Program Specialty Tracks

CNS versus NP Track: How to decide which role?

Each program track can be supplemented with a gerontology emphasis.

Adult Nurse Practitioner/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (ANP/GNP) Program

The ANP program prepares advanced practice nurses who are qualified for advanced practice in adult health care across the health continuum. This practice includes independent and interdependent decision making and direct accountability for clinical judgment. Graduate preparation expands the comprehensiveness of the adult nurse practitioner's role to include participation in use of research, development, and implementation of health policy, leadership, education, case management, and consultation.

The ANP program is designed for baccalaureate-prepared RNs, particularly those who live in rural or medically underserved areas of Northeastern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Whenever possible, clinical experiences are arranged at appropriate primary care sites near the student's home. Nurse practitioners or primary care physicians serve as preceptors.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Program

The CNS program prepares nurses to be leaders who are experts in adult nursing, provide direct patient care, and work in consultation, research and education. Clinical Nurse Specialists practice in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, their own offices and other community based settings such as industry, home care and HMOs.

In the CNS option, students have the opportunity to pursue individual interests with respect to adult clientele or health care settings. Whenever possible, clinical experiences are arranged at appropriate sites near the student's home.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program

The FNP program prepares nurses to be leaders who manage the primary Health Care needs of families, from infancy through adulthood, primarily in medically underserved and rural areas. A family-centered approach to health promotion, disease prevention, and intervention in illness responses of individuals is emphasized.

The FNP Program is designed for baccalaureate prepared RNs, particularly those who live in rural or medically underserved areas of Northeastern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Whenever possible, clinical experiences are arranged at appropriate primary care sites near the student's home. Nurse practitioners or primary care physicians serve as preceptors.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): Adult Program

The PMHNP program prepares advanced practice nurses who are qualified to address both the psychiatric and medical needs of adults with serious mental illnesses and those who have common medical illnesses with concomitant mental health problems. Community mental health promotion, as well as disease prevention and intervention, in medically underserved and rural areas are emphasized.

The PMHNP program is designed for baccalaureate-prepared RNs particularly those who live in rural or medically undeserved areas of Northeastern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Whenever possible, clinical experiences are arranged at appropriate sites near the student's home. Nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, clinical nurse specialists, and psychiatrists serve as preceptors.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): Family Program

The PMHNP Program prepares advanced practice nurses who are qualified to address both the psychiatric and medical needs of families with serious mental illnesses and those who have common medical illnesses with concomitant mental health problems. Community mental health promotion, as well as disease prevention and intervention are emphasized. Nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, clinical nurse specialists, and psychiatrists serve as preceptors

The PMHNP Program is designed for baccalaureate-prepared RNs particularly those who live in rural or medically undeserved areas of Northeastern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Whenever possible, clinical experiences are arranged at appropriate sites near the student's home. Nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, clinical nurse specialists, and psychiatrists serve as preceptors.