Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization
Licensure and Certification
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program prepares the advanced practice nurse in all areas of family practice which includes: Pediatrics, Women's Health, Adult Clients and the Geriatric Population. The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed to satisfy education preparation for national certification by an official credentialing center. Upon completion of the FNP program, students are advised to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination through a national credentialing center.
“Becoming certified is one of the most important career advances you can make. Certification indicates that you meet standards set by your peers in your area of practice, and it demonstrates your commitment to yourself, your career, and competence in your profession” (Jan Yones-Schenk, ANCC President, 1999).
Arrangements for taking the certification examination can be made by contacting: ANCC, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 100 West, Washington, D.C. 20024- 2571.
The Ohio Board of Nursing requires the pharmacology course to be taken within five years of a request for prescription privileges. Other state requirements may vary. Those students in the FNP specialty are strongly encouraged to meet with the FNP advisor to ensure their curriculum is in compliance with Ohio Board regulations if they will seek Ohio prescriptive privileges.
Students who pass the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination may then apply to the Ohio Board of Nursing for licensure to practice in the state of Ohio as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Post-Master Certificates
A post-master Family Nurse Practitioner certification is offered to those students who have previously earned a master’s degree in nursing. Students seeking the post-master’s certificate must meet the basic admission requirements for the University and Graduate Nursing Program. In addition, they must submit evidence of the Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program. Candidates for the post-master certificate must confer with the FNP Coordinator in order to schedule appropriate course work that will lead to the certificate.