The impact that nurses have in today’s world is invaluable. They are on the frontlines of our healthcare systems every day, making a difference in patients’ and families’ lives. Nurses have an innate compassion for helping others, and often a yearning to do all they can within their field. As a result, many nurses decide to take their education and careers to the next level by pursuing a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) degree.
For Registered Nurses (RNs) who are interested in advancing their level of patient care, and working with both children and adults, now is the time to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is qualified to provide care across multiple age groups, in both clinical and family practice settings. Family Nurse Practitioners provide comprehensive patient care such as disease management, disease prevention, and positive health education to children, adolescents, and adults.
If you are considering the Family Nurse Practitioner career path, there are several steps you must take before becoming licensed in this field. This includes finding an MSN program that specializes in training future Family Nurse Practitioners. Here is everything you need to know if you are wondering how to become a Family Nurse Practitioner in Connecticut.
Family Nurse Practitioner Requirements in Connecticut
To become a Family Nurse Practitioner in Connecticut, you must earn a Master’s degree in Nursing or a related, certification-qualifying field. The FNP program at Goodwin University, for example, enables you to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and complete your master’s degree in as few as 27 months.
In order to enroll in a Family Nurse Practitioner program, you’ll need to have successfully completed your Bachelor’s in Nursing degree. A BSN is almost always a prerequisite for MSN programs today. Your BSN degree must have been obtained from a college or university that is accredited and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Beyond the educational prerequisites, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and have obtained an RN license before moving into the FNP role. Furthermore, you will need to have obtained significant, direct clinical experience in the field as an RN within the last 5 years.
MSN Program Requirements
MSN programs throughout Connecticut will have their own specific requirements, however, if you are wondering how to become a Family Nurse Practitioner through Goodwin University, then here is what you need to know. Fortunately, Goodwin’s Family Nurse Practitioner program does not require GRE scores for admission. Goodwin believes that if you already have the experience and education as an RN, then you have already shown you can persevere without test scores to prove it.
In addition to the general prerequisites mentioned in the above section, Goodwin’s Family Nurse Practitioner program requires applicants to complete an online graduate application with a $50 application fee. You must also submit an official or unofficial transcript verifying that you have successfully completed a BSN degree from an accredited college or university, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. As a part of the application process, applicants will also need to submit a professional resume and write a formal personal statement describing their nursing career objectives. This statement needs to be between 800-1000 words. Applicants also need to submit proof of Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella immunizations.
FNP Program Enrollment and Completion
Once accepted into Goodwin’s Family Nurse Practitioner program, students will need to complete 48-credits of graduate-level classes. The FNP curriculum covers topics such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and healthcare policies and politics. Classes are all designed to enhance students’ skills as they pertain to leadership and communication, research and reasoning, and physical assessment and diagnosis. The entire FNP program can be completed in as few as 27 months year-round, of which most of the coursework can be completed online.
Career Advancement
After you have earned your FNP master’s degree, the only thing left to become a Family Nurse Practitioner is land that advanced position. Fortunately, Goodwin’s career focused program will have prepared you for the workforce. You’ll leave with a strong understanding of real-world clinical scenarios and the skills needed to provide quality patient care for families in need. Goodwin’s Career Services team will also be available to help you achieve your professional nursing goals. We can provide you with a lifetime of career placement and counseling support at zero cost to graduates so that you can taking your Nurse Practitioner career to the next level.
Although there are several steps involved, becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner is within your reach. If you would like more information about how to become a Family Nurse Practitioner in Connecticut or though the online path at Goodwin University, let our advisors guide you in your journey.
Contact us today for more information about our Family Nurse Practitioner program by calling 800-889-3282 or visiting us online.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.