Master's Program - Family Nurse Practitioner
The Family track in the graduate program is designed to prepare nurses to deliver primary health care to adults and families.
The didactic curriculum will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in biophysiological science, pharmacotherapeutics, primary care concepts, advanced assessment, and diagnostic skills as a basis for clinical practice.
The clinical component consists of a minimum of 630 hours of guided experience under the mentorship of an advanced practice nurse or a physician.
Plans of study are designed by faculty with individual consideration given to students’ goals and geographic locations. Graduates are eligible to take ANCC or AANP certification exams as family nurse practitioners and for state certification as nurse practitioners.
| Curriculum |
* Indicates on-line or web enhanced.
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q. How long is the Family Nurse Practitioner program?
A. Five semesters, beginning with the fall semester and continuing through May of the second year.
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Q. How many clinical hours are required for this track?
A. 630 hours.
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Q. What type of clinicals must I have?
A. For Family track, a minimum of 90 hours in maternity/family planning, a minimum of 90 hours in pediatrics and at least 270 hours in a family practice setting.
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Q. Can I do clinical in my home community?
A. Generally, this is possible. Occasionally, the clinical resources are too limited, however, and students may need to travel, usually no more than 45-60 miles.
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Q. Who can I do clinical with?
A. Students have clinical experiences with both physicians in various specialty areas and nurse practitioners certified in the students specialty area or related areas, such as nurse midwives, OB-GYN nurse practitioners or acute care nurse practitioners. Selection of clinical practice sites is a mutually negotiated process between the student and faculty, based on the student’s background, the student’s competencies and available resources.
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Q. When do clinical courses and clinical practice start?
A. Clinicals begin in the 3rd semester (summer).
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Q. How much clinical is there in each clinical course?
A. There are 180 hours in the summer semester, 180 hours in the second fall semester and 270 hours in the second spring semester.
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Q. What is the job market for a nurse practitioner like?
A. Within the state of Mississippi, it is highly variable from one year to the next and from one location to another.
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Q. Can I work and go to school?
A. Most students work part-time while in school, but full-time work, especially in the second year, is rarely possible. Most students who work full-time go to school part-time and extend this over a three-year time period.
Please call 1-866-842-7575 or email nsrecruiter@son.umsmed.edu with any additional questions.