Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has launched a new “Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Post-graduate Certificate Program,” to provide nurse practitioners with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed for specialization in general dermatology to care for patients across the life span. Nurse practitioners are licensed, independent clinicians who are focused on managing people’s health conditions and preventing disease.
“Our new certificate program will prepare masters and doctoral nurse practitioners to acquire foundational core competencies in their population-focus areas,” said Susan Bulfin, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, program director, a professor and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) director of the practice teaching track in FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “Most often, nurse practitioner educational preparation includes little dermatology education and training. Therefore, nurse practitioners who desire to specialize in dermatology are left to develop competencies through on-the-job training or in a rare fellowship program.”
Nurse practitioners who complete the FAU Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Post-graduate Certificate Program will acquire the breadth and depth of dermatology specialty knowledge, skills and abilities that are essential for the development of entry-level competencies. Focus will be placed on advancing their scientific knowledge in areas such as immunology, dermatopathology and pharmacology. In addition, sequential sessions will prepare nurse practitioners for the assessment, diagnosis, management and monitoring of patients with acute and chronic dermatologic conditions.
