FNP-CER - Nursing, Post-Graduate Certificate, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The scope of practice of the Family Nurse Practitioner is based on a team approach. An interdependent member of the health 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 to take the certifying examination offered by the American Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Graduates find positions in a variety of settings such as outpatient clinics, community health centers, private practice offices, health departments, homeless shelters, chronic care facilities, schools, day care programs, hospices, homes, and acute care settings.

Since opening the MSN, a number of master's prepared nurses have indicated an interest in completing the Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration courses in order to sit for the national certification exam to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In order to be eligible to take the certification exam, students must "successfully complete graduate didactic and clinical requirements of a master's nurse practitioner program through a formal graduate-level certificate or master's level NP program in the desired area of practice." Establishment of the FNP Certificate program offers a formal program of study to meet this need for students without requiring them to complete a second master's degree.

Constant change in the health system challenges the notion that one nurse can be all things to all people. Nurses with varied education and practice competencies bring different skills to patient care, and they must be able to practice to the fullest potential of these capabilities. To compete as attractive professional destinations, practice environments must recognize and reward these differences by defining nurses' roles, and by utilizing and compensating nurses according to their different educational preparation and competencies. Nurses prepared at the master's level in a variety of advanced practice roles are needed to meet patient needs in a changing health care environment.

Certificate is 23 credit hours, a total of 540 clock hours.