The Family Nurse Practitioner Program in the Nursing Department at Sonoma State University offers a Master of Science in Nursing with FNP emphasis and a Post-Master's FNP Certificate. The accepts students from geographic areas in Northern and Central California with the caveat that students will be required to attend some seminars and labs on the SSUcampus.

The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration focuses upon the theoretical and scientific bases for the diagnosis and treatment of common and chronic illness, as well as health education and preventive care. Emphasis is placed upon advanced clinical skills, including history-taking, physical examination, health screening and prevention and the management of common and chronic illness.

Curriculum

There are Two curricular options:

The Master of Science in Nursing
1. The Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

The graduate nursing program includes core courses which focus upon theoretical and conceptual foundations of nursing practice, research, leadership and issues in professional nursing. These courses include content basic to all nursing specialties. Courses in the Family Nurse Practitioner option focuses upon the theory and practice of family nursing in primary (and some secondary) care settings. Students have a three-semester clinical preceptorship with a primary care provider. Content includes assessment of the health needs and risks of all family members, and legal, ethical, economic and professional issues pertinent to nurse practitioner practice.

The SSU Family Nurse Practitioner option meets criteria specified in Section 1484, Title XVI of the California Administrative Code and is fully approved by the California BRN and the National League for Nursing. Graduates are eligible for and encouraged to seek national certification by taking either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) FNP exam or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner (AANP) exam.