Dear Prospective PG-NEC Student
As the founding Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at California
State University, Bakersfield, one of my goals is not only to prepare exceptional
advanced practice nurses, but also to help address one of the greatest challenges
facing our profession: the shortage of nurse educators.
Across California and the nation, nursing schools are turning away qualified applicants because there are not enough faculty to educate them. Many experienced nurses are passionate about teaching and mentoring future nurses, yet they have never received formal preparation in curriculum design, instructional strategies, or student evaluation. The Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate (PG-NEC) program was created to bridge that gap.
Designed for nurses who already hold a graduate degree, the PG-NEC program provides the educational foundation needed to become an effective educator in academic and clinical settings. Through coursework in curriculum development, learning theory, teaching and learning strategies, and evaluation, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to create meaningful learning experiences and support student success.
Whether you aspire to teach in a university, community college, healthcare organization, or clinical setting, this certificate will prepare you for a rewarding career in nursing education. The curriculum also prepares graduates to pursue the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential.
If you are passionate about sharing your knowledge, mentoring future nurses, and leaving a lasting legacy through education, I invite you to join us. Together, we can prepare the next generation of nurses and strengthen the future of healthcare in our communities.
Sincerely,
Heidi He, DNP, FNP-C, CHSE, CNE, PHN
Graduate Program Director
Across California and the nation, nursing schools are turning away qualified applicants because there are not enough faculty to educate them. Many experienced nurses are passionate about teaching and mentoring future nurses, yet they have never received formal preparation in curriculum design, instructional strategies, or student evaluation. The Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate (PG-NEC) program was created to bridge that gap.
Designed for nurses who already hold a graduate degree, the PG-NEC program provides the educational foundation needed to become an effective educator in academic and clinical settings. Through coursework in curriculum development, learning theory, teaching and learning strategies, and evaluation, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to create meaningful learning experiences and support student success.
Whether you aspire to teach in a university, community college, healthcare organization, or clinical setting, this certificate will prepare you for a rewarding career in nursing education. The curriculum also prepares graduates to pursue the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential.
If you are passionate about sharing your knowledge, mentoring future nurses, and leaving a lasting legacy through education, I invite you to join us. Together, we can prepare the next generation of nurses and strengthen the future of healthcare in our communities.
Sincerely,
Heidi He, DNP, FNP-C, CHSE, CNE, PHN
Graduate Program Director
Program Information
The Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate Program (PG-NEC) prepares nurses with graduate degrees to provide outstanding, evidence-based nursing education. Courses in curriculum development, learning theory, teaching & learning strategies and evaluation will prepare students for the NLN Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination.
Courses will be held as follows:
- Hybrid program with weekly in-person, synchronous and/or asynchronous courses