Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization

I. Contact Information

Stephanie DeBoor
(775) 682-7156
deboors2@unr.edu

II. Brief Introduction

Upon completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner option, the graduate will:

• Function in autonomous and collaborative roles guided by appropriate nurse practice acts.
• Provide primary care to individuals, families, and communities.
• Focus on health promotion and maintenance for clients.
• Utilize the process and method of scientific inquiry in the study of nursing.
• Contribute to the development of nursing science.
• Pursue opportunities for enhancement of advance practice.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

1. Integrates scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings.
2. Provide advanced, ethical, evidence-based nursing services for multi-cultural and ethnic individuals, families, aggregates, and select populations.
3. Apply patient-care and communication technologies to deliver, enhance, integrate, and coordinate care.
4. Collaborate with other professionals and members of the community to provide optimal health care to individuals, families, special populations, and communities with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.
5. Respect diversity and address complex health care needs of persons, including the unserved and under-served, populations and communities, in the role of nurse leader, educator and/or advanced practice nurse.
6. Participate in the ethical organization, management, and policy negotiations of health care delivery systems to use advocacy strategies to influence health and healthcare.
7. Participate in the application of safe patient care and quality healthcare practices.
8. Participate in the development of nursing as a science, through the use of theory, research, and scientific processes while acquiring a foundation for doctoral study.

IV. Admission Requirements

This is a two-step process, wherein the applicant must first meet the university’s Graduate School requirements as well as the Orvis School of Nursing MSN requirements. Both schools must receive all application materials on or before March 1 for consideration for the fall semester.

• Have an overall undergraduate grade-point average of at least a 3.0.
• Complete a baccalaureate degree with an upper-division major in nursing from and NLNAC-or CCNE accredited nursing school.
• Have verification of current licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the United States. Students must be eligible to practice as a registered nurse in Nevada.
• Successful completion of a three credit graduate level applied statistics course (at UNR - EDRS 640).
• A resume that includes educational, professional and community service experience.
• A letter of intent should be single spaced, 12 point font, and no longer than 1,000 words.
• Provide three letters of reference to the graduate program director using the form on the OSN website.
• Submit scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). (Optional, required for those students applying for the MSN/MPH program of study).

An interview may be required.

The total of required units for completing the degree varies according to the option the student selects. The minimum number of required units for completion of the MSN is 35. With graduate advisor approval, MSN students may apply more than 3 S/U units to the 35 units required.

Applicants who plan to apply graduate-level credit earned at another university to the University of Nevada, Reno may be able to satisfy specific course requirements in the nursing program. Applicants must provide specific course information for review to determine if the transferred courses are equivalent to university requirements. If approved, such courses may be included in the official program of study.

V. Program Requirements

VI. Total Units (52-54 units)

Note(s):

Individuals participating in a part time program of study, please contact the School of Nursing for a modified schedule.