For RNs who have a Bachelor’s or Higher Degree
Transform your nursing career with the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Our program empowers you with advanced clinical expertise to deliver exceptional care to patients across the lifespan including the care of children, adults and older adults, while honing the leadership skills to drive impactful change within healthcare organizations and collaborative teams. Elevate your practice and become a trusted leader in the evolving field of primary care. The FNP specialty is similar to the AGPCNP specialty in its focus on providing high quality, evidence-based primary care, but the FNP specialty is different from the AGPCNP speciality in that graduates are prepared to treat not only adults and older adults, but children and families as well.
Comprehensive, Lifespan Care Rooted in Hawaii’s Communities
- Master evidence-based practice to navigate and address complex healthcare challenges by utilizing the most up-to-date advancements in healthcare together with patient-centered nursing skills.
- Deliver exceptional, patient-centered primary care to children, adult and geriatric populations, ensuring the highest standards of care.
- Develop the leadership acumen to drive organizational success and lead interprofessional teams with confidence and impact.
Top Program Benefits
- Propel your career forward with Board Certification Eligibility as a Family Nurse Practitioner upon program completion, unlocking new professional opportunities
- Gain essential organizational leadership skills, empowering you to lead interprofessional teams in tackling complex challenges and delivering exceptional, high-quality care.
- Experience hands-on, high-quality clinical training with expert clinicians across diverse healthcare settings in Hawai’i, including rural and neighbor island experiences, broadening your impact on varied populations.
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Program Description
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is a full-time, cohort-based Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program that spans three years (eight semesters) and requires the completion of 77 credit hours. This advanced practice program prepares nurses to deliver comprehensive primary care across the lifespan, addressing the health needs of individuals, families, and communities with a focus on holistic, culturally responsive care in an outpatient setting.
FNPs are clinical leaders and advocates for family-centered health, providing continuous and preventive services to patients of all ages—from newborns to seniors. At UH Manoa, this program is designed not only to build clinical excellence, but also to support the unique health demands of Hawaii, particularly in rural and underserved populations.
Licensure in the State of Hawaii
Graduates who successfully complete the FNP DNP Program are eligible to obtain national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Upon receipt of board certification, graduates are eligible to apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure through the Hawaii Board of Nursing. While the University of Hawaii at Manoa supports licensure in Hawaii, students intending to practice outside the state should consult the respective state licensing board to determine regional requirements.
Curriculum
Enrollment in equivalent courses in other UH schools or offered by NEXus may be taken to ensure timely student progression. Students participate in a mandatory orientation during the first week of instruction each semester.
The following is a sample curriculum and is subject to change. Course offerings may vary based on the student’s year of admission to the program, faculty, and program updates.
FNP DNP Course List
- NURS 607 Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology for Nurses in Advanced Practice (3)
- NURS 612 Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning (2)
- NURS 612L Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning Lab (1)
- NURS 613 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
- NURS 615 Clinical Skills and Procedures for Advanced Practice Nursing (2)
- NURS 616 Mental Health in Primary Care (3)
- NURS 621 Acute and Episodic Care Management (3)
- NURS 629 Pharmacology for Nurses in Advanced Practice (3)
- NURS 633 Child Health: Promotion and Maintenance (3)
- NURS 635 Women’s Health: Promotion and Maintenance (3)
- NURS 640 Chronic Illness Management (3)
- NURS 642 Healthcare Technology and Informatics (3)
- NURS 662 Leadership, Role Identity, and Organizational/System Change (3)
- NURS 676 Primary Care I Seminar: Health Assessment (1)
- NURS 676L Primary Care I Lab Health Assessment (2)
- NURS 677 Primary Care II Seminar: Management of the Adult with Acute & Chronic Conditions (1)
- NURS 677L Primary Care II Lab Management of the Adult with Acute & Chronic Conditions (3)
- NURS 678 Primary Care III Seminar – Special Populations (Peds, Gero, Women) (1)
- NURS 678L Primary Care III Lab (intermediate level) Special Populations (9)
- NURS 679 Primary Care IV Seminar – Primary Care Integration Across the Lifespan (2)
- NURS 679L Primary Care IV Lab (advanced level) – Primary Care Integration Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURS 681 Diagnosis & Management of Complex Care Across the Lifespan) (2)
- NURS 695 Successful Aging: Physiologic (3)
- NURS 730 Principles of Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing (3)
- NURS 735 Effective Program Evaluation for Quality Improvement (3)
- NURS 740 Health Policy & Economics (3)
- NURS 755 DNP Scholarly Project A: Proposal (2)
- NURS 756 DNP Scholarly Project B: Implementation (2)
- NURS 757 DNP Scholarly Project C: Evaluation & Dissemination (2)
Total Number of Credits: 77 credits
Current students refer to STAR for their individualized curriculum pathway.
Note: It is the student’s responsibility to meet regularly with their academic advisor(s) to ensure proper progress and to confirm their academic requirements.
Contact
DNP Program Coordinator & NEXus Campus Staff Coordinator
Contact for applicants and current students in the DNP program and the NEXus Program.
Email: dnpnurs@hawaii.edu
School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 201
Honolulu, HI 96822
Ph: 808-956-8401
Fax: 808-956-5977
via Star Balance
Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty Program Coordinator & Instructor
School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 219
Honolulu, HI 96822
Ph: 808-956-5297
Fax: 808-956-3257
Email: annaholt@hawaii.edu
via Star Balance
DNP Program Director, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Program Coordinator & Assistant Professor
School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 219
Honolulu, HI 96822
Ph: 808-956-3445
Fax: 808-956-3257
Email: courtnee@hawaii.edu