Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner

The Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate focuses on preparing nurses who already have Master’s Degrees to address the healthcare needs of rural and underserved communities. Employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow 31 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than average for all occupations. Rural areas, particularly in the counties surrounding SMWC —Parke, Clay, Greene, and Sullivan — are currently lacking in full-time nurse practitioners.

Earn the certificate in less than two years and pursue a career which will help address this need. Upon program completion, students will be eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). This program gives nurses the flexibility to work toward advancing their career while meeting family and professional responsibilities.

Highlights

• Students have the flexibility to attend face-to-face online synchronously or online asynchronously for most classes.
• Each term students take one or two classes with most eight-week terms only requiring one course. A week’s break between courses is built into fall and spring semester. Students get a generous break over Christmas, as well as before and after the eight-week summer session.
•  The program requires the completion of 24 credit hours
• Small classes allow students to interact with fellow nurses and receive mentoring from expert faculty
• The program features a minimum of 750 patient hours with hands-on learning focused on all populations across the lifespan in the outpatient primary care setting.

How will Post-Master’s FNP benefit me?

Rooted in the strong foundation of liberal arts, science, and Catholic education, all graduates of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods nursing programs are expected to demonstrate the following outcomes:

• Utilize effective communication and collaboration skills through oral, written and technology media with patients, nursing colleagues and interprofessional team members.
• Promote holistic health, including spiritual well-being, through the support of wellness and health related activities for self and patients.
• Guard patient safety through critical thinking, information technology, data analysis and risk management strategies.
• Provide effective, culturally sensitive and compassionate nursing care through the use of the nursing process that is supported by current, evidence-based research as indicated by educational preparation and scope of practice.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and management abilities through the competent coordination of patient care across the health care continuum.
• Advocate for social justice through the promotion of access, resources, quality health care and prudent health policies.
• Exhibit professionalism through upholding the values, ethics, and standards of nursing.

Admissions Requirements

• Completed application
• Official transcript(s) of all collegiate work (graduate and undergraduate courses) from accredited institutions
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Earned master’s degree with a major in nursing from a nationally accredited program of nursing
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 / 4.0 or higher on any undergraduate work
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 / 4.0 or higher on any graduate work
• Successful completion of a graduate-level pharmacology course (3 credit hours) within the past five years with a minimum grade of B.
• Successful completion a graduate-level pathophysiology course (3 credit hours) within the past five years with a minimum grade of B.
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of your professional or academic experience.
• Must have current unencumbered license as a registered nurse
• A current résumé
• Personal career statement (limit 500 words)
• Must pass a background check or provide a current background check

The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program requires 24 credit hours of coursework and 750 clinical hours and is designed according to the educational guidelines of the American Association of Colleges in Nursing and The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. The curriculum offers a focus in social justice.

Post-Master’s Certificate for FNP Curriculum

(24 credit hours)

Required Courses

NU 525	Advanced Physical Assessment	3
NU 528	Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostics	2
NU 530	FNP Assessment Clinical	1
NU 535	Mental Health Considerations for Outpatient Primary Care	2
NU 544	Nurse Practitioner Review	1
NU 540	Clinical Management I	4
NU 546	Transition to Advanced Practice	2
NU 547	Healthcare Informatics	1
NU 550	Clinical Management II	4
NU 560	Culminating Clinical Experience	4

*Please note: NU 513 and NU 519 are pre-requisites (or current equivalency demonstrated on graduate transcript)

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