Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Post-BSN to FNP/DNP Class Scheduling

See NURS course descriptions in the UH Hilo Catalog.

Semester 1 (Fall Year 1) (12 credits)

Fall Institute/ Orientation: Late August 1

  • NURS 618 EPI/Environmental Health (3)
  • NURS 601 Social Aspects of Health (3)
  • NURS 602 Information Systems/Technology (3)
  • NURS 612 Evidence Based Practice (3)

Semester 2 (Spring Year 1) (10 credits)

  • NURS 603 Adv Clinical Pharmacology (3)
  • NURS 604 Advanced Clin Pathophysiology (3)
  • NURS 605 Advanced Health Assessment (4) 2

Spring Institute: May 1

Semester 3 (Summer Year 1) (6 credits)

  • NURS 606 Rural Health Promotion (3)
  • NURS 606L Rural Health Promotion Lab (3) 2

Semester 4 (Fall Year 2) (9 credits)

  • NURS 607 Primary Care of Adults (3)
  • NURS 607L Primary Care of Adults Lab (3) 2
  • NURS 608 Primary Care of Older Adults (3)

Semester 5 (Spring Year 2) (11 credits)

  • NURS 609 Primary Care of Women (2)
  • NURS 609L Primary Care of Women Lab (2) 2
  • NURS 610 Primary Care of Children (2)
  • NURS 610L Primary Care of Children Lab (2)
  • NURS 611 Advanced Research Methods (3) 2

Spring Institute: May 1

Semester 6 (Summer Year 2) (6 credits)

  • NURS 608L Prim. Care of Older Adults Lab (3) 2
  • NURS 613 Program Develop/Evaluation (3)

Semester 7 (Fall Year 3) (10-13 credits)

  • Elective (3-6)*
  • NURS 614 System-Based Leadership (3)
  • NURS 615 Health Policy: Local to Global (4)

* It is strongly recommended that the student take a course in Education Teaching Strategies.

Semester 8 (Spring Year 3) (9 credits)

  • NURS 616 Health Economics (3)
  • NURS 617 Practice Inquiry/Project (6)

Spring Institute/ Graduation: May 1

Program Total

73-79 credits

Non-practice MSNs who wish to follow the FNP/DNP entry-point will follow the Post-BSN to FNP/DNP course schedule. Possible waivers of specific courses will be determined on a case by case basis.


  1. All institutes are Mandatory. Dates will be provided in advance. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Clinical course hours are completed in person on any Hawaiian island provided an appropriate clinical site and preceptor are established. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎