Alumna Reaps Rewards of Nursing Program
Associate-to-Master’s Degree Offering Leads to FNP Certification and Furthers a Career of Service
Jeanette Blanks (MSN Class of 2022, FNP Class of 2023) brings a wealth of diverse experience and a global perspective to her Family Nurse Practitioner role.
Having traveled extensively throughout her career before and after entering health care, Blanks has settled in San Francisco, serving her community full-time in a primary care practice. In addition to her clinical work, she is a dedicated member of the Touro University California Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Blanks’ nurse practitioner journey began in 2020 when she became a Registered Nurse. Soon after, she enrolled in TUC’s accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program, which focused on Clinical Nurse Leadership.
Upon completing her MSN in just 18 months, she seamlessly transitioned into TUC’s post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program, reflecting her commitment to furthering her skills and delivering exceptional care across the lifespan.
Before completing her FNP certification, Blanks worked as a program manager for Solano Options & Support (SOS) and served as an addiction medicine community health nurse in Vallejo. And while at TUC, she helped to secure a grant of more than $250,000 to launch a program aimed at helping unhoused community members with substance use disorders.
Her passion for supporting underserved populations and tackling substance use challenges speaks to her dedication to health care equity.
Why Touro University California?
Blanks selected TUC because its Nursing program met her professional goals in the most-efficient manner available.
“When I completed my associate degree in nursing, my long-term goal was to become a nurse practitioner,” Blanks said. “Touro University's MSN program stood out because it offers a clear and supportive pathway for ADN graduates to advance into an MSN program.
“One of the biggest draws was Touro's strong connections with the local community in Solano County. These partnerships provided invaluable opportunities to collaborate with public health organizations and directly serve the community,” Blanks said. “Additionally, Touro’s FNP program was particularly appealing because it offers excellent support in securing clinical placements, which are crucial for meeting the comprehensive rotation requirements for FNP certification.”
Her educational path was not without its challenges, she said, but the payoff made it worthwhile.
“I won’t deny that completing both programs back-to-back required a significant commitment and mental endurance, but it was a small price to pay for staying on the most direct path to my goal,” she said. “I graduated, completed my board certification in 2023, and was able to start working in my field right away, which made all the hard work worth it.”
Blanks praised TUC’s commitment to social justice and health equity, which “is deeply woven” into the fabric of the MSN and FNP programs.
“This focus fosters a culture of service that prioritizes care for underserved populations and our most vulnerable neighbors, which I believe is a defining aspect of the program,” she said. “The training I received was exceptional and thoroughly prepared me for family practice.”
But it is more than just the knowledge she gained while at TUC that Blanks said allows her to “highly recommend” the Nursing program to others.
“In addition to the solid education, I developed meaningful relationships with faculty and built strong connections within the TUC and Vallejo community, which added immense value to my experience,” she said.
Coursework Designed for Nursing Professionals
Dr. Prabjot “Jodie” Sandhu, Director of the School of Nursing, said the TUC Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate track offers an accelerated-hybrid model for master’s level nurses to become Advanced Practice Providers and return to the community to provide access to primary care.
The fast-track, innovative program is 12 months in length, focusing on the core development of the nurse as a Family Nurse Practitioner, without any unnecessary coursework. The curriculum offers 630 clinical experience hours in a broad age range, which can be completed by attending clinical training one to two days a week. The program has a diverse learning platform that includes simulation, the use of standardized patients for training, and community immersions.
TUC’s FNP students spend time with faculty online weekly, engaging in theory and clinical simulation to further enhance their clinical skills and acumen as future Nurse Practitioners. Students exit the program ready to practice in a multitude of primary care settings, and across the lifespan from children to elder adults.
“The blend of learning styles and spaces is the perfect environment for nurses who wish to advance their career and care, quickly and efficiently,” Sandhu said.
Service at an International Level
Blanks’ path to health care was preceded by an international career in wellness.
As co-founder and company director of Stanley Wellness Centre in Hong Kong and Herbal Physic Wellness Clinics in London and Singapore, she provided a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to health and wellness. These experiences continue to inform her integrative and patient-centered approach in her current practice.
Before stepping into health care, Blanks spent nearly a decade as an information technology professional with Morgan Stanley, working in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Singapore, and London. This diverse professional background has enriched her ability to connect with people from all walks of life and to provide care with compassion and understanding.
Now settled in San Francisco, Blanks is dedicated to her community and profession, continually shaping a career that combines her love for wellness, service, and patient care.