Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Distance Program
Program Description
In 2011, the College of Nursing Primary Care program received a generous grant from the United States Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to allow us the resources necessary to respond to the need for increased primary health care in underserved populations.
The major aims of this project are as follows:
- To prepare new students at the doctoral level to serve the needs of medically underserved populations in rural and urban settings
- To ensure all graduates have increased knowledge in the field of gerontology to meet the growing health care needs of the older populations
- To increase the likelihood that graduates will practice in rural and underserved communities by fostering diverse clinical experiences as well as clinical rotations within the communities of residence
- To enhance student sensitivity to the differing needs of individuals from varied backgrounds by integrating cultural competency and mutual respect concepts throughout the curriculum
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.
Studying at a Distance
The primary care nurse practitioner program offers distance options for a full-time study track that is completed through internet courses, on campus visits and clinical experiences in a student’s home community.
The primary care distance option is only available to students living in the Intermountain West (Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado, or Wyoming). Participation may not be possible in all areas. Utah residents must live more than one hour’s drive from the University of Utah to participate in the distance option
Distance students are required to come to the University of Utah campus throughout their programs, at their own expense, to participate in orientation, intensive educational experiences, exams, and defend their Capstone Project. Throughout the program distance students will be expected to travel approximately twice a semester.
Distance programs require special computer and technology requirements. Click here for a complete list.
More Information
For more information about the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program including admission requirements, length of program, how to apply and programs of study, click here.