Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate)

The Post-Master's Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (PM-PC-FNP) Certificate Program is for students who completed a master of science degree in nursing and wish to expand their practice into the role of a primary care family nurse practitioner. The PM-PC-FNP specialty area prepares family nurse practitioners (FNP) who are clinically competent and practice with cultural humility as advanced practiced registered nurse (APRN).
FNPs provide patient centered health care to individuals, families,and communities across the life span. Clinical practice includes health promotion, disease prevention, teaching, counseling, and acute and chronic disease management. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for national certification as a family nurse practitioner. Upon licensure, FNPs may practice autonomously as well as in collaboration with other health professionals.

Students accepted into the PM-PC-FNP certificate program will have an individualized plan of study developed. Course waivers will be granted based upon their educational background and previous coursework in master's program*. 

Admission Requirements

In addition to the standard Graduate School requirements, the School of Nursing and PM-FNP program require:

Admission Requirements

1. Unencumbered, active RN license in the United States
2. Masters degree in nursing. 
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in associate and baccalaureate programs
4. Successful completion of undergraduate statistics course and undergraduate research course
5. 2 letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends. References should be substantial with one academic, if available.
6. Updated Resume
7. Personal Statement. Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
   1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
   2. Specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
8. Course descriptions should be submitted for any course you request transfer or waived. Courses must be completed within 7 years of admission. 

*Eligibility for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination requires completion of the following three separate,comprehensive graduate-level courses within 5 years of admission:

• Advanced Physical/Health Assessment
• Advanced Pathophysiology (through the lifespan)
• Advanced Pharmacology

A customized plan of study will be created for admitted students and is based on prior coursework.  Additional foundational coursework may be required to meet ANCC or AANP certification requirements. 

Program Requirements

• A customized plan of study will be created for admitted students and is based upon prior course work.
• Additional foundational coursework to meet ANCC certification requirements may be required.

Clinical Hours: 750*

*

Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses NURS 921, NURS 923, NURS 940, and NURS 950.

• Integrate, translate, and apply knowledge from nursing and other disciplines, to formulate clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice.
• Design person-centered care that builds on a scientific body of knowledge focusing on individuals with multiple complicated circumstances, including family and/or important others.
• Advocate for healthcare delivery from public health prevention to disease management through collaborative activities for equitable population health outcomes.
• Disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health care.
• Integrate established and emerging principles of safety as core nursing values to enhance quality and minimize harm to patients and providers.
• Lead collaborative care teams to optimize patient outcomes and improve health care experiences.
• Coordinate resources for diverse populations to provide safe, quality, and equitable care.
• Utilize informatics and communication technologies in developing and delivering optimal healthcare services according to best practice and professional and regulatory standards.
• Cultivate a sustainable professional nursing identity that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values.
• Utilize leadership skills, change theories, and effective decision making in advanced nursing roles in the provision of care.

Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate)

Location/Delivery: School of Nursing [Online Program]

This program is designed to prepare graduates for professional licensure/certification as follows:

Nurse Practitioner

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certification
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification

The University of New Hampshire has determined this program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in:¹
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont

Additional information and related resources are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

¹

State specific post-education requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for confirming these requirements in their state of residence and intended practice.