Be the primary care provider for your community.
For many patients, the first name that comes to mind when they’re looking for answers about their health is their family nurse practitioner. Reason being: F.N.P.s are qualified to diagnose and treat common health problems, interpret lab results, manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and educate patients about wellness across the lifespan.
Because of this level of engagement between a patient and their F.N.P., it’s no surprise that 69.7% of nurse practitioners opt for certification as an F.N.P., according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
As an F.N.P., you’ll approach each patient with an understanding of the value of collaborative, family-centered care. That means you’ll consistently provide care with the mindset that the family is the patient, so individuals are treated in the context of their family, taking into account all potential dynamics.
It’s a big responsibility to provide care to someone from childhood through adulthood, but with UND’s online Master of Science – Family Nurse Practitioner degree, you can be confident in your ability to help families grow old together.
Complete coursework 100% online
Graduate in as
few as 8 semesters
3 start dates per year — spring, summer or fall
No GMAT/GRE required
Qualify to sit
for the F.N.P. Certification Exam
Clinical placement assistance provided
What can you learn from UND’s online Family Nurse Practitioner M.S. program?
F.N.P.s’ care expertise revolves around the family unit, which means they understand different conditions at every age — because how illness impacts an 18-year-old patient can vary considerably compared to a patient experiencing the same illness at age 80.
As an F.N.P., you’ll have the knowledge to treat each patient accordingly and counsel them about wellness and prevention, providing treatment for everything from mild ailments to serious conditions. In this role you’ll impact more than one patient at a time — you’ll influence the behavior and lifestyle choices of all members of the family.
Focus your studies on:
- Developing treatment plans for acute and chronic illnesses
- Educating and guiding patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits
- Understanding how the aging process impacts changes in health promotion
- Performing diagnostic tests and interpreting results
- Managing overall patient care regarding lifestyle and development issues
Get Certified
By earning your Master of Science degree, you’re eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam administered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Outcomes, Objectives & Certification
Graduates earn a Master of Science degree and are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam administered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
This program meets the educational requirements for licensure in many U.S. States.
Upon completion, you will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge from science, humanities, theory and research into evidence-based advanced nursing practice.
- Utilize knowledge of organizational and systems leadership, quality improvement, health care technologies, and policy to ensure high quality patient care.
- Participate as members and leaders of interprofessional health care teams.
- Apply advanced nursing skills in order to plan, manage and coordinate culturally appropriate health care for patient populations.
What can you do with your Family Nurse Practitioner M.S. degree?
A common motivator for nurses to pursue a specialized family nurse practitioner degree is the level of autonomy and the greater responsibility that comes with being a frontline health care provider. Demand for convenient and affordable medical services are on the rise, which means your potential in this field is, too.
F.N.P.s are trained to be independent primary care providers. However, they can also work collaboratively in team-based settings with other health care professionals to support positive patient outcomes and promote long-term wellness.
Beyond the flexibility that an F.N.P. degree can provide, the advanced training and education you’ll receive the insight you need to serve as a hospital and clinic administrator or policymaker. And if you choose to work in a rural setting, you may be the sole health care provider for an entire community of families.
Practice in one of the following settings:
- Private practice
- Health care clinics
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Private homes
UND is recognized for quality and chosen for excellence:
The master’s degree program in nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of North Dakota are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Meet Our Faculty
We’re leaders in nursing and would like to help you become one, too. There’s nothing we enjoy more than sharing our holistic approach to nursing and health care advocacy techniques with eager nurses like you. Take advantage of our experience — it can help improve your performance as a nurse.
Kara Falk, A.P.R.N., D.N.P.
Family Nurse Practitioner Track Director, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Kara Falk is the Family Nurse Practitioner track director and a clinical assistant professor in the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines at the University of North Dakota. She has been teaching in higher education since 2008 and has been practicing as an F.N.P. since 2006.
Dr. Falk has taught a variety of courses in both undergraduate- and graduate-level nursing programs. She has experience serving on a variety of College and University committees as well as chaired D.N.P. projects. Her areas of expertise and interest are women’s and adolescent health and access to health care.
Dr. Falk is an alum of UND’s FNP master’s program and completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Montana State University.
Get to Know UsAdmission Requirements
You’ve decided to earn your advanced degree in nursing, and you’re just a few steps away from completing the application process. Take some time to review admission requirements for the online Family Nurse Practitioner M.S. program.
Review Details“UND has given me the guidance, clinical experience, comprehensive perspective and personal touch to make a positive impact on our health care system and provide quality care to my patients.
Graduating from the University of North Dakota has given me an advantage in the industry, as UND is known for its leadership in health care and promoting extraordinary advanced practice providers.”
— Autumn Nelson, M.S., A.P.R.N., C.N.P.‑B.C.