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University of Nebraska Medical Center

Postgraduate Certificate

Continue building your nursing career through advanced practice specialty training with a postgraduate certificate

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Why earn a Postgraduate Certificate?

Postgraduate certificates prepare nurses with previous MSN or DNP degrees for advanced practice in an additional specialty. This certificate program's course flexibility is based on your previous education background, nursing experience and career goals. Certificate completion qualifies students to apply to take the appropriate nurse practitioner board certification exam as noted in the specialty tracks section.

Why Earn a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing from UNMC?

500-Mile Campus

The College of Nursing is the largest and most far-reaching of UNMC's health colleges with five campuses spanning the state. We have divisions in Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Kearney and Norfolk.

Accreditation

The post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington D.C. 20001. Phone: (202)887-6791.

Competency-Based Education

Our comprehensive curriculum is centered on student learning, patient outcomes and best-practices care propelled by advanced nursing systems. We'll equip you to translate nursing research into forward-thinking, best-practices clinical application.

Progression Flexibility

Students can choose from full or part-time options, completing their degree at a pace that suits their lifestyle.

Program Snapshot

Course Load
Varies
Duration
Two to four years
Location
Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Kearney, Norfolk
Start Date
Fall, Spring

Nurse Practitioner Specialty Tracks

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP

This specialty focuses on the diagnostic reasoning, assessment and management of the acute, complex and life-threatening health care issues of adolescents through the elderly both in hospital and in clinic.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP

This course of study focuses on the diagnostic reasoning, assessment and management of the primary health care of adolescents through the elderly.

Family Nurse Practitioner

The FNP has advanced knowledge and skills in health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention and physical and psychosocial assessment of individuals of all ages.

Pediatric Primary Care NP

This specialty focuses on the diagnostic reasoning, assessment and management of the acute care needs of children from birth to 21 years.

Pediatric Primary & Acute Care NP (Dual)

The advanced practice nurse will have advanced knowledge and skills in physical and psychosocial assessment to meet acute health care needs of children from birth to 21 years.

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

The scope of practice includes health promotion and prevention, physical and mental health assessment, diagnosis of mental health conditions, integration and implementation of care, psychopharmacology, counseling, practice evaluation, education, consultation and liaison.

Women's Health NP

This specialty focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and management of women's common and complex gynecologic, sexual, obstetric, reproductive and common primary healthcare needs. It is the only specialty women’s health program in the state of Nebraska.

Program Highlights

Outcomes

Advanced practice nurses work collaboratively within the health care system to promote client health, provide prevention management and improve client outcomes. Advanced practice nurses are leaders for the discipline and are responsive to current and emerging issues facing nursing and healthcare.

Credentialing

Nurse practitioner graduates are eligible to apply to take the nurse practitioner board certification in their respective specialty.

Prerequisites

Prior to admission to the to this program, you'll need:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing degree from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited school of nursing. If your BSN and/or MSN degree was obtained from a non-U.S. college, it must be evaluated and be equivalent to a U.S. nursing degree.
  • A license to practice nursing in one of the 50 U.S. states.

Preference will be given to applicants who have completed at least one year of full-time work experience as a registered nurse. Experience with the specialty population is valuable.

Careers and Outcomes

Nurses with advanced degrees are particularly sought after in the marketplace. Postgraduate certificate nurse practitioners work in many areas of nursing with enhanced salary potential and a strong job outlook. 

Job Opportunities

  • Hospitals
  • Physician practice management
  • Clinics
  • Schools
  • Health departments
  • Community health centers
  • Home health care management
  • insurance companies
  • HMOs
  • Consulting
  • And More

Employers 

  • Nebraska Medicine
  • Methodist Women’s Health
  • Bryan Health
  • CHI Health
  • Avera Health
  • Sanford Health
  • And more

Related Programs

Explore more degree options available at UNMC.