The Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares students for the nurse practitioner role with experience to care for patients across the lifespan. Our faculty provide expertise and mentoring in assessment, diagnoses and implementation of advanced practice care to individuals, families, and groups in the community setting. Ethical dilemmas and legal issues related to the advanced practice role are addressed. Preparation to serve as a primary care provider and leader in community practice is acquired from theoretical knowledge developed through online courses and clinical practice experience gained through hands-on training in diverse clinical settings. Students learn to conduct needs assessments to deliver a community-wide system of health care services.
Outcomes At the conclusion of the program of study leading to the degree of Master of Science in Nursing, the graduate:
- Synthesizes theory and research from nursing, the biopsychosocial sciences, and the humanities in their advanced practice role to care for members of diverse populations.
- Is able to conduct research, collaborate with other researchers from various disciplines, and implement research findings in practice or educational settings.
- Is able to assume the advanced practice role of administrator, researcher, or practitioner.
- Is prepared to assume a leadership role to influence change in health care practice at local, regional, and national levels.
- Articulates and differentiates the various advanced practice roles within nursing.
- Has developed an understanding of the importance of maintaining professional development in their advanced practice role.
- Actively engages in collaborative relationships as an advanced practice nurse with professionals from various disciplines and members of diverse populations to improve health care.
- Has acquired a foundation for doctoral study.
Application Procedure
Gannon University and the Villa Maria School of Nursing receives and reviews applications for the Family Nurse Practitioner program and all applicant credentials through The Centralized Application for Nursing Programs (NursingCAS).
This includes information from all previously attended university or college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and supplemental materials. Full application instructions can be found on the Gannon University page by visiting www.nursingcas.org. Applicants may request a NursingCAS fee waiver by contacting the Office of Graduate Admissions at graduate@gannon.edu.
Admission Requirements
Professional nurses who have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing are eligible to apply for graduate study. The applicant seeking admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner program must:
- Submit an application for admission (apply.gannon.edu)
- Provide official transcripts of all academic work
- Complete an introductory statistics course and an undergraduate research course with a grade of at least a B in both courses
- Provide three letters of recommendation
- Provide evidence of fulfillment of the legal requirements for the practice of nursing in the United States
- Complete a personal interview (scheduled after all application materials are submitted)
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
For students with an earned MSN, a Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate may be earned by taking the 33 didactic and clinical course credits indicated with an asterisk. If the student has not completed a thesis, the research component will be required. Certificate students are admitted on a space-available basis.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Gannon University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Modality
All didactic courses are asynchronous online courses and FNP candidates have access to Gannon's faculty and online engagement team. GNURS 590: Advanced Physical Assessment requires skills/competencies to be evaluated on campus (Erie, PA or Ruskin, FL) as arranged, with flexible scheduling available. FNP candidates are always welcome to access campus labs and facilities throughout their time in the program.
Online Student Support
Gannon provides each FNP candidate an Online Engagement Coordinator who facilitates online orientation for new students, implements strategies to ensure online students are active in their online courses, and provides general online student support through a variety of high-touch methods to engage students and support student retention. Online students can reach out with general questions about online learning or how to remotely access Gannon's comprehensive student services.
Part-time Plan of Study
Year 1 - Fall Semester
- GNURS 525 Theoretical Foundation of Nursing (3 credits)
- GNURS 587 Advanced Pathophysiology 1* (3 credits)
Year 1 - Spring Semester
- GNURS 526 Role Theory and Professional Issues in Nursing (3 credits)
- GNURS 588 Advanced Pathophysiology 2* (3 credits)
Year 2 - Fall Semester
- GNURS 650 Research Methods (3 credits)
- GNURS 590 Advanced Physical Assessment* (3 credits)
Year 2 - Spring Semester
- GNURS 651 Research Seminar (3 credits)
- GNURS 589 Pharmacotherapeutics* (3 credits)
Year 2 - Summer Session
- GNURS 660 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory 1* (3 credits)
- GNURS 663 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum 1* (3 credits)
- GNURS 721 Thesis Guidance (1 credit)
Year 3 - Fall Semester
- GNURS 661 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory 2* (3 credits)
- GNURS 664 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum 2* (4 credits)
- GNURS 721 Thesis Guidance (1 credit)
Year 3 - Spring Semester
- GNURS 662 Family Nurse Practitioner Theory 3* (3 credits)
- GNURS 665 Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum 3* (5 credits)
- GNURS 721 Thesis Guidance (1 credit)
*Indicates courses required for a Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Following graduation from the Family Nurse Practitioner program, individuals must take a national certification examination to obtain state licensure as a certified nurse practitioner. Graduates can take one of two national certification examinations issued by: (1) The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or (2) The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).