Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner
Viterbo University’s Graduate Program in Nursing offers a Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program.
The FNP Post-Master’s certificate program is designed for nurses already possessing a Master’s degree who wish to expand upon their education and practice base. Designed to build upon prior experience and education, the program prepares nurse practitioners to provide high-quality, cost-effective primary health care to patient/family/aggregates in a variety of settings. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification exam.
Viterbo University is accredited by NCA, CCNE, and is a member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.
Applicants to the program must possess a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Program specific requirements are outlined below. Prior GRADUATE course work may fulfill certain prerequisite requirements. Recent relevant, direct professional practice as an RN or APN is required.
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites to final year of FNP course/clinical sequence (by approved transfer or may be taken at Viterbo)
- Advanced Pathophysiology (within 5 years) (or take at Viterbo, 3 cr; Summer)
- Pharmacotherapeutics (within 2 years) (or take at Viterbo, 3 cr; Fall)
- Advanced Health Assessment (within 5 years) (or at Viterbo, 3 cr; Spring)
- Advanced Nursing Roles (within 5 years) (or take at Viterbo,1 cr; Fall)*
- Mgmt of Psycho-social Issues (or at take Viterbo, 1cr; Fall)*
- Common Episodic Health Problems, 2 cr; Spring* (75)
* = Individual assessment of prior experience and education will dictate if this course is needed or can be waived.
See Course Descriptions
FNP final year course/clinical sequence
- Clinical Practicum I: FNP (225 clinical hours) (3 cr; Fall)
- Health Problems I: Adult & Aging (3 cr; Fall)
- Management of Family Health I (2cr; Fall)
- Clinical Practicum II: FNP (225 clinical hours) (3 cr; Spring)
- Clinical Seminar I: FNP (2 cr; Fall)
- Health Problems II: Adult & Aging (2 cr; Spring)
- Management of Family Health II (2cr; Spring)
- Clinical Seminar II: FNP (1 cr; Spring)
- Clinical Practicum III: FNP Residency (150 clinical hours) (2 cr; Summer)
(Total Credits: 20-33; Clinical Hours: 600 - 675)*
Note: Potential students who are already master’s prepared NPs in an area other than Family Nurse Practitioner (e.g. Adult Health, Women’s Health, Gerontology, PNP) will not be required to complete the total course/clinical sequence as above. Clinical and didactic hours will be reduced from above. Previous coursework will be considered. Consult MSN program director at 608-796-3688.
The program can be completed in as little as one summer session and two semesters. More time is necessary if prerequisite courses are needed prior to beginning the FNP course/clinical sequence. For student convenience, some courses are offered partially online using “Blackboard.” On-campus class days are scheduled one day of the week. Clinical hours can be arranged near student’s home location. Computer skills and high speed Internet accessibility are necessary. See the Computer Specifications outline the required hardware and software. Cost for this program is $525/credit in 2010-11. This program operates on a space-available basis.
For specific questions, please contact:
Bonnie J Nesbitt
Professor and Director, Graduate Nursing Programs
Viterbo University
900 Viterbo Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-796-3688
bjnesbitt@viterbo.edu
Post-Master's Online Application.
Potential Plans of Study for Post-MSN Program: Family Nurse Practitioner
Plan A (includes prerequisite/required courses)
Summer
Advanced Pathophysiology 3 cr
Fall
Pharmacotherapeutics 3 cr
Advanced Nursing Roles 1 cr
Mgmt of Psycho-Social Issues 1 cr
Spring
Advanced Health Assessment 3 cr
Common Episodic Health Problems 2 cr (75)
Fall
Health Problems I: Adult & Aging 3 cr
Clinical Seminar I: FNP 2 cr
Clinical Practicum I: FNP 3 cr
Management of Family Health I 2 cr
Spring
Health Problems II: Adult & Aging 2 cr
Clinical Seminar II: FNP 1 cr
Clinical Practicum II: FNP 3 cr
Management of Family Health II 2 cr
Summer
Clinical Practicum III: FNP Residency 2 cr (150)
Plan B (if no prerequisites are needed)
Fall
Health Problems I: Adult & Aging 3 cr
Clinical Seminar I: FNP 2 cr
Clinical Practicum I: FNP 3 cr (225)
Management of Family Health I 2 cr
Spring
Health Problems II: Adult & Aging 2 cr
Clinical Seminar II: FNP 1 cr
Clinical Practicum II: FNP 3 cr (225)
Summer
Clinical Practicum III: FNP Residency 2 cr (150)