Family Nurse Practitioner (Certificate)

The Family Nurse Practitioner certificate is designed for certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and want to add another APRN role. 
 
FGCU’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate is tailored to APRNs who wish to expand their practice to provide comprehensive primary care to individuals and families. This program focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and managing common self-limiting and chronic health conditions across the lifespan. 

The curriculum integrates advanced clinical skills, health promotion, disease prevention, and evidence-based practice, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to deliver high-quality care in various settings, including primary care clinics and community health organizations. Students will benefit from extensive clinical training, allowing them to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to take the FNP certification exam, positioning them as competent and confident primary care providers.

Program Accreditation

The Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate will seek accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and be accredited in Spring 2028. 

Program Admission Requirements 

1. Complete an application including all required supporting documents  and submit the fee through NursingCAS
2. Master's degree or Doctoral degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale documented by official transcripts. 
3. Submission of official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended from a nationally accredited (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education [CCNE] or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing [ACEN]) nursing program. 
4. International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation. 
5. Current and unrestricted registration as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with eligibility for Florida APRN Licensure. 
6. Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae.  
7. Completion of the following courses or equivalent: 
   1. Advanced Physical and Health Assessment
   2. Advanced Pathophysiology
   3. Advanced Pharmacology
8. The program director will complete a gap analysis including a review of transcripts and syllabi to ensure all pre-requisites have been completed.

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements 

• Students must complete the credits specified by the certificate program and follow a Program of Study approved by the Program Director or designee. 
• Students must meet specific progression, clinical and graduation requirements. See the General Academic Policies and FGCU Graduation Requirements. 
• A grade of B or higher and Satisfactory (as appropriate) must be earned in all courses. 
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
• Completion of clinical practice requirements. 

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses		(19 credits)
NGR 6240	Primary Health Care I	4
NGR 6240L	Primary Health Care I - Pract.	2-3
NGR 6252	Primary Health Care IV	4
NGR 6252L	Primary Health Care IV-Pract.	4
NGR 6741	Primary Health Care II	3
NGR 6741L	Primary Health Care II -Pract.	1-2
Restricted Electives		(2-5 credits)
NGR 7748C	Adv Clinical Pract Selective 1	3
OR
NGR 6305	Primary Health Care III 2	3
NGR 6305L	Primary Health Care III-Pract. 2	2

¹

Adult-Gerontology focus

²

Family Nurse Practitioner focus

Total Credits Required: 21-25