Post-Master's Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner
The Post Master’s Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner is designed for any registered nurse who holds at least one earned higher degree in nursing (i.e. MSN, DNP, PhD) who desires to expand their knowledge and provide evidence-informed clinical practice to culturally diverse populations using the latest technology. The FNP courses are grounded in a Caring Science model to teach theoretical and evidenced-based practice of nursing. Students will learn how to implement best practices for promoting and managing the health of individuals, families and communities. The FNP courses provide the opportunity to be mentored as FNPs with distinctive populations in a variety of settings and communities.
Graduates that earn a Post Master’s Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner are eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing for a Nurse Practitioner. As of 2020, the California Board of nursing accepts three methods for application for NP licensure. Please review the details of those methods at https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/npnpf.shtml. All nurse practitioners must have a furnishing number to prescribe in California. Applications for furnishing numbers may be submitted at the time of nursing application. Per the California Code of Regulations, eligibility for Nurse Practitioner certification requires the possession of an active California registered nurse (RN) license.
- Method One: California-Based Nurse Practitioner Education Program
- Method Two: Non-California Based Nurse Practitioner Education Program.
- Method Three: Equivalency
USU is a California-Based Nurse Practitioner Program, and most learners are anticipated to apply for Method One:
- Method One: California-Based Nurse Practitioner Education Programwww.rn.ca.gov/education/apprograms.shtml#np Documentation submitted directly to the Board of Registered Nursing:
- Completed Application for Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification and applicable fee.
- Completed Verification of Nurse Practitioner Academic Program form submitted by the nurse practitioner academic program.
- Official, sealed transcript showing evidence of date of graduation or post-graduation nurse practitioner program.
Graduates are eligible to sit for a national certification exam from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Regulations vary from state to state, and non-California resident students are encouraged to carefully read the requirements and conduct further research in the state in which they intend to seek licensure as a Nurse Practitioner. There may potentially be other non-program requirements that students should be aware of, e.g. criminal background checks.
United States University actively monitors its state authorizations and state board of nursing program approvals for its MSN-FNP program. USU does not enroll in states where such approvals have not been received and remain current and on file with the Office of Accreditation, Regulatory Compliance and Institutional Effectiveness. Students are encouraged to review state authorization information here: https://www.usuniversity.edu/about/accreditation/ and encouraged to speak with their Enrollment Advisor prior to enrollment.
Outcomes
1. Evaluate and apply evidence-based findings to advanced nursing roles.
2. Integrate cultural competence into advanced nursing roles.
3. Integrate the Master Essential’s and specialty standards into the advanced nursing role.
4. Compose professional written communication for advanced nursing roles.
5. Speak professionally in advanced nursing roles.
6. Demonstrate the advanced nursing role through leadership, collaboration, and caring science to improve health outcomes.
7. Evaluate and apply quantitative and qualitative data to validate and guide decision making relevant to health outcomes.
8. Integrate ethical reasoning into advocacy and decision making.
9. Objectively evaluate and synthesize information in advanced nursing roles.
Course Delivery
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences has implemented instructional strategies to provide an interactive, engaged curriculum for our 100% online hybrid curriculum. Courses will utilize real-time face-to-face instruction during a scheduled immersion, supplemented with face-to-face instruction via web conference, phone conference, and/or live chats with fellow students and faculty. Students may work as teams with peers and mentors, participate in demonstrations, interact with computer-simulated patients, and actively examine case studies. Courses will include online and synchronous lectures, discussions, social networking, viewing videos, examining evidence, readings, and/or other activities needed to prepare for class.
Required Time On Campus
The Family Nurse Practitioner programs (MSN and PM Certificate) require an in person, face-to-face immersion experience which incorporates activities to develop advanced practice history taking and physical examination skills. Students will have access to technological resources and clinical tools to enhance their clinical competence, critical thinking skills, and procedural aptitude. The immersion will be completed during their MSN572 Advanced Health and Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan course. Immersion is required for course and degree completion, and must be taken concurrently with the MSN572 course. Students will be working with standardized patients and learning advanced clinical skills. Immersion dates may differ for students that have any changes to their degree plan such as, but not limited to, transfer credit, drop, fail or withdraw from courses, take leave from the University, or any change that may impact their program progress in any way. Students are encouraged to review the immersion schedule and plan work absences, travel, and transportation arrangements accordingly. All immersion related activities are at the student’s own expense.
All students are required to register for the MSN 572 course no later than the last day of the add/drop period of the semester preceding their MSN 572 course enrollment. Registration deadlines are posted to the nursing caring corner. If you believe you may qualify for an exemption to the registration deadline, please complete the following form: MSN 572 Registration Deadline Exemption
Prior to beginning the FNP didactic coursework and clinical rotations, all students are required to travel to United States University immersion location for an in - person immersion experience as a part of their MSN 572 course. All in - person immersion offerings will occur between weeks 3-5 of the MSN 572 course. Students will receive their in - person immersion date assignments at least 8 weeks prior to their assigned immersion experience.
All in - person immersions are held in Phoenix, Arizona from 7am - 5pm MST (PHX Arizona time). Reminders will be sent via email, and course announcements.
For additional information on the MSN 572 immersion experience for FNP students please review Nursing Caring Corner- FNP Immersion Information.
LINK: Nursing Caring Corner - FNP Immersion Information
Clinical Requirements
All FNP students are required to complete a minimum of 540 clinical hours. FNP students must meet the Office of Field Experience requirements defined in the FNP Clinical Handbook at least 16 weeks prior to the clinical course(s). Most clinical hours are completed Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm so all students must plan their work schedule to accommodate clinical hours.
Post-Master's Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner
| MSN570 | Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| MSN571 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| MSN572 | Advanced Health and Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| FNP590 | Health Promotion, Education and Disease Prevention Across The Lifespan | 3 |
| FNP591 | Common Illnesses Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| FNP592 | Common Illnesses Across the Lifespan - Clinical Practicum | 3 |
| FNP593 | Primary Health of Acute Clients/Families Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| FNP594 | Primary Health of Acute Clients/Families Across the Lifespan - Clinical Pra | 3 |
| FNP595 | Primary Healthcare of Chronic Clients/Families Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| FNP596 | Primary Healthcare of Chronic Clients/Families Across the Lifespan - Clinic | 3 |
| FNP597 | Clinical Residency and Practice Management | 3 |