Nurse Practitioner Option

Penn State's Nurse Practitioner option offers
a master's degree for registered nurses
who want to function in an expanded role as a
family nurse practitioner, providing direct care
to individuals and families throughout the life span. The role of the independent practitioner
in rural and medically underserved communities is emphasized. The program, open to baccalaureate-prepared nurses, combines advanced knowledge and research in nursing with knowledge from the sciences, medicine,
and related disciplines.

As part of the program, students complete clinical rotations at a variety of approved clinics, health centers, and private practices, with at least one rotation being in a rural or underserved community. The program is designed to be completed in two years (four semesters) of full-time study. (Part-time study and post-master's options are also available.) The required courses include 45 clinical lab hours in physical assessment (N502) and 765 clinical hours in supervised practice, total of 810 hours. Graduates are eligible for state and national certification as family nurse practitioners.

The total number of credits required is 47-50 (dependent on the selection of a scholarly paper or thesis in the capstone experience).

Sample Degree Plan

(For full-time Study: meet with advisor to plan part-time study)

Family Nurse Practitioner (minimum 47- 50 credits)
[dependent on non-thesis (3 cr) / thesis (6 cr) option]
Fall (Semester I )
N502 Physical Assessment (3)
N503 Pathophysiology (3)
N504 Pharmacology (3)
N510 Nursing Theory (3)

Total: 12 credits		 Spring (Semester II)
N501 Issues (3)
N512 Nursing Research (3)
N570 Episodic Illness (4)
N572 Practicum I (4)

Total: 14 credits
Fall (Semester III)
N571 Chronic Illness (5)
N573 Practicum II (5)
N594 Scholarly Paper (1)
OR
N600 Thesis (2)

Total: 11-12 credits		 Spring (Semester IV)
N574 Integrative Practicum (8)
N594 Scholarly Paper (2)
OR
N600 thesis (4)


Total: 10-12 credits

Post Master's FNP Certificate
The Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program serves students who are seeking additional certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program of study is individualized and is highly variable, dependent on the qualifications and academic credentials of the applicant.

Prior to admission, the student's transcripts are evaluated by the NP Option Coordinator in collaboration with lead NP faculty to ascertain the successful completion of MS Program core courses (including N501: Issues; N512: Research) and Advanced Practice core courses (including, N502: Physical Assessment; N503: Pathophysiology; N504 Pharmacology). A recommendation regarding admission and the program of study is formulated and discussed with the Professor-in-Charge of the Graduate Programs prior to making an offer of admission.

Post-Master's certificate students engage in the capstone clinical course (N574: FNP Rural Integrative Practicum); however, they do not complete the scholarly paper as part of the capstone experiences. All Post-Master's students are monitored by the NP faculty to ensure that they have achieved the knowledge and skills necessary to become clinically competent as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

For more information please contact:
Sharon Falkenstern, PhD, CRNP, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
NP Option Coordinator
Tel #: 814-863-2244
E-mail: sxf2@psu.edu