Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner Track

About

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration is a pioneering program, being the first of its kind to be offered by a University of California campus. Our innovative three-year program is tailored for both BS and MS prepared nurses, providing a streamlined path to achieve a doctoral degree with an FNP concentration. This rigorous yet rewarding program equips graduates for autonomous family practice and interprofessional leadership at the highest level, emphasizing comprehensive, family-centered care across the lifespan.

Program Highlights

  • Comprehensive preparation: Integrated terminal-degree program combining DNP and FNP preparation
  • Flexible learning: Online and hybrid courses, featuring both synchronous and asynchronous sessions
  • Collaborative education: Interprofessional learning environment leveraging collaboration with the School of Medicine, School of Population & Public Health, and the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Hands-on experience: Quarterly on-campus cohort sessions beginning in year two, enhancing learning and peer interaction
  • Clinical expertise: Extensive practice opportunities with expert NP faculty mentorship
  • Professional advancement: Eligibility for FNP certification upon program completion

You Should Apply If…

  • You are driven to provide comprehensive, family-centered health care across diverse populations and age groups
  • You are committed to educating and guiding individuals and families through complex health and situational transitions throughout the life cycle
  • You aspire to lead improvements in primary care delivery, health care policy, and population health
  • You seek to develop expert competency for complex practice, faculty roles, and leadership positions in family-focused health care settings

Goals & Outcomes

Core Knowledge
  • Graduate students will demonstrate advanced nursing practice knowledge as Family Nurse Practitioners, with a focus on comprehensive, family-centered care across the lifespan.
Research Methods and Analyses
  • Evaluate and integrate evidence-based research as a cornerstone of family-centered clinical practice.
  • Participate in the ongoing monitoring and analysis of health care quality and safety systems in primary care settings.
Scholarly Communication and Pedagogy
  • Engage in professional pedagogy consistent with evidence-based family practice.
  • Provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention, health maintenance, and chronic disease management for individuals and families.
  • Collaborate with other health care professionals to provide interdisciplinary, family-centered care.
Professionalism 
  • Navigate and manage various health care systems, emphasizing care for medically vulnerable and underserved families and communities.
  • Analyze local, state, and national health policies, legislative and regulatory trends, and their implications for family practice.
Clinical Practice
  • Conduct comprehensive health and psychosocial assessments for patients across the lifespan in a culturally sensitive manner.
  • Order and interpret diagnostic tests and procedures appropriate for family practice.
  • Differentiate, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic health problems in patients of all ages.
  • Prescribe and manage pharmacotherapeutic agents and other therapies suitable for family-centered care.
Candice Whealon
Candice Whealon
Co-Director, DNP Program and Assistant Clinical Professor
“I’m committed to advancing healthcare by preparing innovative nurse leaders and educators. As an academic nurse practitioner, I foster excellence in research, education, and practice, cultivating community partnerships essential for developing transformative nursing professionals.”
Leanne Burke
Leanne Burke
Director of Teaching Excellence & Innovation and Associate Clinical Professor
“I am honored to have the opportunity to impact healthcare and minimize health inequities by educating future nurses in the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing. Working closely with students and my colleagues has allowed me to broaden my reach to improve maternal health outcomes.”
Tiffany Nielsen
Tiffany Nielsen
Co-Director, DNP Program and Assistant Clinical Professor
“The complex healthcare landscape offers opportunities to cultivate innovative strategies that enhance patient outcomes, address disparities, and foster interdisciplinary partnerships. Collaborating with future healthcare trailblazers is a profound privilege, as we strive to advance quality care and accessibility for diverse populations.”

From Our Students

DNP-FNP Student Grace Schroeder
Grace Schroeder
DNP-FNP, 2026
Choosing to pursue my advanced and terminal degree at UCI has been the highlight of my nursing career. The School of Nursing’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation is demonstrated through the diverse teaching perspectives from faculty members who are dedicated to equipping their students with the skills to make a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare.”
DNP-FNP Student Julianna Rosik
Julianna Rosik
DNP-FNP, 2026
I chose UCI’s DNP-FNP program because of the excellent reputation of the school and its health facilities. I appreciate that the program is well established, offers a variety of clinical opportunities, and is personalized to meet the needs of each student.”

Nursing Insights

4X
With more than four times as many RNs in the United States as physicians, nursing delivers an extended array of healthcare services, including primary and preventive care by nurse practitioners with specialized education in such areas as pediatrics, family health, women’s health, and gerontological care. (AACN 2024)
2.7%
In 2022, 17.4% of the nation’s registered nurses held a master’s degree and 2.7% held a doctoral degree as their highest educational preparation. The current demand for master’s- and doctorally prepared nurses for advanced practice, clinical specialties, teaching, and research roles far outstrips the supply. (AACN 2024)
79.8%
The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 7.8%. Most of the vacancies (79.8%) were faculty positions requiring or preferring a doctoral degree. (AACN 2024)

Take Action Towards Your Goal

Find out how to join the ranks of nurse leaders who strive to improve patient care, promote population health, as well as become trailblazers in research, education, and clinical practice, and who champion collaborative, compassionate, and interdisciplinary evidence-based practice.

Click below to explore your path to Nursing with Humanity in Mind.

Sign Up for Updates