Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Melissa R. Penkalski, Graduate Program Director
Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, Room 301, Phone, 417-836-8374
MelissaPenkalski@MissouriState.edu

Program Description

The School of Nursing offers a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Graduate Certificate for nurses who have a minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a nationally accredited nursing graduate program, or possess a minimum of a master’s degree in another acceptable discipline. This certificate is for nurses who wish to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) option prepares nurses at an advanced level to assess, diagnose, treat, educate, and manage patients throughout the lifespan as a health care provider. The FNP Graduate Certificate curriculum is delivered in a hybrid format. The FNP Graduate Certificate Program is a series of courses totaling a minimum of 24 credit hours and minimum of 528 clinical hours. Completion of the certificate program will prepare students to take the national FNP certification exam(s).

Application Process

The applicant should:

• Submit an application to Nursing CAS with all required documentation, including transcripts, and references.
• Submit the School of Nursing application fee via the link provided in Nursing CAS application. The application fee does not guarantee acceptance into the desired program of your choosing.
• Submit proof of licensure as a registered nurse (RN) without disqualification, and eligible for licensure in the State in which clinical practicums will be completed.
• Submit evidence of graduation with a minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a nationally accredited nursing graduate program, or possess a minimum of a master’s degree in another acceptable discipline.
• Submit transcripts of all completed academic coursework. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.00 scale) for the last 60 hours of course work attempted. Students who have less than a 3.25 GPA must submit verbal, quantitative, and analytical scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) (minimum Verbal: 150, Quantitative: 145, Analytical Writing: 3.5).
• Submit proof of completing a graduate course in advanced pharmacology that includes prescriptive practices. Students who do not have a graduate course in advanced pharmacology that includes prescriptive practices could take NUR 761 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics  and NUR 762 - Prescriptive Practices for the Advanced Practice Nurse  to starting the program.
• Submit proof of completing a graduate course in pathophysiology. Students who do not have a graduate course in advanced pathophysiology may take NUR 765 - Applications of Advanced Pathophysiology  prior to starting the program.
• Submit proof of completing a graduate course in advanced physical/health assessment. Students who do not have a graduate course in advanced physical/health assessment may take NUR 733 /NUR 734 - Advanced Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning  prior to starting the program
• Interview with a departmental selection committee.

Because of course constraints, only a limited number of students will be admitted to the FNP Graduate Certificate program. While applicants must complete all prerequisite requirements to be considered for a position in the class, completion of all admission requirements does not assure acceptance into the program. Complete applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. All course work in the FNP Graduate Certificate program must be completed within 3 years.

Additional Requirements of the Program

Following admission to the program:

• Payment of a clinical tracking fee. See the School of Nursing website for a full list of program costs.
• Apply and pay for the state/federal Background Check and receive a response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 660.317 RSMO or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered nurse or completion of clinical experiences.
• Pay for and complete a urine drug screen without disqualifying results.
• Submit proof of current professional liability insurance (limit $1,000,000/aggregate $6,000,000).
• Submit evidence of current health insurance.
• Submit evidence of current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS). Online didactic course and written test are available for a fee for those students who need to recertify at: elearning.heart.org. No online skills testing will be accepted.
• Submit evidence of current immunizations or immune status (MMR, Tetanus, Varicella, Hepatitis B series) and a PPD or T-Spot (or documentation of appropriate follow up for PPD positive results).
• Initiate and pay for any additional security checks and drug screenings required for placement into agencies for clinical experiences. Some agencies require annual screening and affidavits.