Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP)

Graduate Admissions & Aid School of Nursing & Health Innovations
A University of Portland nursing student allows a young patient to listen to her heart with a stethoscope as the child lays in a hospital bed

Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP)

What Will I Learn in the DNP-DNP Program?

Embark on a transformative academic journey that will redefine your role in healthcare with University of Portland’s doctor of nursing practice-family nurse practitioner (DNP-FNP) degree program. Designed for passionate and ambitious nursing professionals, the DNP-FNP provides advanced clinical expertise that allows you to position yourself at the forefront of patient-centered care.

Upon graduation from the DNP-FNP program, you’ll be prepared to sit for the national FNP certification exam through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

A family nurse practitioner is a healthcare professional who specializes in comprehensive primary care, as well as diagnosing and managing acute and chronic health conditions. They also exert their influence on a macro level, promoting health and wellness to individuals of all ages and improving community health outcomes.

DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner Courses

UP offers the DNP-family nurse practitioner program in a hybrid format with online coursework and a monthly weekend immersion experience on our Portland campus. You can choose to pursue the program on either a part- or full-time basis.

Through the DNP-family nurse practitioner program, you will:

  • Focus on integrative health
  • Practice independently in a variety of primary care health environments
  • Translate evidence into practice
  • Demonstrate leadership in macro and micro healthcare systems
  • Proactively work for social justice by addressing health disparities
  • Function with cultural humility as a practitioner who can relate effectively with diverse and underserved individuals, families, and populations

Coursework in the 72-credit DNP program of study explores advanced concepts in leadership, patient assessment, pathophysiology, policy and politics, nursing ethics, informatics, and more. UP blends this rigorous curriculum with extensive clinical experiences, ensuring you develop the skill set needed to address complex healthcare challenges. With a wide range of course topics, you’ll be ready and confident to provide exceptional, holistic care across all patient age groups and in diverse healthcare settings.

Degree Requirements

Program Status

University of Portland’s DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program meets the state educational requirements for FNP licensure in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii, Texas, Georgia, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Dakota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Michigan, Florida, Montana, and Illinois. University of Portland has not determined whether the program meets the FNP licensure requirements for other states, but can do so on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Stacey Boatright at boatrigh@up.edu if you have questions about a state not listed above.

University of Portland is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for the DNP-FNP program.

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Admission Requirements

University of Portland seeks BSN- or MSN-credentialed nurses for the DNP-FNP program who are eager to advance their knowledge and skills to improve quality of care, patient outcomes, and health policy.

Learn more about DNP admissions, or contact our team at gradschl@up.edu or 503.943.7107.

To apply to UP’s DNP-FNP program, you must submit the following:

  1. DNP writing sample
  2. Current résumé
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    1. Applicants provide email addresses for three references in the online application. A request will be sent directly to the references, who will be able to upload a letter in Word or as a PDF. References may also return recommendation letters as signed attachments by email to the Graduate School at gradschl@up.edu or by mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97203.
  4. Official transcripts from all previously attended academic institutions must be submitted directly from the institution either by email to gradschl@up.edu or by mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97203
  5. A bachelor's or master's degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body
  6. Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the most recently completed nursing program
  7. Current unencumbered registered nurse (R.N). license to practice nursing in state of residence. R.N. licensure in Oregon is recommended. R.N. licensure in the state in which a student completes clinical hours is required. Additional costs may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon
  8. Preference is given to Oregon and Washington applicants with at least two years of experience as an R.N.
  9. International Applicants: an official score from the TOEFL (minimum score of 100), IELTS (minimum score of 7.5), or Duolingo (minimum score of 120) exam is required.
  10. International Applicants: proof of financial support will be required to attend the University of Portland, but it is not required for application review
  11. An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing & Health Innovations

If you are looking for more information about the DNP-FNP program, contact the School of Nursing & Health Innovations at nursing@up.edu or 503.943.7211.

More than a Degree

Enroll in a DNP-nurse practitioner program that blends academic excellence with cutting-edge learning methods, empowering you to achieve your highest potential as an ethical nursing leader.

A University of Portland nursing student washes a wound with a saline-filled syringe under instructor supervision in the nursing lab

Clinical Experience

The DNP program requires a minimum of 1,020 hours of supervised clinical experience, providing you extensive direct patient care with a focus on advanced-level nursing practice.

A University of Portland nursing student checks the vitals of a medical mannequin with a stethoscope in the clinic simulation lab while other students work in other simulation rooms in the background

Simulated Health Center

UP's Simulated Health Center offers an immersive experience with realistic patient care scenarios that reflect diverse settings and specialties. The center features acute care patient beds, simulation suites with high-fidelity medical manikins, an ambulatory care center, a telehealth provider suite, and a simulated apartment. It is designed to help you enhance your clinical judgment, ethical decision-making, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Two University of Portland nursing students leaving the Blanchet House where they were providing medical care to unhoused and at-risk people

Holy Cross Tradition

The Holy Cross mission at UP goes beyond academic excellence, cultivating a distinctive educational experience that integrates ethical reflection into advanced-level healthcare practice. Here, you’ll learn to develop solutions that improve patient well-being and contribute on a higher level to humanity’s broader needs.

The UP Difference

See what shapes the UP student experience.

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University in Oregon for Nursing per Niche.com

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Private University in the West by U.S. News & World Report

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Four University of Portland nursing students in the simulation lab listen intently to their instructor walk them through the essentials of clinical care

Average Nursing Class Size

Careers and Outcomes

University of Portland’s DNP-family nurse practitioner program elevates your nursing skills, preparing you for a rewarding career performing diagnoses, creating treatment plans, and shaping preventative care measures.

Jobs and Employment Settings with a DNP-FNP

The DNP-FNP qualifies you for a career as a family nurse practitioner primary care provider to patients of all ages in a range of settings like private practice, community clinics, and hospitals.

Beyond the family nurse practitioner role, as a DNP-FNP graduate, you can also pursue careers like:

  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Clinical Instructor
  • Healthcare Consultant
  • Medical Researcher
  • Nurse Educator
  • Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner

Related Degrees

University of Portland students during the Education Foundations of Social and Emotional Learning in Schools session

EdD in Nursing Education

Three nursing students in purple scrubs attend a patient mannequin in the simulated health center at the University of Portland.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A University of Portland healthcare student guides another student on a bright purple yoga mat in the correct physical movement for health and wellness

BA, Public Health & Wellness

Advance to the Pinnacle of Family Healthcare Leadership

Choosing the doctor of nursing practice-family nurse practitioner program at UP means investing in your future as a health care leader. Apply now to the DNP-FNP program to launch your career as an experienced, compassionate advanced practice nurse poised to address health disparities and improve individual and community wellness.

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