Overview of the FNP Program:

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a Registered Nurse educated at the Master's level as a nurse practitioner. The focus of care for the FNP is children and adults of all ages, in the context of the family unit. The FNP is educated to provide high quality, continual and comprehensive wellness and illness care to children and adults by providing preventive health services, patient education, disease management and illness prevention. The FNP is prepared to implement evidence-based practice guidelines and to critically analyze and adapt health care interventions based on individualized assessments of individual/family needs. The FNP practices in the context of community, with broad knowledge, sensitivity and awareness of the specific needs of people from diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. Family nurse practitioners practice primarily in ambulatory care settings.

Types of Care provided by the Family Nurse Practitioner:

• Episodic care for acute conditions for all ages, including minor acute injuries and illnesses

• Management of chronic conditions such as HTN, diabetes, asthma

• Monitoring and case management/consultation of more acute conditions such as cardiac diseases and neuromuscular conditions

• Family assessments and interventions

• Preconception, prenatal and postpartum care

• Well-woman primary care, including family planning and illness care

• Well-child primary and illness care

• Culturally sensitive health promotion interventions

Advanced Practice Nurses also perform these general functions:

• Obtain health histories and perform comprehensive physical examinations, including psychosocial, functional, and developmental assessment

• Order and interpret lab results and other diagnostic studies

• Develop differential diagnoses

• Develop/order therapeutic plan of care including prescription medications

• Maintain patient records

• Evaluate patient's response to plan of care and modify as needed

• Provide patient/family counseling and education

• Arrange for patient referrals/consultations

• Participate in research studies

• Collaborate with other health team members

FNP Primary Care Program Curriculum:

The two-year program (3 quarters per year) consists of theory and clinical practice courses designed to prepare FNP Primary Care NPs to meet the health care needs of our changing population. Courses meet the criteria designated by state and national accreditation bodies and professional organizations including the California Board of Registered Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty.

Core Courses:

• Research (N 204)

• Pathophysiology for Advanced practice Nurses (N 231)

• Professional Issues (N 264)

• Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (N 224)

• Biobehavioral Foundations of Health Assessment (N 200)

• Assessment and Management in Adult Healthcare I, II, and III (N 239 A-C)

Clinical Lab and Practicum Courses:

• Advanced Assessment and Clinical Diagnosis (N 440)

• Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum (N 429 A-E)

FNP Specialty Courses:

• Family Theory (N 212) Primary Care of Children (N236)

• Women's Health Care During Reproductive Years (N 211)

Theory Elective(s): 4 units required.

• N 209 Human Diversity in Health and Illness

• N249 Underserved Populations (highly recommended)

Clinical Elective:

• N450 optional additional clinical hours by arrangement with individual faculty during summer months.

Comprehensive Examination

• Completed during last academic quarter