Post-Graduate (PG) Nursing Certificates

The purpose of the PG Nursing Certificate programs is the following:

• Provide an educational route to specialization in an area other than that obtained in the master’s program.
• Strengthen or broaden the clinical, teaching, or leadership capabilities of masters prepared nurses who are planning a role expansion or role change.

The PG Nursing Certificate allows the learner to receive credit for prior graduate work while taking coursework that advances career opportunities.

Because of the efficient design, both MSN and DNP degree-holding students can take advantage of the PG Nursing Certificate option by adding it to their degree program or by taking the block of specialty courses alone.

The PG Nursing Certificate student is eligible for the same certification exams offered in each specialty and may have the same employment opportunities.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Family Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in improving the primary patient care experience. FNP graduates will partner with families across the lifespan to promote preventative care, diagnose conditions and treat acute and chronic illnesses.

Graduates who complete the FNP PG Nursing Certificate are eligible to apply and take the examination for the following national certifications:

• Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)
• Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified (FNP-C) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Admissions Requirements

See Admissions, Records, and Registration . 

Role Specialty Learning Outcomes for Family Nurse Practitioner

• Perform comprehensive health assessments that incorporate diagnostic reasoning and the interpretation of diagnostic procedures.
• Engage patients and families in planning for health promotion, prevention of disease or disease progression, and symptom management.
• Apply critical thinking in the diagnosis and problem identification of complex issues related to clinical practice, individuals, populations, and systems of care.
• Provide ethical, patient-centered care based on best evidence, clinician expertise, patient preference and circumstances.
• Evaluate outcomes of care using individual and aggregate data.
• Implement the role of an FNP in a professional, respectful and ethical manner.

Note on Accreditation and Licensure

The Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate program with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Currently, graduates must hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) in order to be eligible for the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification exam which is required in order to practice as a certified FNP-BC in most states.

Prospective Washington Students

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for the PG Nursing Certificate (FNP) program track. https://nursing.wa.gov/education/nursing-education-programs.

The PG Nursing Certificate (FNP) program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in Washington state.

Standard Occupational Classification codes for which program is intended to prepare graduates: Nurse Practitioners (29-1171); Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1072); Registered Nurses (29-1141); Medical and Health Services Managers (11-9111)