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Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Transition into Family-Focused Primary Care

Wilkes’ online post-graduate FNP certificate program is designed for registered nurses with an MSN or DNP degree who are looking to transition into family-focused primary care. Our online FNP certificate program fully prepares you to pass the ANCC and AANP national certification exams so you can become licensed and begin your career as a family nurse practitioner.

Wilkes’ online academic programs are helping to fulfill the great demand for nurse practitioners in the U.S. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that the United States will be short at least 120,000 family medicine providers by 2030. Enrolling in Wilkes’ online post master’s FNP certificate program allows you to be part of the solution. 

As an FNP, you can make a difference in patients' lives by expanding your knowledge and skills beyond bedside treatment. With your FNP certificate, you will be able to provide disease prevention and management, counseling, and health and wellness education for patients across the lifespan.

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Program Details

  • $729 per credit hour
  • 3 start dates per year
  • 11 courses
  • 1.67 years to complete
  • years to complete
  • 30 credit hours
  • 584 clinical hours

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated for admission based on the following criteria. These admissions standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for this graduate-level program. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates, as needed, for a more in-depth review of qualifications.

  • MSN or DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
  • Unencumbered RN license*
  • Current resume
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Please note that prior to beginning and continuing in any of the nursing programs with Wilkes University, you must be located in an authorized state and be licensed in the state where you intend to complete your clinical activities, per that state’s clinical requirements. Your location (which may be your state of residency) and clinical activity do not need to be in the same state, as long as Wilkes is authorized in both states.

*Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the University.

Clinical Placement Services

Wilkes’ dedicated clinical placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that meets University and national guidelines and prepares you for success in our online Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate – FNP program.

Clinical placement services are built into the program's cost so you can focus on your coursework and the core competencies you need to succeed. We partner with you to:

  • Research and find a nearby site* aligned with your interest in family health and wellness. 
  • Secure a preceptor to mentor and support you.
  • Organize all necessary documents and clearance requirements before the start of your clinicals.
  • Monitor your schedule and placement hours to ensure compliance.

*Your placement site may be up to 125 miles from your location.

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* The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

More About Clinical Placement Support

The Wilkes Clinical Placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that is compliant, meets the University and national guidance for clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future nursing career.

How Does the Clinical Placement Process Work?

The Placement Team will collaborate with you to help you secure quality placement sites and preceptors. In addition to completing a Placement Intake Form, you will be responsible for completing all of your clinical clearance requirements prior to the start of the clinical placement process.

What Value Will the Placement Team Provide?

The Placement Team will help you identify and potentially secure quality placement sites. This process allows you to focus on the online coursework and the core competencies that will direct your placement experience. As an active participant in the placement process, providing referrals from your community increases your chances of securing quality sites and preceptors.

When Will I Receive My Placement Details?

You will receive a notification from your dedicated Placement Coordinator prior to each clinical start date. Once the placement has been confirmed and communicated, you are encouraged to begin working with your preceptor directly to establish a schedule for the semester.

How Should I Prepare for Clinicals?

You are not alone in preparing for clinicals! Your Placement Coordinator will be with you through the entire process by answering your questions, providing a clinical orientation, verifying your clinical clearances and walking you through the clinical checklist. The checklist details the dress code, clinical tools and professional expectations to ensure your success throughout each rotation.

Sample Curriculum

Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner

To see the full program curriculum, access your free program guide.

Time to Complete
1.67 years

Courses
12 Courses

Clinical Hours
584 Hours

Family/across-the-lifespan nurse practitioner students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the family population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and development of therapeutic interventions for self-limiting conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, residency and 250 clinical practice hours; Prerequisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG 550; Credits: 3)

Family/across-the-lifespan nurse practitioner students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the family population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, residency and 250 clinical practice hours; Prerequisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 3)

This course is designed to prepare FNP nursing students to gain experience in providing primary health care to the population focus of pediatrics. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of acute primary care health problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations. (Prerequisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 2)

Family nurse practitioner nursing students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in pediatrics across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, residency and 84 clinical practice hours; Prerequisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 1)

This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide primary healthcare to the adult and older adult population during wellness and acute/episodic illness. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of acute/episodic primary care health problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations. (Prerequisite: NSG-550; Credits: 3)

Get More Program Details

  •   Applications are currently being accepted for next intake

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More About Wilkes

At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.

Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.

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We’re here to talk about everything Wilkes, everything nursing and anything you need to make the right choice for your career. We'll even help with the application process. Call us or click the link below to start the conversation. We can’t wait! 

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Out-of-State Students

Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.

Primary State of Residence (PSOR)

Your PSOR is the state in which you declare as your primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify your PSOR may include driver's license, federal income tax return, or voter registration. Only one state can be identified as the primary state of legal residence.

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