Notice

The emerging national standards in Nurse Practitioner (NP) education require a Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) degree for all entry level NPs by 2025. The Department of Nursing (DON) is seeking approval for its plan to transition the existing MSN program to a DNP program. A DNP program will ensure our NP graduates are DNP prepared according to the national standards and allow us to continue our efforts preparing well qualified health care providers to meet the local health care workforce demand for our chronically medically underserved community in the California Central Valley.

In anticipation of the launch of the DNP program in Fall 2025, the MSN/FNP program in the Department of Nursing will not accept applications for Fall 2024 admission at this time, contingent upon university approval.

Any new developments will be posted on this website. Please check back frequently for updated information.

Program Overview

The purpose of this master's program is to prepare nurses with advanced nursing theory and clinical experiences in the advanced practice nursing role of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Students are prepared to assess the health needs and health risks of all family members, apply family theories, and analyze legal, ethical, economic, leadership and professional issues pertinent to nurse practitioners.

Graduates of the FNP Program are:

• Qualified to be certified as a Nurse Practicioner (NP) by the State of California
• Qualified to earn NP Furnishing number from the State of California
• Prepared to take national FNP certification exams
• Prepared to enter a doctoral program in nursing or related field