Advance your nursing skills and your career to the next level
Family nurse practitioners are critical in meeting the primary care needs of patients, especially in rural and/or underserved populations in this country.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) program is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The FNP Certificate is designed to provide the nurse with the necessary education, competencies and experiences to assume the role of a primary health care provider in a variety of clinical settings, through both didactic and clinical courses. Graduates of the FNP Certificate program are eligible to take the national certification exam given by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). The certificate program begins in the summer for current NP’s (non-NP’s will begin in the Fall as they may have an additional two semesters if they require the prerequisites). Once the prerequisites are met, the certificate program can be completed full time in 5 semesters.
This program is offered in a fully online format with synchronous class meetings.
Graduate Nursing Programs at Shenandoah
Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing is committed to providing an outstanding education to nurses at all levels— from nurses seeking a Master’s degree or Advanced Practice Certificates to existing advanced practice nurses seeking doctoral-level training. Our programs are dynamic and responsive to the needs of our students and the health care industry. Shenandoah Nursing offers graduate level programs in a fully online format with weekly synchronous class meetings. Our goal is to prepare and challenge you for that next step in your professional career. We’re excited to share our programs with you.
Career and Salary Possibilities
Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared to practice in the primary care role in urban, suburban, rural and underserved areas, choose to teach in nursing schools or continue your higher education.
Family nurse practitioners are critical in meeting the primary care needs of rural and/or underserved populations in this country. According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the average practicing nurse practitioner salary is $110,000 annually..
Classes
You will learn:
- assessment and management of health promotion and maintenance strategies
- risk reduction
- evaluation and management of common acute and chronic alterations in health status for individuals and families across the lifespan
- role development
- research and statistics
- advanced knowledge in pharmacology and pathophysiology
Our small classes, combined with a close-knit, caring, compassionate learning environment, create dynamic and collaborative education experiences and make the Shenandoah University programs special. Classes are taught by Nurse Practitioner faculty who maintain clinical practice.
Clinical experiences take place in a wide variety of ambulatory, community, rural and medically underserved health care settings appropriate to the family nurse practitioner track.
Alumni are eligible for a tuition discount.
Post Graduate Certificate - FNP Student Curriculum (for Non-NP's)
Non-NP’s pursuing FNP certification will need the following prerequisite courses, which can add an additional 2 semesters. Starts in the Fall.
(Transfer credit for up to two classes may be requested upon admission. Approval based on course syllabi, grade (transcript), and accreditation requirements.)
- Advanced Pathophysiology 3 (offered only in the fall and is a prerequisite for Advanced Health Assessment)
- Advanced Pharmacology 3 (offered only in the spring)
- Advanced Health Assessment 4 (offered only in the spring)
Once the prerequisite courses are complete or satisfied, you will begin the specialty courses below:
Summer I
- Mental Health in Primary Care 3
Fall I
- Primary Care of Families: Chronic 3
- Primary Care of Families Practicum (180 clinical hours) 3
- Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy 3
Spring I
- Primary Care of Families: Acute 3
- Primary Care of Families Practicum (180 clinical hours) 3
Summer II
- Primary Care of Women & Children 3
Fall II
- Primary Care of Families Advanced Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4
- Diagnostics & Procedures 1
- Advance Nurse Practitioner Role Development 2
Total: 28 credits and 600 clinical hours
Pediatrics and Women’s Health competencies are met through clinical experiences in various settings included in the above clinical hour totals.
Post Graduate Certificate - FNP Student Curriculum (for current NP's)
Current NP’s pursuing FNP certification have a streamlined 5 semester plan which only contains specialty courses. Program starts in the Summer.
Summer I
- Mental Health in Primary Care 3
Fall I
- Primary Care of Families: Chronic 3
- Primary Care of Families Practicum (180 clinical hours) 3
Spring I
- Primary Care of Families: Acute 3
- Primary Care of Families Practicum (180 clinical hours) 3
Summer II
- Primary Care of Women & Children 3
Fall II
- Primary Care of Families Advanced Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4
- Diagnostics & Procedures 1
Total: 23 credits and 600 clinical hours
Pediatrics and Women’s Health competencies are met through clinical experiences in various settings included in the above clinical hour totals.
Application Information
We’re excited you’re interested in one of our graduate nursing programs! Shenandoah reviews applications on a rolling basis, which means we will begin evaluating your application once all your documentation has been submitted. Students submitting completed applications before our priority deadlines will be considered first.
Admissions Requirements
- Graduate application along with $30 application fee
- Earned MSN degree from CCNE or ACEN accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Unofficial transcripts for initial admission from all institutions of higher education previously attended
- 2 letters of recommendation (one from previous faculty if graduated in last five years)
- Current resume/C.V.
- Essay answering the following question:
- Why are you choosing to pursue the FNP role?
- Documentation of 2,080 RN or APRN hours (direct patient care) hours
- Unencumbered RN license – multi-state preferred (must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state(s))
- Copy of Advanced Practice Nursing certification (if applicable). Applicants without national certification will be individually evaluated and must submit evidence of their specialty expertise.
- For active NP’s – Successful completion of MSN courses with a “B” or better:
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- For applicants with an MSN in a non-NP area:
- Undergraduate Chemistry course with a grade of “C” or better
- Will be required to take Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology at SU before progressing to specialty courses
- Interview with graduate nursing faculty will be required.
- Language Proficiency Requirement must be met. Submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English test may be required. See our policy for full details: Https://www.su.edu/admissions/international-students
- Upon admission: up-to-date immunizations and health records, a criminal background check, a urine drug screen and CPR (from AHA only) will be required.
For international students who require a visa, due to limited on-campus hours, F-1 visas are not issued for this program.
