Certificate: Applicants must complete a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Nursing or other disciplines from a National League for Nursing (NLN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or regionally accredited program (i.e., WASC).
Earn a post-graduate (post-master or post-doctoral) Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certificate in as little as 6 semesters through PLNU’s fully online asynchronous program. You have the autonomy to complete coursework on a timeline that works best for your lifestyle.
You are ambitious, seeking opportunities to progress in your career and practice as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with additional specialty certification. Pursuing an CNS certificate allows you to do just this and make a difference in your community and with populations with the greatest need. PLNU values your calling, meeting it with leadership and practical skills you’ll need to grow into prominent roles within complex health systems.
The following specialty tracks are offered:
- Post-Graduate Certificate: Adult-Gerontology CNS
- Post-Graduate Certificate: Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty
- Post-Graduate Certificate: Pediatric CNS
A Strong Impact
At PLNU, we believe nursing is sacred work. That’s why we provide you with the best knowledge and practices to be prepared to advance the standard of care for patients in all walks of life. When you earn your post-graduate certificate from PLNU, you will focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of nursing, preparing you to make a big impact on patients’ holistic care.
We challenge you to make nursing care the best it can be for patients because this is work that deeply matters. If you have a master's or doctoral degree, earning your specialty certification can prepare you to do even more in the field you love.
Close-Knit Collaboration
Move through the program together with a small, diverse cohort of peers for continued encouragement and supportive friendships. Small classes allow for in-depth discussion and quality interactions with professors. You will also learn to care for yourself to better serve your patients.
A Healthy Future
The hands-on, evidence-based instruction, clinical hours, mentoring, and networking opportunities through an extensive alumni group, as well as PLNU’s strong nursing reputation, set the stage for your continued career success after graduation.
State Authorization
State authorization is a formal determination by a state that Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is approved to conduct activities regulated by that state. In certain states outside California, PLNU is not authorized to enroll students in online (distance education) courses and/or offer internships within that state. Student location is based on where a student is physically located while taking courses. Students taking face-to-face courses are located in California, regardless of their home state at the time of application.
If a student moves to another state after admission to a program and/or enrollment in an online course, continuation within the program and/or course will depend on whether PLNU is authorized to offer distance education courses in that state. If a student wishes to conduct an internship outside California, they must select a state where it is permitted. It is the student's responsibility to notify PLNU of any change in their physical location, other than incidental travel. Refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online (distance education) and/or internships outside California.
Professional Licensure or Certification
This program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and meets the requirements for licensure or certification in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. For information about PLNU programs and out-of-state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification, please refer to our disclosures page. Information about out-of-state requirements in Nursing are available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Point Loma Nazarene University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
You will also be eligible to take the CNS certification examination by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care (AACN) upon completion of the program.
