Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Program Information
Meet the Program Director
Randolph F. Rasch, PhD, RN,
FNP, FAANP
Dr. Randolph Rasch is Professor and Program Director for the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. He has more than 20 years of experience in the education of advanced practice nurses, specifically FNPs. Dr. Rasch also has more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice and administration in primary care and public health nursing. He holds the Bachelor of Science (nursing major) from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan; the Master of Science in Nursing (FNP) from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing; and the Doctor of Philosophy (nursing) from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Rasch was the Coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program in the School of Nursing at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of the oldest FNP programs in the country. Dr. Rasch has done research in the areas of men’s health, HIV risk reduction in substance users and the information needs of nurse practitioners. He is currently certified as a family nurse practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Dr. Rasch is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
The Vanderbilt Legacy of Excellence
The Vanderbilt Family Nurse Practitioner program, established in 1975, is among the oldest and most progressive in the country – boasting cutting-edge clinical practice sites and extensive scholarly and research opportunities that give FNP students an advantage in developing as advanced practice nurses. Rich in experience and resources, the majority of faculty are seasoned FNP professionals who are actively involved in clinical practice in today’s managed care environment.
The Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares students to deliver comprehensive primary care to individuals from infancy throughout adulthood, with an emphasis on family-centered health promotion and illness intervention.
Preparing You for Practice
The Family Nurse Practitioner program final preceptored clinical experience at Vanderbilt combines theory, research and practice in the delivery of clinical services in a family care setting. The clinical preceptorship gives each student an immersion experience with a clinical mentor who is an expert in primary health care delivery. Direct experience working with clients across the lifespan in urban and/or rural settings, under the guidance of a preceptor, comes from observation and through participation on a health care team in a primary care setting.
Dual-Focus Programs Expand Scope of Practice
Vanderbilt School of Nursing also offers these dual-focus programs that expand the Scope of Practice for Family Nurse Practitioners, depending upon your particular interests. Visit these programs to learn more.
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner (FNP/ACNP)
– Prepares you for dual certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. You will care for pediatric and adult patients and treat varying levels of acuity in emergency care settings.
- Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner
– Prepares you, in addition to the competencies of the FNP, to be a primary health care provider to essentially healthy women across their life spans and to normal newborns.
