interprofessional
Nursing students at D'Youville learn to work as part of a collaborative healthcare team through Interprofessional Education Labs.
learn moreFor over 70 years, D'Youville has been preparing students to be leaders in the nursing profession.
Overview & Distinctions
Overview
A family nurse practitioner meets the healthcare needs of the family by providing primary and specialty care for patients of all ages.
Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the program can be completed in two-years of full-time study. Upon graduation, you are eligible to take the examination for board certification.
If you’re interested in becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP), D’Youville’s nursing program is an ideal place to start. Established in 1942, the Patricia H. Garman School of Nursing has an excellent reputation as one of the best in the region for high-quality, student-centered education.
Our Family Nurse Practitioner MS degree is offered online and on campus.
What You'll Learn
As a student in D'Youville's master of science FNP program, you will:
- Learn to assess, diagnose and manage common acute and chronic illnesses;
- Gain skills in promoting healthy habits and educating patients about disease prevention;
- Get practical experience in women's health, pediatrics and adult settings;
- Benefit from the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors and those from the nursing community.
Why Choose D'Youville?
- Our faculty are clinical experts in their fields and recognized for their student-centered approach that emphasizes individualized instruction and career guidance.
- Studies show that teamwork across clinical specialties improves patient outcomes. D'Youville's unique interdisciplinary education lab offers the opportunity for you to practice treating patients (played by actors) alongside a team of students from 7 other health care majors at D'Youville — all under the supervision of a skilled instructor.
- D’Youville’s nursing program reflects the institution’s mission to educate professionals who contribute to the world community through leadership and service to others.
- If you're interested in furthering your education after you complete your master's degree, D'Youville's Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP) program may be an option.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
We recommend that applicants to D'Youville's family nurse practitioner (MS) hold at least one year of practice as a registered nurse.
In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate programs at D’Youville College, applicants for the master of science degree in family nurse practitioner must present the following:
- Completed online graduate application for admission (no application fee).
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC (ACEN) accredited program at a college or university in the US (or by the CNO in Ontario).
- Evidence of capability to succeed in a graduate program based on an overall undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Official transcripts from all college/ universities attended. Non - U.S. students must submit ‘course-by-course’ evaluation (or equivalent) of all college and/or university transcripts through the World Education Services (WES) or other approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.
- An overall G.P.A. of at least 3.0. Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in nursing, earned more than five years ago, with an overall G.P.A. less than 3.0 but more than or equal to 2.7, who have achieved significant professional success as documented on curricula vitae, may submit an application for consideration. Preferential admissions will be given to applicants with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher.
- Active unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in New York or in Ontario for Canadian students.
- A current CPR certification with a psychomotor component.
- One year of practice as a registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree is required.
- Baccalaureate-level health assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology courses or equivalent.
- Two references on clinical performance with one reference from an advanced practice nurse (NP) or a physician attesting to clinical knowledge, skills, leadership and the ability to be a good NP candidate. Other acceptable references include supervisors, managers or a former professor.
- Writing assignment on your philosophy of nursing, 2 pages in length, double space and 12-point font that includes philosophy of nursing focused on past experience, what influencing nursing has had on your career, why you chose to pursue this degree, how you see this degree enhancing your career and how you will utilize this degree to advance patient care and health care outcomes.
- A student who meets the entry requirements and is currently or previously enrolled in a nurse practitioner program at another college or university must obtain a letter from that School of Nursing stating the student is in good standing, not on probation, and able to register for classes. Students who were dismissed for any reason from a graduate nursing program will not be considered for admission.
- Applicants who work full-time are not eligible for planned 2-year completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner track.
Canadian RN students must submit two licensure items:
- A copy of original Certificate of Registration (issued upon passing of initial examination)
- A copy of Annual Registration Renewal (showing current unencumbered license)
Prerequisites
Applicants to D'Youville's family nurse practitioner (MS) must complete the following undergraduate course prerequisites:
- Statistics
- Health Assessment (or equivalent)
- Pathophysiology (or equivalent)
- Pharmacology (or equivalent)
Canadian students must submit a 'course-by-course' evaluation (or equivalent) of all Canadian college and/or university transcripts through the World Education Services (WES).
Use the Online Course Equivalency database to see whether the courses you've taken at other institutions can be counted towards a degree at D'Youville.
Transfer Credit Policy
Students may transfer up to nine graduate credits with grades of B or better into their program at the discretion of the program director. Credits must be earned from an accredited institution in courses required by the program being pursued.
Curriculum
CURRICULUM
Find detailed course information for the Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner program, tools to plan your education, and complete academic policies and procedures in the D'Youville academic catalog.
Course Requirements
Clinical Component
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUR-631 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR-631L | Advanced Health Assessment Lab | 1 |
| NUR-634 | Health Promotion-Children & Families | 3 |
| NUR-635 | Health Promotion-Women | 3 |
| NUR-637 | Health Promotion Adults Aging Population | 3 |
| NUR-638 | FNP Practicum in Pediatrics In Pediatrics | 3 |
| NUR-639 | FNP Practicum-Women Health Care | 3 |
| NUR-640 | Clinical Practicum in Adult Health I | 1 |
| NUR-641 | Clinical Practicum in Adult Health II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Research Component
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUR-600 | Theory Development in Nursing Research | 3 |
| NUR-601 | Research Methods in Nursing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Supportive Component
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUR-632 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NUR-633 | Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Project Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUR-610 | Project Seminar Design & Proposal | 3 |
| NUR-629 | Project Advisement: Implement and Evaluation | 1 |
| Total Credits | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Continuing Practicum courses include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUR-654 | Continuing FNP Clinical Practicum Pediatrics | 1 |
| NUR-655 | Continuing Practicum FNP Women's Health Practicum, Women's Health | 1 |
| NUR-657 | Continuing FNP Clinical Practicum Adult Adult | 1 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Careers
Careers
D'Youville's two-year MS (Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner) program prepares graduates for the licensure examination.
A Family Nurse Practitioner's Role
Family Nurse Practitioners provide primary and specialty care. They assess, diagnose, plan and institute management of health care services for individuals and families in need of care.
With an advanced degree in nursing, more nurses are involved in research, consulting and private practice.
Career Outlook
Employment of Family Nurse Practitioners is projected to grow 31 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. For more information about the job prospects for Family Nurse Practitioners, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
For more information about careers in nursing, visit: www.DiscoverNursing.com and www.nln.org.
Graduate Nursing Degrees at D’Youville
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that nursing profession will increase 19% per year until at least 2022. Denise Dunford, DNS, FNP-BC, APRN, an associate professor at D’Youville, explains why D’Youville’s graduate programs prepare students to meet demands and take leadership roles in healthcare.
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