The Nurse Practitioner program at SVSU prepares registered nurses to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). It also serves as an advanced degree for family nurse practitioners to prepare to practice in a complex health care system. Students in the FNP program are awarded a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree at the end of year three. They then have the option to take the FNP certification exam and begin practicing as an FNP.<br>The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares advanced practice nurses in the current healthcare environment to practice with a strong scientific foundation, emphasis on evidence-based practice, leadership, and the ability to create change to improve patient and organizational outcomes. In addition, the BSN to DNP degree program prepares a registered nurse to practice as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) after completing the designated 52 credits (generally three years), certification, and licensure.<br><br><br>Students then can continue or return at a later time to finish their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, while continuing to work as an FNP. The FNP program is part-time and offered in a hybrid learning environment, which is a combination of in-class and online instructional modes. A unique feature of the FNP program is the emphasis on rural health care with at least one clinical rotation in a rural health care setting.