Nursing (MSN-FNP), Master of Science Degree - Family Nurse Practitioner Track

Program Location * Distance Education/Online
Program Credits 53 Credits
Program Length 5 Trimesters, 80 Instructional Weeks

or

8 Trimesters, 128 Instructional Weeks
Time to Complete 20 Months or 32 Months

* Program length may vary. WCU distance education programs may not be available to residents in all states.

Clinical Hour Requirement:  this track requires a total of 600 precepted clinical hours (prior to Fall 1) and a total of 540 precepted clinical hours (Starting Fall 1).

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 29-1141.00, 25-1072.00, 29-1171.00

College of Nursing Mission:

The mission of the College of Nursing is to provide evidence-based and innovative nursing education to culturally diverse learners; preparing nurses to provide quality and compassionate care that is responsive to the needs of the community and the global society.

Family Nurse Practitioner Program Purpose:

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a registered nurse educated at the Master’s level as a nurse practitioner. The focus of care for the FNP is children and adults of all ages, in the context of the family unit. The FNP is educated to provide high-quality, continual, and comprehensive wellness and illness care to children and adults by providing preventive health services, patient education, disease management, and illness prevention. The FNP is prepared to implement evidence-based practice guidelines and to critically analyze and adapt healthcare interventions based on individualized assessments of individual/family needs. The FNP practices in the context of community, with broad knowledge, sensitivity, and awareness of the specific needs of people from diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. Family nurse practitioners practice primarily in ambulatory care settings

MSN-FNP Curriculum-Online - Prior to Fall I 2024

A student in the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner online program at West Coast University participates in two (2) On-site Intensive (OSI) weekends.  The OSI brings students to campus to learn, practice and demonstrate essential hands-on skills and competencies needed by nurse practitioners.  

MSN Core

NURS 500Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice

3

NURS 510Policy, Organization, and Financing in Healthcare

3

NURS 521Ethics in Healthcare

3

NURS 535Principles of Teaching and Learning

3

NURS 540Research Utilization

3

NURS 561Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

3

Total Credit Hours:18

FNP Core

NURS 530Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology - APRN

3

NURS 676Advanced Pharmacology - APRN

3

NURS 679Primary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient: Theory

3

NURS 679L-APrimary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient: Practicum I

2

NURS 679L-BPrimary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient: Practicum II

2

NURS 681Advanced Health/Physical Assessment and Lab - APRN

4

NURS 682Care Coordination and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

3

NURS 682L-AAdvanced Healthcare Residency I

2

NURS 682L-B*Advanced Healthcare Residency II

2

NURS 684Primary Care Women's Health: Theory

2

NURS 684LPrimary Care Women's Health: Practicum

2

NURS 685Primary Pediatric Care: Theory

2

NURS 685LPrimary Pediatric Care: Practicum

2

NURS 691ACulminating Experience I

1.5

NURS 691BCulminating Experience II

1.5

Total Credit Hours:35.0
*NURS 682L-BR – Taken if student is unsuccessful in NURS 682L-B

Total Credit Hours: 53.0

MSN-FNP Curriculum-Online - Effective Fall I 2024

A student in the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner online program at West Coast University participates in two (2) On-site Intensive (OSI) weekends.  The OSI brings students to campus to learn, practice and demonstrate essential hands-on skills and competencies needed by nurse practitioners.  

MSN Core

MSNC 500Nursing Roles in Policy, Ethics, & Finance

3

MSNC 505Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice

3

MSNC 510Advanced Nursing Technologies & Collaborative Care

3

MSNC 515Health Promotion and Disease Management

3

Total Credit Hours:12

FNP Core

MSNR 550Advanced Pathophysiology

3

MSNR 555Advanced Pharmacology

3

MSNR 560Advanced Health & Physical Assessment

3

MSNF 600Family Primary Care: Introduction to Advanced Practice

2

MSNF 605Family Primary Care: Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis

3

MSNF 610Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Health I

2

MSNF 610CAdult Gerontology Primary Care: Practicum I

2

MSNF 620Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Health II

2

MSNF 620CAdult Gerontology Primary Care: Practicum II

2

MSNF 630Women's and Reproductive Health

3

MSNF 630CWomen's and Reproductive Health Practicum

2

MSNF 640Pediatric & Adolescent Health

3

MSNF 640CPediatric & Adolescent Health Practicum

2

MSNF 650Family Primary Care: Intensive I

2

MSNF 650CFamily Primary Care: Residency I

2

MSNF 660Family Primary Care: Intensive II

2

MSNF 660CFamily Primary Care: Residency II

2

MSNF 680Family Primary Care: Transition to Advanced Practice

1

Total Credit Hours:41
 

Total Credit Hours: 53.0

Program Credit Distribution

MSN with Family Nurse Practitioner Track

                 

Core Nursing Semester Credits:

12.0

 

Family Nurse Practitioner Track Semester Credits:

41.0

 

Total Program Semester Credits:

53.0

 

MSN with Family Nurse Practitioner Track Program Costs

For program costs, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees section.