Nurse Practitioner Population Options
The nurse practitioner population options meet the most recent nurse practitioner program and curricular guidelines endorsed by the National Task Force on Quality for Nurse Practitioner Education. Graduates are eligible to sit for respective national certification examinations given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). Individual program content is congruent with Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Competencies in Adult-Gerontology, Family, and Pediatrics as well as the Pediatric Acute Care Competencies. The course sequences provide the theoretical context and the clinical experiences required to practice as a nurse practitioner and to sit for certification in the selected field of advanced practice registered nursing.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) Program. The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program prepares advanced practice nurses as primary care providers to manage the health of individuals from adolescence through old age. Emphasis is on health promotion, illness prevention and management of acute and chronic illnesses. Clinical and coursework prepare the graduate to practice independently and collaboratively with other health care professionals as an A/GNP-PC.
The curriculum includes a minimum of 540 hours of supervised clinical practice in a variety of settings. Graduates are prepared to provide comprehensive care in settings that include but are not limited to private practices, clinics, community health centers, hospitals, businesses, managed care organizations and governmental agencies. This program meets the most recent nurse practitioner curriculum guidelines of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, NONPF, Advanced Nursing Practice, Curriculum Guidelines and Program Standards for Nurse Practitioner Education and the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Upon completion of course requirements, graduates of the master's and post- master's programs are eligible to sit for both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCB) Primary Care Adult-Gero NP Certification Exams. (50 credits)
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Specialty Program. The Family Nurse Practitioner Program option prepares advanced practice nurses as primary care providers to work in a variety of clinical settings including private practices, clinics, community health centers, hospital clinics and businesses, managed care organizations and governmental agencies. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to offer comprehensive, age-appropriate and age-specific quality health care that addresses the multiple needs of individuals and families across the lifespan. The curriculum includes more than 700 hours of supervised clinical practice in a variety of clinical settings. This program meets the current nurse practitioner curriculum guidelines of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, Advanced Nursing Practice and Program Standards for Nurse Practitioner Education and the American Nurses Credentialing Center Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Criteria. Graduates are eligible for national certification through the ANCC and the AANPCB. After successful completion of their certifying examination, graduates are eligible for licensure as a FNP. (50 Credits)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care Program. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program prepares pediatric nurse practitioners for advanced practice and leadership roles in the primary care of children and adolescents. Students gain the knowledge and skills to practice in the traditional areas of pediatric primary care as well as have opportunities for expanded training in school-based health care, in the behavioral/mental health of children and in interdisciplinary community-based faculty practice settings. The program meets national nurse practitioner program and curricular guidelines endorsed by the National Task Force on Quality for Nurse Practitioner Education and the Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs. The curriculum includes a minimum of 540 hours of supervised clinical practice in a variety of settings. Graduates are eligible to sit for certification by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. (46 Credits)
Pediatric Primary and Acute Care (Combined) Program. The acute care PNP sequence of courses prepares students to provide care to acutely ill children and adolescents with unstable health conditions in a variety of settings. PNP students may choose to enroll in a combined or "Dual" acute and primary care PNP program. . Graduates who enroll in this additional track are eligible for certification as both primary care and acute care pediatric nurse practitioners (PNCB). (51 credits). A Post Graduate Certificate Program is offered (both face to face and online) to PNPs currently certified in pediatric primary care and FNPs. A Gap Analysis determines the required number of credits and clinical hours.