Program Overview

The Earl and Nancy Hutto Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) online program at the University of West Florida provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide primary care across the lifespan in outpatient primary care settings. This full-time program will prepare students for a national certification exam through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Program Details

• Est. Program Length: 27-30 months
• Credit Hours: 45
• Course Length: 8 and 16 weeks
• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $500
• Transfer Credits Accepted: Up to 9

Accreditation

The master's degree program in nursing at the University of West Florida is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Learning Outcomes

• Synthesize, critically evaluate, and apply advanced nursing and interdisciplinary knowledge from the liberal arts, natural sciences, and social sciences to lead clinical judgment, drive innovation in healthcare practice, and transform health outcomes in complex and diverse care environments.
• Critically appraise, translate, integrate, and disseminate research findings in decision-making to improve healthcare outcomes.
• Evaluate and apply evidence-based, person-centered care to meet the complex health needs of diverse populations, utilizing advanced clinical judgment, interprofessional collaboration, and a comprehensive holistic care approach across the lifespan.
• Leverage advanced nursing expertise to integrate community resources and shape equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive care across the healthcare continuum, driving initiatives in disease and injury prevention, and advancing health equity for diverse populations.
• Design and implement strategies to optimize resource management in complex health systems, enhancing the delivery of safe, quality, and equitable care for diverse populations while driving systemic improvements in healthcare.
• Strategically employ advanced information and communication technologies to collect, critically analyze, and apply healthcare data, driving clinical judgment and informed decision-making to enhance healthcare outcomes in diverse complex environments.
• Actively engage in self-reflection and advanced nursing endeavors that elevate personal well-being, resilience, and professionalism, fostering continuous lifelong learning and advancing the development of nursing expertise and leadership.
• Model accountability, collaborative leadership, and advanced professionalism in cultivating a nursing identity that exemplifies the core values, ethics, and competencies of the nursing profession.
• Cultivate advanced collaboration and strategic communication with interdisciplinary stakeholders, embodying core nursing values to enrich healthcare experiences and drive improved outcomes in complex and diverse care environments.
• Conceptualize and design innovative quality improvement and safety initiatives that minimize harm to patients and providers, while optimizing system efficiency and effectiveness within complex healthcare environments.

Courses and Requirements

The online FNP program includes a total of 45 credit hours and must be taken full-time. The program covers both foundational and advanced topics in nursing, along with practicums that focus on the care of children, adults, women, and families.

MSN Direct Care Core (9 credit hours)

• NGR 6002 - Advanced Health Assessment
• NGR 6172 - Advanced Pharmacology
• NGR 6140 - Advanced Pathophysiology

MSN Common Core (12 credit hours)

• NGR 6111 - Foundations of Nursing Science
• NGR 6803 - Integration of Evidence in Advanced Nursing Practice
• NGR 6893 - Health Systems Leadership and Policy Strategies
• NGR 6638 - Population Health Promotion and Management

Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization (24 credit hours)

• NGR 6201 - Family Nurse Practitioner I Seminar
• NGR 6201L - Family Nurse Practitioner I Practicum
• NGR 6202 - Family Nurse Practitioner III Seminar
• NGR 6202L - Family Nurse Practitioner III Practicum
• NGR 6301 - Family Nurse Practitioner II Seminar
• NGR 6301L - Family Nurse Practitioner II Practicum
• NGR 6835L - Family Nurse Practitioner IV Practicum

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements, the School of Nursing bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• An earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an NLNAC, ACEN, or CCNE accredited nursing program with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale OR a 3.0 (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of coursework on the BSN.
• Evidence of a completed undergraduate statistics course with a grade of "C" or better.
• A current unencumbered Registered Nurse license to practice nursing in a state or territory of the United States.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) that includes: work history, educational background, community service involvement with dates, national certification entity, and professional organization memberships.
• Reflect on your career goals and write a statement that includes a written narrative of the following:
  • What aspects of your current or previous experience as a registered nurse have influenced your decision to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)?
  • Describe the type of healthcare setting in which you envision practicing as an FNP.
  • What unique role and contribution do you plan to bring to your patients as a family nurse practitioner?
  • Given your existing responsibilities, what strategies will you employ to manage your time and commitments effectively to ensure success in graduate school and reach your academic and career aspirations?
  • Your answers will serve as an example of your critical thinking and writing skills. Citations and references are not required. Submission should be typed and between 150-200 words.

Licensure

Students who plan to conduct their clinical hours in a state other than Florida must know about each state's board of nursing regulations and licensure post-graduation. Students must check with their respective state board of nursing to ensure compliance with rules for conducting practicum and, in addition, to be eligible to obtain licensure to practice after graduation/certification.

Costs & Financial Aid

• Full Online Program Tuition: $500 per credit hour
• Total: $22,500.00
• Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 9): $500 per credit hour
• Total: $18,000.00

Career Outcomes

Upon completion of the family nurse practitioner online program, graduates can pursue a variety of careers within different practice fields. Nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $126,260, and employment is projected to grow 38 percent through 2032.

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Earl and Nancy Hutto Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) online program at the University of West Florida equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide primary care across the lifespan in outpatient primary care settings. This full-time program prepares graduates for national certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), which are commonly required for nurses to obtain licensure as advanced practice registered nurses.

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Objectives:

Upon completing the program, graduates are prepared for careers as advanced practice registered nurses in various healthcare settings. The program includes:

• An exploration of advanced concepts in care from child to adult
• A focus on primary care for patients throughout their lives, from childhood to geriatric years

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Theoretical and clinical principles of advanced health assessment
• Evaluating, diagnosing, and managing acute and chronic health problems in an individualized patient-centered care approach
• The mechanisms producing various symptoms of diseases
• A foundation in concepts and theories of nursing
• Implementation of evidence-based theories and concepts to improve nursing practice
• Use of organizational theory and leadership to influence positive change in complex healthcare systems
• How diverse populations influence health issues

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Structure:

The online program (except for practicum courses) allows professional nurses to study from various locations while balancing work and school to meet program requirements. Upon completion of the program, students will have completed 600 direct patient care hours.

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Course Schedule:

The 45-credit-hour program includes core courses and specialization courses. The core courses cover foundational and advanced topics in nursing, while the specialization courses focus on the care of children, adults, women, and families.

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Modules:

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MSN Direct Care Core (9 credit hours)

• Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
• Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
• Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)

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MSN Common Core (12 credit hours)

• Foundations of Nursing Science (3 credits)
• Integration of Evidence in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• Health Systems Leadership and Policy Strategies (3 credits)
• Population Health Promotion and Management (3 credits)

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Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization (24 credit hours)

• Care of the Adult I (3 credits)
• Care of the Adult II (3 credits)
• Care of the Child and Family (3 credits)
• Care of the Woman and Family (3 credits)

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Practicum courses provide an opportunity to learn and implement skills aimed at assessing, diagnosing, and managing acute and long-term health needs.

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Faculty:

• Taught by practicing NPs, nurse educators, and clinical leaders with many years of experience in primary care.

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Unique Approaches:

• The program emphasizes patient-centered care and provides a foundation in the concepts and theories of nursing.
• The curriculum highlights the implementation of evidence-based theories and concepts to improve nursing practice.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

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Opportunities:

• Work in various health care settings, including:
• Ambulatory care
• Rural health clinics
• Community outpatient clinics
• Federally qualified health centers
• Community health units
• Private practice settings

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Outcomes:

• Graduates have a 3-year average pass rate of 93% on the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners FNP Certification Exam.

University of West Florida

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Overview:

The University of West Florida (UWF) is a public university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. It prides itself on providing a personalized learning experience with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. UWF emphasizes a strong student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring individual attention and support.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources. Students can explore the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast in Fort Walton Beach, UWF Historic Trust in Historic Pensacola, and UWF's downtown Pensacola facilities. A virtual tour is available to experience the campus remotely.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Personalized Attention:

UWF boasts a 100:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and support from world-renowned professors.

Diverse Programs:

Over 110 undergraduate and graduate programs cater to various interests and career aspirations.

Strong Reputation:

UWF is ranked #100 in the "Top Public School – Regional Universities South" by U.S. News and World Report.

Engaging Campus Life:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources, including a virtual tour for remote exploration.

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Academic Programs:

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Other:

UWF actively engages in research and community outreach. Recent initiatives include:

Archaeology Institute Field Schools:

Offering students hands-on experience in archaeological investigations.

HeirStory Project:

Collaborating with a renowned journalist to develop technology for preserving family legacies.

Galapagos Islands Study Abroad:

Providing students with immersive cultural and historical experiences.