What is post master's NP certificate?

Nursing Students NP Students

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I am trying to understand what is the benefit of returning to school and obtain a post master's NP certificate? What can an RN with an MSN-NP benefit from having a post master's grad certificate? Is for another concentration/program?

For example, I am planning to apply to grad school, but undecided where to apply for Leadership and Management program or AGPC-NP program. If I do decide to pursue my MSN in the Leadership and Management program, does this mean I can earn to school and obtain a post master's grad certificate in AGPC-NP? Will I be able to practice the same as someone who went straight into the AGPC-NP program?

Thanks!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

MSN is a degree. AGPCNP or Leadership and Management are some of the concentrations or tracks you can specialize on with your MSN degree.

Should you decide to start an MSN with a Leadership and Management degree now, graduate in say 2 years, and later decide you also want to be an AGPCNP, you don't need to start from scratch since you already have an MSN. Hence, the program you register for is called a Post-Master's AGPCNP certificate because you only complete the courses that correspond to the requirements for practice as an AGPCNP.

Similarly, for nurses who earn a PhD in Nursing and wish to pursue more directed research under an experienced faculty member in their area of scholarly interest, don't earn another PhD, rather they continue on to Post-doctoral Study.

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What Juan said. For example, I am an Adult-Gero Primary Care NP. I am thinking about going back for my Psychiatric Mental Health NP. I would do this as a post-Master's option, rather than having to start from scratch, retaking courses (like patho, pharm, physical assessment) that I have already taken. And which, I might add, I use every day in my practice. One FYI: every school I have looked at has stated that post-Master's students are not eligible for financial aid, because it is not a degree-granting program. It is just an additional certificate. In other words, you aren't going for a second Master's; you are going for additional certifications for your existing Master's. I don't know if that means you can't get student loans (I doubt it means that, but you never know), but it means you won't be eligible for financial aid/scholarships from the school. So read each school's website carefully.

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Unless you want to teach, an MSN without an advanced practice component is pretty worthless, honestly. If you're going to grad school as a nurse, get an advanced practice degree, such as NP. Future you will thank you.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Unless you want to teach, an MSN without an advanced practice component is pretty worthless, honestly. If you're going to grad school as a nurse, get an advanced practice degree, such as NP. Future you will thank you.

Not completely true. MSN in leadership is valuable to those who wish to be in nursing administration positions, and yes a MSN in education seems to be a good way to get into the door for teaching, at least at my school's ADN program.

Now if the OPs interest is in advanced practice, then yes, I would also suggest obtaining their MSN in the field they want to practice in directly instead of getting another MSN first.

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.

What is a post masters certificate? An educational scam. Along the lines of on-line np courses. A way to generate huge profits for the education institution. :yawn:

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Specializes in critical care, ED.

Grad school is expensive and time consuming. Before I invested that kind of money I would recommend you do some soul searching and try to focus your long term goals. The two degrees you are mentioning are completely different tracts. A few courses may overlap but why waste your money on classes you may not use.

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