Family Nurse Practitioner
The focus of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty at the UNM College of Nursing is on primary care, especially for rural and under-served populations. Individuals from New Mexico and rural areas, and those interested in practice in rural and under-served areas, are particularly encouraged to apply. Full time study begins in the Summer term for six consecutive terms. The degree to be awarded at completion of the program is the Master of Science in Nursing. Graduates will be eligible to become certified as Family Nurse Practitioners in New Mexico and nationally after successfully passing the certification exams.
Because graduate education in nursing builds on the baccalaureate curriculum, students are expected to enter the program with prerequisite coursework and clinical nursing competence. Specific areas that will be built upon, but not repeated at the graduate level include: basic anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology; introductory pharmacology; basic growth and development; basic physical and psychosocial assessment; basic statistics; interviewing and development of therapeutic relationships; and community health nursing. Students who seek admission without some of these competencies will need to take personal responsibility for acquiring them. The College of Nursing and the University of New Mexico have coursework, clinical opportunities, and faculty available to assist students, if necessary, prior to entering the program.
The FNP clinical courses begin in the Spring term. We do not offer every FNP clinical course every semester, so the students must take the courses in the sequence outlined in their program of studies. The FNP clinical core courses are taught in a block format. That is we have students attend lecture for 3 weeks straight, then they go to their clinical sites for 4-5 weeks, then return for lectures for 2 weeks, then another 4-5 week clinical rotation, then return for a final 1 week of lectures. During the time they are in didactic block they are usually in lecture 8 hours every day. The block schedule varies every term, however faculty try to publish the schedule at least 4 weeks in advance so that students can adjust their schedules.
All students in this concentration are expected to travel outside of the Albuquerque area for a minimum of two clinical rotations. Students need to be aware that they are responsible for the travel expenses associated with out of Albuquerque site placements. It is the responsibility of the faculty to place students. If a student is from a rural area we make every effort to place that student for their clinical rotation in that area, however we cannot guarantee clinical site rotations.
If you would like more information regarding NPs in general (salary, job opportunities, etc.) I would recommend the web site for the American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP), or the web site for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).Objectives
At the completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- Facilitate entry of the client into the health care system at the point of first contact.
- Provide for comprehensive family health care that spans the health continuum and is coordinated and continuous.
- Assume responsibility for maintaining clinical practice competence.
- Participate in quality assurance activities in the health care setting.
- Support the role of nurse practitioner in health care delivery.
- Use current research findings as a basis for practice and improve health care through participation in research.
- Collaborate with other health care providers in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care for individual clients and for target populations.
Admission Requirements
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.S.N.) from an accredited college or university, with an upper-division major in nursing. (Graduates from non-accredited programs [N.L.N. or C.C.N.E.] and RN’s with baccalaureate degree in non-nursing fields are considered on an individual basis. Contact the College of Nursing advisement information for more information.)
- At least two years of experience as a registered nurse is recommended.
- Have a minimum grade point average for baccalaureate work of B (3.0) or better.
- Be registered in or eligible for nursing licensure in New Mexico with a New Mexico R.N. license obtained within the first term enrolled.
- Complete of the online application. The online application can be accessed by clicking on the link. Letters of recommendation, letter of intent, and a professional resume are required as part of the application process. See the online application guidelines for further information.
- An interview is required as part of the admissions process.
- Students who seek admission with existing graduate degrees in Nursing (Master's or Doctorate) will be able to pursue the PNP curriculum as a Post Master's certificate. However, their applications are considered along with all other applications.
Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the FNP program part-time?
Not at this time.
What non-clinical courses are required for the FNP concentration?
The non-clinical core courses include:
- N501 Nursing Theory 3 hours
- N503 Nursing Research 3 hours
- N505 Health Care Policy 3 hours
- N504 Evidence Based Practice in Nursing and Health Care 3 Hours
Are the non-clinical courses offered on the Web?
Yes.
What are the clinical core courses?
The following courses are clinical core courses:
- N526 Advanced Pathophysiology 3 hours
-
N540 Advanced Health Assessment* 4 hours
Advanced Health Assessment has three components, didactic, lab and clinical. In addition to weekly lectures in health assessment students have a lab component for 4 hours a week during the first half of the semester. At about mid semester students then start a clinical rotation, which replaces the lab, for a total of about 48 hours over the remaining 8 weeks (students continue with lecture in the second part of the semester).
- N543 Pharmacology 3 hours
Are any of these courses offered on the web?
NURS 543 Pharmacology and NURS 526 Advanced Pathophysiology are offered online. NURS 540 Advanced Health Assessment is taught onsite only. Advanced Health Assessment has three components: didactic, lab, and clinical.
What are the FNP clinical courses?
The FNP clinical core courses are:
- N541 Antepartum 3 hours 48 clinical hours
- N548 Women's Health 3 hours 72 clinical hours
- N542 Ambulatory Pediatrics 4 hours 72 clinical hours
- N535 Adult Health I 3 Hours 48 Clinical (Summer)
- N536 Adult Health II 5 Hours 96 Clinical (Fall)
- N546 Ambulatory Pediatrics II 4 hours 96 clinical hours
What is the total number of clinical hours?
This concentration has a total of 864 clinical hours.
Will I get to visit any rural sites?
We use a variety of sites, including sites in rural areas. All students in this concentration are expected to travel outside of the Albuquerque area for a minimum of two clinical rotations in a 2-year period. It is the responsibility of the faculty to place students. If students are from a rural area, we make every effort to place those students in that area for their clinical rotation; however, we cannot guarantee clinical site rotations.
If I have a MSN, how can I get a FNP?
Students with an MSN will have already completed the core courses. They will be responsible for taking the remaining FNP courses. They must have taken graduate level pathophysiology and pharmacology within the past 5 years. Faculty will review any advanced health assessment courses on a case-by-base basis.