Online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Course Curriculum
The Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) courses aim to produce graduates who provide family-oriented, evidence-based primary healthcare to a high standard within multicultural contexts.
Our graduates can:
- Consult and make referrals within interdisciplinary practices.
- Develop thorough, accurate medical histories with their patients through examinations, performance and/or interpretation of diagnostic tests, and recording of data.
- Establish and implement care plans based on patient needs and monitor ongoing effectiveness.
- Promote healthy living habits and provide advice about preventive care.
- Produce graduate-level research of superior quality that can withstand peer review.
- Act as a professional leader and patient advocate at the local, regional, national, or global level.
Full-time Course Sequence
| Semester I | |
| N619 ONL Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| N671 ONL Advanced Physical Assessment | 2 |
| N671L Advanced Physical Assessment Lab (with 3-day on-campus intensive) | 1 |
| N677 ONL Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| Total units | 9 |
| Semester II | |
| N672 ONL Professional Role Development for APNs | 2 |
| N676 ONL Care of Chronic & Complex Conditions | 3 |
| N674 ONL Health Protection, Promotion & Screening | 3 |
| Total units | 8 |
| Semester III |
| N670 ONL Family Centered Advanced Practice Nsng | 2 |
| N675 ONL Care of Acute & Episodic Conditions | 3 |
| N675L ONL Care of Acute & Episodic Conditions Lab | 1 |
| N678L Clinical Practicum (210 hours) | 4 |
| Total units | 10 |
| Semester IV | |
| N626 ONL Theoretical Foundations for APNs | 3 |
| N601 ONL Research Methods | 3 |
| N679L Clinical Practicum (210 hours) | 4 |
| Total units | 10 |
| Semester V | |
| N606 ONL Synthesis Project | 3 |
| N602 ONL Analysis of Health Policy Issues | 3 |
| N680L ONL Internship (210 hours) (with 3-day on-campus intensive) | 6 |
| Total units | 12 |
| Total Program Units | 49 Units |
Part-time Course Sequence
| Semester I | |
| N619 ONL Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| N671 ONL Advanced Physical Assessment | 2 |
| N671L Advanced Physical Assessment Lab (with 3-day on-campus intensive) | 1 |
| Total units | 6 |
| Semester II | |
| N670 ONL Family Centered Advanced Practice Nsng | 2 |
| N672 ONL Professional Role Development for APNs | 2 |
| N677 ONL Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| Total units | 7 |
| Semester III |
| N676 ONL Care of Chronic & Complex Conditions | 3 |
| N674 ONL Health Protection, Promotion & Screening | 3 |
| Total units | 6 |
| Semester IV | |
| N675 ONL Care of Acute & Episodic Conditions | 3 |
| N675L ONL Care of Acute & Episodic Conditions Lab | 1 |
| N678L ONL Clinical Practicum (210 hours) | 4 |
| Total units | 8 |
| Semester V | |
| N626 ONL Theoretical Foundations for APNs | 3 |
| N601 ONL Research Methods | 3 |
| N679L ONL Clinical Practicum (210 hours) | 4 |
| Total units | 10 |
| Semester VI | |
| N606 ONL Synthesis Project | 3 |
| N602 ONL Analysis of Health Policy Issues | 3 |
| N680L ONL Internship (210 hours) (requires a 3-day intensive on campus to demonstrate competency for completion) | 6 |
| Total units | 12 |
| Total Program Units | 49 Units |
Samuel Merritt University FNP students in the online program are required to attend two, two-day on-campus intensives at the Sacramento campus: Session 1 in semester when N671/671L Advanced Physical Assessment is taught; Session 2 in semester when N679L Clinical Practicum II is taught. For those attending full-time, these occur in Semester 1 and Semester 4, respectively. For those attending part-time, they occur in Semester 1 and Semester 5, respectively. Each session meets during the week for two days and a total of 8 hours per day.