The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a highly trained advanced practice nurse who blends the science of medicine with the art of caring. FNP’s care for patients across the entire lifespan, building lasting relationships and empowering patients to take charge of their own health. FNP’s are equipped to manage both preventative healthcare as well as manage acute and chronic medical conditions. They are also poised to provide unparalleled guidance and support to their communities through health education, advocacy and quality improvement within the healthcare systems in which they work.

An FNP’s day might start with a well-child exam, shift to managing a diabetic’s treatment plan, include diagnosing a respiratory infection, and finish by counseling a family on healthy lifestyle choices. They listen deeply, educate passionately, and advocate fiercely—often in clinics, community health centers, schools, and private practices. What makes FNPs truly special is their holistic approach. They look beyond symptoms to understand the whole person: their environment, family dynamics, stress levels, and goals. FNPs see health not just as the absence of disease, but as the presence of well-being.

Be the difference in your patients’ lives today. Start your FNP journey now!

The FNP program trains nurses to deliver high-quality, whole-person care across all ages, emphasizing long-term patient relationships.

Admission Deadlines

The School of Nursing accepts Nurse Practitioner students in the Fall and Winter Quarters. All admission requirements must be completed by the deadline.  Deadlines are as follows:

  • Fall – April 15 (quarter begins in September) 
  • Winter – October 1 (quarter begins in January)

Admissions Requirements

Education

  • Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in nursing from an accredited institution.

Academic Performance 

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing coursework.

Licensure

  • Current unencumbered United States RN license at the time of application.
  • California RN license must be obtained before the start of classes and maintained throughout the program.

Experience

  • Minimum of one year of full-time RN experience is required before matriculating into clinical courses (applies to most programs).

Certification

  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification.

Recommendations

Two electronic recommendations following:

  • Required: Recent nurse manager or director
  • Additional may be either of the following:
    • Nursing peer
    • Spiritual advisor

Interview Process (if granted by the Admissions Committee)

  • Completion of the Emotional Intelligence Interview Process, which includes a meeting (in person or via Zoom) with the program coordinator and another Graduate Nursing Program faculty member.

Application Fee (NursingCAS and Secondary Application)

There are two fees associated with the application:

  • $70 for the initial NursingCAS application and a $50 secondary application fee.

Transcript Requirements

NursingCAS Applicants - Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution(s) directly to NursingCAS. You must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended. This includes all colleges, universities, military credit, and unaccredited schools. Transcripts provided in any other manner are considered unofficial and will not be accepted for admission.

Returning LLU Applicant - If transcripts were previously sent to Loma Linda University prior to your NursingCAS application, please contact [email protected] with your full name, application term, program name, and a brief message requesting assistance with the transcript process.

Possible Careers

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are prepared for careers in a wide range of healthcare settings, providing primary and specialized care across the lifespan.

In direct patient care settings, FNPs play key roles in primary care clinics, including private practices, community health centers, and federally qualified health centers. They also serve in urgent care centers, retail clinics such as CVS MinuteClinic and Walgreens Healthcare Clinic, and hospital-based outpatient clinics. In some states, FNPs practice in emergency departments, occupational or employee health clinics, and even in home health and hospice care, where they deliver comprehensive, patient-centered services in diverse environments.

Many FNPs choose to specialize in specific populations or conditions. Common focus areas include geriatrics (serving patients in nursing homes or assisted living facilities), pediatrics (though many in this field pursue PNP certification), women’s health, and chronic disease management such as diabetes or hypertension. Others work in mental health or psychiatry (with additional training), pain management, or other specialized practice areas that require advanced expertise and interprofessional collaboration.

FNPs also thrive in non-traditional roles beyond direct patient care. They may practice as telehealth providers, participate in clinical research, or work for pharmaceutical and medical device companies in education, consulting, or sales roles. Many pursue leadership in healthcare administration and management, teach in nursing education programs, or contribute their expertise to health insurance organizations, public health departments, correctional facilities, or mobile health clinics. Opportunities also extend to international and travel health, where FNPs support communities globally.

Finally, some FNPs explore entrepreneurial paths, opening independent or collaborative practices where permitted by law, launching consulting services, or contributing to healthcare startups.

It’s important to note that the scope of practice for FNPs varies by state. Some states grant full practice authority, allowing independent clinical decision-making, while others require collaboration or supervision by a physician—factors that can influence the specific roles and settings available in each region.

Course Structure/Format

Take charge of your learning with Loma Linda’s Hyperflex model. Enjoy the freedom of online learning—without sacrificing the in-person experiences that make you a confident, practice-ready nurse practitioner. Study remotely when life demands it, then join us on campus to refine the hands-on clinical skills that set Loma Linda graduates apart.

All DNP programs are offered in our Hyperflex format, blending online instruction with scheduled live sessions for real-time connection and collaboration. During each 11-week quarter, you can attend in person or online for select core courses—usually around mid-quarter (week 5).

View a sample schedule ›

Face-to-Face Course Structure

Our Hyperflex model combines the convenience of online learning with the irreplaceable value of face-to-face clinical mastery. Clinical/Lab/Simulation courses will be hybrid to allow students to have hands-on practice, preparing them for their clinical practice setting.  Schedules will be provided to students for required meetings during the quarter in advance.  This allows you to refine your practical expertise in person and graduate with exceptional skills that set you apart from other Advanced Practice Nurses.

NGRD 624 Advanced Health Assessment 4u
This course has mandatory synchronous lab meetings 4-6 meetings during the quarter. The schedule will be given in advance for planning.

All clinical and practicum courses

  1. Direct Clinical Hours: 630-750 hours, depending on the specialty.
    Students in the CNS and NP clinical courses will be assigned clinical rotations within Southern California (within a 90 mile radius of Loma Linda).
     
  2. DNP Project: The DNP Project can be done in the workplace, allowing students to collect evidence-based research data.

Sample Schedule
Full-time: 3 years, 9 months (15 academic quarters).
Part-time options are available.

Accreditations

Loma Linda University is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The BS, MS, and DNP Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Nurse Anesthesia Concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Advanced practice nurse graduates, Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), are certified by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to apply for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, as appropriate for the area of professional practice.The California State Board has approved all programs offered at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing. Many states may offer a compact license to individuals already licensed in California. If this opportunity is of interest to you, please contact your program director. Students who decide to pursue a license in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state.

Our programs address and meet outcome expectations as articulated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master’s (AACN), and DNP Essentials.

Cost of Attendance

View Expected Cost of Attendance Here

Curriculum Plan & Sample Schedule

Curriculum Plan for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration

Sample Schedule for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration

 

Family NP Sample Course Schedule (BS to DNP) — (full-time)
Loma Linda University - School of Nursing

Hyperflex Model: Most courses are remote. Blue-highlighted courses require on-campus sessions.
 

Reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions. We are here ready to help you.
This sample matrix is for illustration only. For the official course list and schedule, please refer to the Loma Linda University Catalog.

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