Clarion University’s Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner program is ranked fifth
in the nation.
Nurse Practitioner Online gave Clarion the prestigious ranking citing Clarion's ability to deliver affordable and accessible degree programs with all coursework being delivered online (with the exception of labs). The organization also noted that graduates of this program can sit for exams and certifications.
The organization ranked schools based on the following factors:
- The diversity of nurse practitioner programs offered.
- Accreditation status.
- Years of experience/tenure of faculty.
- Annual tuition/fees in relation to the local cost of living.
- The size of the institution's nursing department.
- Acceptance rate and competitiveness of the institution.
- Graduation/completion rate.
At Clarion, the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares nurses to be primary care providers in settings such as community health centers, clinics and private practices. The FNP concentration is 45 semester hours long and includes 600 hours of clinical practice.
FNP graduates are prepared to provide primary care in medically under-served areas in western Pennsylvania. They also are eligible to apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for legal certification as certified registered nurse practitioners in family health after passing professional certification exams through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.