Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

The Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate at National University is a non-degree, graduate-level program for advanced practice nurses. It is designed for nurses who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and want to advance their knowledge and skills to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The program emphasizes critical thinking, differential diagnoses, evidence-based findings, and accountable primary care for individuals and families across the lifespan.

The certificate is delivered online and includes mandatory onsite components. The program includes a virtual program orientation and requires three to four scheduled Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for students in the FNP and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializations. FNP and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practicum courses are immersive experiences in faculty-approved, in-person clinical settings with assigned preceptors, and practicum sites require at least 600 hours with a designated approved preceptor.

Candidates must hold a Master’s or doctoral degree in nursing from a nursing program that is either:

• Programmatically accredited by an agency recognized by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or The NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)
• Nationally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and meet the University requirements for graduate study, listed in the General Catalog under Academic Information for Graduate Degrees.

Candidates must reside in either CA or TX.

• Provide proof of a current, active and unencumbered RN license in the State of residence.
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent, based on the grading scale approved at the calculating institution).
• Complete and submit the E-Resources Application.

Prior to the start of their specialization courses, candidates must provide evidence of:

• Current, active professional liability and malpractice insurance coverage throughout the program.
• Specified immunizations, a report of a recent physical examination, a clear drug screen and background check, and current BLS certification.

Candidates are required to meet with an Enrollment Advisor to review applying, acceptance, schedules of courses, and requirements for progression.

80 fully funded scholarships are listed for USA. See USA scholarships.