Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Master's)
Advanced Certificate Program
This certificate program, which is registered with the New York State Education Department, is designed to provide a focused course of study for individuals already holding a master of science degree in nursing to position themselves for certification as a family nurse practitioner.
The family nurse practitioner specializes in providing care services across populations focused on managing primary care and episodic illness for the entire family with appropriate referrals for needed services. Clinically, the nurse practitioner will assess, diagnose and prescribe treatments for individuals and families in need of care within the legal and ethical parameters of the nurse practitioner role. This program includes 700 hours of direct care of patients in health care settings. Students learn under the supervision of expert nurse practitioners and physicians. Graduates will be eligible to take the ANCC or AANP certification exam as a family nurse practitioner.
Grading policies and academic regulations are consistent with those previously described in the master’s degree family nurse practitioner program. Please refer to the general Academic Regulations section of this catalog for health, CPR and malpractice insurance requirements.
As a graduate of the program, you will be prepared to take the exam for board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and AANP to further demonstrate your expertise in the family health field.
Technical, professional, and behavioral standards for all Nurse Practitioner students are covered in detail in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook. All standards apply to MS and Post-graduate APRN students.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUR-631 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR-631L | Advanced Health Assessment Lab | 1 |
| NUR-632 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NUR-633 | Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR-634 | Health Promotion-Children & Families | 3 |
| NUR-635 | Health Promotion-Women | 3 |
| NUR-637 | Health Promotion Adults Aging Population | 3 |
| NUR-638 | Fnp Practicum in Pediatrics In Pediatrics | 3 |
| NUR-639 | FNP Practicum-Women Health Care | 3 |
| NUR-640 | Clinical Practicum in Adult Health I | 1 |
| NUR-641 | Clinical Practicum in Adult Health II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Total required for Post-Masters Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner: 301
| 1 | An individual gap analysis assessment will be made of each applicant's transcripts to determine what additional courses or clinical hours may be needed to satisfy the DNP requirements. |
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate programs at D’Youville College, applicants to the post-master’s certificate in family nurse practitioner must present the following:
1. Completed online graduate application for admissions (no application fee)
2. Completed masters of science degree in nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC (ACEN) accredited program at a college or university in the US (or by the CNO in Ontario)
3. Evidence of capability to succeed in a graduate program based on an overall GPA of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Canadian students must submit a ‘course-by-course’ evaluation (or equivalent) of all Canadian college and/or university transcripts through the World Education Services (WES) or other approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.
4. All official graduate transcripts. If health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology courses were taken at the undergraduate level those official transcripts must be submitted.
5. An overall G.P.A. of at least 3.0. Applicants with a masters’ degree in nursing, earned more than five years ago, with an overall G.P.A. less than 3.0 but more than or equal to 2.7, who have achieved significant professional success as documented on curricula vitae, may submit an application for consideration. Preferential admissions will be given to applicants with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher.
6. Active, unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in New York state or Ontario if Canadian.
7. Current CPR Certification with psychomotor component
8. A minimum of one year of experience as a registered nurse is recommended
9. Baccalaureate-level health assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology courses or equivalent
10. At least two references on clinical performance from a supervisor or colleague.
11. Writing assignment on your philosophy of nursing, 2 pages in length, double space and 12-point font that includes philosophy of nursing focused on past experience, what influencing nursing has had on your career, why you chose to pursue this degree, how you see this degree enhancing your career and how you will utilize this degree to advance patient care and health care outcomes.
12. A student who meets the entry requirements and is currently enrolled or previously enrolled in the Nurse Practitioner program or Doctor of Nursing Practice program at another college or university, must obtain a letter from that School of Nursing stating that the student is in good standing, not on probation, and able to register for classes. Students who were dismissed from a graduate or doctoral program will not be considered for admission.