Aspiring nurse practitioners select from two program tracks at UCLA. One is for family nurse practitioners, and the other is for occupational and environmental health nurse practitioners. UCLA has a history of training family nurse practitioners to work with low-income families in clinics that provide reduced-cost or free care. The curriculum for family nurse practitioners includes core courses in pharmacology, nursing research and health assessments, along with specialty courses in women's health and children's primary care. Classroom learning is supplemented with clinical experience. The occupational and environmental nurse practitioner program prepares graduates to work with adults in accident prevention and to rehabilitate workers who have been injured on the job. The program includes core courses in occupational nursing theories, pharmacology and research design, along with courses in toxicology, occupational safety and ergonomics. Applicants must complete prerequisite courses, including statistics and physiology, before enrolling. UCLA offers several informational sessions each year for prospective students.
UCLA School of Nursing
700 Tiverton Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-825-7181
nursing.ucla.edu
Nurse practitioner students at the University of San Diego choose from specialty areas including family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner and mental health nurse practitioner. Students in all specialty areas take the same core courses, followed by courses that are specific to the specialty area. Applicants need a bachelor's degree and a California nursing license. Prospective students whose bachelor's is not in nursing must have an associate's degree or diploma in nursing. Applicants should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and must submit a resume and three recommendations. An interview is also required. The mental health and pediatric tracks can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. The family health track must be completed on a full-time basis.
University of San Diego
5998 Alacia Park
San Diego, CA 92110
619-260-4600
sandiego.edu
Prospective nurse practitioners at Azusa Pacific University select from one of four specialties: psychiatric mental health; family; pediatric and adult. Students complete the program in about three years on a part-time basis. Required clinical experience can be acquired at a hospital, community clinic or school, depending on the specialty. Nurse practitioner students at Azusa Pacific take core courses in bioethics, health assessments, pharmacology and nursing practice. They then take classes in their specialty area, followed by either submitting a thesis or taking a comprehensive exam. Before beginning the nurse practitioner curriculum, students must take prerequisite courses in areas such as statistics, nursing research and nursing leadership. Competitive applicants have a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and an RN license. Applicants submit a personal statement, three recommendations and a resume.
Azusa Pacific University
901 East Alosta Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
626-969-3434
apu.edu