Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
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Program Overview
Degree:
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Application:
$0 application fee. No essays/exams.
The Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate will prepare advanced practice nurses to manage the care of individuals and families across the lifespan. This program is designed for nurses who hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), who wish to advance their knowledge, education, and skills to practice in an advanced practice role as a FNP. Graduates are eligible to sit for the FNP national certification examinations offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The program emphasis is to foster the FNP’s abilities to critically think; make differential diagnoses; use evidence-based findings to improve healthcare outcomes; and be accountable for the provision of healthcare to diverse individuals and families in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention, management of acute and chronic health conditions and primary care. The FNP provides clinical management of primary care conditions in a variety of clinics and community-based settings.
This certificate program is a non-degree, graduate-level program. Upon completion of the program, participant receives a Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate.
Degree Requirements
The Post-Graduate FNP Certificate Program of Study includes 53 quarter units. Refer to the General Catalog section on graduate admission requirements for specific information regarding admission and evaluation.
National University awards credit in quarter units, with each academic year divided into four 12-week quarters.
Each quarter is made up of three 4-week classes, with one class per month. Under the current policy, 4.5 units of credit are awarded for courses.
Students must obtain at least 600 hours at an approved practicum site with a designated approved preceptor during the practicum courses. Student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must maintain a B (84%) in all core and specialty courses.
NOTE: Additional course fees apply. Course fees can be referenced in the general information section of this catalog.
Preparation for the Certification
5 Courses
Advanced Practice Nursing
4.5 Quarter Units
This course explores the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse within a changing health care environment, focusing on role theory and role development related to advanced practice. Leadership skills are developed for independent practice and collaboration within multidisciplinary professional and organizational frameworks.
Diversity Issues in APN
4.5 Quarter Units
Provides a knowledge base for applying, analyzing and evaluating the culturally competent provision of patient-centered care. Diversity in the global healthcare delivery systems is addressed. Allows the graduate nursing students to explore various models and theories which guide the development of culturally competent nursing practice.
Advanced Pharmacology I
4.5 Quarter Units
First of two courses designed to meet the needs of the nurse practitioner student for advanced knowledge about pharmacological agents useful in the management of a variety of common clinical situations. It includes pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. Ethical/legal issues will be reviewed and standardized procedures will be covered. Not designed to supersede or replace dosage and treatment protocols established within the nurse practitioner’s setting for clinical practice.
Advanced Physical Assessmentic Models & Data Systems
6.0 Quarter Units
Presents information expanding the student’s knowledge base related to current health patterns across the lifespan. Faculty will facilitate the students’ acquisition of advanced skills in collecting subjective data and performing an adult physical and mental status examination. Students interpret data acquired through assessment and results of diagnostic studies.
Advanced Pathophysiology
4.5 Quarter Units
Provides pathophysiological principles and concepts essential for performing advanced clinical assessments, differential diagnoses, and therapeutic decision-making. Describes disordered physiology and clinical consequences of common disease processes. Analyses of the biophysical rationale are used during seminar, problem-solving exercises and case studies to recognize the pathophysiologic bases of clinical findings.
Requirements for the Certification
7 Courses
Advanced Pharmacology II
4.5 Quarter Units
Second course of a two course series. Within each class of therapeutic drugs, the course examines clinical application, drug actions, interactions, reactions, and contraindications. The course will also include principles of prescribing and patient compliance.
Primary Care of Adult and AgedÂ
4.5 Quarter Units
Corequisite: FNP 683C
The course is designed to utilize within-subject design research strategies when conducting an applied behavior analytical experiment.
Care of Adult & Aged Practicum
6.0 Quarter Units
Corequisite: FNP 683A
Application of theoretical knowledge in supervised clinical settings in the practice of caring for the adult and aged. The role of the family nurse practitioner in health promotion and disease prevention is emphasized. Required 180 preceptored/field experience clinical hours. FNP 683A and FNP 683C must be taken concurrently. Grading is S/U only.
Primary Care-Women & Children
4.5 Quarter Units
Corequisite: FNP 684C
Focus on methods of health promotion/disease prevention, and assessment and management of common health problems in infants, toddlers, school age children, adolescents, and women from menarche through to the climacteric. FNP 684A and FNP 684C must be taken concurrently and both completed satisfactorily to progress.
Women and Children Practicum
6.0 Quarter Units
Corequisite: FNP 684A
Application of theoretical knowledge in supervised clinical settings in the practice of caring for women and children. The role of the Family Nurse Practitioner in health promotion and disease prevention is emphasized. Required 180 preceptored/field experience clinical hours. FNP 684A and FNP 684C must be taken concurrently. Grading is S/U only.
FNP Residency
4.5 Quarter Units
Corequisite: FNP 685C
Prepare students to perform the advanced practice roles of manager, clinician, educator, researcher and consultant in the provision of primary care services across the lifespan to under-served populations. FNP 685A and FNP 685C must be taken concurrently and both completed satisfactorily to progress.
FNP Residency Practicum
8.0 Quarter Units
Corequisite: FNP 685A
Concentrated residency experience in which the student will critically and accurately assess, plan intervene and evaluate nursing experiences related to the care of individuals, aggregates, and nursing systems. Required 240 preceptored/field experience clinical hours. FNP 685A and FNP 685C must be taken concurrently. Grading is S/U only.
Career Outlook
Data Source: The career outcomes data presented is sourced from Lightcast, which provides insights based on real-time job postings, public datasets, and analytics. Lightcast derives its data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES). While accurate and reliable, this data reflects general labor market trends and may not represent individual outcomes or specific local conditions. For more details on Lightcast’s methodology, visit their Data Overview.
The Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate will prepare you for careers such as:
- Top Jobs in this field
- Median Salary (USA)
- JOB Openings (USA)
- Registered Nurses
- $85,887 avg. salary (USA)
- 250,561 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Nursing
- Nursing Care
- Medication Administration
- Nursing Process
- Home Health Care
- Nursing Practices
- Care Coordination
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- HCA Healthcare
- Fresenius
- Hartford HealthCare
- Ascension
- Aveanna Healthcare
- Kaiser Permanente
- Nurse Practitioners
- $125,322 avg. salary (USA)
- 31,425 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Nursing
- Primary Care
- Medical Records
- Patient Education And Counseling
- Treatment Planning
- Electronic Medical Record
- Geriatrics
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- UnitedHealth Group
- Optum
- Matrix Medical Network
- Geisinger Health System
- Hartford HealthCare
- BrightSpring Health Services
Program Learning Outcomes
Learn the key skills to help you excel in your field of study.
- Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge derived from the physical and behavioral sciences and humanities as a basis for professional advanced clinical nursing practice.
- Devise evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention strategies at the patient, family, organizational, community, and population levels for the purpose of improving healthcare outcomes.
- Utilize current technologies to deliver, enhance, and document care across multiple settings to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Advocate for culturally sensitive healthcare systems and policies that meet ethical and legal standards as a means to improve outcomes and reduce disparity.
- Model collaboration with interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary teams in healthcare systems delivering care to complex, multi-need patients, families, and communities.
- Analyze the impact of national and global health policy on the cost, quality, and access to care in diverse patient populations.
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Scholarships and Financial Aid
National University is dedicated to making higher education affordable, as well as accessible. Through NU scholarship offerings, eligible students are able to reduce the financial burden of college, start classes sooner, and finish their programs faster while focusing on achieving their goals.
Accreditations
The Post Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate program at National University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The Post Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate program at National University is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
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Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
Francisco R.,
Class of 2016
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Additional Resources
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.
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