The Family Nurse Practitioner certificate program prepares registered nurses (RNs) to provide independent general care for family groups and individuals in the context of family living. Includes instruction in family theory and intervention, role synthesis, family primary care, nursing practice and health care policy, holistic practice, pediatric practice, gerontological practice, health assessment, clinical pharmacotherapeutics, clinical techniques, and pathopsychology.

Post-MSN or post-doctorate nursing graduates can complete a certificate for Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) with a specialization focus as a Family Nurse Practitioner.  This prepares the certificate holder to be eligible to sit for a national certification exam that will enable them to assume additional responsibilities in providing healthcare for families across the lifespan.

Students who completed their MSN or doctorate degree in nursing program and successfully completed the following graduate-level courses will not be required to repeat them to complete the certificate program*.  Those courses are physiology and pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology. A gap analysis will be performed by the School of Nursing using the official transcripts and MSN syllabi of the applicant to determine if these courses transfer and can be given credit for these courses toward their certificate for Family Nurse Practitioner.

Admission Requirements:

• Master’s degree in nursing or a doctorate in nursing practice from an accredited nursing program
• Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA on a 4.000 scale
• Official transcript(s)*
• Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which practicum hours will be completed
• Résumé or vita
• Goal statement (no more than 250 words) describing reasons for seeking the certificate in the identified specialty and professional goals
• Transcript(s) of all previous graduate coursework
• Syllabi of all courses to considered for transfer in the gap analysis
• Two letters of reference from healthcare professionals or faculty members

*Please note: Transcript(s) must indicate completion of graduate-level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced health assessment, with a minimum B grade earned in each course. Applicants who do not meet the grade requirement for advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced health assessment may be considered for conditional admission. For applicants who have not practiced as an advanced practice registered nurse within the two-year period preceding application to the certificate, completion of graduate-level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced health assessment must not be greater than five years old at the time of the student’s first semester of course registration in the certificate.