Best Nursing Certifications Online

Graduate nursing certificate programs allow registered nurses (RNs) to advance their nursing careers. Postgraduate certificate programs in nursing typically focus on advanced practice areas for professionals looking to specialize as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners. Online nursing certificate programs are open to nurses who hold bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees in nursing. Some programs are also open to nurses with doctorates.

Registered nurses who complete a nursing certificate program to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) can expect a big boost in income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for an RN was $75,330 per year in May 2020, compared with $117,670 for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.

There are two types of graduate certificate programs in nursing: postbaccalaureate and post-master’s. These give nurses who hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees another way to pursue a specialty or expertise.

Many nursing certificate programs focus on advanced practice areas and prepare RNs to become APRNs. Students who are already ARPNs can gain experience in an additional practice area, which opens up more career options. Other postgraduate certificate programs in nursing focus more on administration. Graduate nursing certificate programs are offered both online and on campus.

Postbaccalaureate nursing certificates require students to possess a bachelor’s degree in nursing. These certificates are usually administrative in nature. For example, you can get a postbaccalaureate nursing certificate in nursing administration, health information management, or nursing education.

Post-master’s nursing certificates require a master’s degree in nursing. These certificates often focus on APRN practice areas. For example, you can get a post-master’s nursing certificate while preparing to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP), adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP), pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP), or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Online nursing certificate programs typically have the same requirements as on-campus programs, except that many online programs allow students to set their own schedules. Instead of meeting at a specific time, for instance, you may just need to listen to a recorded video lecture by a certain date.

Online graduate certificate programs may give students the flexibility to work and attend school at the same time. Most programs take about one year to complete and consist of 12-24 credits. Some have in-person requirements, such as labs or practicums. Be sure to check for in-person requirements before enrolling in an online program.

Many nursing certificate programs require hands-on clinical experiences, as well. Depending on the school, you may be able to complete these experiences through a healthcare provider in your area. Make sure you find out where your clinicals can be held before enrolling.

There are many different types of online nursing certificate programs, from advanced practice specialties to health information management. Some certificates can lead to the APRN credential if students also pass the appropriate certification exam.

Different schools offer different certificates, so check several schools to see what programs they offer. Some of the most common nursing certificate programs focus on nursing education or nursing informatics, or prepare students to become family nurse practitioners, nurse administrators, and pediatric nurse practitioners.

A post-master’s nurse educator certificate program prepares graduates to develop curricula, define course objectives, and plan content and learning experiences. Students learn how to incorporate technology into their lesson plans. They develop tests and other evaluation methods to check their students’ progress.

A graduate certificate in nursing informatics program prepares nurses to manage the health information systems within their organizations. Students practice entering and managing data in simulated healthcare information systems. They gain experience in clinical workflow, interoperability, and meaningful use initiatives.

Family nurse practitioner certificate programs prepare students to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s family nurse practitioner board certification exam. Coursework typically covers professional issues for nurse practitioners, primary care of patients across the lifespan, diagnostic reasoning, clinical health assessment, and advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology.

Registered nurses who want to advance their careers may be interested in a post-master’s certificate in nurse administration. This certificate program prepares students for leadership roles in nursing. Students learn how to monitor quality and improve outcomes, lead organizational dynamics, and manage financial and human resources in healthcare.

The pediatric nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate prepares students to become certified pediatric nurse practitioners. The program focuses on management of chronic and acute conditions in pediatric patients, as well as disease prevention and health promotion for patients from infancy through early young adulthood.

With a graduate certificate and the appropriate certification, you can pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner. There are several types of nurse practitioners, including family, neonatal, pediatric, and adult-gerontology acute or primary care practitioners. A graduate certificate could also lead to a career as a nurse educator, nurse administrator, or informatics nurse.

The best online nursing certificate programs are those that fit into your lifestyle. Consider whether you have to attend classes at a set time or if you have a more flexible schedule. Also consider whether there are any in-person requirements, and if so, how you will fit those in. Other things to consider are program length, cost, accreditation, and location.

For students who don’t qualify for federal student loans, private student loans are an option. Credit unions and banks provide these loans to help students pay for their tuition, room and board, and other school-related fees.

Aside from federal or private loans, online nursing students can qualify for many types of financial aid, including government grants and scholarships. Students should take advantage of aid that does not need to be repaid before considering loans.

There are many scholarships available for students with disabilities, including nursing students. You can find scholarships for people with chronic health conditions, hearing loss, and other disabilities.

Single parents could be eligible for additional financial aid. There are scholarships for single mothers, scholarships for single mothers and fathers, and scholarships for single parents who belong to historically excluded groups.

There is a lot of financial aid available for veterans and active members of the military. If you are in the military now or have been in the past, you may be able to get additional federal funding for your college education.

A graduate certificate in nursing is a postbaccalaureate, post-master’s, or postdoctoral certificate that advances a nurse’s training, education, and career. Nurses can choose graduate certificates in nursing administration and nursing education, or choose certificates that prepare them to pursue careers as nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and more.

No, a graduate certificate is not a degree. It is an additional credential you can earn after receiving a degree. You must already have a bachelor’s degree in order to enroll in a postgraduate certificate program in nursing. You can use a graduate certificate to expand your expertise even further in a specialized area.

No, a clinical nurse specialist is not the same as a registered nurse. Clinical nurse specialists are APRNs. Most states require that they obtain adult-gerontology, pediatric, or neonatal nursing certification. Unlike RNs, clinical nurse specialists diagnose patients. They also provide treatment and ongoing management.

A nurse educator is a nursing instructor who teaches the next generation of nurses. They offer instruction and guidance to aspiring nurses. They often work for universities, but may also work in hospital or clinical settings. They monitor and evaluate students, design curriculum, and apply principles and theories of adult education.

The highest-paying job you can get with a graduate certificate in nursing varies depending on the location and employer. However, nurse anesthetists are typically very well-paid. According to the BLS, nurse anesthetists earned a median salary of $183,580 per year in May 2020. You can currently become a nurse anesthetist with a master’s degree and a graduate certificate, but this is changing. Starting in 2025, you will need a doctorate in nurse anesthesia practice to become a nurse anesthetist.