Second Careers and Nursing Program

• School of Nursing
• Graduate Programs
• S.C.A.N. Program

• About the Program
• Coursework
• Faculty
• Admission
• Tuition and Aid
• Contact

Coursework

• Pre-licensure Courses
• Internship
• Post-licensure Requirements
• Program Example I: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) without Thesis
• Program Example II: Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) with Thesis
• Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-licensure Courses

The five-semester pre-licensure portion of this program is offered in an intensive format and must be taken in full-time study. Courses are offered in a fixed schedule with required clinical experiences that may be scheduled Monday through Saturday. For the BSN degree in the S.C.A.N. program, the following courses are required of students in all clinical specialties.

Internship

This intensive period of clinical education and continuing preparation for leadership takes place in a health care agency under the direct supervision of a clinical preceptor and supported by clinical faculty in the graduate program. Student interns work the same hours as clinical nursing staff in the agency and gradually assume greater responsibility. At the same time, they review pre-licensure subject matter in preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Total pre-licensure portion of S.C.A.N. Program: 65 semester units + internship

Note: Before taking advanced practice clinical courses for completion of the MSN degree, the student must successfully complete the clinical internship and achieve the passing score required by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) on the NCLEX-RN exam.

Post-licensure Requirements

The post-licensure portion of this program is offered in an intensive four to six semester format. The examples given below show courses required for the Family Nurse Practitioner and the Adult CNS clinical specialties. Students who elect a different specialty will have their programs planned individually according to course sequencing for that specialty. As an alternative to full-time study, students may elect to complete master’s degree requirements through studying in a part-time format while taking courses each semester. Whether they choose to study full- or part-time, all students may:

• Elect to write a thesis or take a comprehensive exam to complete the degree.
• Elect nine units of additional courses for a secondary specialty in nursing education or administration.

In addition to full-time study and clinical practicums (within courses), post-licensure students are required to have outside clinical work experience as well. This may be no more than 20 hours per week for international students.

Program Example I: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) without Thesis

Program Example II: Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) with Thesis

Frequently Asked Questions

How many units in this program?

The program requires 98-102 units (pre- and post-licensure) to graduate.

How much does the program cost?

Tuition is $496 per unit.

How long is a semester?

Fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks. Summer semesters are 12 weeks.

How many evenings per week do I attend classes?

Lecture classes and clinicals vary and may be offered Monday through Saturday, days and evenings.

Are scholarships available?

Several types of financial aid are available to students, including scholarships. However, most nursing students fund their education through federal loans.

Whom do I contact if I have more questions?

For general graduate admissions questions, contact the Graduate Center comprised of Graduate Admissions, the Graduate Registrar, and Graduate Student Financial Services. The main phone number is (626) 815-4750.

If you are interested in S.C.A.N., contact Allison Rose at allisonrose@apu.edu.