Family Nurse Practitioner, DNP

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The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program prepares registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science or a Master of Science in Nursing for various roles in health care leadership and as Clinical Nurse Leaders.

Graduates of the program are equipped to design models of health care delivery, evaluate clinical outcomes, identify and manage the health care needs of diverse populations, and use technology and information to transform the field.

Students are also trained to practice as family nurse practitioners (FNP). FNPs are prepared to provide patient care in a variety of settings, including: homes, hospitals, offices, industry, schools, community agencies, public and private clinics, and private practices. FNPs act both independently and in partnership with other health care professionals, and are focused on health promotion and disease prevention. They are trained to conduct comprehensive health assessments, diagnose and manage acute illnesses (with appropriate referral), and manage chronic conditions.

The program comprises 80 credits over the course of approximately four years of study. It’s part-time and flexible with classes held one evening a week during the first two years then teaching weekends plus practicum hours. Students complete coursework in the Master of Science in Nursing/Clinical Nurse Leader curriculum during the first two years of the program. The remainder is dedicated to the doctoral degree and additional certification as a family nurse practitioner. It is offered at the USF main campus only.

Outcomes and Competencies

In addition to the DNP Program Outcomes, upon completion of the FNP program the graduate will be able to:

Function as a licensed and nationally certified family nurse practitioner capable of providing the full spectrum of primary care services for individuals and families across the lifespan.
Critically analyze and integrate knowledge from the humanities and sciences to improve the delivery of quality, patient-centered, primary care services for diverse populations.
Apply knowledge of complex systems to assume an inter-professional leadership role in the development, implementation, and evaluation of primary care services for diverse populations.