Gonzaga University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, PMHNP

What to Expect from the Gonzaga University Online NP Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the nursing programs at Gonzaga University must have an unrestricted RN license in their state of residence in approved states. BSN degrees must be from a CCNE or ACEN accredited nursing program, and all undergraduate degrees must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher for MSN programs and 3.3 or higher for DNP programs. No GRE or GMAT is required. A phone interview may be requested.

Application materials include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation for the MSN and three for the DNP, a statement of purpose, current RN license, current resume or CV, and transfer credit form if applicable.

State Restrictions: Gonzaga University must procure authorization from states outside of WA for students to participate in the online nursing programs. Authorization for the nurse practitioner specializations has been granted for Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Study Plan: The MSN-FNP and PMHNP programs are designed to be completed in nine semesters. The BSN to DNP program typically takes five years to complete. MSN core courses last eight weeks while nurse practitioner core and specialty courses last 16 weeks in the Fall and Spring and 12 weeks in the Summer. Some pathways begin in the Fall, Spring, and Summer while others begin in May and August.

The Clinical Operations Group (COG) helps students secure clinical placement sites and the necessary preceptors and paperwork. Students must provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites and should calculate this cost in addition to tuition. Clinical sites should be secured at locations outside of the current workplace to expand networking and learn and grow in additional environments. Exceptions may be made with faculty approval.

Clinical practicums are completed local to the student in approved states. Students can continue to work, although the recommendation is to work no more than 20 hours per week during FNP and PMHNP clinicals.

MSN Core Curriculum: MSN core courses for both specializations and all entry points are Information Technology and Data Management; Theoretical Foundations for Healthcare Improvement; Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and Safety; Contemporary Health Care Environment; and Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations.

Nurse practitioner core courses include Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; Health Assessment: Advanced Nursing Practice; and Advanced Health Assessment Practicum.

RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree must take additional courses such as Statistics; Community Health Nursing; Research; and Community Health Practicum.

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Curriculum: The FNP track comprises 47 credits plus 660 clinical hours for BSN to MSN and second master’s degree earners, and 59 credits for RNs with non-nursing bachelor’s entry. In addition to the core curriculum above FNP students take Primary Care: Adult/Geriatric I-II and Practicums I-II; Primary Care: Infant, Child, and Adolescent and Practicum; and Primary Care: Gender-Based and Practicum.

MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Curriculum: The PMHNP track comprises 47 credits plus 660 clinical hours for BSN to MSN and second master’s degree programs, and 59 credits for the non-nursing bachelor’s entry. The program includes the core curriculum plus the following courses: Psychopharmacology; Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Concepts I-III and Practicums I-III; and Psychiatric-Mental Health Practicum Extension.

BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP program requires the completion of 78 credits and 1,000 practicum hours. RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s take an additional 12 credits for a total of 90 credits. In addition to the courses listed above for the MSN, DNP courses include Introduction to the DNP Role; Inferential Statistics; Quality Improvement and Leadership in Healthcare; Translational Research and Advanced Practice; Population Health Outcomes; Theoretical Underpinnings of Advanced Practice; Health Policy, Ethics, and Advocacy; DNP Project Readiness; DNP Project Seminar I-III; and DNP Practicum I-III.

Online Experience: The online nurse practitioner programs are delivered asynchronously with the flexibility of 24/7 login access. Online students will need a computer or laptop, microphone, headset, and Microsoft Office. Student support is offered 6 days per week. Students also have access to a faculty advisor, the Foley Library, the IT Help Desk, Grad Student Association, Career Center, University Ministry, and disability access.

On-Site Requirements: The nurse practitioner programs require five to eight campus visits to Spokane, WA. Campus immersions consist of Culminating Objective Structured Clinical Evaluations (OSCEs) which include a focused history and exam of an example patient including diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and a plan of care. Visits are as follows:

• MSN-FNP: 6 visits
• MSN-PMHNP: 5 visits
• DNP-FNP: 8 visits
• DNP-PMHNP: 7 visits 

DNP visits average one per semester in the fifth through twelfth semesters. For ID, MT, OR, and WA, faculty will visit sites during each practicum course for the MSN-FNP. Students living in approved states outside of ID, MT, OR, and WA need to add an additional day during the MSN-FNP immersions for each practicum course to fulfill the faculty site visit requirement.

PMHNP students will have at least three site visits from faculty during practicum courses. More visits may be required in some instances. All other coursework is online with clinical preceptorships local to the student.