Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program

Program Description

The Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s statutory certificate program is designed to allow master’s prepared registered nurses to add professional competencies which prepare them for additional areas of gainful employment. Family Nurse Practitioners deliver care through the life cycle utilizing obstetric, pediatric, gynecologic, as well as adult and geriatric primary care diagnostic and management skills.

The scope of practice of the family nurse practitioner (FNP) is based on a team approach. An interdependent member of the health care team, the FNP provides primary care through the following means:

Documentation of individual and family health history
Physical assessment
Diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational care plans
Collaboration with physicians and other health care professionals
Referral to appropriate health care providers Coordination of health care

Graduates are eligible for certification as a nurse practitioner in all states in which certification is required. Graduates are also eligible to take the certification examination offered by the American Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Admission

Please contact the Office of Admissions for details regarding admission and financial aid packages. Faculty review applications on a rolling basis so that students may apply to begin this program in the summer or fall semester. Please note, applications for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program can only be submitted online.

Admission criteria include:

Master's degree in nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program with official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
Minimum of one year clinical experience
Personal interview with the program director
Current New York State nursing license or eligibility
Three references attesting to applicant's academic ability and potential
Personal goal statement that is congruent with program goals (two pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font)
Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Students must secure a site and preceptor for primary care student practice that is acceptable to the program director.

Curriculum

The minimum credits for the post master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program is 27 credits and represents the basic post-master’s statutory certificate in this major.

Individual students may need additional course work, depending on previous study and experience. Students may receive advanced standing or exemption, based on standard School policy.

A sample curriculum is provided below to make you aware of the academic requirements of the program. Please be advised that this is a sample curriculum plan, and individual plans of study are reviewed and approved upon acceptance to the program. Progression in the program is contingent upon meeting academic policies. The School of Nursing reserves the right to change the course offering schedule as stated in the student bulletin.

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
N6930	Interpersonal Violence and Abuse: Prevention, Assessment and Intervention for Health Care Professionals	1
N6940	Management and Advanced Practice Nursing	1
N8545	Diagnosis and Management of Illness in Families I	4
N8546	Diagnosis and Management of Illness in Families II	3
N8557	Family Primary Care I	2
N8558	Family Primary Care II	2
N8559	Family Primary Care III	2
N8560 (Family)	Family Theory in Context	3
N8566	Family Primary Care: Practicum IIIA	2
N8567	Family Primary Care: Practicum IIIB	2
N8568	Practicum in Advanced Clinical Assessment for Family Nurse Practitioners	2
N8693	Family Primary Care: Practicum IIA	2
N8786	Advanced Clinical Assessment Across the Lifespan	3
Total Credits		29

The above information is current as of 07/02/2009 and is subject to change.

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