Post Masters – non-ARNP-seeking DNP Family Nurse Practitioner

Curriculum Effective 2023-2026

Total credit hours: 80 (actual coursework based on gap analysis)

Program length: Depends on gap analysis for acceptable transfer-in credits (if any)

Program start: Fall (depends on gap analysis)

Class schedule: For the most part, classes are held on one evening and one full day each week. Class schedule changes every term, your classes may fall on a different day for other terms. There may be a few daytime courses in the summer and January terms.

  • Additional coursework may be required based on coursework analysis to meet the AACN DNP Essentials competencies.
  • PLU Entry-Level MSN graduates will need to start in Summer for additional coursework.
  • Post-masters students must have a minimum of 1000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours.

Curriculum
*Changes in progression path listed below may be determined based upon analysis of previous coursework (must meet the AACN DNP Essentials competencies)

Summer 2023 8 credits 
NURS 700 Advanced Practice Roles (2)
NURS 701 Theoretical Foundations and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NURS 702 Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)

Fall 2023 9 credits
NURS 703 Organizational and Systems Leadership (3)
NURS 720 Analytical Methods (Research I) (3)
NURS 721 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3)

January 2024 3 credits
NURS 704 Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)

Spring 2024 9 credits 
NURS 730 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
NURS 731 Advanced Pharmocotherapeutics (3)
NURS 734 Evaluation and Outcomes Research (Research II) (3)

Summer 2024 6 credits
NURS 732 Advanced Physical Assessment (4)
NURS 733 Advanced Health Promotion (2)

Fall 2024 10 credits
NURS 770 Primary Care Procedures and Diagnostics (3)
NURS 771 Psych for Primary Care (2)
NURS 772 FNP I: Diagnosis and Management of Common Episodic and/or Stable Chronic Illnesses (5) (120 clinical hours)

January 2025 3 credits
NURS 705 Clinical Resource Management (3)

Spring 2025 9 credits
NURS 790 Translating Research (3)
NURS 791 Proposal Seminar (1) (60 practicum hours)
NURS 773 FNP II: Diagnosis and Management of Acute and Complex Health Problems (5) (120 clinical hours)

Summer 2025 6 credits
NURS 792 DNP Project I (2) (120 practicum hours)
NURS 774 Women and Children in Primary Care (4) (120 clinical hours)

Fall 2025 7 credits
NURS 793 DNP Project II (2) (120 practicum hours)
NURS 775 FNP 3: Diagnosis and Management of Chronic and Complex Health Problems (5) (120 clinical hours)

January 2026 2 Credits 
NURS 794 DNP Project III (2) (120 practicum hours)

Spring 2026 8 credits
NURS 799 DNP Scholarly Project IV (3)
NURS 795 Transition to DNP Practice (1)
NURS 776 FNP 4: Diagnosis and Management of Complex Comorbid Patients (4) (120 clinical hours)

Gap Analysis Form

You may request a gap analysis to determine what previous coursework meets the program competencies required for the DNP degree.