Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Overview

The program emphasizes holistic, relationship-centered care and equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions, prescribe medications, and manage complex patient care. Graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including primary care provider, hospital-based APRN, and nurse researcher.

Program Outline

The program emphasizes holistic, relationship-centered care and equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions, prescribe medications, and manage complex patient care.

Objectives:

• Prepare graduates to sit for the FNP certification exam.
• Develop advanced clinical skills for the diagnosis and management of common health problems.
• Foster critical thinking and problem-solving abilities for effective decision-making in complex clinical situations.
• Emphasize the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care and communication.
• Integrate evidence-based practice and current healthcare trends into patient care.
• Cultivate leadership and advocacy skills for the advancement of the nursing profession.

Program Description:

The FNP program at Texas Wesleyan University offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines classroom instruction, clinical practice, and research experiences. The program is offered in both full-time and part-time formats, allowing students to balance their academic commitments with personal and professional responsibilities.

Full-time Program:

• Duration: 4 semesters (15 months)
• Classes: Held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
• Clinical Practicum: 600 hours of supervised clinical experience in various healthcare settings

Part-time Program:

• Duration: 6 semesters (24 months)
• Classes: Held on Saturdays
• Clinical Practicum: 600 hours of supervised clinical experience in various healthcare settings
It includes a detailed listing of all courses, including titles, descriptions, and credit hours.

Individual Modules:

The FNP program is divided into several modules, each focusing on a specific area of clinical practice. These modules include:

• Advanced Health Assessment: This module covers the fundamentals of physical examination, health history taking, and diagnostic reasoning.
• Pathophysiology: This module examines the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and management of common diseases and disorders.
• Primary Care of Adults: This module provides in-depth knowledge and skills for the management of health problems in adult populations.
• Primary Care of Children: This module focuses on the unique needs of pediatric patients and the management of common childhood illnesses.
• Primary Care of Women: This module covers the comprehensive healthcare needs of women throughout the lifespan, including reproductive health, contraception, and menopause.
These descriptions include the learning objectives, course content, and teaching methods for each module.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

The FNP program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:

• Examinations: Written and oral examinations assess students' knowledge and understanding of course material.
• Clinical Performance Evaluations: Faculty and preceptors evaluate students' clinical skills and abilities during their clinical practicum experiences.
• Case Studies and Simulations: Students apply their knowledge and skills in simulated clinical scenarios to demonstrate their ability to manage patient care effectively.
These criteria include:
• Knowledge of nursing theory and principles: Students must demonstrate a strong understanding of the theoretical foundations of nursing practice.
• Clinical skills and competence: Students must be able to perform physical examinations, interpret diagnostic tests, and provide safe and effective patient care.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities: Students must be able to analyze complex clinical situations, identify problems, and develop effective solutions.
• Communication and interpersonal skills: Students must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Professionalism and ethical behavior: Students must uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and ethical behavior.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

The FNP program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to engage students in active learning. These methods include:

• Interactive lectures: Faculty present lectures using multimedia presentations, case studies, and simulations to encourage student participation and discussion.
• Small group discussions: Students engage in small group discussions to explore complex concepts, share experiences, and apply knowledge to clinical scenarios.
• Clinical simulations: Students participate in simulated clinical encounters to gain experience in patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Preceptorship: Students work closely with experienced APRNs in clinical settings to gain hands-on experience in patient care.
• Online resources: Students have access to a variety of online resources, including e-books, journals, and interactive learning modules.

Faculty:

The FNP program faculty are all experienced APRNs with expertise in family practice, adult health, pediatrics, and women's health. These approaches include:

• Holistic, relationship-centered care: In addition to providing excellent medical care, students learn to focus on the whole person, including their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
• Compassion fatigue prevention: The program provides students with strategies for self-care and compassion fatigue prevention to ensure their long-term well-being.
• Nurse coaching skills: Students learn how to coach patients on behavior change, self-management of chronic conditions, and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Leadership and advocacy development: Students are encouraged to develop their leadership skills and advocate for patients and their communities.

Careers:

Career Paths:

Graduates of the FNP program are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

• Primary care provider in public or private clinics
• Hospital-based APRN
• School nurse practitioner
• Occupational health nurse practitioner
• Nurse researcher
• Nurse educator

Opportunities and Outcomes:

The FNP program at Texas Wesleyan University prepares graduates for rewarding careers in healthcare. Graduates are highly sought after by employers, and the demand for FNPs is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. With a strong foundation in clinical skills, critical thinking, and compassionate care, graduates are well-equipped to make a positive impact on the health of individuals, families, and communities.

Other:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Option:

For students interested in pursuing a terminal degree in nursing, the FNP program offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) option. The DNP program builds on the FNP curriculum and provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in leadership, healthcare policy, and research.

Accreditation:

The FNP program at Texas We