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.