A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides primary care across the lifespan: diagnosing conditions, managing chronic illness and prescribing medications.  They offer more in-depth and comprehensive care compared to registered nurses. Being an FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) means added responsibility and a variety of career prospects.

If you鈥檙e a registered nurse considering what comes next, the RN to FNP transition through an online nurse practitioner program can be a natural, well-timed move. Read on to explore the benefits of becoming an FNP and why so many registered nurses pursue this path.

In This Guide

• What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
• 7 Reasons to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
• What Degree Do You Need to Become an FNP?
• How to Compare Top FNP Programs
• RN to FNP Online Programs
• FNP Programs at 国产主播
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

A family nurse practitioner is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who cares for patients of all ages, from infants to older adults.

7 Reasons to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

Greater Autonomy and Responsibility

When you compare FNP vs. RN duties, there鈥檚 some overlap: Family Nurse Practitioners have a few duties that overlap with the duties of registered nurses; such as, examining patients, monitoring patient health, maintaining health records, etc. However, the FNP scope of practice goes much further. FNPs can make a medical diagnosis, develop comprehensive health plans for patients, monitor chronic health conditions and supervise healthcare teams.

Since FNPs generally offer more in-depth and comprehensive care, they can assume greater autonomy and advanced healthcare management roles.

Prescription Authority

FNPs have greater autonomy when it comes to prescription authority.  The reports that, as of May 2026, 27 states and the District of Columbia grant NPs full practice authority. This allows nurse practitioners to evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe under the state board of nursing. In states with reduced or restricted practice, NPs prescribe within a collaborative or supervisory agreement with a physician.

Better Career stability

Because FNPs are prepared to deliver comprehensive, family-centered care, they can step into a wide range of roles across many healthcare settings. This offers greater stability (financial and professional) and growth opportunities in a career.

Work While You Learn

Thanks to flexible online FNP programs offered by some colleges, registered nurse practitioners can continue working while studying to be FNPs. This ensures that a registered nurse does not have to take a break to pursue higher education.

国产主播 (WCU) offers an online MSN 鈥� Family Nurse Practitioner program designed for working nurses. The University is institutionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). WCU鈥檚 online nursing education programs are programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Maintain Connections with Patients

Many registered nurses prefer and thrive in the connection with patients that their profession offers. As they obtain higher positions, many nurses lose out on that patient-connection. However, as an FNP, you continue to work closely with patients and physicians, providing personalized care while advancing your career.

Leadership Roles

Many healthcare settings require FNPs. Beyond independent clinical practice, diverse FNP career paths open the door to increased leadership opportunities, including non-clinical nurse practitioner roles. Extended fields like patient education, research, academia and policy advocacy have seen a rising need for qualified healthcare professionals like FNPs to help their causes.

Family nurse practitioners can work actively in developing patient education programs, conduct medical research and have a say in healthcare policy matters. Qualified family nurse practitioners are also essential in academic roles like program administrators and mentoring.

Greater Fulfilment

A Family Nurse Practitioner is able to work across the entire spectrum of patients as an FNP primary care provider and assumes a greater responsibility in terms of patient care. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 87.1% of NPs are certified in an area of primary care, and 72.6% of all NPs deliver primary care. This means that most FNPs have a chance at having a greater impact on health communities. As many FNPs have prescriptive authority, they offer healthcare services which are cost-effective and can be utilized by a larger percentage of the population.

What Degree Do You Need to Become an FNP?

To practice as a family nurse practitioner, you need a graduate family nurse practitioner degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with an FNP focus. You will also need an active RN license and national APRN certification. Your path depends on where you鈥檙e starting:

How to Compare FNP Programs

When people search for family nurse practitioner programs, they鈥檙e usually weighing a handful of factors. Here鈥檚 what to look at as you compare your options.

Accreditation

Confirm the program holds programmatic nursing accreditation. This should be from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). You will want to confirm that the school is institutionally accredited, since both can affect certification eligibility. WCU鈥檚 online nursing programs are CCNE-accredited and the university is institutionally accredited by WSCUC; you can review WCU鈥檚 accreditation status.

Format, Flexibility, and Clinical Placement Support

If you plan to keep working, look for online coursework paired with clear support for arranging your in-person clinical hours. WCU鈥檚 FNP options combine online learning with hands-on clinical placement support.

Program Length and Clinical Hours

Ask how long the program takes and how many supervised clinical hours it includes. WCU鈥檚 online MSN 鈥� FNP can be completed in as little as 20 months at the accelerated pace and includes 540 clinical hours, as listed on the MSN 鈥� FNP program page.

Cost and Financial Aid

Compare tuition and the support available to help pay for school. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. See WCU鈥檚 financial aid options.

Specialization Fit

FNPs care for patients of all ages, while adult-gerontology roles focus on adults and older adults. If you鈥檙e weighing the difference, compare FNP vs. adult-gerontology primary care NP, or take the which NP career path fits your personality quiz.

RN to FNP Online Programs

For working registered nurses, RN to FNP online programs make it possible to prepare for the FNP role without stepping away from your job. Coursework is completed online, while your clinical hours are completed in person with placement support. Program length varies by your starting credential and pace.

If you already hold a BSN, you can enter the MSN 鈥� Family Nurse Practitioner directly. If you鈥檙e a licensed RN without a BSN, the RN to MSN 鈥� FNP route is built for you, so you can prepare for advanced practice while continuing to work.

FNP Programs at 国产主播

WCU offers three online routes toward the family nurse practitioner role: the MSN 鈥� FNP for BSN-prepared nurses, the RN to MSN 鈥� FNP for licensed RNs without a BSN, and the Post-Master鈥檚 Certificate in FNP for nurses who already hold a master鈥檚. You can also browse all of WCU鈥檚 online MSN specializations.

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.

Frequently Asked Questions

What degree do you need to become a family nurse practitioner?

You need a graduate family nurse practitioner degree: an MSN or DNP with an FNP focus. You also need an active RN license and national APRN certification. WCU offers the MSN 鈥� FNP for BSN-prepared nurses, an RN to MSN 鈥� FNP for licensed RNs without a BSN, and a Post-Master鈥檚 Certificate in FNP.

What should you look for in FNP programs?

Compare programmatic accreditation (CCNE or ACEN), institutional accreditation, online flexibility, clinical placement support, program length and clinical hours, cost and financial aid, and how well the specialization fits your goals.

Are there RN to FNP online programs?

Yes. RN to FNP online programs let you complete coursework online while completing clinical hours in person. If you don鈥檛 hold a BSN, an RN to MSN 鈥� FNP route can help you prepare for the role without earning a separate BSN first.

What is a family nurse practitioner (FNP)?

An FNP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages, from infants to older adults. FNPs examine patients, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and manage chronic conditions. Depending on the state, they may also prescribe medication.

How is an FNP different from a registered nurse?

The FNP scope of practice goes beyond the RN role. In addition to shared RN responsibilities such as evaluating patients and monitoring their health, FNPs are authorized to make medical diagnoses, develop comprehensive health plans, oversee the management of chronic conditions, and supervise clinical teams.

How do you become a family nurse practitioner?

Most FNPs start as registered nurses, then complete a graduate nursing program with an FNP focus, such as an MSN or a post-master鈥檚 certificate. From there, you pursue national certification. WCU鈥檚 FNP programs help prepare you to take the FNP certification exam.

How long does it take to earn an FNP degree?

It depends on your starting point and pace. WCU鈥檚 online MSN 鈥� Family Nurse Practitioner can be completed in as little as 20 months at the accelerated pace.

Can you become an FNP online?

Yes. You can complete your coursework online, while your clinical hours are completed in person. WCU鈥檚 FNP options pair online learning with hands-on clinical placement support.

Can family nurse practitioners prescribe medication?

In most cases, yes, though authority varies by state. The AANP reports that 27 states and the District of Columbia grant nurse practitioners full practice authority to prescribe. In other states, NPs prescribe under a collaborative or supervisory agreement with a physician.

Is WCU鈥檚 FNP program accredited?

国产主播 is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and its online nursing education programs are programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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In This Guide

• What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?
• Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?
• Studying to Become an FNP Nurse
• How to Choose an FNP Program
• Frequently Asked Questions

All About FNPs, What They Do, Where They Practice, and How to Become One

A family nurse practitioner is exactly what it sounds like: an NP trained to practice family nursing. They provide comprehensive care across the spectrum of patient populations in a wide range of conditions, from preventative to chronic. FNPs assess, diagnose, and treat with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, chronic disease management, urgent-emergency care, mental health care, long-term, hospice, and palliative care. The role of the FNP also extends into non-clinical settings such as administration, research, and teaching.

FNPs are also classified as advanced practice nurse practitioners (APNPs) and must be certified as such. There are two recognized certification exams. One is administered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and certifies you as an FNP-C for clinical practice. The second is administered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is concentrated on research and academia, for an FNP-BC.1

What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?

As an FNP, you鈥檙e responsible for delivering primary care across a range of age populations, providing preventative care and education, as well as assessing and treating acute and chronic conditions that fall within the purview of primary care. Many families opt for an FNP as their PCP, instead of an MD, since FNPs can perform the same primary care treatments.

Depending on your placement, can include:

• Routine physical examinations
• Assessing illness or injury, both chronic and acute
• Ordering and performing diagnostics
• Developing treatment plans
• Prescribing medications, including controlled substances
• Maintaining patient records
• Collaborating in care with specialists
• Patient education and wellness promotion

Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?

FNPs practice in many types of different healthcare facilities, from large healthcare systems to their own private practice offices (in the nurse practitioners to have independent practices). These , but are not limited to:

• Family practices
• Internal medicine clinics
• Pediatric offices
• Specialty clinics
• Public health offices
• Emergency rooms
• Urgent care centers
• Home care
• Rehabilitation centers
• Long-term care centers
• Palliative and hospice care facilities
• Universities and colleges

Studying to Become an FNP Nurse

Becoming a family nurse practitioner requires an advanced degree that builds on an RN or BSN nursing degree. An accredited nursing school or university MSN-FNP program will offer a rigorous healthcare-focused curriculum of MSN core coursework and family nursing studies that may include such as:

• Policy, Organization and Finance
• Ethics in Healthcare
• Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
• Adult and Geriatric Primary Care
• Women鈥檚 Health Primary Care
• Pediatric Primary Care
• Care Coordination
• Advanced Physical Assessment and Lab
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Research Utilization
• Advanced Healthcare Residency

Once you complete a Master of Science in Nursing to practice as a family nurse, you鈥檒l need to pass two nursing licensure exams:

• The NCLEX-RN Exam
• An APNP Certification Exam ()

As an FNP, you also have the option to pursue certifications in subspecialties such as cardiology, dermatology, or oncology to further advance your bona fides and focus your practice.

Because many MSN (or beyond) candidates are already working nurses, many institutions are offering online study and flexible scheduling to allow for degree advancement while the student is practicing. It鈥檚 also possible for nurses to pursue an FNP education through an online Post-Master鈥檚 Certificate program.

How to Choose an FNP Program

Once you鈥檙e ready to pursue the FNP role, the program you choose shapes how you鈥檒l study, how you鈥檒l complete your clinical hours, and how well the experience fits your life as a working nurse. Here are the factors to weigh when comparing accredited MSN鈥揊NP and post-master鈥檚 certificate programs.

• Accreditation. Start with a school and program that holds recognized accreditation, which signals the education meets established academic and clinical standards and keeps you eligible for national certification. 国产主播 is institutionally accredited, and its nursing programs hold their own accreditations and approvals.
• An entry point that matches your education. The right route depends on where you鈥檙e starting. If you鈥檙e a licensed RN without a BSN, an RN to MSN 鈥� FNP track builds the bridge for you. If you already hold a BSN, the MSN 鈥� FNP track is the direct route, and if you already have a master鈥檚 in nursing, a Post-Master鈥檚 Certificate 鈥� FNP lets you add the specialization.
• Clinical placement support. National FNP certification requires at least 500 faculty-supervised, direct patient care clinical hours. Look for a program that builds those hours into the curriculum and offers clinical placement support so you can complete them locally.
• Online flexibility for working nurses. Many FNP students keep working while they study. An online MSN format helps you align study time with your schedule and complete coursework from where you live.
• Curriculum depth. Review the coursework before you apply. A strong FNP curriculum covers advanced pharmacology, advanced physical assessment, and primary care across the lifespan. This includes pediatric, women鈥檚 health, and adult and geriatric care, so you receive instruction in the full scope of family practice.
• Cost and financial aid. Factor tuition into your decision, and ask each school what support is available. At 国产主播, financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Explore your options through WCU鈥檚 financial aid resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a family nurse practitioner (FNP)?

A family nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse trained to provide primary care to patients of all ages, from infants to older adults. FNPs assess, diagnose, and treat both acute and chronic conditions, with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Many families choose an FNP as their primary care provider.

What does a family nurse practitioner do?

FNPs deliver primary care across the lifespan. Day-to-day, that can include routine physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications and educating patients about their health. Depending on the state and setting, an FNP may also work in administration, research or teaching.

How do you become a family nurse practitioner?

Becoming an FNP starts with an active RN license and a BSN, followed by a graduate nursing degree focused on FNP. Most often, this would be an MSN with an FNP specialization, a post-master鈥檚 certificate, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice. After you complete an accredited program, you take a national FNP certification exam through the AANP or ANCC.

How long does it take to become a family nurse practitioner?

The full path generally takes about six to eight years, including your undergraduate education. An MSN usually takes about two years, a post-master鈥檚 certificate one to two years, and a DNP three to four years. If you鈥檙e already an RN with a BSN, an RN to MSN 鈥� FNP track can help you reach your goal sooner.

What鈥檚 the difference between FNP-C and FNP-BC certification?

Both credentials certify you as a family nurse practitioner; however, they are issued by different organizations. awards the FNP-C certification, which focuses on clinical practice. awards the FNP-BC, which also incorporates research and academia. You choose the exam that fits your practice goals.

Can you earn your FNP specialization online?

Yes. At WCU, you can pursue an FNP specialization online through the RN to MSN, MSN, and post-master鈥檚 certificate programs. An online format helps you align study time with your schedule as a working nurse, and you complete your required clinical hours locally with placement support.

How many clinical hours does an FNP program require?

National FNP certification requires at least 500 faculty-supervised, direct patient care clinical hours. Accredited graduate FNP programs build these hours into the curriculum, so you complete them as part of your education rather than arranging them on your own afterward.

How is an FNP different from other nurse practitioner specialties?

An FNP is trained to care for patients across the entire lifespan, from children to older adults. Other NP specialties focus on specific populations; for example, adult-gerontology NPs care for patients from adolescence through older adulthood, and psychiatric-mental health NPs focus on mental health care. If you鈥檙e weighing your options, comparing FNP and adult-gerontology primary care roles, or taking the which NP career path fits your personality quiz is a good place to start.

For more helpful articles about the field of nursing, keep following our blog. You may also want to read how to become a nurse practitioner and 7 reasons to become a family nurse practitioner.

Citations:

1

2 Dunn, A. (2024, May 30). Nurse Practitioner Subspecialty Certification Guide: 7 Options for NPs. NurseJournal.org.

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Mothers are often a crucial part of a nursing student鈥檚 support network. They serve as cheerleaders and coaches throughout the process. But mother-daughter duo Marcia C. and Emilee C. took it one step further: going to nursing school together. They pursued their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees and graduated in 2024.

Healthcare Roots

Marcia grew up surrounded by healthcare professionals. Her father was a doctor, and her stepmother was a nurse. It seemed inevitable that she would follow in their footsteps. However, her life took an alternate route when she welcomed her first child, Emilee, at only 19 years of age.

Marcia鈥檚 healthcare career was put on hold while she prioritized her family. It wasn鈥檛 until Emilee was a little older that Marcia pursued a career as an ultrasound technician. While it wasn’t her initial dream of becoming a nurse, it allowed her to remain within the healthcare field. After having two more children, Marcia became a stay-at-home mom. Nursing began to seem an increasingly distant opportunity. That is, until her daughter Emilee began her college education.

Rediscovering Nursing

While in school, Emilee encouraged Marcia to join her in a phlebotomy class. It turned out to be the spark Marcia needed to reignite her passion for nursing. She described getting a strong sense of fulfillment from the class.

“As I studied and researched human anatomy, I realized my deep love for this field. I wanted to pursue what I’ve always aspired to do,鈥� Marcia said. 

Emilee, too, found clarity through the experience. “After finishing the class, I realized that nursing was my calling. Nursing allowed me to genuinely express myself through compassion, hands-on care, and taking care of others,” she said.

Following the class, Emilee encouraged her mother to pursue nursing alongside her, knowing it had always been Marcia’s dream. Marcia quickly caught up with the necessary coursework, and their shared journey at 国产主播 began. 

A Mom-Believable Learning Experience!

Attending nursing school together presented a learning curve for both Marcia and Emilee. Being mother and daughter 鈥� and now classmates 鈥� had its challenges and rewards.

“We’re so similar that we had to learn how to work together,” explained Marcia.

Emilee, who jokingly calls her mom, “the brain,” faced struggles as she adjusted to the demands of student life, but she eventually found her rhythm. “Nursing school was a major adjustment for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had to learn discipline and accountability and discover my optimal learning approach.”

As they progressed through the curriculum together, they found their groove and regular mother-daughter study sessions became cherished moments of quality time. From the start, Marcia and Emilee pledged to support each other 鈥� a commitment that sustained them through tough times.

“Nursing school is hard. People don’t realize the resilience and strength it demands to persevere. Having a support system 鈥� someone who truly understands 鈥� is important,” said Emilee.

When thinking back on her decision to pursue nursing, Marcia says her primary motivation was her children, including Emilee. Returning to school at 43, she was determined to demonstrate that there is always time to pursue one’s dreams.

“Success requires hard work and dedication,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f I can do it, so can you. I wanted to be their role model.鈥�

The experience of nursing school deepened the bond between Emilee and Marcia.

“It’s not that it brought us closer because we were already close,鈥� Marcia said. 鈥淏ut it forged a different kind of connection 鈥� enduring something so challenging and overcoming it together. We witnessed each other’s triumphs and struggles.”

Marcia confessed that experiencing this journey with her daughter was emotionally taxing. “As a mom, it was tough,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was doing this for myself, but as a parent, you always take pride in your children’s accomplishments. I wasn’t going to leave her behind. We were in this together.”

What鈥檚 Next?

Today, Emilee, driven by a passion for acute/critical care, is a surgical nurse in the Intermediate Critical Unit (IMCU) at a local hospital. She aspires to become a flight nurse and attain her Family Nurse Practitioner certification. Meanwhile, Marcia currently works as in a local emergency department and shares Emilee’s ambition of earning her Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) certification.

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Sally V. has never worked in a hospital setting. Instead, for the past seven years, she worked at a community clinic, calling public health her 鈥渢rue calling.鈥�

鈥淢y passion is community health,鈥� Sally said. 鈥淚 love establishing relationships with patients and their families.鈥�

Sally might be the first medical professional in her family, but she said she wanted to be a nurse from the time she was young. She was drawn to the expansive nature of nursing, which was also a major draw for her to come to 国产主播. She chose WCU after discovering its cohort-styled learning.

“I chose 国产主播 because everyone was geared towards the same goal. I loved that it was a family. It鈥檚 the same group of people you stick with the whole journey. You develop bonds and help each other go through it.”

Sally V.

Sally graduated from WCU-Ontario with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014. Now, she encourages others, telling them that they can pursue a nursing degree no matter what obstacles stand in their way.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know anyone in healthcare. I was a single mom also working almost full-time, over 30 hours a week,鈥� Sally said. 鈥淚f you want it and you鈥檙e motivated and believe in yourself鈥� you鈥檒l make it happen.鈥�

Sally leaned on her mother, who she said supported and cheered her on. At the same time, she balanced life as a single mom to her son, Anthony. She recalled that the flexible class schedules meant she was not on campus every day of the week. She also found her professors were experiencing similar responsibilities.

鈥淵ou did get to develop a relationship with your professor, who was also a nurse and most of the time also a parent,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey were always available to provide more assistance.鈥�

After completing an online Master of Public Health program in 2018, Sally began her Master of Science in Nursing program at 国产主播.

鈥淚 submitted my final project on Sunday, and I started the Master of Science in Nursing program on Monday,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t just happened the terms lined up like that. Everyone was like, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e crazy,鈥� but once I get my mind set on something, I go for it.鈥�

Sally was inspired to continue in her education after working alongside a practicing physician at the community care clinic. She said the experience made her realize that she wanted to provide that level of care to her own patients.

鈥淚 wanted to be the provider where the patients say, 鈥楽ally takes care of me and wants me to be healthy and is always there when I have questions,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚n community health, there are so many barriers: homelessness, poverty, drug use, lack of transportation. I decided I wanted to be a provider, so I enrolled and just finished the Family Nurse Practitioner program in May of 2021.鈥�

Sally said her cohort was there for each other, whether through Zoom study sessions, quizzing one another, or sharing flashcards. After finishing the program and passing their boards, Sally remembered how everyone celebrated getting through that challenging final year together.

鈥淚 felt so proud of these people I have only seen once,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ven though we鈥檙e hundreds, if not thousands, of miles apart, it was important to make it through together, to get to this point as a cohort, not just as individuals.鈥�

The close, family-oriented cohort is a major reason why Sally advocates for others to consider attending 国产主播.

鈥淚鈥檝e heard from other people that their nursing experience wasn鈥檛 as good. They didn鈥檛 develop those relationships like I did,鈥� Sally said. 鈥淣ot every school is the perfect fit for everyone, but this is why I chose West Coast and why I support and advocate for it.鈥�

Now, Sally helps to foster that same bond with her own students. She became a nursing instructor at American Career College in January 2022.

As the president of the Ontario Alumni Chapter, Sally remains highly involved in her alma mater. Her best advice to anyone interested in nursing is to start today.

鈥淟ife never stops. It is always full of surprises,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 wait. When people finally do the program they say, 鈥業 should have done this earlier and shouldn鈥檛 have made so many excuses for myself.鈥欌��

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鈥淢y sister calls me ‘Half Dozen,’鈥� Marianne shared. 鈥淏y the time I鈥檓 done with school I鈥檒l have half a dozen degrees.鈥�

While working in the corporate sector, Marianne said she remembered watching her sister return from her nursing shifts at the hospital and wishing she could pursue a similar path. 鈥淚 would tell her, 鈥業 just love medicine. It would be so cool to be in medicine.鈥欌��

Her sister recommended Marianne volunteer at a clinical care extender program. Marianne thrived during her nearly 300 hours spent serving her community.

鈥淭here is a huge value to being in your community and getting exposed to so many things,鈥� Marianne said. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 the encouraging words you give a person working at a soup kitchen聽it was a good reminder for me to say, in spite of everything, I am so fortunate.鈥�

Although Marianne realized her passion for community healthcare, life obstacles stood in her way of pursuing a formal nursing education. Marianne said it was another few years before her sister pushed her to consider nursing again.

After her sister suggested WCU, Marianne enrolled and graduated last year from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She called her WCU experience amazing and life-changing for her. She referenced the many available resources and quality education her professors provided.

鈥淚 looked into a lot of different programs and then I looked into West Coast and honestly, I can say with confidence, this program brought me this far,鈥� Marianne said. 鈥淚 felt every confidence I was going to do well not just because of me but the students they shaped us to be. They showed us how to succeed.鈥�

One unique aspect to the program Marianne mentioned was the emphasis on self-care. As a single mom, Marianne said that was an area in which she struggled.

鈥淭hey really encourage self-care,鈥� Marianne said. 鈥淵ou adopt those methodologies. Here鈥檚 how you prepare to succeed聽I don鈥檛 know if other students realize the depth of that and understand how you can get burnt out if you don鈥檛 schedule self-care.鈥�

These methodologies included scheduling time with family, getting enough sleep and effectively studying and balancing assignments. She also said she found great value in her mentors within the program. One such mentor was Julie France, the former聽director of nursing at WCU-Orange County.

She explained that it was France who encouraged her to return to WCU to teach. Today, Marianne has her own group of mentees and said she enjoys giving her time connecting with fellow nursing students. Marianne said she was inspired during her own experience as a new nursing student and that she strives to give back to her own alma mater any way she can. She noted the WCU mindset is one in which nurses uplift one another rather than tear each other down.

Marianne described the WCU call to action as a culture of change.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a community of nursing professionals coming together to inspire and motivate,鈥� she said.

Marianne said she finds her value in being part of this change and inspiring young nurses to support one another.

鈥淚t鈥檚 more than being in the profession for the money,鈥� Marianne said. 鈥淭hat won鈥檛 sustain you during those tough shifts. You have to be in it because you want to help.鈥� It鈥檚 all about knowing the kind of impact you can make on someone else鈥檚 life, she said.

鈥淚 circle back to the impact all these people and resources had on me,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ithout them, I probably would not have succeeded in the program.鈥�

国产主播 is one place Marianne said she found that kindness, support and encouragement.

鈥淚t was every West Coast instructor, every act of kindness, encouragement and piece of feedback telling me 鈥榊ou鈥檙e going to be fine. Don鈥檛 be intimidated,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淭hat, to me, was what really made the biggest difference. They gave me the resources needed to succeed. I implemented them and they encouraged me every step of the way.鈥�

Today, Marianne continues her involvement as a WCU alumna and current student in WCU’s Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program. She said that it was her experience at WCU that made her want to return.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what other people can say about their experience but for me it was something that makes me keep wanting to come back. I keep speaking to students and supporting and being part of that change,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y son always says he鈥檚 extremely proud of me.鈥�

Marianne said it is her mission to continue being part of the WCU culture.

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国产主播’s Family Nurse Practitioner cohort participated in their first on-site intensives at the WCU-Center for Graduate Studies this past weekend. Ten FNP students were able to interact face-to-face with their classmates and faculty, and learned how to take a complete physical exam, dissect case scenarios and write medical notes.

鈥淪tudents were nervous but excited at the beginning of the day and happy to interact with their classmates and faculty,鈥� FNP program director and assistant professor Dr. Michelle Paysan-Modina said. 鈥淭he experience reaffirmed their commitment to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.鈥�

WCU鈥檚 FNP program is three years long, fully online, with the exception of six weekend on-site intensives. Each intensive is unique, a workshop designed to bring students and expert faculty together to engage in-person in demonstrations. Students also practice essentials skills and competencies needed by nurse practitioners, as well as clinical evaluations where students perform demonstration of these skills.

鈥淭he intensive sessions are dynamic and rich in content, and our highly skilled and engaging faculty makes these experiences enjoyable as well as educational,鈥� Dr. Paysan-Modina said.

After the intensives, students provided feedback through an anonymous survey and shared some great feedback:

• “I realized that I needed to practice, practice, practice my physical exam skills.”
• “I now feel comfortable using all the different assessment tools and equipment.”
• “I’m glad we had an opportunity for hands-on practice.”

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