Dec 08, 2024  
2015-16 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-16 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Advanced Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (TN eCampus)


Jenny Sauls, Director
(615) 898-2437
Jenny.Sauls@mtsu.edu
Joan W. Howell, Academic Advisor for MSN Program
(615) 898-5252
Joan.Howell@mtsu.edu

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate program provides a formal program of study for Master’s-prepared nurses interested in taking the national certification exam to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). To be eligible for the certification exam, students must successfully complete graduate didactic and clinical requirements of a Master’s nurse practitioner program through a formal Master’s-level Nurse Practitioner program in the desired area of practice. The FNP Certificate program offers a formal program of study to meet this need for students who already have the Master of Science in Nursing degree without requiring them to complete a second Master’s degree.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the program is based on competitive selection from the pool of applicants who meet the College of Graduate Studies admission requirements from the designated home school.

Additional admission requirements for the Advanced Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program include

  1. a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program (NLNAC or CCNE) that includes satisfactory completion of the following courses at the master’s level:
    • Advanced Health Assessment with a didactic and clinical component equivalent to 3-4 semester credit hours;
    • Advanced Pathophysiology equivalent to 3 semester credit hours; and
    • Advanced Pharmacology equivalent to 3 semester credit hours;
  2. residence in Tennessee (pending TBR approval);
  3. an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee;
  4. an MSN degree with an overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (conditional admission will be considered with a 2.9 overall MSN GPA);
  5. TOEFL score of 600 if native language is not English;
  6. a written document prepared by the applicant that includes a resume, a discussion of prior professional experience, future career goals, and reasons for pursuing the certificate program;
  7. letters of recommendation from at least three persons (a minimum of one academic) familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional background and experience in nursing practice.

Application Procedures


Students are advised to contact the graduate program advisor in the School of Nursing before beginning the application procedure. Applications are due by 1 October for spring admission, 1 February for summer admission, and 1 April for fall admission.

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
  2. submit official copies of transcripts;
  3. submit three signed letters of recommendation;
  4. submit an updated vita or resume;
  5. submit a copy of RN license.

NOTE: Applicants residing in Middle Tennessee (Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Stewart, Wayne, Williamson, and Wilson County) are randomly assigned to one of the three TBR institutions in Middle Tennessee (APSU, MTSU, or TSU). All students must first apply to the TN eCampus program at www.rodp.org/admissions. Students approved and assigned to MTSU will then apply to the MTSU College of Graduate Studies.

Certificate Requirements


Candidate must complete 21 credit hours of graduate nursing courses.

Curriculum: Advanced Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner


  • NURS 6601 – Family Nurse Practitioner I (Women’s Health) 3 credit hours
  • NURS 6602 – Family Nurse Practitioner I – Clinical 2 credit hours
  • NURS 6603 – Family Nurse Practitioner II (Adult/Geriatric Health) 3 credit hours
  • NURS 6604 – Family Nurse Practitioner II – Clinical 4 credit hours
  • NURS 6605 – Family Nurse Practitioner III (Pediatric Health) 3 credit hours
  • NURS 6606 – Family Nurse Practitioner III – Clinical 2 credit hours
  • NURS 6609 – Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum 4 credit hours

Program Notes


Total contact hours - Advanced FNP Clinical/Practicum = 720.