Certificate of Advanced Studies in Family Nurse Practitioner: Curriculum

Curriculum Details

31 TOTAL
CREDITS REQUIRED

Based on a research-backed curriculum, the online post-Master's FNP Certificate at Utica College includes a practicum component, so you learn in a real-world clinical setting. Designed by practitioners with extensive experience in the field, the FNP program engages you with topics like health promotion and primary care, advanced pharmacology, and advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning.

Prior to commencing the practicum, students in the FNP program will be required to attend a three-day (Friday–Sunday) in-person immersion experience on the Utica College campus.

The curriculum course abstracts on this page are meant to provide a high-level course overview and subject to change based on term, faculty, and/or institutional requirements. View the official course descriptions as written in the Utica College Academic Catalog and in adherence to regional compliance.

You may transfer in up to 9 credits for previously completed coursework equivalent to NUR 604 Advanced Pathophysiology, NUR 615 Advanced Pharmacology I, and NUR 611 Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning I.

Required Courses

Credit Hours

Family Nurse Practitioner Total Hours:

NUR 611 Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning ICredit Hours: 3

This course will introduce the essential competencies to provide a foundation for you to develop advanced health assessment skills: communication, history and physical examinations (focused and complete); diagnostic reasoning; and written and oral presentation of findings.

Prerequisites: NUR 604

NUR 995 FNP Skills Residency- Immersion WeekendCredit Hours: 0

After completing NUR 611, and prior to commencing the practicum, you will be required to attend a three-day (Friday–Sunday) immersion weekend at the Utica College campus that will provide you with an observed, hands-on experience conducting a comprehensive history and physical exam in a simulated clinical setting.

Lecture and hands-on lab experiences will be provided focusing on the following topics: CXR interpretation, gender examinations, suturing, orthopedic splinting, and advanced oto/ophthalmic assessments. You'll also have the opportunity to meet with the practicum coordination team to assist in planning practicum experiences.

Utica College will host the Nurse Practitioner White Coat Ceremony and reception on Saturday evening.

Prerequisites: NUR 611

NUR 616 Advanced Pharmacology IICredit Hours: 2

This course examines the requirements of Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) to prescribe across the lifespan in primary care settings. You'll focus on the legalities and clinical decision-making in prescribing pharmacologic therapy with an emphasis on evidence-based decision-making to provide clinically applicable, cost-effective selections of pharmacotherapeutics. Completion of the NYS Prescribing course and NYS Opioid Training is mandatory for all students.

Prerequisites: NUR 615 and NUR 604

NUR 612 Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning IICredit Hours: 2

This course helps you develop advanced assessment skills, appraisals of diagnostics (tests, labs), and competency in common office procedures: EKG interpretation, suturing, orthopedic splinting, gynecologic procedures, pulmonary function tests, incision and drainage, and minor skin lesion removal. Your skills will be observed by faculty during the Family Nurse Practitioner Residency completed prior to Health Promotion & Primary Care I.

Prerequisites: NUR 611

NUR 621 Health Promotion & Primary Care ICredit Hours: 5

This course provides you the foundational, theoretical, and practical knowledge for the assessment and management of common health disorders across the lifespan in primary care settings. You'll focus on developmental and prevention screening, age-specific health management, vaccines, skin, EENT, and dental health. You will also complete 225 practicum hours in conjunction with this theory course.

Prerequisites: NUR 611, NUR 615, NUR 995

NUR 622 Health Promotion & Primary Care IICredit Hours: 5

This course provides the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) student the foundational theoretical and practice knowledge for the assessment and management of common health disorders across the lifespan in primary care settings. The focus of this course is gender health, screening, and the health management of childbearing individuals. The student will complete 225 practicum hours in conjunction with this theory course.

Prerequisites: NUR 621

NUR 625 Health Promotion & Primary Care IIICredit Hours: 6

This course provides you with the foundational, theoretical and practical knowledge for the assessment and management of common health disorders across the lifespan in primary care settings. The focus of this course is to develop clinical decision-making to screen for and manage chronic illnesses: anemia, COPD, asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. You will also complete 270 practicum hours in conjunction with this theory course.

Prerequisites: NUR 622

NUR 634 NP Culminating SeminarCredit Hours: 2

This course prepares you to summarize, evaluate, and integrate your experiences as you transition from Registered Nurse (RN) to entry-level Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). The focus of this course is on practice issues in diverse healthcare settings, job negotiation strategies, exploring collaboration with a review of state licensure, national certification, and federal reimbursement mandates. A comprehensive exam will be given in this course.

Prerequisites: NUR 625

NUR 604 Advanced PathophysiologyCredit Hours: 3

This course will explore pathophysiology theory and evidence-based research across body systems within the human lifespan to provide you with a foundation for developing advanced diagnostic reasoning and clinical management skills in clinical settings.

NUR 615 Advanced Pharmacology ICredit Hours: 3

You'll examine foundational principles of safe pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, vaccines, and toxicology across the lifespan in diverse healthcare settings.

Prerequisites: NUR 604

 
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