Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Graduate Certificate

I. Contact Information

Stephanie S. DeBoor, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN
Associate Dean for 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 to 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. Implement 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. Apply 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

Applicants must meet both the University’s Graduate School requirements and the Orvis School of Nursing MSN requirements. Applicants should begin by completing an application to the University’s Graduate School.

There are two entry plans for the certificate:

• one for those who have completed a MSN, and
• one for those who are licensed and nationally certified APRNs (NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA).

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-unit graduate-level applied statistics course (at UNR – EDRS 640 ).

Submit the following 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.
• Three letters of recommendation.

The deadline for fall admission is March 1 and the spring admission deadline is Oct. 1. Admission for the AGACNP, PMHNP and FNP Advanced Degree (Post-Master’s) Certificate vary depending on entry plan. 

V. Program Requirements

VI. Program Total (17-33 Units)