Nurse Practitioner

The nurse practitioner is a skilled health care provider who uses expert clinical judgment and decision making in conducting comprehensive health assessments, making differential diagnoses, and prescribing of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions in the direct treatment of health problems. Nurse practitioners function as care providers, case managers, researchers, consultants, and educators.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are advanced practice nurses who are competent clinicians focused on managing health conditions and preventing disease for patients across the lifespan. FNPs review medical histories, perform comprehensive and focused physical exams, order diagnostic tests, diagnose and develop individualized treatment plans. FNPs practice in a variety of settings, such as private practice, community health, health care systems, and universities. FNPs can practice independently or collaborate with a physician, depending on their state’s practice laws.

Please note: FNP track is a hybrid program with on-campus and online components. Classes typically meet every other Wednesday except where noted.

Full-Time Curriculum

SUMMER SEMESTER I

 NUR 605  Advanced Health Assessment
 (Hybrid/45 Lab Hours, meets weekly)
 3 SH
 NUR 607  Advanced Pharmacology (Hybrid)  3 SH
   Total  6 SH

FALL SEMESTER I

 NUR 606  Advanced Pathophysiology (Hybrid)  3 SH
 NUR 610  Family Nurse Practitioner I
 (Hybrid/180 Clinical Hours)
 6 SH
   Total  9 SH

SPRING SEMESTER I

 NUR 602  Scholarly Inquiry for Advanced Practice (Hybrid)  3 SH
 NUR 611  Family Nurse Practitioner II
 (Hybrid/180 Clinical Hours)
 6 SH
   Total  9 SH

SUMMER SEMESTER II

 NUR 698/699  Plan I (thesis) or Plan II (non-thesis elective - Online)  3 SH
 NUR 698/699  Plan I (thesis) or Plan II (non-thesis elective - Online)  3 SH
 NUR 612

 Family Nurse Practitioner III
 (Hybrid/180 Clinical Hours)

 6 SH
   Total  12 SH

FALL SEMESTER II

 NUR 613

 Family Nurse Practitioner IV
 (Hybrid/180 Clinical Hours)

 6 SH
   Total  6 SH

Program Total: 42 semester hours

Clinical Total: 720 clinical hours

Part-Time Curriculum

FALL SEMESTER I

 NUR 605  Advanced Health Assessment
 (Hybrid/45 Lab Hours)
 3 SH
 NUR 606  Advanced Pathophysiology (Hybrid)  3 SH
   Total  6 SH

SPRING SEMESTER I

 NUR 602  Scholarly Inquiry for Advanced Practice (Hybrid)  3 SH
 NUR 607  Advanced Pharmacology (Hybrid)  3 SH
   Total  6 SH

SUMMER SEMESTER I

 NUR 698/699  Plan I (thesis) or Plan II (non-thesis elective - Online)  3 SH
 NUR 698/699  Plan I (thesis) or Plan II (non-thesis elective - Online)  3 SH
   Total  6 SH

FALL SEMESTER II

 NUR 610  Family Nurse Practitioner I
 (Hybrid/180 Clinical Hours)
 6 SH
   Total  6 SH

SPRING SEMESTER II

 NUR 611  Family Nurse Practitioner II
 (Hybrid/180 Clinical Hours)
 6 SH
   Total  6 SH

SUMMER SEMESTER II

 NUR 612  Family Nurse Practitioner III
 (Hybrid/180 Clinical Hours)
 6 SH
   Total  6 SH

FALL SEMESTER III

 NUR 613  Family Nurse Practitioner IV
 (Hybrid/180 Clinical Hours)
 6 SH
   Total  6 SH

Program Total: 42 semester hours

Clinical Total: 720 clinical hours

Primary Care

Primary Care-Family/Individual across the lifespan total clinical hours:
To meet the program objectives, you are required to complete a total of 720 clinical hours. Of the total 720 hours, 600+ direct patient care clinical hours is regarded as a minimum. “It is expected the NP student provide direct patient care to multiple age groups across the lifespan (i.e. the Family Nurse Practitioner student should receive experiences with individuals/families across the lifespan). It is also expected the NP student exceed the minimum 600 hour direct patient care clinical hour requirement.” National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2016). The 600+ direct patient care hours must be in primary care. The remaining hours would include clinical seminar, pre-approved CE’s (12 per semester), simulation experiences and other pre-approved (by Nurse Practitioner Coordinator) primary care related specialties.