Accredited Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online

Program Overview

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St. Thomas University's Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online program equips master's-prepared nurses with the knowledge and skills to become successful FNPs. The 32-credit program focuses on caring for patients of all ages, emphasizing ethical decision-making, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Graduates are prepared for careers in various healthcare settings, including private practices, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. The program is delivered online, providing flexibility for working professionals.

Program Outline

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St. Thomas University Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online

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Degree Overview:

The Post-Master's FNP Certificate program at St. Thomas University (STU) provides master's-prepared nurses with the knowledge and skills to become successful family nurse practitioners. The program focuses on caring for patients of all ages across various stages of life, equipping graduates with the expertise to deliver primary care services in diverse settings like private practices, outpatient clinics, and hospitals.

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Objectives:

• Prepare students for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) role.
• Equip graduates with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.
• Enable graduates to make critical decisions in all areas of healthcare, including ordering tests, analyzing results, developing treatment plans, and prescribing medications.
• Enhance leadership skills and understanding of the financial aspects of advanced practice.
• Empower graduates to advocate for policies that improve population health outcomes and enhance healthcare quality.
• Develop proficiency in communication, collaboration, and consultation within interprofessional teams.
• Integrate clinical prevention and health promotion strategies.

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Program Description:

This 32-credit program offers an immersive online learning experience. Students gain advanced knowledge in nursing, related science, and leadership skills, emphasizing ethical and critical decision-making for safe, high-quality, cost-effective, and culturally appropriate care. They also learn to incorporate evidence-based research, develop self-accountability processes for professional growth, and adopt lifelong learning strategies. The program cultivates an environment conducive to effective interactions with patients, other disciplines, and community entities.

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Outline:

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Core Courses (12 credit hours)

NUR 512: Role to Transition to Advanced Practice Nursing - Explores the roles and responsibilities of advanced practice nurses, professional practice issues, working independently and collaboratively, scope of practice, professional responsibilities, informatics, and financial aspects. NUR 504: Advanced Health Assessment & Differential Diagnosis - Equips students with skills in comprehensive health assessment covering physical, psychological, social, functional, and environmental aspects of health. Includes data collection, interpretation, documentation, and dissemination techniques. NUR 600: Advanced Clinical Pharmacology - Focuses on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of broad categories of drugs, enabling students to select pharmacologic agents safely and appropriately for managing common acute and chronic health issues.

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Specialization Courses (20 credit hours)

NUR 507: Advanced FNP: Children & Families - Addresses family system concepts, ethical and cultural considerations, and physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessments for comprehensive management plans. NUR 507CL: Advanced FNP: Clinical I - Requires 125 clinical hours working in an FNP capacity. NUR 514: Advanced FNP: Women's Health - Provides a foundation for advanced practice in women's health, focusing on common health issues in culturally diverse women populations, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies. NUR 514CL: Advanced FNP: Clinical II - Requires 125 clinical hours working in an FNP capacity. NUR 509: Advanced FNP: Adults - Prepares students to function effectively as leaders in multi-disciplinary healthcare systems focused on adults and families. NUR 509CL: Advanced FNP: Clinical III - Requires 125 clinical hours working in an FNP capacity. NUR 612: Advanced FNP: Adult Gerontology - Emphasizes managing acute/chronic conditions, urgent care issues, principles of health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and common healthcare problems in diverse elderly populations. NUR 612CL: Advanced FNP: Clinical IV - Requires 125 clinical hours working in an FNP capacity.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods may include exams, assignments, presentations, case studies, and clinical evaluations. Each module has specific assessments tailored to its learning outcomes.

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Teaching:

Teaching methods incorporate online lectures, discussions, activities, simulations, and individual feedback. Faculty members are experienced nurse practitioners with expertise in their respective areas. The program utilizes a collaborative and engaging learning approach.

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Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared to work as Family Nurse Practitioners in various healthcare settings. Potential career opportunities include:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Practitioner Supervisor
• Occupational Medicine Nurse Practitioner
• Associate Professor

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Other:

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Admission Requirements:

• Free application
• 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Active RN license
• Master's degree in nursing (non-nurse practitioner field) from an accredited nursing school
• Official transcripts
• Students must currently reside in Florida or Georgia

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Clinical Requirements:

• Complete 500 clinical hours in four clinical courses (125 hours per course).
• Clinical courses cover children & families, adults, women's health, and adult gerontology.
• Clinical site and preceptor needed.
• STU encourages securing your own preceptor but can assist with placement if needed.
• Clinical sites could be up to 100 miles from your residence.
• Clinical hours cannot be conducted in your assigned unit or while working as an employee at a facility.
Students cannot be paid during clinical hours.

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Tuition:

• Total tuition: $19,620
• Cost per credit hour: $585
• Payment options: per course
• Financial aid available

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Accreditation:

• The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree programs in nursing, and post-graduate certificate programs in nursing at St. Thomas University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

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Program Schedule:

• Several start dates available throughout the year.
• The program is delivered in an online format, making it convenient for working professionals.
• St. Thomas University is ranked #80 in the "Best Regional Universities South" by U.S. News & World Report.
• The program emphasizes ethical and evidence-based practice.
• The program prepares graduates to provide culturally sensitive care.
• The program emphasizes leadership development.
• The program promotes interprofessional collaboration.