花季传媒 to launch emergency nurse practitioner certificate in fall 2026

, creating a critical need for skilled advanced practice providers. To help address this challenge, 花季传媒's College of Health Sciences and Professions will launch a post-graduate Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) certificate program beginning in fall 2026. Designed for certified family nurse practitioners, the program provides advanced training to expand their scope of practice into emergency and urgent care settings. 

The certificate program, a part of the School of Nursing, is structured as a three-semester, part-time curriculum delivered in a hybrid format. It combines online coursework with two short on-campus intensives at 花季传媒鈥檚 Dublin campus, along with 500 hours of supervised clinical experience. This design enables students to continue working while gaining the rigorous academic and hands-on training necessary to practice confidently in emergency environments. 

鈥溁敬解�檚 new Emergency Nurse Practitioner certificate equips experienced nurse practitioners to work in teams to bridge critical gaps in rural and urban emergency care,鈥� said executive director and associate professor Char Miller, 鈥淭his promotes accelerated healthcare access, improving healthcare equity across Ohio and beyond.鈥� 

Emergency nurse practitioner certificate program: Hybrid curriculum with hands-on clinical training for advanced practice 

The ENP program spans three fifteen-week semesters, with students enrolling in 6鈥�8 credits per term. Most coursework is delivered asynchronously, allowing students to access materials on their own schedule, though some courses include optional synchronous sessions to promote engagement and discussion. Modules are completed on a two-week schedule to maintain consistent progress and ensure timely mastery of course content. 

Students should anticipate dedicating 25 to 30 hours per week to coursework, with time requirements rising to more than 40 hours per week during clinical courses. The two on-campus intensives provide targeted hands-on instruction, including high-fidelity simulations that mirror real-world emergency situations. 

鈥淲e offer extensive hands-on training on campus in Dublin twice during the program, using high-fidelity simulations to build practical skills,鈥� said Mary Lou Garey, assistant clinical professor. 鈥淭his program is designed so that someone working full-time can complete the certificate and come out fully prepared for emergency practice.鈥� 

Supervised clinical training and experienced faculty for advanced emergency practice  

The ENP program includes a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice with an approved preceptor in a hospital or emergency care facility. 

Garey noted, 鈥淭here鈥檚 a steep learning curve when entering emergency care. This program builds on a family nurse practitioner鈥檚 existing skills so they can function effectively in the emergency department. We cover all the critical situations they are likely to encounter, going beyond standard FNP training.鈥� 

Courses are exclusively taught by practicing master鈥檚 and doctoral-level faculty members. The absence of teaching assistants ensures direct faculty-student interaction, providing mentorship and real-world insights.  

鈥淎nything that can be rolled into an emergency room, we鈥檙e going to teach you how to take care of that patient because it goes beyond what鈥檚 included in standard FNP training,鈥� said Garey. 

Efficient pathway to ENP certification and workforce impact 

Few universities currently offer post-graduate certificates in emergency nurse practice. 

鈥淭here are very few programs like this available at colleges or clinical facilities today,鈥� said Garey. 

Traditionally, nurse practitioners gain the experience required for ENP certification through thousands of hours of on-the-job training. 

Garey added, 鈥淚nstead of spending 2,000 hours working in the field to gain this experience, our program provides a structured, efficient pathway to prepare for certification.鈥� 

The program has already generated interest from across the nursing field. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e had inquiries from multiple institutions, and the response has been very positive. There simply aren鈥檛 that many programs available, so this fills an important gap,鈥� Garey noted. 

By preparing nurse practitioners for emergency practice, 花季传媒 is helping hospitals and urgent care centers expand access to timely, high-quality care, particularly in regions experiencing provider shortages. 

Preparing the next generation of emergency nurse practitioners 

花季传媒鈥檚 ENP program reflects a strategic commitment to expanding opportunities for advanced practice nurses and addressing growing workforce demands in emergency care.  

鈥淭his program equips family nurse practitioners with the skills and knowledge needed to practice confidently in the emergency department,鈥� said Garey. 

With its combination of flexible delivery, rigorous academics, hands-on training, and expert faculty, the ENP certificate positions graduates to become leaders in emergency nursing and improve access to critical healthcare services nationwide.