Registered Nurses in Primary Care Certificate
November 1, 2025
January 12, 2026
An online nursing certificate for RNs ready to make a greater impact
Ohio State’s online Registered Nurses in Primary Care certificate is designed for nurses to enhance their RN role in primary care nursing settings. Advance your expertise in episodic and preventative care, triage, documentation of health status, chronic disease management — including mental health and substance use disorders — hospital transition management, health coaching, quality improvement, leadership, and more. This online nursing certificate helps you practice to the full scope of your RN license.
This online primary health care certificate program will prepare nurses to practice to the full scope of their RN license in community-based primary care interprofessional teams. Applicants for the RNPCC certificate must have an active RN license.
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"The primary care certificate program helped me to realize that although I had stepped away from the bedside, I could still have a meaningful impact on the lives of our patients. I have been in primary care now for 10 years and am now the Nurse Manger for my department."
Angel Edwards-Hedberg Primary Care Certificate Holder -
“In primary care, you get the satisfaction of making a long-term change in a patient's life. You get to see the end results and the progress in their health."
Kieonna Stewart Primary Care Certificate Holder -
"I was just starting in primary care and this [certificate] showed me all that can be done within primary care and expectations of the nursing role. One of the classes, Health Coaching, was very helpful and demonstrated an approach that is used often within primary care."
Melissa Driscoll, RN Primary Care Certificate Holder
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you must have an active and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license to apply for our online certificate program. This ensures that all participants have the necessary foundational knowledge and credentials to succeed in our advanced coursework.
Yes, this program is 100% online, offering flexibility for working professionals like you to study from wherever you are.
Yes, this online program is fully asynchronous, meaning you can log in to view instructional materials and complete your work whenever it is best for your schedule.
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Academic Calendar
For the convenience of online students, multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for Ohio State’s primary care certificate.
Academic Calendar
For the convenience of online students, multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for Ohio State’s primary care certificate.
Admission Criteria
To apply for our online Registered Nurses in Primary Care Certificate, students must meet all of the following requirements:
You must have an active, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse, or receive it prior to enrolling in certificate coursework.
Completion of Your Registered Nurse education program must be completed (i.e. associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing) prior to starting the certificate. Students may apply to the certificate before completing their registered nursing program, but must complete it prior to beginning enrollment in certificate coursework.
Cumulative GPAs include all coursework attempted at the undergraduate level and are calculated by Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions Office.
At this time, Ohio State’s online RN to BSN program is authorized in every state. Please scroll to the State Authorization section of this page for more details.
How to Apply
Students must complete the following steps outlined below by the application deadline. You can review the status of your application anytime at appstatus.osu.edu. Failure to complete all required steps of this application process by 11:59 pm ET on the day of the posted deadline will result in your application not being considered for admission, with no exceptions.
You can complete an application online on Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions website. A non-refundable $60 application fee is required at the time of submission.
Applicants are required to submit the Board Action from the state board of nursing licensure verification website from the state where the student is licensed. The form must indicate whether the license is unencumbered. Submit this summary document as a PDF file at the time of application or after by way of the Admissions Uploader. We will not accept documentation that does not provide the following information:
- Student’s Full Name
- License Number
- Expiration Date
- State of Authorization
- Board Action Status
As an applicant, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have previously attended at either the undergraduate or graduate level. This includes transcripts for any post-secondary courses taken during high school or coursework that appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Transcripts from The Ohio State University do not need to be submitted. Transcripts should be submitted directly by the sending institution by mail or electronic transfer to be considered official. Please request your transcripts be sent early so they arrive before the deadline. Transcripts can be sent to gpadocs@osu.edu or the following address:
The Ohio State University
Graduate Admissions Office
P.O. Box 182004
Columbus, OH 43218-2004
Unofficial transcripts: Applicants may upload a copy of an official transcript at the time of application through the Admissions Uploader. Documents submitted in this manner are considered unofficial but will suffice for the application. Web-based documents, online grade reports, and related materials are not acceptable. If an applicant is admitted, they will be required to supply official transcripts.
For more details regarding these methods of submitting transcripts, please visit The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Admissions office’s website.
Details regarding what English Proficiency tests are acceptable, the scores required, and how to submit scores may be found on The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Admissions office’s website.
Admission Timeline
All required materials listed above must be received by the posted application deadline to be considered for admission. Please allow up to five business days for the status of materials to be updated on your application status webpage. Any item still marked as incomplete by the deadline will result in your application being removed from consideration.
Applications for certificate programs are not reviewed until after the application deadline.
You are not able to defer admittance. If you are unable to begin your studies in the term to which you applied, you will be required to reapply in the future.
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
What can you do with this online nursing certificate program?
Upon completion of the online primary care certificate program, students will be prepared to lead in primary care settings and work with patients across the age span and in a broad range of healthcare services including:
- Wellness and health promotion
- Promotion and maintenance of health for optimal level of functioning
- Prevention of illness and disability
- Basic care during acute and chronic phases of illness
- Guidance individuals and families through a variety of health conditions
- Connecting individuals and families to health care providers and community resources when appropriate
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Work Activities
Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise. Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $37,930
- Mid Level: $51,030
- Senior Level: $78,560
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
13.1%
Related Careers
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Health Education Specialists
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Medicine and Dentistry
What They Do
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Work Activities
Record patients' medical information and vital signs. Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects. Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $66,030
- Mid Level: $93,600
- Senior Level: $135,320
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Acute Care Nurses
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Critical Care Nurses
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Nurse Practitioners
Job Sectors
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Administrative
What They Do
Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Work Activities
Perform emergency medical procedures, such as basic cardiac life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and other condition-stabilizing interventions. Manage patients' pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, monitoring patients' responses, and changing care plans accordingly. Document data related to patients' care, including assessment results, interventions, medications, patient responses, or treatment changes.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $66,030
- Mid Level: $93,600
- Senior Level: $135,320
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Critical Care Nurses
- Paramedics
- Registered Nurses
Job Sectors
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Psychology
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Primary care certificate curriculum
The online primary care courses within this certificate prepare nurses for team leadership and strategic communication in primary care settings.
Required courses:
This required course will introduce RN primary care delivery and design for population health initiatives.
Elective courses (8 credits required):
Development of health assessment across the lifespan.
Foundation for palliative care through exploration of individual, family, and loved ones’ needs at the end of life.
The course will address the opiate use disorder in primary care.
This course will address the care coordination and transitions in care when caring for patients. Emphasis will be placed on the needs of patients with chronic diseases to include mental health and substance use conditions with a focus on population outcomes.
Application of RN primary care delivery and design for population health initiatives.
Introduction to evidence-based coaching approaches for lifestyle behavior change as integrated within interprofessional practice.
Introduction to the concepts and techniques for the provision of culturally competent care within the U.S. and across global contexts.
Examination of principles, competencies, and practices that support interprofessional collaboration, a culture of safety, and improve patient outcomes.
Examination of principles, competencies, practices, and skills that support implementation and sustainability of evidence-based practice in order to improve quality, safety and improve outcomes for patients, populations, providers, organizations, and communities across the globe.
Program Faculty
Students will gain invaluable knowledge from our distinguished faculty in this 12-credit-hour nursing certificate program.
Wendy Bowles, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, CNE
Assistant Clinical Professor, Assistant Dean for Baccalaureate Programs
Dr. Wendy Bowles has been a nurse since 1994 and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner since 1998. In addition to a fulfilling career as a nurse, she began her journey in nursing education in 2005 and realized the importance of educating future nurses for current practice environments. She is committed to advancing the science of evidence-based pedagogies of teaching and learning in nursing education.
Carol Nikolai, DNP, APRN-CNP
Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice
Portia Zaire, MSNEd, BSN, RN-CCCTM
Nurse Case Manager
Christa Newtz, MS, RN
Clinical Instructor of Practice
Testimonials
See what students and graduates are saying about this online primary care certificate.
"The online RN-BSN program fits the needs of a full-time nurse, and the understanding faculty worked with me to make sure that I got the support I needed."
Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program, which are estimates based on a 6-credit hour semester as a part-time student. Please note that summer semester instructional and general fees are 75% of the cost of autumn and spring fees, and this will decrease your total cost for the program.
| Tuition Fees | Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) |
|---|---|
| Instructional Fee (Autumn & Spring) | $522.71 |
| Instructional Fee (Summer) | $392.03 |
| General Fee (Autumn & Spring) | $23.79 |
| General Fee (Summer) | $17.84 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) |
| International Surcharge (if applicable) | $129.29 |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester.
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Financial Aid Resource
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