March 21, 2001 - Never before has the need for well-trained health care providers been so great. The United States is facing serious shortages of general practitioner physicians and nurses. Reasons for this include the fact that most medical students (75%) are entering specializations other than primary care (defined as family medicine, pediatrics, general internal medicine and gynecology) and the traditionally female-dominated field of nursing is attracting fewer newcomers as women are pursuing other assorted careers.

As a result of these trends, highly qualified "nurse practitioners" who can deliver substantial primary care are in great demand. The New York State Education Department recently approved the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University as an educator of such individuals. Nurse practitioners are currently providing health care to many underserved groups including children, women, migrant workers, the homeless, and the elderly - much of the time in nontraditional settings, such as schools, work sites, and health departments.

The new dual bachelor's/master's degree in Advanced Practice Nursing at C.W. Post will prepare students to practice in one of two roles: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). A CNS is a registered nurse with advanced academic and clinical experience who is an expert in a particular field of clinical practice such as cardiology, mental health, gerontology, cancer care, community health, neonatal health, obstetrics, or wound healing. He or she usually practices in a large teaching hospital as a significant member of the interdisciplinary team, working closely with staff nurses, clients and their families. As a masters prepared nurse, the Clinical Nurse Specialist performs health assessments, makes diagnoses, implements treatments, and develops quality control methods. In addition the CNS role embodies several leadership functions including consultant, researcher, educator, and change agent. In contrast, a FNP is a registered nurse who can diagnose and manage most common and chronic illnesses independently, and practices in a clinic setting, nursing home, his or her own office, or hospital. In most states (including New York), a Nurse Practitioner has the ability to autonomously prescribe medications while maintaining a collaborative practice agreement with a physician.

In general, Nurse Practitioners serve as patients' first point of contact with the health care system and who then remain available to provide continuing care. NP care emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention as well as the diagnosis and management of common illnesses and injuries. To that end, NPs may order, conduct, and interpret appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests and prescribe medications and treatments. Educating and counseling individuals and their families regarding healthy lifestyle behaviors are also key components of NP care.

According to Dr. Loretta Knapp, chairperson of the C.W. Post Department of Nursing, graduates of the Advanced Practice Nursing program are eligible for certification by the American Nurses Association Credentialing Center. "These programs will allow the nurses of Long Island to obtain much-needed graduate education, and they will increase the number of advanced practice nurses available to deliver both primary and tertiary care to families of the Long Island community," said Dr. Knapp. "We will also be able to attract more individuals to the profession by expanding the career opportunities available to them."

These new programs, offered through C.W. Post's School of Health Professions, received approval from the State Education Department in January and will be conducted in addition to the campus's current nursing programs: B.S. in Nursing for registered nurses, M.S. in Family Nurse Practitioner, M.S. in Clinical Nurse Specialist, and a Post-Masters Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Classes for the new dual-degree for the Advanced Practice Nurse (Family Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist) will begin in September 2001. As these are advanced courses, registration is limited to individuals already licensed as a registered nurse. For additional information, contact the Department of Nursing at (516) 299-2320, or email Dr. Knapp at lknapp@liu.edu