Family Practice Nursing Program

Overview

The Family Practice Nursing Program (FPNP) is designed to prepare Registered Nurses to work in primary health care settings. This performance-based program supports RNs to advance their clinical judgment, critical thinking, and clinical leadership in family practice. The program prepares nurses to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients and families at the advanced beginner level.

The program uses a conceptual learning approach. Knowledge and skills are organized into concepts that are illustrated using real-life patient situations. Learners study a concept, actively apply the concept to a patient scenario, and then learn a new concept. Each concept is integrated with others so, by the end of a program, graduates can apply all concepts to patient populations in a variety of primary health care settings. This active, learner-centred approach fosters critical thinking and a deeper understanding of clinical knowledge by building on previous knowledge. Learners are well-prepared to meet the dynamic and complex needs of patients in family practice settings.

Requirements

• Active-practicing RN license with the provincial regulator
• Completion of  Education Program for Immunization Competencies (EPIC) course
• Support from an employer to attain the competencies to practice at optimal scope as an RN in family practice, which must include access to a primary care site to complete clinical experiences
• Access to/training in electronic medical records (EMR) if used in current practice setting
• Approval from a NS Health primary health care manager to confirm a clinical seat and sponsorship for the program

Please note:

• For online learning, learners must have a functioning microphone and use a headset or ear buds.
• We use online proctoring software for exams, which is not compatible with Nova Scotia Health networked computers. Learners must have access to a computer with an up-to-date operating system to complete exams.