Online Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate

This course is designed to focus on the health promotion and disease prevention of the aggregate (individuals, families, groups that make up a community and/or a society). It provides the student a different and wider perspective related to the incorporation and the application of the theoretical knowledge into the aspects of clinical practices. The course will address: the foundation of the meaning of population within the context of health promotion and disease prevention, the goals of the national health plan, health indicators, health determinants at the individual and societal levels, health behavior and the challenge to change people's behavior. This will include applying concepts of health behavior theories, health disparity, human genetics, environmental health, and chronic disease control and prevention. Additionally, students will apply epidemiological principles to identify populations at high risk of preventable illnesses. The course will explicitly address the health promotion and clinical/disease prevention activities that are culturally responsive and appropriate.

The course focuses on theories of physical assessment across the life span.  Theoretical frameworks from nursing and other disciplines will be used to develop a patient database in primary health care practice settings. This course will introduce Family Theory as a critical foundation for effective communication and care delivery. Concepts of the synergy model that address patient resiliency, vulnerability, and stability will be incorporated throughout the course.

(Includes 25 hours on-campus residency and 50 precepted hours)

Etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of disease process will be presented within the framework of the Synergy Model. The interaction between patient vulnerability and patient resiliency will be emphasized in explaining major pathophysiological conditions across the life span. The effects of complexity and predictability on patient outcomes will be highlighted when appropriate. This approach will enhance nurse competencies to assess and evaluate physiological changes, presence or absence of complications, and the extent to which the desired outcome of care and or treatment are attained. Most importantly, this approach will facilitate ongoing learning.

A foundation for the application of pharmacology relevant to advanced nursing practice is provided throughout this course. The process involving medication selection by advanced practice nurses for various diseases states and patient populations is discussed, as well as considerations pertaining to potential risks and benefits associated with pharmacotherapy. Expected adverse effects, monitoring parameters, and drug interactions for specific medications and medication classes will be reviewed.

This is the first clinical course in a four clinical course sequence. The focus of the course is on the preventative health care and screenings common to young women and the family during childbearing years, as well as reproductive healthcare for men. In addition, the course will cover the clinical management of health problems common to women from menarche to menopause that ensures culturally-responsive and high quality care. This course will build on the content introduced in Physical Assessment related to families as systems, and the critical role of family theory in guiding practice. Family theory will be used to guide interviewing and assessment techniques important to this population. Concepts of the synergy model that address patient resiliency, vulnerability, and stability will be incorporated throughout the course.

(75 precepted clinical hours)

This is the second clinical course in a four clinical course sequence. The focus of this course is providing culturally competent, comprehensive primary health care to infants, children and adolescents. Emphasis is on assessment of health states, nursing and medical management of common health problems, health education, health promotion and disease prevention common to infants, children and adolescents in the context of the family. Community health and concepts of cultural, as well as ethical competencies are integrated into practice settings. Planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing and medical management of health, wellness, and therapeutic regimens for infants, children and adolescents are emphasized and applied throughout the course which also includes a clinical experience focusing on health concerns encountered in the community and primary care setting. This course will continue to build on the application of family theory principals in communication and care planning, as introduced and emphasized in the previous coursework. The student will describe, analyze, and synthesize the plan of care in regard to the client, nurse, and health care systems along with principles of therapeutic communication.

(150 precepted clinical hours)

This is the third primary care course in a four course sequence. The focus of this course is providing comprehensive and culturally responsive primary care to adults, older adults, and maturing families across the life span within the context of the community. The student applies knowledge and skills to expand learning and medical management of health states, common health problems, health education, health promotion, and disease prevention common to adults, older adults, and maturing families. The student will examine the use of evidence in decision making. The course includes a clinical experience focusing on health concerns common to the maturing family with a focus on chronic illnesses commonly encountered in the primary care setting. The student will describe, analyze, and synthesize the plan of care in regard to the patient, nurse, and health care system. Concepts of the Synergy Model that address patient resiliency, vulnerability, and stability will be incorporated throughout the course.

Campus Residency Week required (25 lab hours + 200 additional precepted hours)

This is the fourth primary care course in a four course sequence. In this course, the student applies the knowledge and skills previously learned to function as an emerging provider of culturally-responsive comprehensive primary health care to individuals and families across the lifespan within the context of the community. The student applies knowledge and skills that promote their role as an emerging provider managing various health states, common health problems, health education, health promotion, and disease prevention common to families and individuals of all ages. The student will examine the use of evidence in decision making. Emphasis is on the assessment of the health state, nursing and medical management of common acute and chronic health problems, health education, health promotion, and disease prevention. Nursing theories as well as selected theories from the behavioral and physical sciences are incorporated into practice. Concepts of the Synergy Model that address patient resiliency, vulnerability, and stability will be incorporated throughout the course.

(225 precepted clinical hours)

This course will focus on the synthesis of role theory, the transitioning to independent practice, business concepts, and issues unique to the role of the family nurse practitioner. Professional issues, models of health care delivery and practice in the evolving health care environment will be discussed. The independent and collaborative roles of the family nurse practitioner in primary care will be emphasized. Overview of the Consensus Model, preparing for national certification, and applying for licensure and prescribing privileges at the state level will be addressed. Concepts of the Synergy Model that address patient resiliency, vulnerability, and stability will be incorporated throughout the course.