Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online

Program overview

The 100% online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post-Master’s Certificate prepares students to be caring and compassionate nurses who can manage patient care across the lifespan. Adding this certificate to your credentials will expand your scope of practice as a primary care provider.

The FNP post-master’s certificate program is intended for those who already have a master’s degree in nursing and want to add a certificate to their credentials to be able to practice in the FNP specialty area.

Admission requirements

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Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online

Program requirements

Upon acceptance, a gap analysis will take place to determine the student's academic plan. This is a comprehensive review of all prior graduate coursework including course descriptions, objectives and topical outlines. The purpose of the review is to find gaps in the required criteria for the student to be eligible to sit for the nurse practitioner certification exam. Curricula will include online classes focused on the student's desired concentration as well as clinical placements.

Designed to fit your life

You need a program that works with your busy life. Rider’s online post-master’s certificate program offers flexible 100% online courses and a choice of multiple start terms throughout the year. We’re ready when you are.

Three Convenient Application Deadlines

  • Fall Aug. 15
  • Spring Dec. 15
  • Summer May 1

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online

CCNE accredited

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at Rider University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. 

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Why choose Rider?

  • Study 100% online
  • Flexible start dates
  • Supportive faculty who will evaluate your previous credentials and GPA to determine courses needed for your chosen path
  • Earn your certification in as little as five semesters

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online

University partnerships

Rider University is proud to partner with Capital Health and give back to healthcare workers by offering a tuition discount and additional benefits to eligible employees. Other partners include The State of New Jersey, Penn Medicine Princeton Health (through the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber) and Pyramid Healthcare, Inc.

Next steps

Contact

Lori Prol

Assistant Professor

Bierenbaum Fisher Hall

lprol [at] rider.edu

609-896-5348

Compare the 2021 Top Ranked Online Post-Master's NP Certificate Programs

Post-Master's Certificates have grown in popularity amongst NPs who wish to switch or expand their specializations. Choosing to pursue a certificate to enhance an advanced nursing career is a big decision, and choosing the right school is an extremely important part of it. As online program options become even more popular, many students have added the possibility of distance-learning to their decision-making. This is why we have analyzed and ranked the best online post-master's nurse practitioner certificate programs in a range of specialties across the nation. Check out the list below, and learn more about our rankings process here.

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online

1.

Regis College

Weston, MA

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online
Overview:

Recognizing the high demand for advanced nurses, Regis College is offering an online Post-Master's Certification to enable qualified RNs to become Nurse Practitioners in an efficient timeline. Students gain the competencies and holistic healthcare perspective needed to work as advanced care providers in a range of clinical settings.

Highlights:

  • Only available to experienced RNs with an MSN
  • Complete the Cert in 24 months or less
  • Grads are prepped to sit for appropriate national exams

2.

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online
Overview:

Lewis University, a Catholic university based in Illinois, offers online Post-Master's Certificates in four Nurse Practitioner areas, including Adult-Gerontology (primary and acute care), Family, and Mental Health. Students further their careers and capabilities in their specialty areas and can practice in any number of clinical settings.

Highlights:

  • Students learn via state-of-the art clinical simulations
  • Graduates receive a Certificate of Advanced Study
  • Students complete their clinicals at Chicago-area hospitals

3.

Angelo State University

San Angelo, TX

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online
Overview:

Angelo State University in Texas offers an online post-grad certificate for the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. The program enables FNPs to practice independently if they so choose or to provide care in a hospital, outpatient, or other clinical environment. FNPs can treat patients of all ages for a range of ailments.

Highlights:

  • Students complete 8 courses and 25 credit hours to finish
  • Open to experienced Texas APRNs or DNPs only
  • The program has a 100% pass rate for FNP certification

4.

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online
Overview:

Northern Arizona University offers an online post-master's certificate for Family Nurse Practitioner that enables nurses to provide family primary care to patients of any age. With a focus on rural populations, the cert readies FNPs to utilize their clinical and theoretical knowledge in interdisciplinary health care settings.

Highlights:

  • In-person fieldwork is required
  • Graduates are qualified to test for state and national exams
  • Graduate credits may transfer to the cert program

5.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, PA

Post masters family nurse practitioner programs online
Overview:

A post-master's certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner is offered online from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. The program brings theory and evidence to advanced practice nursing to improve patient health outcomes. The culturally sensitive program takes pride in serving rural and urban communities.

Highlights:

  • Clarion delivers quality affordable and accessible degree programs
  • Graduates can sit for exams and certifications
  • All coursework (minus labs) is delivered online

Definition: What Is an Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate?

The post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate program (sometimes referred to as a post-graduate certificate program) allows registered nurses to further their careers and pursue board certification in any of the specialty nurse practitioner fields the student desires, such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), amongst others.

Students must hold a graduate nursing degree (MSN or higher) from an accredited university in the United States and have a current registered nurse (RN) license to be eligible for consideration. Some programs also require current APRN certification.

Reasons to Get an Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Post-master’s nurse practitioner graduate certificate programs can be a great choice for the right nurse in the right circumstance. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why a post-master’s NP certificate program might be the best choice for you.

  1. Online post-master’s nurse practitioner certificates are a flexible, reliable, and convenient method for nurses to pursue specialized nursing like pediatric care, mental health, adult-gerontology care, or family nurse practitioner certification.
  2. Nurse students can further their careers and education without having to commute to campus. They can work any hours, even a work schedule that is not typical. The flexibility of online programs allows students to work as they continue learning and maintain a life/work balance.
  3. Nurse students who decide to obtain their NP certificate are typically interested in a specialty field. Having extensive knowledge and skill sets allows nurses to earn a higher wage, and the specialized advanced training will enable them to provide their patients with the care they need.
  4. Once nursing students have graduated, they will have more career options available to them. The post-master’s nurse practitioner program is an alternative to a lengthier and more expensive full degree program such as a doctorate (DNP). Nursing students may decide to pursue a doctorate later on.
  5. A post-graduate certificate is ideal for RNs who already hold an MSN but who want to change or add an additional specialty without having to go through a full degree program.

What Types of Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificates Are Available?

Obtaining a post-master’s 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-master’s nurse practitioner specialties include:

  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner