Chamberlain College of Nursing Offers New Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track — July 26, 2013

Contact: Susie White
MSL Chicago
For Chamberlain College of Nursing
312.861.5219
susie.white@mslgroup.com

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – July 26, 2013 – A nationwide shortage of primary care practitioners is expected to escalate in the coming years as provisions outlined in the Affordable Care Act go into effect ¹. As the demand for healthcare rises, the services of nurse practitioners will be integral in providing effective patient care. Chamberlain College of Nursing launched a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty track to prepare nurses with the expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies to fill an essential role on primary care teams. Nurses who complete this track may transition into Chamberlain’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program geared toward advanced practice nurses.

“Family nurse practitioners will be critical in addressing the looming primary practitioner shortage,” said Dr. John Distler, dean of MSN nurse practitioner tracks for Chamberlain College of Nursing. “As healthcare evolves toward a community-based approach, FNPs will play a fundamental role in delivering primary care, educating patients and improving patient outcomes.”

Demand for nurse practitioners in all specializations will increase by 94 percent between 2008 and 2025². FNPs are credentialed to treat patients across the age spectrum and, in some states, can be licensed to practice independently. As semi-independent care providers, FNPs are certified to diagnose and treat illness and prescribe select medications. 

“Nurses’ responsibilities are expanding as the healthcare landscape changes, giving them the opportunity to explore diverse roles and specializations,” said Dr. Carole Eldridge, director of graduate programs for Chamberlain College of Nursing. “Through extensive degree options that are accessible online, Chamberlain offers education paths for nurses to pursue lifelong learning, achieve professional goals and provide extraordinary care.”

The FNP specialty track joins four other specialty tracks within the MSN degree program: Executive, Educator, Informatics and Healthcare Policy. The FNP track comprises 45 credit hours (five core MSN courses, 10 FNP specific courses); five 125-hour practicum courses; and 25 lab hours. Coursework is completed online, with one onsite weekend immersion experience, and prepares nurses to sit for the national FNP certification exam. Unique program offerings include assistance in practicum and preceptor coordination and virtual human simulation to enhance students’ diagnostic skills.

Chamberlain is now accepting applications for the fall semester, which begins on Sept. 3, 2013. For more information about Chamberlain College of Nursing’s MSN FNP specialty track, visit chamberlain.edu/FNP.

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About Chamberlain College of Nursing
For over 120 years, Chamberlain College of Nursing has been at the forefront of excellence in nursing education. Chamberlain is increasing access to nursing education nationwide with campuses offering the three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program and flexible online programs such as the RN to BSN option, Master of Science in Nursing degree program, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program and Graduate Certificates.

Chamberlain College of Nursing is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools ncahlc.org. HLC is one of the six regional agencies that accredit U.S. colleges and universities at the institutional level. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program and the Master of Science in Nursing degree program are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202.887.6791). The Associate Degree in Nursing program at the Columbus location is accredited with conditions by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000). Accreditation provides assurance to the public and to prospective students that standards of quality have been met.

Program availability varies by location. Chamberlain reserves the right to update information as it becomes available. Information is current at the time of posting. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. Comprehensive consumer information is available at chamberlain.edu/studentconsumerinfo.

©2013 Chamberlain College of Nursing, LLC. All rights reserved. chamberlain.edu.

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