West Coast University (WCU) Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, AGNP, PMHNP

What to Expect from West Coast University Online NP Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs must have a prior cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale plus proof of RN licensure in the state of practice. No GRE is required. Students in all programs must receive a recommendation for admittance from the Nursing Dean and committee members, and an interview and handwritten essay evaluation are required. Application materials may include an application and fee, proof of unencumbered RN licensure, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a resume or CV.

• MSN: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field from a nationally accredited program. Those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree must have completed coursework or have experience in leadership, undergraduate research, and public health. Additional coursework may be required for non-nursing bachelor’s applicants. Interested students must have at least one year of direct patient care experience within the past 3 years and have completed introductory statistics.
• RN to MSN: Interested nurses must hold an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Diploma in Nursing. Students should have at least one year of direct patient care experience within the past five years.
• Post-Master’s Certificates: Applicants must hold an MSN or doctoral degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program. Prerequisite coursework includes Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Physical Assessment.

State Restrictions: The West Coast University graduate nursing programs may not be available in all states. Students should check with the WCU School of Nursing as well as their state board of licensure to verify eligibility and to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.

Study Plan: The MSN-FNP and AGPCNP can be completed in five to eight trimesters. The MSN – PMHNP takes five to nine trimesters and the AGACNP takes four to eight trimesters. The lower amount is full-time and the higher amount is part-time. The RN to MSN-FNP program takes six to 11 trimesters, depending on the specialization. The Post-Master’s AGPCNP Certificate can be completed in 16 months, while the other specializations take 20 months. The NP programs begin in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.

MSN Curriculum: Core courses for all MSN specializations include Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice; Policy, Organization, and Financing in Healthcare; Ethics in Healthcare; Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology – APRN; Principles of Teaching and Learning; Research Utilization; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Care Coordination and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse; Advanced Pharmacology – APRN; Advanced Health Care Residency I-II; Advanced Health/Physical Assessment – APRN; and Culminating Experience I-II.

FNP Specialization: The FNP specialization comprises 53 credits plus at least 600 clinical hours. Courses include Primary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient Theory plus Practicum I-II; Primary Care Women’s Health Theory and Practicum; and Primary Pediatric Care Theory and Practicum.

AGPCNP Specialization: The AGPCNP track comprises 49 credits plus 500 clinical hours. Courses include Primary Care Adult and Geriatric Patient Theory plus Practicum I-II, and Primary Care Women’s Health Theory and Practicum.

AGACNP Specialization: The AGACNP track comprises 50 credits plus 500 clinical hours. Specialty courses are Acute Care Adult and Geriatric Patient Theory I-II and Practicum I-II.

PMHNP Specialization: The PMHNP track comprises 53 credits plus 500 clinical hours. Courses include Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Care Across the Lifespan Theory I-II and Practicum I-II.

RN to MSN Curriculum: The FNP program comprises 68 credits plus 785 precepted clinical hours; the AGPCNP comprises 64 credits plus 685 clinical hours; the AGACNP comprises 65 credits plus 685 clinical hours; PMHNP comprises 68 credits and 685 clinical hours. Additional courses to the MSN courses listed above include Pathophysiology; Principles of Leadership for Healthcare Organization; Statistics; Public Health Nursing; Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice; Public Health Nursing; Policy Organization and Financing Healthcare; and Community Practice Experience.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The Post-Master’s AGPCNP Certificate program comprises 28 credits, the AGACNP 29 credits, and the FNP and PMHNP comprise 32 credits. The FNP track requires completing 650 clinical hours, while the others include 500 clinical hours. The curriculum includes the Advanced MSN courses, the Care Coordination Course, and all specialty courses listed for the MSN specializations above.

Online Experience: Online courses at WCU include videos, adaptive quizzes, simulation exercises, assignments, and assessments. WCU uses Blackboard Learn to deliver courses, and new students complete an online orientation at the beginning of the programs. The university offers 24/7 technical support and access to faculty help, peer interaction, and student services. In addition, the Career Services Department assists graduates in pursuing their careers through workshops, guidance, and partnerships with industry professionals.

On-Site Requirements: Online students in all programs come to the Anaheim, CA, or Dallas, TX campuses for two 3-day on-site intensives. All other coursework is online and clinical preceptorships are completed local to the student.