Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Program
The postbaccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) degree program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing prepares new family nurse practitioners.
A three-year hybrid program that combines distanced-based education with four on-campus immersions, our DNP-FNP program prepares advanced practice providers to engage in patient- and family-centered, evidence-based primary care. Through reflective practice and interprofessional collaboration, you are prepared to be leaders who effect bold system change and promote health care innovation by informing and advancing health policy and health equity locally, nationally and globally. Applications open in early fall for summer enrollment.
Our DNP-FNP program is designed for nurses who believe in better. Like all of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing graduate degree programs, the DNP-FNP program is developed to activate change where it is needed most. This program goes beyond clinical education with courses that elevate your ability and confidence to be a new type of health care leader.
Fast facts
- Type (full vs. part-time): full-time
- Duration: 3 years (36 months)
- Format: Integrated, hybrid
- Objective: to prepare new family nurse practitioners as leaders who promote health care innovation and advance health equity and policy
- Outcomes: advanced practice providers who will work with patients, as nurse educators or other leadership roles in health care
- Application period: Mid-September – January 1
About the DNP-FNP program
In the hybrid program format, the courses are primarily asynchronous, designed for the nursing professional working part time or per diem. Synchronous sessions are scheduled and are offered at a consistent time each week. There are four mandatory on-site immersions in Sacramento in the three-year program.
The on-site immersions last anywhere from three to five days, depending on the materials covered for each session. In years one and two of the program, there is one immersion per year. There are two immersions scheduled for year three.
In years two and three, students incorporate assigned clinical rotations and, in year three, scholarly project practicum. Visit the curriculum page to see how the clinical rotations are included with other courses. With the concept-based curriculum model, the program's online content integrates well with both the immersions and clinical rotations. The school arranges clinical rotations for students and works to place students close to their current California residence. Our goal is to support students to remain in their communities to serve there in clinical rotations, and hopefully, beyond once in practice.
Unique views wanted
We seek nurses with diverse life experiences. We value cultural inclusiveness, new perspectives and untraditional journeys. Our focus on underserved communities better prepares you to be primary care providers in those areas. Faculty and staff partner with you and are committed to your success throughout the program.
Watch the September 2024 recording of the information session webinar for an overview of the DNP-FNP program.
Vision
The Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner Program equips graduates to promote optimal health, well-being and health equity across populations and the lifespan.
Health equity
Looking at health disparities and social determinants of health, we seek solutions to historical, societal and health care inequities that undermine population health. Using the values associated with the framework of cultural humility, our program is committed to just and equitable care in partnership with marginalized and underserved communities, populations and individuals.
Read more about how we prepare students to pursue health equity
Bold leadership
Bold leaders continuously inspire and model multidisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration and engagement of individuals across health care settings and communities in strategic system-level change, resource stewardship and policy advocacy to transform the status quo and improve health care and health outcomes.
Read more about how we teach students to tap into their leadership skills
Innovative clinical practice
We inspire you to life-long innovation in clinical practice across the spectrum of DNP roles. Innovation involves courage, flexibility and creativity through the application of evidence-based decision-making, translation of research into clinical practice and the involvement of the entire health care team. Innovation embodies experience, learning, dissemination of knowledge, advocacy and direct clinical practice to advance the health of individuals and systems.
Read more about how we prepare future providers to innovate
Upon completion of the DNP-FNP degree program curriculum, and consistent with American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) expectations and standards, the DNP-FNP graduates are able to:
- Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking and accountability in designing, delivering and evaluating evidence‐based care to improve patient outcomes.
- Integrate nursing science, science‐based theory and systems knowledge into the development and evaluation of new practice approaches to care.
- Employ advanced communication skills and processes to lead quality improvement and safety initiatives.
- Apply analytic methods to the critical appraisal of literature and other evidence to develop and support best practice.
- Disseminate data from evidence‐based practice and research to support improvements in health outcomes.
- Convene and lead interprofessional, collaborative stakeholder teams to create change and advance positive health outcomes.
- Generate, evaluate and articulate innovative solutions to complex care issues.
- Analyze the impact of local, national and global health policy on determinants of care decisions.
- Support cost and resource efficiency, quality and accessibility of health care for diverse client groups.
- Advocate for nursing, as well as socially and ethically relevant, policy in health care design and delivery.
- Support and effectively lead quality improvement initiatives that enhance safe, high quality and evidence‐driven care.
- Effectively synthesize data from research, practice evidence and other credible sources to drive care recommendations and policy (AACN, 2022).
- Full-time enrollment (8-13 units per quarter) is required
- Required courses include a combination of DNP core, FNP core and elective courses
- Culminating requirements include a comprehensive FNP exam and a DNP Scholarly Project
- DNP-FNP students are expected to complete the program in 36 months
- Essential abilities and technical standards for students
- DNP-FNP degree program requirements
