Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Graduate Certificate

I. Contact Information

Stephanie S. DeBoor, PhD, RN, CCRN
Associate Director of Graduate Programs
Assistant Professor
University of Nevada, Reno
Orvis School of Nursing
1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0134
Reno, NV 89557
775-682-7156
deboors2@unr.edu

II. Brief Introduction

The Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates to test for national certification and function in autonomous and collaborative roles guided by appropriate nurse practice acts. Family Nurse Practitioners focus on health promotion and maintenance for their clients and provide primary care to individuals, families, and communities.

Note: Students who are enrolled in this program solely are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Master’s Education

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 coordinated healthcare to individuals, families, special populations, and communities with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.
5. Respect diversity to address complex healthcare needs of persons, including the un-served and under-served, populations, and communities in the role of nurse leader, education, and/or advanced practice nurse.
6. Participate in the ethical organization, management, and policy negotiations of healthcare 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.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner certificate, the graduate is able to:

1. Synthesize theoretical, scientific, and contemporary clinical knowledge for the assessment and management of both health and illness states.
2. Implements clinical reasoning and builds collaborative intra- and interprofessional relationships to provide optimal care to patients.
3. Provide patient-centered, quality care to the adult and older adult population within the acute and critical care settings through incorporation of health promotion, health protections, disease prevention and treatment.
4. Impart knowledge and individualize therapies through the activities of advocacy, modeling and teaching.
5. Applies evidence-based practice designed to improve quality of care and health outcomes by overseeing and directing the delivery of clinical services within an integrated system of healthcare.

IV. Admission Requirements

Prerequisites for admission to the Orvis School of Nursing Master of Science Program:

• Successful completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited academic institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Current unrestricted licensure as an RN in Nevada.
• Successful completion of a three credit graduate level applied statistics course (at UNR – EDRS 640).

Applicants are to submit to the Orvis School of Nursing:

• A resume that includes education, professional and community service experience.
• A letter of intent should be single spaced, 12-point font, and no longer than 1,000 words. It should include the following information:
  • Explain why you have chosen the University of Nevada, Reno, Orvis School of Nursing for your graduate studies.
  • Share which track (AGACNP, FNP, EDU, CNL, or PMHNP) you have chosen to pursue and describe how you envision functioning in this role as part of an inter-professional team.
  • Describe leadership experiences, both professional and personal, that have prepared you for graduate studies.
  • Discuss ideas you have for your Master’s project, professional paper, or thesis.

V. Program Requirements

• NURS 708 - Nursing Theories and Family Health Patterns (3 units)
• NURS 716 - Advanced Ambulatory Pharmacy (1 to 3 units)
• NURS 717 - Advanced Pathophysiology (3 units)
• NURS 718 - Advanced Health Promotion (3 units)
• NURS 750 - Advanced Health Assessment (3 units)
• NURS 751 - Management of Acute Illnesses in the Primary Care Setting (3 units)
• NURS 752 - Family Health in the Primary Care Setting (2 units)
• NURS 753 - Management of Chronic Illness in the Primary Care Setting (4 units)
• NURS 754 - Management of Complex Illness in the Primary Care Setting (4 units)
• NURS 755 - Role of the FNP in Managing Acute Illnesses in Primary Care (3 units)
• NURS 756 - Role of the FNP in Managing Family Health in Primary Care (2 units)
• NURS 757 - Role of the FNP Managing Chronic Illness in Primary Care (3 units)
• NURS 758 - Role of the FNP in Managing Complex Illness in Primary Care (3 units)

VI. Program Total: 39 Units