FNP in Practice

Practice Characteristics
Graduates of the DNP program in family practice are sought after in a variety of clinical settings because their broad scope of practice focuses on health promotion and preventive care, together with illness management. They practice both autonomously and collaboratively in private practices (some of which are NP-owned), community clinics, and in large medical groups and organizations such as the Veteran's administration, Pacific Medical Center, and Group Health Cooperative. The type of practice varies from family practice to specialty care, and may be in outpatient, urgent care, or inpatient settings. FNP graduates will find that opportunities exist to assume roles as educators, managers, researchers, and leaders in policy development. Their education in the tripartite role of Practice Inquiry, Advanced Practice, and Leadership enables them to serve and affect change in today's health care arena.

Our graduates are involved in professional organizations at the local, state and national levels. Examples include the American Nurses Association, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American College of Nurse Practitioners, ARNPs United, and various local NP interest groups. These organizations promote and support the role of the nurse practitioner. They have been involved in expanding and protecting the scope of practice of NPs nationally as well as at the state level. Many offer memberships to students at a discounted rate.

Certifications
FNPs who graduate from our program meet the educational requirements for licensure and prescriptive authority in all states in the U.S. and are eligible to sit for the FNP certification exams offered by the:

• American Nurses Credentialing Center
  
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners