Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner), Graduate Certificate

Overview

The School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice offers graduate certificates in nursing for individuals with a graduate nursing degree who desire to obtain additional education in another clinical emphasis area.

The Family Nurse Practitioner certificate will provide students and professionals an opportunity to gain expertise in another emphasis area to meet educational and role requirements for their present or future employment or to meet advanced clinical certification in this specialty area.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the FNP Certificate Program depends upon sufficient enrollment, university resources, and qualifications of applicants. In addition to meeting the Graduate School Admissions and Procedures , graduate certificate applicants must also meet the following requirements of the School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice:

1. Graduate degree from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. An official transcript must be submitted.
2. Proof of a current and unencumbered/unrestricted registered nurse (RN) license to practice in the State of Mississippi (prior to starting the program).
3. Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
4. Curriculum vitae or professional resumé.
5. Cover letter of introduction and a personal statement of research interests submitted with the application.
6. Supplemental Nursing Application.
7. Submission of three letters of reference from employers, supervisors, teachers, or others who are qualified to assess the student’s academic ability and readiness for graduate study.
8. Proof of recent health examination to include (a) proof of immunization against the Hepatitis B virus, (b) current tuberculosis (TB) skin test or QuantiFERON G test, (c) current Tdap immunization, (d) evidence of immunity to varicella, and (e) current MMR immunization.
9. Must pass both a criminal background check and drug screening.

Exceptions to the above criteria must be approved by the School Director, the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

• Students will complete the required emphasis area core and clinical courses identified by the coordinator of the program after reviewing the student’s official graduate transcript.
• Students may repeat one course only one time if he/she has received a grade of less than a B.
• Students shall complete the requirements for the certificate within 4 years.
• A comprehensive exam and a 3.0 GPA are required to obtain a certificate.

Students with an MSN interested in a graduate certificate in a nurse practitioner emphasis area must show evidence of completion of graduate level coursework in the following areas: advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment for practitioners, health promotion, and nurse practitioner role. Students not having the courses must take NUR 608 , NUR 615 , NUR 671 , NUR 800 , NUR 801 , and NUR 803  prior to beginning nurse practitioner emphasis area courses.

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information  for other requirements and policies.

Course Requirements (23 hours)

These courses will be taken in a prescribed order not reflected here. Courses will also be taken during the summer semester.

• NUR 664L - Family Nurse Practitioner Internship 6 hrs.
• NUR 667 - Family Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis, Management I 3 hrs.
• NUR 667L - Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum I 6 hrs.
• NUR 668 - FNP Diagnosis, Management Women, Children 2 hrs.
• NUR 669 - Family Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis, Management II 3 hrs.
• NUR 669L - Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum II 6 hrs.
• NUR 670 - FNP Diagnostics and Procedures 1 hr.