North Dakota has one university that offers an online advanced practice degree in the family nurse practitioner (FNP) specialization. The University of North Dakota offers a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) in FNP for RNs with bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) degrees. Within this track, the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines offers a master’s conferment option. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has accredited the online FNP doctoral program. UND previously offered an FNP post-master’s certificate for nurses with an advanced practice degree in another specialty area but the school is no longer accepting applications for this pathway.
Family nurse practitioners trained at UND are prepared to provide primary care to patients of all ages with a particular focus on meeting the healthcare needs of individuals in rural communities.
Featured Online Programs (RN License Required)
A description of the University of North Dakota’s online FNP doctor of nursing practice program is provided below, as well as information on FNP licensing requirements in North Dakota.
Program Information: Online FNP Programs in North Dakota
Located in Grand Forks—home of the Red River—the University of North Dakota trains FNPs in all aspects of the specialization: assessing patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, establishing diagnoses, initiating and managing treatment plans, and prescribing medications. Students in the FNP programs at UND participate in clinical practicum experiences in primary and specialty care facilities. They learn to provide acute, chronic, and preventive care to individuals of all stages of life and can earn a master’s degree while working toward the DNP.
The doctoral degree consists of 91 credits and more than 1,000 hours of clinical practice. Coursework includes topics on advanced physiology and pathophysiology, essentials in epidemiology, advanced health assessment, maternal and child health in primary care, and family nursing. The master’s degree may be conferred upon completion of 57 credits. Students may then take the national certification exam through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) while continuing onto the doctorate. The DNP-FNP takes nine semesters to complete, including three summer semesters of study and five required campus visits; campus activities include lectures, labs, simulations, and assessments. No GRE scores are required for admission.
North Dakota FNP Licensing Requirements
The North Dakota Board of Nursing outlines the process of gaining licensure as an advanced practice nursing professional in the state. Applicants should print the application from the website, fill it out, and mail it to the Board with the following:
- Evidence of current, unencumbered RN license in the state of North Dakota (or in a compact state if claiming residency there)
- Official transcripts from an accredited graduate-level advanced practice program
- Verification of current certification by a national certifying entity in the population concentration of graduate study
- Application fee
- Criminal history record check (if not completed for the ND Board of Nursing within in the past 90 days)
Finally, FNPs may apply for prescriptive authority with:
- Completion of the specified section on the APRN application
- Submission of an official transcript showing completion of advanced pharmacotherapy, physical assessment, and pathophysiology
- Completion of thirty contact hours of education or equivalent in pharmacotherapy related to the applicant’s scope of practice
- Payment of an additional $50 fee
After review and approval by board staff, the APRN license will be reissued to include prescriptive authority and the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy will be notified by the Board of Nursing.
