Post-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate Program 

The mission of the Western New Mexico University School of Nursing is to promote health and improve the quality of life for diverse populations by providing nursing education which instills the values of community, nursing scholarship, practice and community service.

Western New Mexico University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Community & Rural/ Frontier Health degree and the Post-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate. Students who complete the MSN program will be prepared for positions in leadership, management, community, and health care delivery systems. Students who complete the FNP certificate program will be eligible to sit for the family nurse practitioner national certificate exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certification Board.

Student enrollment in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) School of Nursing does not imply nor guarantee admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post-Master’s Certificate Program at WNMU.

Furthermore, students must meet admission requirements which include at least two years of Registered Nurse (RN) experience within the past five years by the time of application to the Post-MSN FNP Certificate Program.

Final admission to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program or Post-Master Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate Program is contingent on passing a criminal background check.

Accreditation Status of the Post-Master FNP Certificate Program

The Post-Master Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)Certificate Program is seeking CCNE accreditation.

Professional and Ethical Expectations

Students are expected to adhere to the professional standards set forth in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook, as well as the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses. It is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate professional, ethical, and academic integrity. Students are representing the School of Nursing and are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.

General Information

Admission to the Post-MSN FNP Certificate program is based on a holistic review of the applicant’s academic record, professional credentials, an interview with program faculty, personal and professional ethics, and individuals whom the program faculty believe will best fit the objectives of the program and who are well-matched with the program’s academic, ethical, and professional standards.

The Post-MSN FNP Certificate program is characterized by the following:

1.  The program can be completed in as few as 5 semesters and is a Post-Master Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate program with a focus on community and rural/frontier health.

2.  The program runs for five consecutive semesters and has rolling enrollment.

3.  The program is 100% online.

4.  The program offers personalized attention to students.

5.  A total of 750 precepted clinical hours are required upon completion of the program to apply for the national certification examination.

6.  Students are responsible for finding their clinical sites, but will be assisted by WNMU in the event that they cannot find a site.

7.  The National Certification Exam Review Prep Course is integrated throughout the curriculum beginning on the first day of the program.

Admission Requirements

The following are required for consideration for admission to the Post-MSN FNP Certificate program:

1.  A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

2.  Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions (though the GRE is not required)

3.  A recent resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

4.  An unencumbered New Mexico or multi-compact state RN license

5.  At least two years of RN experience in the acute care settings, such as critical care, emergency room, or medical-surgical departments, within the past five years. Experiences should be clearly documented in a CV.

6.  Applicants must have earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)

7.  Completion of the “3P” courses (Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment) within three years of admission and appropriate as considered per gap analysis.

8.  Three letters of recommendation: a. The first letter of recommendation must be from a nurse practitioner or physician who has worked with the applicant and can comment on the applicant’s interpersonal skills, ability to function on a team, and/or potential as a nurse practitioner. b. The second letter of recommendation must be from an employment supervisor who knows the applicant well and can comment on the applicant’s work experience. c. The third letter of recommendation must be from an academic source such as a university faculty member who can comment on the applicant’s academic performance, competence, and capability.

9.  A personal statement: a. Please address the following: Why do you want to enroll in our program? b. Please see the application for specific guidelines.

10.  An interview with the admission committee following an initial screening of application materials. Applicants who are identified as well-suited to the academic, ethical, and professional standards upheld by the WNMU School of Nursing will be contacted for the required interview with program faculty.

Additional Information

A criminal background check will be required of all incoming students. Information about background checks will be sent to accepted students via the admission packet. The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the incoming student. Students may be unable to complete a clinical rotation because of the host facility’s policy regarding felony convictions or failure to disclose a felony conviction in the application process. Students who are unable to participate in a clinical rotation due to a previous felony conviction or students who fail to disclose a felony conviction in the application process will not be able to complete the program.

Regarding the 750+ hours of precepted clinical experience required for completion of the program, students convicted of a felony may not be eligible for nursing licensure in the state of New Mexico. Therefore, any individual who has a felony conviction should contact the New Mexico Board of Nursing (NMBON) for further information prior to enrolling in the Post-MSN FNP Certificate program.