Advanced Practice Nurse and want to become certified to practice in another population. Prospective students hold a Master of Science in Nursing, a Master’s of Science degree with a major in nursing, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from a college or university accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), or the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). The student must also have clinical practice in a direct care setting as a registered nurse and/or advanced practice nurse equal to at least 2000 hours of employment. The requirements for admission and the application process are the same as for degree seeking graduate students. Refer to Conditions of Enrollment for specific specialty track requirements.

The College also offers a post-graduate certificate in Nursing Education.

Post-Graduate Certificate outcomes

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

APRN Post-Graduate Certificates

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner -  manages the care of individuals in acute care settings. Graduates who complete the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP 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).
  • Family Nurse Practitioner - manages care throughout the lifespan of individuals and families. Graduates who complete the Family NP post-graduate certificate program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and  the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP).
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner -  manages care for newborns in level III neonatal intensive care units. Graduates who complete the Neonatal NP post-graduate certificate program meet eligibility for national certification through the National certification Corporation (NCC).
  • Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - manages the care of pediatric patients in acute care settings and  critical care.  Graduates who complete  the Pediatric Acute Care Certificate Program are eligible to take the acute care national certification exam through the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB).
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - manages care throughout the lifespan of diverse populations and can practice within a variety of acute and primary care  settings. Graduates who complete the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP).

Other Post-Graduate Certificates

  • Nursing Education - prepares nurses with advanced knowledge and skills to assume classroom and practicum teaching responsibilities in academic settings.

The post-graduate APRN certificate program at Creighton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements

Admission into the Post-Graduate Certificate Program is based on academic acceptance by the College of Nursing. Academic acceptance is based on meeting the following requirements:

  1. A completed application form with a $50 non-refundable fee
  2. A Master of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science degree with a major in nursing, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from a college or university accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), or the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).
  3. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
  4. An official transcript of all previous academic work at the collegiate level. Applicants request that the registrar of each institution previously attended to mail or electronically send an official transcript directly to the Creighton University Enrollment Services Department.
  5. Three recommendations from persons able to evaluate the applicant’s current and potential competency in advanced level nursing, academic potential, leadership skills, and potential for leadership in the profession.
    1. One reference should come from a nursing employer or supervisor. If you have never been employed, a recommendation from a clinical instructor or preceptor in your nursing program is required.
    2. The other two references may be from an instructor, another supervisor, or professional colleague.
    3. If you have graduated within the past two years or your degree is in progress, a reference from an instructor or preceptor is required.
  6. A current active unencumbered registered nursing (RN) license and, if applicable, a current and active unencumbered license to practice as an advanced practice nurse in the United States
  7. Evidence of current national certification as an advanced practice nurse, if applicable
  8. A current resume/curriculum vitae that provides evidence of leadership, practice, and service experiences, such as a holding a management position
  9. A personal essay 
  10. Verification of the clinical/practicum hours completed in the applicant's master’s/certificate program in one of the following ways:
    1. The clinical/practicum courses in the master's program are clearly identified on the transcript. 
    2. Syllabi for the clinical/practicum courses are submitted and the clinical/practicum hours are identified.
    3. A letter from an official from the institution, on official institution letterhead, where the master's degree was granted verifying the specific number of clinical/practicum hours

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

English Language Proficiency is an important part of the application process for those whose first language is not English. The College of Nursing has the discretion to determine individual standards for how this requirement will be met using one or more of the following:

  • English Language exam scores. If English is not the applicant's native language and the applicant has not obtained a bachelor's degree or higher in the United States, the applicant must present evidence of a TOEFL score of at least 100, an IELTS score of at least 7, or a Duolingo score of 120. Scores over 2 years old will not be accepted. Students must ask the ETS (the testing agency) to send original scores to Creighton University (Institutional Code 6121).
  • The College of Nursing reserves the right to require students to re-take the exam. It is also at the discretion of the College of Nursing as to whether a TOEFL score is required of applicants who have earned a college degree from a university in the United States or another approved country. 

Conditions of Enrollment

Upon academic acceptance into the College of Nursing, students must meet certain conditions of enrollment:

  1. Current immunizations consistent with Creighton University and/or clinical agency guidelines.

  2. Verification of a physical examination to provide evidence that the student is free from contagious disease and not a health hazard to patients in various settings.

  3. Background investigations and results consistent with Creighton University and/or clinical agency guidelines. 

  4. Drug screen and results consistent with Creighton University and/or clinical agency guidelines. 

  5. Completion of certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for the "Healthcare Professional" from the American Heart Association (AHA). This course includes instruction of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and content for care of adults, children, and infants.

  6. A current, active unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license and an active APRN license (if applicable) to practice in the U.S.

  7. Validation of ability to meet the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor requirements (Safety and Technical Standards)

  8.  Practice Experience Requirements:

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - A minimum of 2000 hours of employment in a direct care setting as a registered nurse and/or advanced practice nurse prior to enrollment in the first practicum course.

Family Nurse Practitioner - A minimum of 2000 hours of employment in a direct care setting as a registered nurse and/or an advanced practice nurse prior to enrollment in the first practicum course.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - A minimum of 4000 hours of employment as a registered nurse and/or an advanced practice nurse in the care of critically ill newborns/infants prior to enrollment in the first practicum course in the neonatal track.

Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - A minimum of 2000 hours of direct care as a registered nurse and/or an advanced practice nurse in pediatrics prior to enrolling in the first practicum course for the pediatric track.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - A minimum of 2000 hours of direct care as a registered nurse and/or advanced practice nurse in psychiatric-mental health prior to enrolling in the first practicum course for the psychiatric-mental health track.