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Academic Programs

Nurse Practitioner Programs Academics & Curriculum

Program format

Our newly adapted NP curriculum is designed to meet the needs of today’s working professionals while maintaining the highest standards of advanced clinical preparation. Coursework is delivered in a flexible hybrid-online format, allowing students to engage with course content from anywhere while still benefiting from hands-on learning. Select hybrid courses make full use of the state-of-the-art simulation and skills lab spaces in Helen Wood Hall, where students can practice and refine essential clinical skills in a supportive, high-tech environment.

Throughout the program, students will participate in several on-campus intensives that strengthen clinical competencies, build confidence, and create meaningful connections with faculty and peers. This intentional blend of online coursework, on-site simulation, and immersive clinical experiences offers the best of both worlds: the convenience and adaptability working professionals need, paired with the in-person engagement and mentorship that define a high-quality NP education.

See updated curriculum, including coursework, credits, and clinical hours for each of our NP specialties below.

Curriculum

Required coursework and clinical hours depends on the chosen nurse practitioner specialty:

Refer to this NP Curriculum Overview for the curriculum overview prior to January 2025.

Program goals

The Nurse Practitioner programs at the University of Rochester School of Nursing prepare providers:

  • Who base clinical care, decision making, and clinical services on scientific evidence which is grounded in careful analysis of the unique needs of the individual, group, or population.
  • Who are actively engaged in scholarship through the clinical application of existing knowledge and the generation and dissemination of new clinical knowledge.
  • Who maintain competence in their specialty through formal and informal educational opportunities, specialty certification, and who promote the ongoing education of others.

Program learning outcomes

Upon graduation from the Nurse Practitioner programs, students will be able to:

  • Create comprehensive population-specific, patient-centered plans of care to improve health outcomes.
  • Implement the principles of quality and patient safety using emerging scientific evidence for continuous improvement of person-centered care.
  • Synthesize established and evolving scientific knowledge from diverse sources and disciplines to contribute to
    the generation, translation, and dissemination of clinical scholarship.
  • Design plans of care that integrate determinants of health, health promotion, disease prevention, and health
    restoration for diverse populations through collaborative partnerships that produce equitable health outcomes.
  • Collaborate with interprofessional teams, patients, families, and communities using effective interpersonal and communication skills to optimize safe and effective patient care.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and adherence to ethical principles.
  • Synthesize principles of organizational leadership and systems-based thinking to effectively participate in
    transforming healthcare delivery systems to improve equitable health outcomes.
  • Appraise data, information technology, communication networks, and patient care technology to monitor
    outcomes of care, care systems, and practice improvement to drive healthcare decisions that improve quality and efficiency in care delivery.
  • Promote racial and social justice and health equity across diverse healthcare settings.

Frequently asked questions

The Nurse Practitioner programs are designed for working nurse professionals and are offered as distance programs. Throughout the program, several on-campus intensives will require students to travel to the Rochester, NY campus during the semester. See sample curriculum plans for each specialty program.

 

On-campus intensives will vary amongst the specific lab or clinical courses and will be compressed experiential learning days—often two consecutive days—during which all students will be on campus together engaging in activities such as simulations, interprofessional learning, seminars, or workshops. Students will come to campus up to once per semester in each clinical or lab course, with required dates provided well in advance.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing, a top 15 nationally ranked nurse practitioner program, has revamped its curriculum to meet evolving national standards and prepare our graduates for the future of healthcare. Grounded in our legacy of excellence, the revised curriculum ensures our nurse practitioners are equipped with the latest scientific evidence and clinical decision-making skills tailored to the unique needs of individuals, groups, and populations.

Each specialty program was updated to emphasize evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and advanced clinical knowledge, enabling graduates to deliver high-quality care and serve as leaders in the healthcare community. See sample degree plans for a list of courses for each specialty.

Connect with us

Interested in the Nurse Practitioner programs? Learn more about how to pursue a nurse practitioner degree by requesting more information or speaking with an Admissions Counselor.

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