The W launches online nurse educator certificate program
Mississippi University for Women has announced a Post Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate (PG-NEC) program, creating pathways for nurses looking to transition into teaching roles.
“This new certificate offering speaks to the W’s commitment to the future of Mississippi healthcare, a future that depends on the quality of nursing education,” said Dr. Brandy Larmon, dean of the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “Nurse educators are a bridge between knowledge and practice, and they shape the next generation of caregivers. Investing in that relationship is a priority for our college.”
The postgraduate certificate is specifically designed for nurses with master’s or doctoral degrees who want to pursue a focused course of study that emphasizes the responsibilities and tasks of nurse educators. Upon completion of the PG-NEC, graduates will be well-prepared to assume roles in academia, community health and clinical healthcare agencies.
Graduates of the PG-NEC program will be eligible to sit for the NLN Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Certified Novice Nurse Educator (CNNE) exams, enhancing their credentials and career opportunities.
Aligning with the National League for Nursing (NLN) Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Educators, the program consists of four core courses totaling 12 graduate credit hours, including a one-hour practicum requiring 45 contact hours.
To support busy nursing professionals, the curriculum is offered through distance learning, allowing students to complete practicum hours in their local area, pending preceptor availability and final approval from course instructors.
Larmon said, “Nurse educators play a vital role in strengthening Mississippi’s healthcare system. Expanding the state’s nursing workforce depends on training more educators to fill critical vacancies in nursing schools.”
To be eligible for admission, applicants must hold a master of science or doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited academic institution, have a minimum of one year of experience as a registered nurse and submit a completed Graduate Application form while meeting the criteria for admission to Graduate Studies.
For more information on admissions, application deadlines and program details, please visit www.muw.edu/nursing/graduate/pg-nec/