Nurse Practitioner

General Information

In keeping with the introduction of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) as the terminal degree for advanced practice nursing, The University of Arizona College of Nursing has revised its graduate program offerings. Fall Term 2008 will mark the last time to enter the Master of Science degree program with a nurse practitioner specialty. Thereafter, nurses interested in advance practice nursing preparation will apply for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

A DNP student seeking nurse practitioner preparation will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced care of your selected population, nursing theories and nursing research. Upon completion of the degree, you will be eligible for certification as a nurse practitioner in Arizona and application for national certification. The PMHNP graduates will also be eligible to apply for the Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist examination and certification.

Nurse practitioner students may opt for additional preparation for practice in rural areas by enrolling in NURS 579 Issues in Rural Health (3 credits) as an elective and by practicing in a rural setting when enrolling in NURS 693 Internship. 

You can enter the DNP with a BSN and receive nurse practitioner preparation in the following specialty areas:

Family (FNP)
Adult (ANP)	Admission to the Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) specialty is discontinued effective immediately.
Adult Acute Care (ACNP)
Adult Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP)	Admission to the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialty is discontinued effective immediately.

Family Nurse Practitioner
Graduates of the FNP specialty are prepared as primary care providers for families at a beginning level of practice, users of research and beginning researchers. As an FNP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with families across the life span, nursing theories and nursing research. Health assessment, primary prevention, health care maintenance, clinical decision making, and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practica. The course of study includes extensive clinical time.  The BSN-DNP with a FNP specialty requires a minimum of 87 units and 810 clinical hours.

Adult Nurse Practitioner
Please Note: Admission to the Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) specialty is discontinued effective immediately.
Graduates of the ANP option are prepared as primary care providers for adults at a beginning level of practice, users of research and beginning researchers. As an ANP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with adults across the life span, nursing theories and nursing research. Health assessment, primary prevention, health care maintenance, clinical decision making, and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practica. The course of study includes extensive clinical time.  The ANP option requires a minimum of 40 credits and a minimum of 720 clinical hours.

Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Graduates of the ACNP option are prepared as providers of care for acutely ill adults with multiple, complex problems at a beginning level of practice, users of research and beginning researchers. As an ACNP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with adults and their families, nursing theories and nursing research.  Health assessment, disease prevention, health care maintenance, clinical decision making, and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practica.  The course of study includes extensive clinical time.  The ACNP option requires a minimum of 43 credits and 810 clinical hours. 

Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Please Note: Admission to the Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) Nurse Practitioner specialty is discontinued effective immediately.
Graduates of the PMHP option are prepared as primary care providers for persons with psychiatric and behavioral problems at a beginning level of practice, users of research and beginning researchers. As a PMHNP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with families across the life span, nursing theories and nursing research. Health assessment, primary prevention, health care maintenance, clinical decision making, and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practica. The course of study includes extensive clinical time.  The PMHNP option requires a minimum of 42 credits and 720 clinical hours.

Post-Master's Certificate Information

The University of Arizona College of Nursing offers post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate options: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Graduates of the FNP Post Master’s Certificate option are prepared as primary care providers for families at a beginning level of practice, users of research, and beginning researchers. To qualify for entry into the FNP Post Master’s Certificate program, applicants must have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, which must be in nursing. The program of study for the FNP Post Master’s Certificate requires 28 credits of study. Twenty-two credits must be taken for a letter grade.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Graduates of the ACNP option are prepared as providers of care for acutely ill adults with multiple, complex problems at a beginning level of practice, users of research and beginning researchers. The program of study for the ACNP Post Master’s Certificate requires the following courses for a total of 28 credits. Twenty-two credits must be taken for a letter grade.

Family (FNP)
Adult (ANP)
Adult Acute Care (ACNP)
Adult Psych-Mental Health (PMHNP)
Curriculum Overview
Nursing Course Descriptions
UA General Catalog
Post-Master's Certificates
Other Academic Programs