- What is the role of a Family Nurse Practitioner?
An FNP provides primary healthcare services across the lifespan—from pediatrics through geriatrics. He or she has the expertise to care for patients in a variety of settings and disciplines including cardiology, emergency care, retail health, doctor’s offices, pediatrics, women’s health centers, dermatology, and many more.
- Why select the University of Miami’s Family Nurse Practitioner program?
We are proud of our proven track record of graduating excellent family nurse practitioners. The medical community recognizes our students as among the strong and best- in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Additionally, we offer flexibility in clinical assignments. Our faculty will consider the students’ suggestions for new clinical sites and placements provided the sites and preceptors are approved well in advance.
- What type of nurse becomes an FNP?
An RN who enjoys variety in his or her work, autonomy in practice, who can adapt to the ever-changing medical profession, is a team-player, and wants a wide-range of career options as a nurse practitioner.
- Where do I get my clinical experience in the program?
The program identifies preceptors and sites. The clinical faculty will coordinate your clinical experiences.
- What is a typical weekly schedule for an FNP student?
One-year track students can expect to take 2 full days of classes which may extend into the evenings plus 1-2 full days of clinicals. Depending on the semester’s courses, two-year track students can expect to attend classes two half-days a week or two evenings a week plus 1-2 days of clinical.
- What is required for national certification?
RN’s must complete an MSN program which includes at least 500 hours of direct care in obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, women’s health, and adult primary care.
- What are the career opportunities for family nurse practitioners?
Graduates of the FNP program have found rewarding professions in a variety of settings including, Baptist Hospital Outpatient Center, JMH urology, anti-hypertensive clinic, orthopedics rehabilitation, neurosurgery, at the Minute Clinic, Take Care Clinic, VA Hospital in hematology/oncology, HIV, asthma, Homecare Wound Care, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in pre-surgical clearance, Albert Einstein Hospital in Pennsylvania in Pain Management, Mt. Sinai Cardiothorasic pre and post-op follow up, and Med Spa. The School cannot keep up with the demand to hire its MSN graduates.
- What are typical salaries for FNPs?
According to the January 2008 issue of Advance for Nurse Practitioners, NPs make between $76,483 (women’s health practice) to $95,157 (emergency department). The average NP salary is $81,397.
- Who is admitted to this program?
We are very interested in creating a diverse cohort of students. We encourage minority and international registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees to apply to the program. No prior work experience is required. Therefore, recent graduates from BSN programs or Accelerated BSN programs are eligible for admission.
All students must be registered nurses in the State of Florida to start the program. If admitted, students must also pass a drug screening, a background check, have a current CPR certificate, and required immunizations. Interviews are scheduled in person or virtually.
Please note that MSN admissions are conducted on a case by case basis. The faculty of the School of Nursing and Health Studies reserves the right to waive any requirement or request additional information from applicants.
- What courses should I take to help me prepare for the program?
We suggest that students trying to prepare for the program brush up on their science courses. While no prerequisites are required, the first two courses the students take – pathophysiology and pharmacology are particularly rigorous. An online/remote pre-immersion course is offered prior to the start of each new cohort to help students prepare for their first semester.
- I have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area. Am I eligible to apply to your program?
Registered nurses with baccalaureate degrees in another discipline may apply to the program. They must have sufficient formal education in science in order to be prepared for master’s level coursework.
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