Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner

Expand your Scope of Care Across the Lifespan as an FNP 

Walsh University’s online Post Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (PMC-FNP) program was designed for RNs who hold a master's degree in nursing and want to make a more meaningful, long-lasting change in their community. This certificate will expand your competencies and scope of practice to help fill the need for primary care providers. 

With high academic standards at a lower cost, this online FNP Post-Master's Certificate program will provide an environment for you to work alongside experienced faculty as you gain the skills needed to expand your scope of practice. You can complete the program in as few as two years full-time, so you can continue to care for patients. 

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Upcoming Start Dates

  • Applications are currently being accepted for next intake 
Overview

Online FNP Program Fast Facts

If you are interested in taking your career to the next level, Walsh University’s online Post Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner program can help you achieve your goals. 

Designed with working nurses in mind, this program offers the convenience of online coursework along with hands-on clinical experiences, providing you the knowledge and skills to focus on the primary care needs of patients as you advocate for their well-being. 

Features

Walsh University’s online Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (PMC-FNP) program allows you to work alongside faculty as you develop the core competencies required to care for patients across the lifespan. The program consists of: 

  • 100% online coursework (excludes clinicals) 
  • 21 – 30 total credit hours* (complete in as few as six semesters, or two years) 
  • Three start dates per year (fall, spring, summer) 
  • Three clinical rotations (700 hours) 
  • Two intensive experiences (one online, one on campus) 

*NURS 610, NURS 612 and NURS 614 courses may be waived for currently certified Nurse Practitioners in specialty practice (adult, women’s health, pediatrics, nurse midwifery) and in current practice. 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (PMC-FNP) program, applicants must meet the following admission requirements: 

  • MSN degree from an accredited school of nursing 
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA 
  • A current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license with one year of experience 
  • Completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course 
  • Resume 
  • Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended 
  • Two letters of reference 
  • Personal statement 
  • Interview may be requested 
Program Outcomes

Walsh University’s Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (PMC-FNP) curriculum will provide students the opportunity to strengthen their competencies as they prepare for board certification. The program covers a variety of foundational and clinical topics, including: 

  • Advanced Pharmacology 
  • Advanced Health Assessment 
  • Clinical Assessment and Management 
  • Advanced Pathophysiology 
  • Clinical Pharmacology 
  • Care of Adults and Elderly 
  • Care of Child / Care of Women 
Tuition

Take advantage of competitive tuition rates of $775 per credit hour. Looking for help with financial resources? Learn more about available financial aid options.

Clinical Placements

Clinicals are a required portion of the program that allow you to apply the skills you learn to real-life situations. Our online Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (PMC-FNP) program includes three clinical rotations for a total of 700 clinical hours. 

 

NURS 610 –Advanced Pathophysiology

This course focuses on the inter-relationships of human biological systems, biochemical, genetic and cellular concepts which provide the framework for study of advanced pathological concepts. Case studies illustrate theoretical concepts and assist in the application of theory to practice. (3 credits)

NURS 640 – Clinical Assessment and Management

This course builds on the students’ knowledge and skills of Advanced Health Assessment focusing on the diagnostic process within the primary care context. Evidence based practice will be incorporated to assist students through the inductive process of moving from specific physical findings or patient concerns to possible diagnoses based on history, physical, and laboratory and diagnostic tests. Students will be expected to synthesize diagnostic information in order to arrive at appropriate diagnoses. (3 credits)

NURS 642 – Clinical Pharmcology

Clinical pharmacology builds upon NURS 612 Advanced Pharmacology. Specific requirements, responsibilities, interprofessionalism, and concerns as an APN prescriber, including safe prescription writing and medication management of patients throughout the life span, including persons with multiple chronic conditions (MCC), will be comprehensively reviewed. (3 credits) 

NURS 644A – FNP I Seminar: Care of Adults and Elderly

This course emphasizes illness prevention, healthy lifestyle adaptations, wellness promotion and health maintenance of the adult and elderly patient including health/wellness motivation and promotion, disease prevention, and self-determination. The interrelationships between disease processes, human physiology, and pharmacologic and other treatment modalities inherent in the care of the adult or elderly patient with multiple chronic healthcare conditions (MCC) will also be explored. (3 credits) 

NURS 646A – FNP II Seminar: Care of Child/Care of Women

This course emphasizes illness prevention, healthy lifestyle adaptations, wellness promotion and health maintenance in the care of women and pediatric patients and families. Students synthesize knowledge from health assessment, pharmacology, diagnostic and disease management courses, family health nursing. The course has a strong focus on providing culturally competent care of underserved and vulnerable populations. (3 credits)