Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Program Description
The BS-DNP primary care program offers nurse practitioner specialty areas in Adult/Gerontology, Family or Pediatrics. These specialty areas provide qualified registered nurses with advanced specialty education to build a strong foundation in nursing science in order to provide primary care to populations of various ages. Included in this educational program is the opportunity to participate in and apply research to clinical practice with a focus on scholarly inquiry, critical thinking, health policy, health systems organization, economics of healthcare and leadership skills.
The BS-DNP programs at the University of Utah College of Nursing prepare students with Bachelor Degrees in Nursing for the highest level of clinical nursing practice in primary care settings. We are dedicated to providing culturally competent primary care providers, from diverse backgrounds, for service in rural and underserved communities. Upon completion of the program, students may apply for national certification through the appropriate specialty accrediting body.
Nurse practitioners are a vital force in expanding and shaping primary care services in a variety of contexts. Primary care nurse practitioners have an important role providing comprehensive primary health care to their specialty populations. This includes acute and chronic illnesses health promotion and disease and injury prevention. Primary care nurse practitioners play a critical role in serving the health care needs of vulnerable populations. Each of the primary care nurse practitioner programs prepare students to take on this role. Guided by evidence-based practice, primary care nurse practitioners work to influence public policy through participation in professional organizations and in health policy activities at the local, state, national and international levels.
The role of the primary care nurse practitioner continues to evolve in response to our changing societal and health care needs. Doctoral-prepared primary care nurse practitioners provide primary care to clients and families within a community setting and regularly exercise a combination of roles: provider, mentor, educator and administrator. Students studying to become primary care nurse practitioners learn to participate in the application of knowledge (clinical practice) within the context of the discovery of new knowledge (research) and integration of concepts from other disciplines.
The educational approach in the primary care nurse practitioner program includes multiple modalities, including land-based classes, web-based education, synchronous learning opportunities, and clinical experiences.
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner BS-DNP Specialty Areas
Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Length of Program
The Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs are 8 semesters in length, requiring 81-90 credit hours in didactic and clinical coursework. They are available only as full-time programs (9+ credit hours per semester) and are completed in three (3) years, including summer semesters.
Program of Study
The Primary Care Nurse Practitioner BS-DNP programs of study require completion of the BS-DNP core curriculum, Primary Care NP specialty courses, a Capstone Project, and approximately 1000 hours of practicum and residency experience.
Nurse Practitioner Programs of Study
Studying at a Distance
For more information, see the PCNP Distance Program page.
Admission Requirements
See the BS-DNP Degree Admission Requirements page.
The BS-DNP Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program recommends that students have broad exposure to the healthcare field and prefer that applicants have a minimum of two years experience in healthcare prior to admission to the program.
How to Apply
A cohort of approximately 28-32 students is accepted into the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program each fall semester. Applications are available fall of the previous year.
See the How to Apply page for deadlines and more information.
More Information
For more information about this program and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the related links at the right side of the page. If you have additional questions, contact the advisor below.
Renée Mixco, Graduate Advisor
(801) 587-7605
renee.mixco@nurs.utah.edu