Our post-master’s family nurse practitioner certificate program academically prepares you to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AANC) FNP exam and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certification Board FNP exam.
DIVERSIFY YOUR SKILLS
Learn to implement and facilitate disease prevention, health promotion, health maintenance, and restorative care interventions.
LEARN FROM ACTIVE NPs
Our program is developed and taught by active FNPs, with a curriculum that covers the skills to meet the demands of the field.
PRACTICUM ADVANTAGE™
Get the support you need for a successful experience at all stages of your online FNP certificate program nursing practicum.
Walden’s Post-Master’s Certificate in FNP online program combines engaging coursework with opportunities to connect what you’ve learned in class. These experiences expose you to real-life situations and challenges you’ll encounter in the field.
Advanced practice nurses must be equipped with an in-depth understanding of pathophysiological disease processes across the life span. In this course, students focus on understanding the bio-physiological processes, the deviations from these processes, and an in-depth examination of the scientific concepts related to the biology of disease processes. Advanced practice nursing students build on their knowledge of normal organ systems functioning to help organ systems return to optimal homeostasis. Through knowledge of pathophysiological disease processes, students synthesize the information needed to develop appropriate treatment plans for patients across the lifespan. Students explore a variety of topics regarding organ system diseases.
A solid foundation in the concepts and principles of drug therapy across the life span is essential to the work of advanced practice nurses. This course applies the advanced principles of pharmacology, including pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, by analysis of common drug classes prescribed by advanced practice nurses across the life span. Factors influencing successful therapy, such as effectiveness, safety, acceptability, cost, genetic/environmental influences, complementary regimens, and patient behaviors are considered. Through this course, students prepare to examine complex decisions in the management and treatment of selected acute and chronic diseases across the life span through pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic agents. Advanced practice nursing students will have a more in-depth understanding of drug legislation and regulation for prescribing drugs.
How can a nurse practitioner decide what is important to focus on in a 15–30 minute appointment with individuals seeking primary, prenatal, or postpartum care? Students in this course gain opportunities to teach and promote wellness in individuals through the process of screening for common gynecologic conditions, normal pregnancy, and other common health conditions that impact the individual's health. Students learn to analyze data to interpret results for the benefit of the individual seeking assistance with planning healthy lifestyle behaviors. They also gain an understanding of working with individual's sexual identity and sexual orientation with respect to, ethical decision making, and an unbiased approach to optimal care. Students will consider how this course will benefit their clinical experience in a primary healthcare setting to increase competence in diagnosis, treatment, referrals, or follow-up care with a concentration on improving patient outcomes.
The physical and emotional well-being of patients and families can be complex and multifaceted. Advanced practice nurses need to have the knowledge and ability to provide safe, competent, and comprehensive physical health assessments. Students in this course focus on concepts and skills to assess patients across the lifespan. They learn to use diagnostic reasoning, advanced communication, and physical assessment skills to identify changes in health patterns. Students also will explore preventive health through risk evaluation of healthy individuals as a central theme of clinical practice in addition to the assessment of patients with acute and chronic health problems. The advanced skills of suturing, reading 12 Lead EKGs, and interpreting X-rays will be covered. Course assignments emphasize risk assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and evidence-based assessment across the life span.
Students in this synthesis course focus on clinical competence in family settings by building on knowledge and skills gained in previous courses. Students build confidence as they continue to transition from the role of registered nurse to that of advanced practice nurse. Classroom activities and case studies enable students to explore the salient nurse practitioner practice issues involved in the delivery of safe, competent, high-quality, and cost-effective care of patients in a dynamic healthcare system. The application of knowledge in the management of clients and collaboration among the advanced practice nurse and the client, family, and interprofessional healthcare team are emphasized. This course is designed for nurse practitioner (NP) students to synthesize their knowledge and clinical skills to provide care to patients with complex health conditions.
INNOVATIVE STUDENT SUPPORT
TRANSFER OF CREDIT
You may be able to transfer credit from prior coursework to reduce the number of courses you’ll need to complete the post-master’s FNP online certificate program.
WALDEN GRAND ROUNDS
Meet virtually with faculty and peers to review clinical patient scenarios focused on assessing, differentiating, and treating pathological conditions.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
Join a network of more than 52,000 College of Nursing graduates.
Chat with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to paying for your education.
Earning your Post-Master’s Certificate in FNP online at Walden signifies a major step in your professional journey. Our simple admissions process includes:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay
To be considered for this certificate program, you must have a current, active RN license, a Master of Science in Nursing or equivalent from an accredited school, and meet the general admission requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. Depending on program specialization, additional requirements may apply. More information for international applicants.
Looking for ways to make your online FNP certificate more attainable? To help you lower your tuition costs, Walden offers:
Experience-based credits
Tuition savings
Grants
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 38 quarter credit hours | $765 per quarter hour | $29,070 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $175 | $1,050 |
| Clinical Course Fee | 4 courses (PRAC) | $160 | $640 |
| $30,760‡* |
Effective February 24, 2025
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 38 quarter credit hours | $775 per quarter hour | $29,450 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $180 | $1,080 |
| Clinical Course Fee | 4 courses (PRAC) | $160 | $640 |
| $31,170‡* |
*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships, or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 20 transfer credits for non-alumni. Walden MSN alumni may be eligible to transfer more credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500 to $2,500. Students may also incur additional costs related to practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.
With our post-master’s FNP online certificate program, you’ll be empowered to reach your potential as a clinician and make a positive impact for patients, families, and communities.
In Demand
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners provide primary or specialty care, working independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Expected growth: 45%1
Estimated annual wage: $94,530–$140,6101
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
Disclaimer: No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries
Upon completing this post-master’s FNP online certificate program, you will be academically prepared to:
Synthesize organizational/systems leadership for cost-effective specialist nursing practice that contributes to high-quality healthcare delivery, advancement of the nursing profession, and social change.
Critique evidence-based literature drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives and pertinent research to guide decision making that demonstrates best practices for specialist nursing practice in a global society.
Integratively assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate cost-effective healthcare strategies that reduce health disparities by patient/population advocacy for access to specialist nursing care.
Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate using audience-specific oral, written, and information technology for professional delivery of specialist nursing care.
Evaluate health needs of diverse populations for necessary teaching/coaching functions based on specialist nursing knowledge to restore/promote health and prevent illness/injury.
Exhibit ongoing commitment to professional development and value of nursing theories/ethical principles (altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, social justice) in accordance with ethically responsible, legally accountable, specialist nursing practice.
Implement specialist nursing roles to promote quality improvement of patient-centered care in accordance with professional practice standards that transform health outcomes for diverse populations.
Meet the dedicated scholars and active clinicians who are helping to shape the next generation of FNPs at Walden.
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