Family Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Geraldine Budd welcomes preceptors to Widener's Family Nurse Practitioner master's program. Video.
Lynn Freda, a nurse and graduate student in Widener's Family Nurse Practitioner master's program, talks about her experiences working with Dr. Shirlee Drayton-Brooks, professor at the School of Nursing. Video.
FNP — Advanced Practice (AP) Role
This master’s degree program for family nurse practitioner health prepares advanced practice nurses to be providers of primary care for individuals and families across the life span. A holistic approach to management of family health through interdisciplinary collaboration is a primary emphasis of this advanced registered nurse (APRN) role. Primary care settings include community health centers, senior and child daycare centers, family practice settings, schools, college health centers, occupational/industrial health offices, and home health agencies. Critical thinking, decision making, and leadership skills are fostered in this 46-credit program.
The four required APRN clinical courses are available on both the Main Campus in Chester and Harrisburg Campus.
FNP — Post-Master’s Certificate
Registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program are eligible to apply. A total of nine courses (33 credits) are required to complete the certificate. Non-clinical courses from a previous MSN program may meet requirements for the post-master’s FNP certificate.
Credits may be waived depending on previous MSN coursework.
Graduates of the MSN or post-master’s certificate are eligible to sit for the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) credentialing examination for family nurse practitioners.
| APRN Clinical Courses(18 credits) |
| NURS 648 |
Advanced Family Nursing I
Focus on primary care concepts. |
4 |
| NURS 649 |
Advanced Family Nursing II
Focus on the diagnosis and management of acute episodic and chronic disease states. |
6 |
| NURS 655 |
Advanced Family Nursing III
Focus on the strategies of health promotion, health maintenance, and disease prevention in family health care. |
6 |
| NURS 658 |
Advanced Field Practicum
Focus on extensive field practice. |
2 |
Family Nurse Practitioner Advanced Practice Role Curriculum
| Core Courses (13 credits) |
| NURS 611 |
Models & Theories for Advanced Practice Nursing |
3 |
| NURS 634 |
Nursing Leadership for Advanced Practice |
3 |
| NURS 652 |
Statistical Analysis & Interpretation |
3 |
| NURS 653 |
The Research Process |
3 |
| NURS 663 |
Advanced Nursing Practice: Current Perspectives |
1 |
| Support/Cognate Courses (15 credits) |
| NURS 601 |
Advanced Pathophysiology |
3 |
| NURS 608 |
Advanced Health Assessment |
3 |
| NURS 636 |
Dynamics of Family Health |
3 |
| NURS 638 |
Issues in Health Care for Underserved Populations |
3 |
| NURS 639 |
Advanced Pharmacology |
3 |
| Specialty Courses (18 credits) |
| NURS 648 |
Advanced Family Nursing I
Focus on primary care concepts. |
4 |
| NURS 649 |
Advanced Family Nursing II
Focus on the diagnosis and management of acute episodic and chronic disease states. |
6 |
| NURS 655 |
Advanced Family Nursing III
Focus on the strategies of health promotion, health maintenance, and disease prevention in family health care. |
6 |
| NURS 658 |
Advanced Field Practicum
Focus on extensive field practice. |
2 |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
46 |
Post-Master's Certificate
| Curriculum (33 credits) |
| NURS 601 |
Advanced Pathophysiology |
3 |
| NURS 608 |
Advanced Health Assessment |
3 |
| NURS 636 |
Dynamics of Family Health |
3 |
| NURS 638 |
Issues in Health Care for Underserved Populations |
3 |
| NURS 639 |
Advanced Pharmacology |
3 |
| NURS 648 |
Advanced Family Nursing I |
4 |
| NURS 649 |
Advanced Family Nursing II |
6 |
| NURS 655 |
Advanced Family Nursing III |
6 |
| NURS 658 |
Advanced Family Nursing Field Practicum |
2 |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
33 |