Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate)

The Department of Nursing offers the Post-Master's Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program for students who completed a master of science degree in nursing. The certificate of advanced practice is designed for those individuals with a master's degree in nursing who wish to expand their practice into the role of a primary care family nurse practitioner. The PM-PC-FNP specialty area prepares family nurse practitioners (FNP) who are clinically competent and practice with cultural humility as advanced practiced registered nurse (APRN). FNPs provide patient centered health care to individuals, families,and communities across the life span. Clinical practice includes health promotion, disease prevention, teaching, counseling, and acute and chronic disease management. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for national certification as a family nurse practitioner. Upon licensure, FNPs may practice autonomously as well as in collaboration with other health professionals.

Students accepted into the PM-PC-FNP certificate program will have an individualized plan of study developed. Course waivers will be granted based upon their educational background and previous coursework in master's program. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to have an unencumbered RN license in the United States, degree in nursing or outside nursing, and successful completion of undergraduate statistics and research to be eligible to apply to this program.

1. Unencumbered, active RN license in the United States
2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing or another field. Masters degree in nursing. 
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in associate and baccalaureate programs
4. Successful completion of undergraduate statistics course and undergraduate research course
5. 2 letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted. References should be substantial with one academic, if available, and two current nursing professionals with graduate education background.
6. Updated Resume
7. Personal Statement. Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
   1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
   2. Specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
8. Course descriptions should be submitted for any course you request waived.

Students accepted into the PM-FNP certificate program will have an individualized plan of study developed. Course waivers will be based upon educational background and previous coursework in master's program.

Certificate Requirements

Clinical Hours: 750*

*

Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses NURS 921, NURS 923 and NURS 940.

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures

The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However,  completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.

UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.

Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.