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Post Graduate Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner

This pathway is designed to prepare skilled Nurse Practitioners for work in clinics, hospitals, schools, correctional facilities and organizations such as local health departments, corporations and state or federal agencies. Health promotion and disease prevention are integral in the NP’s practice. Graduates of this program are registered nurses with advanced education who is able to assess, make medical and nursing diagnoses, manage health care, prescribe medicines and evaluate care for persons who are ill, injured and/or have chronic diseases.

The NP pathway offers a part-time and full-time options to fit the schedules of working nurses. Many classes are offered via Internet Protocol Video (IPV) conference between various campuses. In addition, all courses are also augmented by Web / Internet based activities, reducing frequency for on-campus course instruction. Much of the learning activities are completed in the student's home and transmitted electronically, versus sitting in classrooms.

The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum prepares graduates to apply for and sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center and/or American Association of Nurse Practitioners Family Nurse Practitioner-primary care certification exam.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared to: 

  • Integrate theories from nursing and support sciences to guide practice and role development 
  • Use evidence-based and best practice literature to propose and initiate change. 
  • Use political acumen to influence health care policy in the promotion of safe, ethical health care delivery. 
  • Deliver a broad array of evidence-based, patient-centered nursing interventions to culturally diverse or at-risk individuals and populations in a specialized area of practice. 
  • Demonstrate expertise in a specialized area of clinical, teaching, and management/administrative practice and/or initial competence in a functional role (advanced practice registered nurse [APRN], educator and administrator). 
  • Employ leadership and management skills in decision making to improve nursing care delivery and the care environment. 
  • Collaborate with the interprofessional teams to improve nursing care and health care services. 
  • Contribute to knowledge dissemination through scholarly activities and communication. 
  • Use critical synthesis to effectively manage resources and systems. 
  • Demonstrate competency in information analysis, management and technology consistent with role preparation. 
  • Engage in lifelong learning and professional development. 

Prerequisite Courses

Nursing Research 

General Statistics 

Admission Requirements

  • Application deadline - April 1
  • Completion of a Master's degree in Nursing from an accredited institution
  • Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours
  • Current Oklahoma/Compact license to practice as a Registered Nurse
  • University admission and supplemental applications [Including submission of three reference letters, an essay, and a resume]
  • Potential interview with faculty
  • Completion of all prerequisite courses prior to the application deadline

Curriculum

Program Start: Fall 

Family Nurse Practitioner: 24-33 credit hours/ 704 clinical hours (all clinical hours must be completed in the state of Oklahoma).

Hybrid Program: Some on-campus and online components