FNP Frequently Asked Questions

We currently have one concentration which is Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

An undergraduate Statistics course must be completed with a minimum grade of a C prior to admission into the program.

A current CA RN license is required for acceptance into the MSN program.

An overall GPA average of 3.0 in your last sixty units or better is required for admission into the MSN program.

The program is designed as a full-time program (5 semesters with summer courses) for the FNP concentration. Students will move through the program as a cohort. For those who cannot attend full-time, we will attempt to work with these students to create an accessible plan. 

We do NOT currently offer a fully online FNP program. We are a hybrid program that combines virtual and in-person courses.  During the first semester, you can expect to be on campus 1 day per week at most. For the following semesters, it is approximately 2-4 days per month.

• Please refer to the Graduate School Costs webpage for cost information.
• The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office has resources, including information and forms online.

In addition, there is specialty funding, such as a forgivable loan for tuition, schoolbooks, and supplies each semester of the program for FNPs who are willing to work within a specific 19-zip code region within our service region after graduating. Contact the Program Director for more information related to this specialty funding as soon as you are admitted. Applications will be accepted after the New Student Orientation so students can acquire this funding before the first semester starts.

We admit between 16 and 24 students to our FNP concentration.

Visit the School of Nursing website for information regarding the application process.

With approval from the Graduate Program Director, 9 units may be considered for transfer from other MSN programs. A description of the course and the number of units will be needed to determine acceptance for transfer.

You will be engaged in clinical practice 2 days per week starting with the second semester, until the last semester when it will be 3 days per week. The days of the week clinical practice takes place is dependent on the site. The School of Nursing arranges clinical placement for its students within our five-county service region (Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Calaveras, and Tuolumne). If you need placement outside of our service region within California, we will work with you to attempt to find a site.

You will be engaged in clinical practice 2 days per week starting with the second semester, until the last semester when it will be 3 days per week. The days of the week clinical practice takes place is dependent on the site. The School of Nursing arranges clinical placement for its students within our five-county service region (Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Calaveras, and Tuolumne). If you need placement outside of our service region within California, we will work with you to attempt to find a site.

Practicum placements require completed castlebranch.com documentation.

The typical equation is that for every course unit taken, there will be an average of 3 hours of coursework per week. This may differ for some lab/clinical courses.

It is strongly recommended that students work ¾ time or less to achieve a healthy balance of employment, student learning, and personal well-being.

Students are allowed to step out. A risk is that courses are not offered every semester and stepping out may result in the student needing to attend extra semesters in order to complete all required nursing courses. In addition, a risk of stepping out of the FNP concentration would be a lack of space to return and join a future cohort.

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree and an Associate Nurse (ADN) from accredited institutions with a current CA RN license can apply to the BRIDGE program. The six BRIDGE courses are NURS3110, NURS 3010, NURS4405, NURS4415, and NURS3330, and NURS4240. The BRIDGE courses correspond with the current Online RN-BSN roadmap. You may apply to the FNP program while taking the bridge courses, but All BRIDGE courses must be completed prior to starting the FNP concentration. Please visit the RN MSN Bridge Program information webpage. Contact the Program Director if more information related to the BRIDGE program is needed.

Yes, we do. For additional information, please visit the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification webpage.

Contact the Program Director if you have more questions.

Mechelle, Perea-Ryan
Ph.D., FNP-BC, RN-PBC, PHN
Health Sciences Program Co-Director, School of Nursing
Graduate/FNP Program Director, School of Nursing
Stanislaus State