Post-Master's FNP Certificate - Online & Evening

Overview

What Is a Post-Master’s FNP Certificate?

GCU's Post-Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate is a 37-credit post-graduate program for MSN-prepared registered nurses who want to develop family nurse practitioner competencies and pursue FNP board certification. Offered by the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, the program combines advanced nursing coursework with supervised clinical practice and requires on-campus experiences.

Students study advanced physiology and pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment and diagnostic reasoning, health promotion and family primary care across the lifespan. The program includes a 750-hour supervised clinical/practicum and two on-campus experiences.

Post-Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Offered By

College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $760 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 37

Online: 16 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission.

Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.

Program available in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia

Why GCU

What To Expect in GCU’s Post-Master’s FNP Certificate Program

GCU's post-master's FNP certificate combines advanced nursing coursework with supervised clinical practice for MSN-prepared nurses pursuing family nurse practitioner certification. Coursework incorporates GCU's Christian worldview with an emphasis on ethical decision-making, service and or professional responsibility.

Online coursework and in-person experiences

Academic coursework is offered online. The program also requires a 750-hour supervised clinical/practicum completed in an approved family health or community-based primary care setting, along with two required on-campus experiences at GCU.

Family primary care focus

Students build advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, pharmacology and primary care knowledge for working with patients across the lifespan. Clinical experiences provide opportunities to apply these concepts in supervised practice settings.

Coursework

What Will You Study in the Post-Master’s FNP Certificate Program?

The curriculum focuses on advanced nursing knowledge and family primary care across the lifespan. Students examine assessment, diagnostic reasoning, pharmacology, pathophysiology, health promotion and the management of common acute and chronic health conditions.

Core areas of study include:

Advanced physiology and pathophysiology
Advanced pharmacology and medication management
Advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning
Health promotion, screening, counseling and patient education
Family primary care across the lifespan
Evidence-based practice and ethical decision-making

Clinical and On-Campus Requirements

The program requires a 750-hour supervised clinical/practicum in a family health-focused clinical site or community-based primary care setting. Students also complete two on-campus experiences that support assessment, scope-of-practice, prescriptive-authority and certification-exam preparation activities.

Careers

Family Nurse Practitioner Certification and Career Paths

GCU's post-master's FNP certificate is designed to prepare eligible graduates to pursue Family Nurse Practitioner board certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Certification, licensure and scope-of-practice requirements vary by state.

After completing applicable certification and licensure requirements, graduates may pursue family nurse practitioner opportunities serving patients across the lifespan.

Potential practice areas may include:

Family primary care

Health promotion and preventative care

Chronic disease management

Pediatric care

Adult and geriatric care

Accreditation

Accreditation for GCU’s Post-Master’s FNP Certificate

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit the College of Nursing and Health Care Professionals’ accreditation page.

FAQ

Post-Master’s FNP Certificate FAQs

Explore common questions about GCU's post-master's FNP certificate, including online coursework, clinical requirements and family nurse practitioner certification.

What is a post-master’s FNP certificate?

How long are courses in GCU’s post-master’s FNP certificate program?

Can I complete the post-master’s FNP certificate online?

What’s the difference between an FNP certificate and FNP certification?

What are the clinical requirements for the FNP certificate?

What is the difference between an FNP and DNP?

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major37 credits

Degree Requirements37 credits

Core Courses

NUR-631

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on advanced physiology and pathophysiology principles across the life span. This course is used to guide the advanced nursing practice learner in understanding normal function and interpreting changes in normal function that result in symptoms and diagnostic markers indicative of illness. Emphasis is placed on the following systems: cellular environment and inflammatory changes; fluids, electrolytes and acid-base balance; genetics, genetic diseases, and the role of the environment; stress, disease, and the development of neoplasms; hematology and alterations in immunity. In addition, the physiology and pathophysiology of the endocrine, pulmonary, renal, digestive and integumentary, cardiovascular and lymphatic, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and neurological systems, including mood disorders, are addressed. Prerequisite: NUR-590 or NUR-590A.

NUR-635

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the basic concepts and principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and their practical implication in clinical practice across the life span. This course also places an emphasis on the strong influence of physiological variables (age, ethnicity, or pregnancy) and pathological conditions (hepatic or renal insufficiency, cardiac dysfunction) on drugs’ pharmacological response. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between patient’s physiological/pathological variables and pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics can provide additional insight for practitioners in predicting potential drug interactions, and thus will provide additional guidance in prescribing strategies. This course also includes clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; clinical toxicology; and pathology and pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular, psychiatric, endocrine, respiratory, gastrointestinal, bone and joint, infectious, reproductive, and dermatological disorders. Prerequisite: NUR-631.

NUR-634

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course builds upon the learner's undergraduate and clinical assessment skills, offering advanced health assessment content to provide the foundation for the advanced practice nursing role across the life span. This course addresses the completion and interpretation of a head-to-toe assessment in addition to focused assessments for chief complaints that include physical, psychosocial, spiritual, risk, and functional assessments in various populations across the lifespan. Learners learn a systematic method of diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making to establish differential diagnoses. Prerequisites: NUR-631, and either NUR-632, NUR-633, or NUR-635.

FNP-630A

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers preventive health care practices and integrates cultural and spiritual considerations, environmental factors, genetic influences, and national public health objectives. Emphasis is placed on development of the advanced practice registered nurse-patient relationship to enhance the effectiveness of patient education, counseling, and promotion of healthy lifestyle changes. Learners explore concepts relevant to primary care, including family systems theory and developmental theory. Learners are also introduced to well visits across the life span and build upon advanced health assessment skills in assessing the well child, adolescent, woman, and man. Specific emphasis is placed on clinical diagnostic reasoning and interpretation and the development of differential diagnoses based on clinical practice guidelines. Learners examine professional and patient community resources and evaluate the use of integrative healing strategies in assisting patients to achieve health goals using evidence-based research. This course includes a required 3-day, on-campus experience. Prerequisite: NUR-634. Co-Requisite: FNP-630ACE.

FNP-630ACE

0 Total Credits

Course Description

In this 3-day, on-campus experience course, learners participate in lectures, clinical skills training, and simulation experiences related to the family nurse practitioner advanced practice role in patient-centered care to enhance the effectiveness of assessment, diagnosing, treatment, health promotion, patient education, and counseling. Learners examine professional and patient community resources and evaluate the use of integrative healing strategies in assisting patients to achieve health goals using evidence-based research while practicing cultural and spiritual competence. Prerequisite: NUR-634. Co-Requisite: FNP-630A.

FNP-652A

7 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the three levels of prevention and comprehensive primary care management of individuals with common, acute, and chronic conditions across the life span within a culturally and spiritually engaged environment. Evidence-based research is utilized to develop comprehensive, cost-effective, least invasive, quality health care. Care includes health promotion counseling, screening, and patient education to optimize patient and family health. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to guide clinical decision making. Management of patient illness includes ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacological and nonpharmacological integrative healing therapies, collaborating with other health professionals and community agencies, and pursuing appropriate follow-up. Practicum/field experience hours: 250. Prerequisites: FNP-630A and FNP-630ACE.

FNP-654A

7 Total Credits

Course Description

This course deepens its focus on the three levels of prevention and comprehensive primary care management of individuals with common, acute, and chronic conditions across the life span using evidence-based, patient-centered care that recognizes patients' cultural and spiritual needs. Learners integrate evidence-based research in the development of comprehensive, cost-effective, least invasive, quality health care. Care includes health promotion counseling, screening, and patient education to optimize patient and family health. Learners further advance their critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills to guide clinical decision making in the management of patient illness. Learners also further develop their competence in ordering appropriate diagnostic tests, prescribing pharmacological and nonpharmacological integrative healing therapies, collaborating with other health professionals and community agencies, and pursuing appropriate follow-up. Practicum/field experience hours: 250. Prerequisite: FNP-652A.

FNP-690A

7 Total Credits

Course Description

This practicum course is the final synthesis of the three levels of prevention and comprehensive primary care management of individuals with common, acute, and chronic conditions across the life span within a culturally and spiritually diverse environment. Additional emphasis is placed on the transition to the advanced scope of practice, roles, contract negotiation, prescriptive authority, licensure, certification, and credentialing. Updates on legislation and health policy are incorporated utilizing multidimensional clinical case studies. Learners also examine ethical issues that arise in clinical practice. This course includes a required 2-day, on-campus experience. Practicum/field experience hours: 250. Prerequisite: FNP-654A. Co-Requisite: FNP-690ACE.

FNP-690ACE

0 Total Credits

Course Description

In this 2-day, on-campus experience course, learners participate in lectures and a benchmark simulation experience. Emphasis is placed on the application of critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and diagnostic reasoning. Learners apply these foundational skills during assessment, diagnosis, and the development of an evidence-based treatment plan. The learner focuses on transitioning into the FNP scope of practice, with an emphasis on roles, contract negotiation, prescriptive authority, as well as licensure, certification, and credentialing. Prerequisite: FNP-654A. Co-Requisite: FNP-690A.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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