Family nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who function as primary care providers to clients of any age, focusing on common health care problems. These skilled health care providers use expert clinical judgment and decision making in the performance of comprehensive health assessments, differential diagnoses and prescribing of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions in the direct treatment of health problems. These work in collaborative practices with primary care physicians to deliver culturally sensitive care to clients.

Nurse Practitioner Core Requirements

The nurse practitioner tracks require 46 to 49 credit hours. The following courses must be completed by all nurse practitioner students:

Core Requirements	credit hours
N5013: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice	3
N5023: Research in Nursing	3
N5644: Advanced Assessement/Differential Diagnosis	4
B5333: Advanced Pathophysiology	3
N5643: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
N5003: Health Promotion and Primary Prevention	3
N5002: Advanced Practice Nursing Role	2
N5001: Advanced Practice Nursing Seminar	1
Professional Project/Thesis: --N5963: Pro Project (3 hours) --N5983: Thesis I (3 hours) --N5993: Thesis II (3 hours)	3/6
TOTAL	25/28 hrs.

In addition, nurse practitioner candidates complete 21 credit hours of clinical courses in their specialty area.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) available at Houston Center

The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program will prepare the professional nurse for a leadership role in the delivery of health care and the promotion of health within the acute care setting. The core body of knowledge for the ACNP is derived from the full spectrum of high acuity patient care needs. The role of the ACNP has expanded to include inpatients, specialty based clinics, private practice groups, as well as virtual locations, such as telemedicine/telenursing and eICUs.

ACNP Clinical Courses:	credit hours
N5005: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I	5
N5015: Acute Care Nurse PractitiionerII	5
N5025: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III	5
	15

 

Preceptorship Courses can be completed in 1 or 2 semesters	credit hours
N5683: Preceptorship I	3
N5693: Preceptorship II	3
	6

Adult Nurse Practitioners (ANP) available at Dallas Center and Houston Center

Adult nurse practitioner students focus on promoting the health of adults through theory and research-based interventions. Protocols for treatment decisions, referrals and follow-up are used in the management of commonly encountered health deviations in the adult population.

ANP Clinical Courses	credit hours
N5525: Adult Health Nursing I	5
N5505: Adult Health Nursing II	5
N5515: Adult Health Nursing III	5
TOTAL	15

 

Preceptorship Courses can be completed in 1 or 2 semesters	credit hours
N5683: Preceptorship I	3
N5693: Preceptorship II	3
TOTAL	6

Students are encouraged to frequent the web site of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) available in Denton, Dallas, or Houston

Family nurse practitioner students synthesize concepts from theory-based, family-centered nursing practice for the management of culturally diverse and medically underserved families across the life span. Focus is placed on health promotion and health maintenance primary health care settings.

FNP Clinical Courses	credit hours
N5625: Family Health Nursing I	5
N5605: Family Health Nursing II	5
N5615: Family Health Nursing III	5
TOTAL	15

 

Preceptorship Courses can be completed in 1 or 2 semesters	credit hours
N5683: Preceptorship I	3
N5693: Preceptorship II	3
TOTAL	6

Students are encouraged to frequent the web site of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP available at Dallas Center and Houston Center

Pediatric nurse practitioner students focus on the common acute and chronic illnesses experienced by children and adolescents. Physiological, behavioral and family theories are used in all phases of clinical maintenance of these clients.

PNP Clinical Courses	credit hours
N5325: Child Health Nursing I	5
N5305: Child Health Nursing II	5
N5315: Child Health Nursing III	5
TOTAL	15

 

Preceptorship Courses can be completed in 1 or 2 semesters	credit hours
N5683: Preceptorship I	3
N5693: Preceptorship II	3
TOTAL	6

Students are encouraged to frequent the web site of the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP available at Dallas Center

Women's health nurse practitioner students examine the health care needs of adult and adolescent females. Treatment modalities, pharmocologic interventions and referral criteria are used in the management of the reproductive and nonreproductive needs of clients.

WHNP Clinical Courses:	credit hours
N5425: Women's Health Nursing I	5
N5405: Women's Health Nursing II	5
N5415: Women's Health Nursing III	5
	15

 

Preceptorship Courses can be completed in 1 or 2 semesters	credit hours
N5683: Preceptorship I	3
N5693: Preceptorship II	3
	6

Students are encouraged to frequent the web site of the National Certification Corporation (NCC).