Lewis nursing programs and the practicums inside them

Updated September 25, 2026 · Reviewed by the Lewis Preceptor placement team

Every Lewis graduate track with practicum hours has its own guide here: the four MSN nurse practitioner tracks, their post-master's Certificates of Advanced Study, the BSN to DNP and the post-master's DNP, plus Nursing Education, Healthcare Systems Leadership and School Nurse. Each gives credits and hours from the 2026-27 catalog, the practicum sequence and the kind of preceptor each stage needs.

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Bar chart of minimum clinical hours in the Lewis 2026-27 catalog: MSN FNP 630; MSN AGACNP, AGPCNP and PMHNP 540 each; DNP 504 residency hours beyond the MSN practicum hours. — Minimum clinical hours in the Lewis 2026-27 catalog: MSN FNP 630; MSN AGACNP, AGPCNP and PMHNP 540 each; DNP 504 residency hours beyond the MSN practicum hours.

How the NP tracks share practicums

Lewis builds its NP tracks from shared parts. NURS 61800 appears in the FNP, AGPCNP and AGACNP tracks, NURS 61100 in the FNP and AGPCNP, and each certificate reuses its MSN track's practicums without the MSN core. So one well-chosen primary care preceptor can matter to several tracks, and the clinical hours planner shows exactly where each course sits.

The FNP needs at least 630 clinical hours; the AGACNP, AGPCNP and PMHNP need at least 540. Doctoral students add at least 504 residency hours beyond the MSN.

MSN nurse practitioner

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)Lewis's MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track: all 48 credits, the 630-hour minimum, four 16-week practicums and when to line up each preceptor.MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP)Lewis's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP track: 46 credits, 540 clinical hours, three practicums, the NURS 62500 hour conflict and when to find each preceptor.MSN Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP)Lewis's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP track: 46 credits, three 180-hour practicums, the full course list and a timeline for each primary care preceptor.MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP)Lewis's Psychiatric-Mental Health NP track: 49 credits, three 180-hour psychiatric practicums in a fixed order, the full course list and preceptor timing.

Post-master's certificates

Post-master's NP certificatesLewis's four post-master's NP certificates: 28 to 31 credits, up to 12 transfer credits, and the same 16-week practicums the MSN tracks take.PMHNP certificate (online)Lewis's online-only PMHNP Certificate of Advanced Study: 31 credits, three 180-hour psychiatric practicums across the lifespan, and how to line up preceptors.

Doctoral

Post-master's DNPLewis's 30-credit online post-master's DNP: 504 residency hours beyond your MSN, two Oak Brook immersions, the scholarly project and picking a practice site.BSN to DNPLewis's BSN to DNP in FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP or PMHNP: 73 to 76 credits, NP practicums first, then the DNP residency and project, with preceptors at each stage.

Other graduate tracks

MSN Nursing EducationLewis's 40-credit Nursing Education MSN: 450 clinical hours across NURS 54700 role transition and two capstones, and how to secure educator and clinical sites.Healthcare Systems LeadershipLewis's 36-credit Healthcare Systems Leadership MSN and 63-credit MSN/MBA: the 300-hour NURS 59600 capstone practicum and how to secure a leadership site.School Nurse (MSN or non-degree)Lewis's School Nurse MSN and non-degree routes: the 300-hour NURS 56700 internship, ISBE test 236 first, Illinois-only licensure and the credit conflicts.

Bachelor's

BSN clinicalsHow Lewis places traditional and accelerated BSN students in clinical groups at affiliating agencies, the clearance you need, and the NURS 43900 preceptorship.

Questions Lewis students ask

Which Lewis programs need a preceptor?

Every NP track (MSN, certificate and BSN to DNP), the DNP residency, and the practicum courses in Nursing Education, Healthcare Systems Leadership and School Nurse. BSN students train at agencies Lewis arranges, with a precepted experience in their final semester.

Is the Lewis RN to BSN still open?

No. The catalog and the program page both say the RN to BSN is no longer accepting applicants, so this site has no RN to BSN guide.

Are the post-master's certificates online?

Lewis describes the PMHNP certificate as online only. For the other certificates Lewis's pages differ, so confirm the delivery format with graduate admissions before you apply.

Do the practicum hours differ between the MSN and the certificate?

The certificates reuse the MSN practicum courses, and Lewis's FAQ gives the same 540 to 630 hour range for both. Any transfer credit applies to didactic courses, not to the practicums.

Last checked 2026-09-25

We check these pages against Lewis's own catalog, program pages and FAQ, its contract portal and Illinois law. Your course, your track coordinator and the Clinical Placement Office have the final word.

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