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Post-Master's FNP Certification Online

Prepare to Deliver Quality Family Primary Care

Online Coursework

20 Months 

41 Credit Hours

$925 Per Credit

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Earn Your Post-Master’s Certificate and Become an FNP

Prepare to provide patient-centered primary care focusing on health promotion and disease prevention across the lifespan. After completing in-depth online courses and practicum hours, you’ll be ready to sit for the family nurse practitioner certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.*

Graduate in 20 months ready to help patients who have episodic illness or injury, need care for chronic diseases, or require end-of-life support.

Certificate Details

  • Diverse clinical partnerships throughout Chicago
  • Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  • 100% online coursework with immersion opportunities
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Hands-On Post-Master’s Curriculum

17 Total Courses

765 Practicum Hours

Through the coursework and practicum hours in the post-master’s FNP certificate online program at North Park, you’ll prepare to answer patients’ questions, create care plans, advocate for patients, and advance your healthcare career. Our curriculum readies you to create strategies for lifelong learning that will ensure you remain a trusted source of information and a strong leader in your practice. Graduate prepared to manage stable patients and to identify, diagnose, and refer, as necessary.

You’ll complete your practicum hours at our diverse Chicagoland partner sites and in our state-of-the-art, on-campus simulation lab.

Required Post-Master’s Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner Courses

This course addresses theories of adult growth and development, principles of health promotion and disease prevention, and introduces related national practice guidelines. Students acquire skills in conducting risk assessments, developing health promotion and risk reduction strategies, and evaluating health promotion activities.
This course is designed to facilitate student transition into the role of advanced practice nurse. It builds on concepts of role socialization and organizational structure. Professional issues such as credentialing and reimbursement for advanced practice nurses are explored. Health care policy and its impact on advanced practice nursing and primary care are examined.
This course expands on foundational concepts of pathophysiology, focusing on altered cell, organ, and system function. Recognition, evaluation, and management of common health deviations of individuals across the lifespan are also addressed.
This course expands on foundational concepts of pharmacology and provides a framework for understanding pharmacotherapeutics. The overall purpose of the course is to prepare advanced practice nurses for safe therapeutic drug selection and prescription for individuals across the lifespan.
This course examines the process of health history taking, physical assessment, diagnostic data interpretation, and health assessment recording for individuals across the lifespan. It consists of a 3 hour didactic portion and a 1 hour laboratory component. Students must have completed an undergraduate health assessment course or equivalent prior to registering for this course.
This course builds on the fundamental principles of advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and patient care management across the lifespan. It includes various skill development workshops and lectures to prepare students for entrance into practicum experiences, including Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE). FNP students will demonstrate and apply advanced physical exams and clinical skills to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings.
The course examines the health care needs of adults across the lifespan as addressed by the advanced practice nurse in primary care settings. It builds on the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention and emphasizes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of common acute episodic illnesses, chronic stable illnesses and medical emergencies
The course, a continuation of NURS 5531, examines the health care needs of adults across the lifespan as addressed by the advanced practice nurse in primary care settings. It builds on the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention and emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of common acute episodic illnesses, chronic stable illnesses, and medical emergencies.
The student engages in primary care clinical experiences that builds upon the synthesis and application of knowledge gained in previous courses for health promotion, assessment, diagnosis and management of common acute episodic illnesses, chronic stable illnesses and medical emergencies for adults across the lifespan. Supervised clinical experiences (255 clock hours) are provided in the clinical setting.
This course addresses primary care of the pediatric patient in the context of family- centered care. It examines family theories and builds upon principles of growth and development, health promotion, disease prevention, diagnostic screening and anticipatory guidance related to the assessment and management during the well-child visit and diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health care problems in children from infancy to adolescence.
The student engages in primary care clinical experiences that build upon the synthesis and application of knowledge gained in previous courses for the application of health promotion, disease prevention, diagnostic screening and anticipatory guidance related to assessment and management of infants to adolescence during the well child visit and diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health care problems. Supervised clinical experiences (85 clock hours)
The course examines health care needs of women from adolescence through older adulthood. It builds on the concepts of health promotion and disease prevention and emphasizes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of common acute and chronic health alterations. At-ention is given to preconception care, family planning, pregnancy and post-partum care.
The student engages in primary care clinical experiences that builds upon the synthesis and application of knowledge gained in previous courses for health promotion, assessment, diagnosis and management of common acute episodic illnesses, chronic stable illnesses and medical emergencies for women across the lifespan from adolescence through older adulthood.  Supervised clinical experiences (85 clock hours) are provided in the clinical setting.  
This course addresses the principles of health and aging and strategies for advanced assessment of older adults across cultural groups. Common geriatric issues and syndromes are discussed, with emphasis on wellness, prevention, maintenance, and early health care interventions in primary and long term care settings.
This is part 1 of a 2-part culminating course for the nurse practitioner student in the family nurse practitioner track. It is a residency. Students engage in clinical experiences to synthesize knowledge and skills gained in previous practicum courses. They assume responsibility for management of individual clients across the lifespan in the context of the family. Opportunities are also provided for advanced skill building with application to the clinical setting. Supervised clinical experiences (170 clock hours).
This is part 2 of a 2-part culminating course for the nurse practitioner student in the family nurse practitioner track. It is a residency. Students engage in clinical experiences to synthesize knowledge and skills gained in previous practicum courses. They assume responsibility for management of individual clients across the lifespan in the context of the family. Opportunities are also provided for advanced skill building with application to the clinical setting. Supervised clinical experiences (170 clock hours).
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop an evidence based practice project with potential for dissemination. The project will be presented in both written and oral formats.

FNP Certificate Outcomes

  • Provide patient-centered primary care focusing on health promotion and disease prevention for individuals and families across the lifespan. 
  • Apply leadership skills in designing, coordinating, delivering, and evaluating safe and high-quality patient care. 
  • Be prepared to take the family nurse practitioner certification exam offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
  • Apply evidence-based approaches to guide your master’s-level nursing practice.
  • Use information systems and technology to support your practice.
  • Advocate for policies to improve the health of the public and the profession of nursing.
  • Demonstrate effective communication with interprofessional partners to improve the health of individuals and populations.
  • Plan, deliver, and evaluate effective, culturally responsive care to improve individual and population-based health outcomes with an intentional emphasis on urban environments. 

Apply to the Post-Master’s Certificate Program

Application Deadline 08/15/2025

Start Date 09/08/2025

Apply to the post-master’s certificate program at North Park today. The application process is quick and easy, and you can save your progress as you work. A master’s degree is required to enroll in ths post-master’s certificate program. Those without a master’s degree can explore our MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner program.

Reach out to your enrollment counselor with any questions you encounter throughout the process.  

Admissions

Paying for Your Post-Master’s Certificate at North Park

$925 Cost per Credit

41 Total Credits

There are many options for paying for your certificate at North Park, and our team is ready to help you explore them. We know that investing in further education is a big step, and we strive to offer valuable education opportunities at affordable tuition rates. As you navigate financing options, reach out to an enrollment counselor with any questions.

Tuition & Aid

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Disclaimer

*Each state/jurisdiction has unique educational and prerequisite requirements that candidates must meet in order to obtain licensure or certification. For more information, please visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website.