Regis College – Online Post-Master’s NP Certificates

The Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing at Regis College offers an online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate with five specializations: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Both non-nurse practitioners (non-NPs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) who hold an MSN or DNP may apply.

This is a practice-focused degree that can lead to the highest level nursing leadership roles available. It is ideal for full-time working master’s-educated midwives, nurse administrators, clinical nurse leaders, nurse practitioners and similarly educated nurses. The program was created to fill the shortage of primary care providers. Students follow a designated track and learn to care for the population under each specialty. Graduates may sit for exams from several certification boards including ANCC, NCC, NAPNP, AANP and PNCB.

The Post-Master’s NP Certificate consists of 37 credits for all specializations except PMHNP which consists of 40 credits. Non-nurse practitioner students can complete the program in 20 months. Accepted nurse practitioner students may transfer all applicable credits to reduce the credit load to 19 credits for all specializations except PMHNP which consists of 22 credits. NP students may complete the program in 12 months. Both program entry points can be completed part-time or full-time. All courses are 100% online with no campus visits required, and are offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students must also complete the required clinical hours.

Blackboard is the chosen Learning Management System (LMS) for Regis College. Students view lectures, complete assignments, and take assessments through the online student portal. Collaboration takes place through online discussion boards. Students have access to grades, syllabi, class schedules, and financial aid through RegisAccess. Other support tools for students include the SmartThinking 24-hour online tutoring service, as well as 24/7 technical support.

General courses for the MSN to NP Certificate include Advanced Pathophysiology; Concepts in Nursing Leadership; Health Promotion-Disease Prevention; Advanced Clinical Pharmacology; Advanced Health Assessment; and Advanced Practice Roles and Practice Management. These courses do not need to be completed by nurse practitioners.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners serve clients from birth to age 21. PNP courses include Primary Care of the Child I and II, which are eight credits each and include 600 hours of clinicals; and one elective.

Family Nurse Practitioners serve clients throughout their lifespan including children, youth, adults, geriatric patients, and women in primary care settings. FNP courses include Primary Care of the Family I and II, which are eight credits each and include 600 hours of clinicals; and one elective.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners serve women from adolescence through geriatrics. WHNP courses include Primary Care of Women I and II, which are eight credits each and include 600 hours of clinicals; and Care of Childbearing Women.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners serve clients from young adults to geriatrics. AGPCNP courses include Primary Care of the Adult-Geriatric Client I and II, which are eight credits each and include 600 hours of clinicals; and Sociological, Political, and Economic Perspectives in Aging.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners serve clients across the life span, diagnosing and managing psychiatric disorders in various settings. PMHNP courses include Primary Care of the Psychiatric Mental Health Client I and II, which are eight credits each and include 600 hours of clinicals; Theory and Practice of Contemporary Psychotherapies; and Advanced Psychopharmacology.

Regis College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Post-Master’s NP Certificate program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).