Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate

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Post-Graduate Certificate

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate program provides a formal program of study for graduate-prepared nurses interested in taking the national certification exam to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. To be eligible to take the national certification exam students must “successfully complete graduate didactic and clinical requirements of a graduate nurse practitioner program through a formal graduate-level certificate or Master’s level NP 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 a graduate degree in nursing without requiring a second master’s degree.

Admission

Because the University seeks to provide in as much as possible a reasonably safe environment for its health career students and their patients, students may be required during the course of the program to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Such essential requirements include freedom from communicable diseases, the ability to perform certain physical tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, so as not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of disability.

Core performance standards for admission and progression:

Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.
Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.
Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care.
Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program will be based on competitive selection from the pool of applicants. Multiple criteria will be used when considering applicant admission including, but not limited to, letter of interest, undergraduate and graduate grade point averages, professional experience, applicant interview, and letters of recommendation.

Additional admissions requirements for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program include:

A graduate degree in nursing from an accredited program (NLNAC or CCNE).
Satisfactory completion (B or better) of the following courses at the graduate level:
- NURS 7101 - Advanced Health Assessment ** - 3 semester hours
- NURS 7102 - Advanced Health Assessment, Clinical ** - 1 semester hour
- NURS 7103 - Advanced Pathophysiology ** - 3 semester hours
- NURS 7104 - Advanced Pharmacology ** - 3 semester hours
Eligibility to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or in an approved state in which clinical assignments are completed. Appropriate licensure/authorization must be obtained prior to the start of the program.
Overall G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Applicants for whom English is not their primary language are required to meet the University’s minimum required TOEFL score.
A written document prepared by the applicant that includes a resume, a discussion of prior professional experience, future career goals, and reasons for pursuing graduate study.
Letters of recommendation from at least three persons familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional background and experience in nursing practice, specifying in detail the applicant’s capabilities for graduate study and for future practice as an advanced practice nurse.
Students admitted to MSN program or post graduate certificate programs must have and maintain while in the program:
- An unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in Tennessee or license to practice in an approved state in which clinical assignments are to be completed.
- Current CPR certification.
- Evidence of hepatitis B; measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); polio; tetanus, diptheria, pertussis (Tdap), varicella, and COVID vaccinations and/or titers if available.
- Freedom from tuberculosis as evidenced by a negative PPD or health provider examination.
- Annual flu vaccination, unless medically contraindicated.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Progression and Retention Requirements

Students in the Loewenberg College of Nursing graduate program must comply with all retention standards of the University of Memphis Graduate School.
Students must earn a grade of “B” or better in all clinical and lab courses:
- NURS 7102
- NURS 7107
- NURS 7602
- NURS 7604
- NURS 7606
- NURS 7609
- NURS 7207
- NURS 7209
- NURS 7307
- NURS 7309
- NURS 7908
- NURS 7909
Academic disqualification from the graduate nursing major will occur when the student:
- fails to maintain a 3.0 GPA in graduate school.
- fails to earn a grade of “B” (3.0) or better when repeating a course.
- willfully misrepresents patient data or clinical practice.
- willfully places any patient in physical or emotional jeopardy.
- fails to maintain an active, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in Tennessee or license to practice in an approved state in which clinical assignments are to be completed.
- fails to disclose a felony conviction.
- fails to disclose disciplinary action or diversion by any board of nursing (or equivalent).
- fails to complete all degree requirements within five years of entering graduate nursing coursework.
- All requirements for the Post-Graduate Certificate must be completed within 5 calendar years.

Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate (23 credit hours)

The Post-Graduate Certificate with a concentration in Advanced Practice Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver primary health care to all ages; individuals and families throughout the lifespan and across the health continuum. Among their course of study, students will be provided with knowledge and clinical skills necessary for health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses.

Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate Required Courses

NURS 7107 - Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Credit Hours: 2 (30 clock hours)
NURS 7601 - Family Nurse Practnr I ** Credit Hours: (3)
NURS 7602 - Family Nurs Prac I/Clin ** Credit Hours: (2) (120 clock hours)
NURS 7603 - Family Nurs Practnr II ** Credit Hours: (3)
NURS 7604 - Family Nurs Pract II/CLN ** Credit Hours: (4) (240 clock hours)
NURS 7605 - Family Nurs Pract III ** Credit Hours: (3)
NURS 7606 - Family Nurs Prac III Cln ** Credit Hours: (2) (120 clock hours)
NURS 7609 - FNP Practicum ** Credit Hours: (4) (240 clock hours)

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration Progression and Retention Requirements

Family Nurse Practitioner students must complete a minimum of 750 clock hours to meet the academic and practicum requirements for national certification (NTF Criteria, 2021).
In accordance with the policy set forth by the University of Memphis Graduate School, before being recommended for graduation, every candidate for the master’s degree and post-graduate certificate, who does not write a thesis is required to pass a final comprehensive/competency examination.

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration Re-Entry after Disqualification:

Following academic disqualification, students are eligible to reapply to the FNP program after 3 years or to the FNP Post-Graduate Certificate after 1 year. Minimum course requirements following readmission include the completion of FNP I, II, III, Residency and corequisite courses. All MSN progression, retention, and graduation policies apply.