Washington Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

You’re a nurse: you know how important it is to stay on top of the latest developments in patient care. Continuing education is an important part of your commitment to take care of your patients. When you choose to fulfill your continuing education requirements by earning a post-graduate certificate in nursing, you’re not just showing your patients that you care. You’re also showing your supervisors that you take your career seriously and that you’re ready for advancement. Let’s take a look at some information on earning your post-graduate nursing certificate in Washington.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Admission Requirements in Washington

While admission requirements for post-graduate nursing certificates can differ from school to school, many programs in Washington require criteria similar to that of Washington State University’s Nursing Education & Nursing Leadership programs:

• Minimum of one year of nursing practice
• GPA of at least 3.0 in an accredited graduate nursing program
• Completion of a graduate-level statistics course
• Current, unencumbered RN license in Washington
• A written statement of purpose

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Classes and Courses

Your required classes may depend on your interests, prior education, and choice of specialty. Most programs require a combination of general and specialized classes.

For example, the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program at the University of Washington School of Nursing requires:

• Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Life Span
• Wellness, Health Promotion, and Disease Prevention
• Comprehensive Health Assessment
• Diagnostic Health Assessment
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Diagnostic Management and Decision Making
• Management of the Adult I
• Women's Health
• Clinical Practicum
• Management of the Adult II
• Pharmacotherapeutics for Older Adults
• Common Adolescent Health Problems
• Clinical Practicum II
• Management of the Adult III
• Clinical Practicum III
• Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum

Program Length

In Washington state, post-graduate nursing certificate programs tend to range from 12-36 credits. Many nurses choose to work through their post-graduate program on a part-time basis, allowing them to continue to work full-time in the nursing field. Programs can take as little as one year or as long as six years to complete.

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Several factors affect the total cost of attendance, including books, other supplies, program fees, travel to and from campus, etc. In Washington, students can expect to pay $800-$1,200 per credit on average. Take a look at Pacific Lutheran University‘s postgraduate certificate program fee schedule for an idea of tuition cost.

Online Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs in Washington

Online post-graduate education for nurses is common in Washington, and for good reason. As a nurse, it can be hard to find the time to make it to class. Working long shifts with odd hours makes it easier to complete your education online. Nursing schools in Washington understand this, and many offer fully online or hybrid programs to allow you to get your education on your own time.

Featured Online School

Washington State University offers post-graduate nursing certificates online in the areas of public health, nursing education, and nursing leadership. These programs are a great way for busy nurses to further their education without neglecting their first love – providing direct patient care.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Career Pathways in Washington

Earning your post-graduate nursing certificate can open several career pathways for you. Whether you choose to focus on nurse leadership, nurse education, advanced patient care, or another specialty, your education will qualify you for new career paths.

Nurses who earn their post-graduate nursing certificate may be able to qualify for new titles in the workplace such as:

• Nurse leader
• Nurse educator
• Pediatric nurse practitioner
• Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Salary and Job Outlook

There is currently a nursing shortage in the United States, and the need for well-educated, experienced nurses is high. Nationally, advanced practice registered nurses with their post-grad nursing certificate earn around $113,000 per year, according to the BLS. In Washington, advanced practice registered nurses can expect to earn between $100,000 and $140,000 per year.

List of Washington Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Furthering your education is the right choice for your patients and your career. Let’s take a look at some of the best post-grad certificate programs available in Washington.

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