Nursing (M.S.) - Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

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Program Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School Admission Requirements , applicants for the Master of Science degree in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner must possess a B.S.N. from a regionally accredited college or university and a nationally accredited nursing program with at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work or a 2.85 on a 4.00 scale cumulatively. A combined score of 850 or higher on the previous GRE exam version or 300 on the Revised GRE exam or a MAT score of 400 is recommended. Evidence of completion of an undergraduate or graduate level statistics course and a course in research methods is required. They must also submit three professional references (including one from a current or recent employer), a resume, and a professional statement (details at www.wcu.edu/1277.asp).

Applicants must be a registered nurse eligible for licensure to practice in North Carolina and have a minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience within the past five years and may be required to participate in an interview session that includes a written exercise. Applicants who are admitted to the program must own or have access to a computer with Internet service. Computer literacy is a necessary prerequisite. Meeting minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee acceptance into a program.

Program Description

The Master of Science degree in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner prepares nurses in an advanced practice role with competencies based on scientific inquiry, information literacy and ethics. Upon completion, graduates will be prepared to provide quality primary health care, health promotion, disease prevention and management of common conditions across the life span. The two-year program requires 51 to 52 semester hours of graduate course work depending on whether a thesis or project option is chosen. The FNP program will include 640 clinical hours. A written comprehensive exam will be required during the final semester. In addition to the academic requirements, students are expected to adhere to the technical and professional standards of the program.. For the most up to date information regarding these standards, program suspension, and termination refer to the program’s website linked from the College of Health and Human Sciences.

FNP Courses (17-18 hours)

NSG 517 - Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse Credits: 3
NSG 622 - Advanced Pharmacology Credits: 3
NSG 671 - Social and Behavioral Health Problems Credits: 2
NSG 673 - Primary Care of Female Adolescents and Women’s Health Credits: 3
NSG 674 - FNP III: Primary Care of Children and Adolescents Credits: 3
NSG 675 - Primary Care of Adults Credits: 3
NSG 683 - FNP Clinical Management Women’s Health Focus Credits: 2
NSG 684 - FNP Clinical Management: Pediatric Focus Credits: 3
NSG 685 - FNP Clinical Management: Adult Focus Credits: 3
NSG 686 - FNP Clinical Management: Internship Credits: 3
NSG 690 - Advanced Health/Physical Assessment and Diagnostics Credits: 3
NSG 691 - FNP Applied Advanced Physical Assessment & Diagnostics Credits: 3
NSG 692 - Primary Care of Geriatric Clients Credits: 3
NSG 694 - FNP Primary Care Seminar Credits: 3
NSG 679 - Research Project Credits: 2, R6
or
NSG 699 - Thesis Credits: 1-3, R6
NSG 784 - FNP Clinical Management: Geriatric Focus Credits: 3
NSG 814 - Foundations and Applications of Evidence-Based Practice Credits: 3
NSG 823 - Economic and Financial Aspects of Healthcare Systems Credits: 3

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post Master’s Certificate Program

A post master’s certificate program is available to nurses who have earned a master’s degree in Nursing. The certificate program prepares the nurse in the advanced practice role of a Family Nurse Practitioner with competencies in family health promotion and clinical management of common conditions across the lifespan. For more information see Family Nurse Practitioner (Post Master’s Certificate) .