July 12-13, 2001

NOTICE OF INTENT  Authorization to Establish a Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate Program; Montana State University-Bozeman

 

THAT: The Board of Regents of Higher Education authorizes Montana State University-Bozeman to establish a Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate Program.

EXPLANATION: This program is designed for the registered nurse who holds a master's degree in nursing, but desires additional educational preparation to be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in order to practice as a FNP. This non-degree program is structured for part-time study and can be accessed via distance delivery at one of the College of Nursing campuses in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula.

The current 59 credit FNP option at MSU-Bozeman, which leads to a Master of Nursing (MN) degree, began in Fall, 1994. The national certification boards, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), have requested MSU-Bozeman to develop a formal certificate program to facilitate their approval of students to take these national certification examinations.

The MSU-Bozeman College of Nursing faculty propose that the 36 semester credits taken on a part-time basis over 5 semesters are essential for practice as well as certification and licensure in the FNP advanced practice role. Upon completion of the program, students will be awarded a Certificate from MSU-Bozeman and are eligible to take the national certification examination for FNPs. Certification is a required credential in most states, including Montana, for advanced practice licensure.