| FAQ |
Since graduate education in nursing builds on the baccalaureate curriculum, students are expected to enter the program with prerequisite coursework and clinical nursing competence. Specific areas that will be built upon, but not repeated at the graduate level include: basic anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology; introductory pharmacology; basic growth and development; basic physical and psychosocial assessment; basic statistics; interviewing and development of therapeutic relationships; and community health nursing. Students who seek admission without some of these competencies will need to take personal responsibility for acquiring them. The College of Nursing and the University of New Mexico have coursework, clinical opportunities and faculty available to assist students, if necessary, prior to entering the program.
The total program consists of 47 credits and requires four semesters of full time study. Over 700 hours of clinical experience are included in the program. The curriculum consists of general core courses required of all graduate students, primary care concentration core courses, and specialty courses.
| COURSE |
CREDIT HOURS |
DIDACTIC CREDITS |
CLINICAL CREDITS |
CLINICAL HOURS |
| N501 Theoretical Foundations of Advance Nursing Practice | 3 | 3 | ||
| N503 Research in Nursing I | 3 | 3 | ||
| N526 Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 9 |
| COURSE |
CREDIT HOURS |
DIDACTIC CREDITS |
CLINICAL CREDITS |
CLINICAL HOURS |
| N504 Evidence Based Practice in Nsg & Hl Care | 3 | 3 | ||
| N505 Health Care Policy, Systems & Financing for Advanced Practice | 3 | 3 | ||
| N539 Advanced Pediatric Health and Developmental Assessment |
4 (1 hour of lab credit) |
2 | 1 | 48 |
| TOTAL | 10 | 48 |
| COURSE |
CREDIT HOURS |
DIDACTIC CREDITS |
CLINICAL CREDITS |
CLINICAL HOURS |
| N543 Pharmacological Principles of Clinical Therapeutics | 3 | 3 | ||
| N549 Adolescent Health | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 72 |
| TOTAL | 9 | 72 |
| COURSE |
CREDIT HOURS |
DIDACTIC CREDITS |
CLINICAL CREDITS |
CLINICAL HOURS |
| N542 Ambulatory Pediatrics I | 4 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 72 |
| OPTIONAL Elective N593 Diagnostic Reasoning & Case Studies | 1 - 2 | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 4 - 6 | 72 |
| COURSE |
CREDIT HOURS |
DIDACTIC CREDITS |
CLINICAL CREDITS |
CLINICAL HOURS |
| N546 Ambulatory Pediatrics II | 4 | 2 | 2 | 96 |
| N547 Pediatric Chronic Illness/Special Needs | 5 | 3 | 2 | 96 |
| TOTAL | 9 | 192 |
| COURSE |
CREDIT HOURS |
DIDACTIC CREDITS |
CLINICAL CREDITS |
CLINICAL HOURS |
| N596 Professional Paper or N597 Exam | 1 | |||
| N595 Fieldwork | 7 | 7 | 336 | |
| N594 Advanced Practice Seminar | 1 | |||
| TOTAL | 9 | 336 |
Classes in Semesters II and III and IV are in consecutive concentrated days in two week periods throughout the semester. Clinicals are arranged in the two blocks (usually 5 or 6 week periods) between the didactic sessions. Clinicals may require travel to rural facilities in New Mexico or neighboring states; this will have additional financial implications. Semester IV is almost exclusively clinical practicum, with seminars arranged as needed.
The PNP concentration requires a full time commitment since the specialty courses are offered sequentially and only once per year. The core curriculum is offered each semester, and sometimes during the summer session, however all core courses must be completed before starting the second year of the concentration. Students who seek admission with existing graduate degrees in Nursing (Master's or Doctorate) will be able to pursue the PNP curriculum as a Post Master's certificate. However, their applications are considered along with all other applications.
