FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

two women working on their laptops

Do I need to be advanced practice to attend this course?

Functional Nurse Academy provides CEU's to LPNs, ADN, BSN and NP's. 

When does enrollment open?

Functional Nurse Academy is currently self paced and prospective students are welcome to enroll anytime.

Do I have access to the practitioner toolkit and other course materials after the course is completed?

Enrollment includes lifetime access to all course documents — everything is downloadable except for the video presentations.

If you’d like to continue accessing your toolkit and course materials directly through the FNA platform after your initial 12 months of platform access, you can maintain access with an optional membership for just $18/month.

Additionally, if you are enrolled in our monthly mentorship program at $50/month, full access to the platform is included at no extra cost, and you do not need to purchase a separate membership.

How do I join the FNA live monthly mentorship?

Once you enroll in FNA you will be provided with a 6 month free trial of our live monthly mentorship program.  You can redeem this anytime within the 12 month enrollment period.   If you decide to continue your mentorship after your trial it is just 50/month.  

What is included in FNA live monthly mentorship?

Access to a library of past mentorship sessions

Deep dive trainings on functional medicine and business related topics

Case study presentations

Community membership 

One live group session per month, hosted by Melissa Schreibfeder

Full access to the FNA platform, including all course materials, your toolkit, and ongoing toolkit updates while you’re enrolled in the mentorship

Live mentorship sessions are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6–7 pm CST. All sessions are recorded and made available for replay on the course platform.

What if I can't make every live class?

Each live class will be recorded and uploaded to the session module. Each enrollee will have access to the power point slides and all course material.  Currently live classes are offered in the FNA monthly mentorship program.  (6 months of monthly mentorship is included upon enrollment)

How long will it take to complete this program?

Once you enroll you will have 12 months to complete the course.  Since it’s self-paced it's realistic to complete the course in as little as 6 weeks however the average course completion rate is 4 months.

Is this course nationally accredited?

Functional Nurse Academy is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Florida State Board of Nursing # 50-33409. Florida CEU's are nationally recognized and accepted in all U.S states for the exception of RI, HI and NJ.  FNA graduates are also eligible for multiple board certification options through both the American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners and the American Association of Natural Wellness Coaches.   FNA graduates are eligible for board certification through both the AANWP and AANWC in all 50 states. 

What board credentials will I be eligible for after completing FNA?

Our graduates are eligible for the following practitioner level board certifications through American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners (AANWP)
  • Functional Medicine Nurse Specialist | BC-FMNS
  • Functional Medicine Practitioner | BC-FMP

Below are the coaching credentials that our graduates qualify for through the American Association of Natural Wellness Coaches (AANWC)
  • Functional Nurse Health Coach | BC-FNHC
  • Functional Health Coach | BC-FHC

How do I generate my CEU's and certificate of completion?

In the final module labeled “CEU’ and Certificate of Completion” you will need to complete the required activities and then select “Claim my CEU’s” After you enter your license # and name, your certificate of completion and CEU's will autogenerate. 

What do board certifications in functional medicine allow me to do?

Functional medicine board certifications, such as those offered through the American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners (AANWP) and the American Association of Natural Wellness Coaches (AANWC), recognize your advanced understanding of functional medicine principles and your competency in applying them to client care. These certifications are designed to complement your existing license however they do not replace your license or grant new legal authority.

Our FNA community is made up of nurses from many different backgrounds, licenses, specialties, and locations. Since scope of practice can vary depending on your licensure and state where you practice, we always encourage you to connect with qualified legal counsel and your licensing board for personalized guidance. This helps ensure you're practicing confidently and within your legal scope of practice. 

How do nurses order labs within their scope of practice?

Nurses can access lab testing through partnerships with functional medicine laboratories. These labs allow nurses to order tests under a physician network at affordable wholesale pricing. For registered nurses who are not advanced practice, lab testing is used to educate clients about potential deficiencies and dysfunctions, and to support collaboration with the client’s healthcare team to enhance health outcomes. Nurse practitioners, depending on their state regulations, may be able to order labs under their own NPI number. Please note, certain states — including New Jersey (NJ) and Rhode Island (RI) — have restrictions on lab ordering through functional medicine laboratories.

Is it lawful for nurses to practice functional medicine?

Yes, it is lawful for nurses to practice functional medicine, as long as they are working within the scope of their professional license and adhering to the regulations set by their state’s licensing board. Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues. Nurses, including registered nurses and nurse practitioners, can incorporate functional medicine principles into their practice to educate clients, collaborate with other healthcare providers, and improve patient outcomes.

However, it’s important for nurses to be mindful of their specific scope of practice, which may vary depending on their state or role. We always recommend consulting with your state board or legal counsel to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Are these board certifications recognized in the field of functional medicine?

Yes, graduates of the Functional Nurse Academy are eligible to earn board certification titles through the American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners (AANWP) and the American Association of Natural Wellness Coaches (AANWC). These respected organizations are committed to advancing functional medicine, and their certification programs uphold high standards, ensuring that certified professionals are skilled in applying functional medicine principles in practice.

While there is no official, government-recognized certifying body for functional medicine in the U.S. or internationally, these board certifications are recognized globally. They represent the successful completion of a comprehensive, rigorous program that aligns with core functional medicine principles. Earning these certifications demonstrates a deep understanding of functional medicine and proficiency in integrating its principles into your practice, regardless of location.

Can the CEU’s earned through FNA be applied towards the board certified nurse coach credential or other certification programs?

Functional Nurse Academy is approved for 90 CEU's which will qualify under general education for nursing continuing education
We recommend checking in with the certifying body for official confirmation. The tracking # for this course is 20-947767. Melissa Schreibfeder is the course creator and instructor for the program, she is BSN, RN, NC-BC, BC-FMP and an approved continuing education provider # 50-33409