Program Information

The purpose of the DNP-FNP program is to produce doctorally prepared nurse practitioners to address the critical shortage of primary care providers in the region and to meet the emerging educational and scholarly standard for nurse practitioners. This three-year, eight-semester, program is designed for registered nurses (RNs) who have a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) in Nursing, and who are not Family Nurse Practitioners and aspire to become doctorally prepared nurse practitioners. Currently, our DNP-NP program only offers the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration.  Admission to the program is every fall semester.

Graduates of the FNP Program are: 

• Qualified to be certified as NPs by the State of California.
• Qualified to earn an FNP furnishing number from the State of California.
• Prepared to take National FNP Certification exams.

HRSA ANEW Traineeship Program

The Department of Nursing has been awarded a four-year grant by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) program. For the period of 2023-2027, this grant enables the department to offer a limited number of traineeships, at $25,000 per year, to admitted students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to providing primary care in underserved and rural communities after graduation. These scholarships are designed to support students as they prepare to meet the critical healthcare needs of these populations, aligning with the department's mission to improve healthcare access and outcomes in vulnerable communities.

Lectures

Our program is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience through a combination of course formats such as:  

• Weekly in-person and synchronous online courses
• Asynchronous courses
• Hybrid courses
• Other days/times that may be required as scheduled by faculty

Off Campus Clinical Hours

• A minimum of 1000 clinical hours is required.
• First clinical course starts in the 4th semester.
• Typically, 1-2 eight-hour clinical day(s) per week will be required during the regular work week (Monday-Friday, during normal business hours).

Virtual Information Sessions

These informational sessions are designed for students who are interested in apply for one of the DNP Programs for the Fall 2025 application cycle.  The sessions will include an overview of admissions requirements, applications, and general information.

All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom - registration is required.  After you register for a session, you will receive an email with instructions on how to join the meeting.