RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has a distance-accessible pathway to the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. The part-time program combines online classes with on-campus intensives. During their final four semesters, students must take part in four on-campus intensives where they master skills through laboratory and simulation experiences. The FNP specialty requires students to complete 45 credits, including 10 credits in clinical practicum experiences. The UAB School of Nursing has a $10 million endowed fund to support nursing scholarships, and it awards several scholarships for graduate-level nurses. Students who fill out the scholarship application are considered for all available scholarships. Scholarships are awarded in the spring and fall semester. The Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham ranked #9 in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The University of South Alabama offers a Psychiatric (Family) Nurse Practitioner master's degree that prepares nurses to provide care to children, adolescents, and adults experiencing a continuum of psychiatric illnesses. Students who enter this program should be prepared to work with children as well as adults while completing their degree. The coursework for this degree is delivered online. However, students in the psychiatric track are required to attend a two-day clinical orientation in Mobile, Alabama, when they take their first specialty classes. The orientation event includes clinical skills workshops. The curriculum for this degree requires 45 credits. Students complete three clinical practicums and accumulate at least 600 clinical hours working with a preceptor in their home community. Graduates are eligible to take the certification exam for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan). Students should have two years of psychiatric nursing experience before they begin the clinical courses.

The Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner program at Grand Canyon University includes 675 hours of supervised clinical practice that gives nurses experience in providing primary health care to individuals of all ages. For the clinical experiences, students work in a community-based or family-focused health care facility, filling roles such as care provider and patient educator. The FNP is a 53-credit program with classes available online. Students gain skills in areas such as preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment and they learn to manage common, acute, and chronic conditions. Students in this specialty are also required to attend two on-campus educational events. One is a three-day meeting where students practice skills such as health assessments and wound care and receive instruction in topics like chronic disease management. The other event is a one-day meeting where students review and practice for the certification exam.

The Family Nurse Practitioner MN program at Northern Arizona University has a focus on training nurses who are needed to provide primary care to families in a rural setting. Graduates are eligible to seek national and state certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The master's degree requires students to complete 48 credits. Didactic classes include rural theory and health policy, family nursing theory and practice, advanced principles in evidence-based practice, and three semesters of family primary health care. Students are required to complete three semesters of clinical practicums. During their final practicum, they are also required to complete an evidence-based practice capstone. This program is designed for RNs who have a broad base of experience. Key learning goals include gaining the skills necessary to design patient-centered and culturally responsive ways to deliver interventions. Nurses also develop the communication skills needed to collaborate with interprofessional teams and advance patient education.

Nurses in the RN bridge program offered by the University of Phoenix can earn an MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner. This is a 48-credit program, and students complete clinical hours in five courses, working with a preceptor. Four classes require 45 preceptor hours each and a fifth requires 420 preceptor hours, for a total of 600 clinical hours in the program. Classes with clinical components include managing pediatric and adolescent populations, adult and geriatric management, and management of women's health issues. Online students are also required to attend a five-day intensive residency in Arizona while taking a class in advanced health assessment and clinical procedures. The University of Phoenix delivers online courses in six-week terms, and students take one course per term. Graduate students can complete the degree in as little as two years. Graduates are eligible to take either certification exam for Family Nurse Practitioner.

Nurses who want to provide care across the lifespan can prepare for the Family Nurse Practitioner role by entering the FNP concentration at California Baptist University. Students in this program complete 31 credits in core classes and 24 credits in the NP specialty. Each NP didactic course has a corresponding practicum. In these classes and practicum, students cover topics such as women's health care, providing primary care for pediatric patients, and treating adult patients. One course focuses on acute, episodic conditions of the adult population and another emphasizes chronic conditions in the adult population. Each practicum builds on what the student learned in previous classes and practicum experiences, with a focus on assessing, diagnosing and managing patients in a primary care setting. Each practicum requires at least 135 clock hours of supervised practice, so students graduate with well over 500 hours of hands-on experience in the FNP role.

RNs in the MSN Pathway at California State University Dominguez Hills can choose to earn the Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner. Students in this graduate program take 15 credits in core MSN classes, nine credits in advanced practice classes, and 24 credits in FNP courses. One of the advanced practice courses requires students to come to campus to use the skills lab and be assessed on their skills. Courses in the FNP major cover primary care of the family, pediatric health, and women's health. While core courses are mainly online, the FNP-specific courses use a hybrid format with meetings on campus. Students also complete their four role performance practicum experiences in California, so they must have a California RN license. Graduates are prepared to provide primary care to patients of all ages and to work in a doctor's office or an ambulatory clinic.

At West Coast University, students in the RN to MSN-FNP program can earn their master's degree in 10 trimesters or 40 months. Including RN-MSN bridge classes, the program requires 68 credits, and students reach master's level classes by the third trimester. For FNP-specific courses, students take a theory class and related practicum in the same term. These courses include primary care for adult and geriatric patients, primary care in women's health, and primary care for the pediatric patient. They also learn about care management and coordination and complete advanced care residencies. The MSN core classes are delivered online, and the FNP specialty courses are delivered online with six onsite intensives, each lasting two or three days, that are held at the Los Angeles Center for Graduate Studies. Students complete 650 clinical hours with a preceptor.

Students in the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Southern Connecticut University complete 660 clinical hours, gaining experience in pediatrics, women's health, family practice, internal medicine, and caring for older adults. The curriculum requires nurses to take 24 credits in core courses and 18 credits in the FNP specialization. While taking the specialization courses over three semesters, students are required to complete 16 hours of clinical practice each week. The faculty assists students in finding an appropriate clinic and preceptor. To earn the MSN, students must also complete either a thesis or a special project. They can complete the requirement before, during, or after taking their specialization classes. The MSN program admits students in the fall and spring semester. Classes meet in person on Tuesdays.

Nurses with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field can enter the MSN-FNP program at Nova Southeastern University and take one bridge course before starting graduate-level work. Students applying to this program must live within 150 miles of the campus where they are enrolled. The FNP program is offered at the campuses in Palm Beach and Tampa Bay, Florida. Students must have a current Florida RN license. Including the bridge course, RNs complete 57 credits to earn the degree. Courses in the specialization cover primary care for children, adults, and women. Over the course of their studies, candidates complete more than 500 practicum hours treating patients of all ages. The final practicum is a primary care integration. For the clinical experiences, students work with an assigned faculty advisor treating a specific population in their home community. The specialization also requires a course in behavioral health.

The University of Tampa offers a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner in its MSN program. Students in this program take 22 credits in core nursing classes and 27 credits in the FNP concentration. Courses in the concentration cover primary care for adults, older adults, women, infants, children, and adolescents. Students also complete at least 224 hours of supervised practicum experience for each population - adult, older adult, women, and children. FNP students complete their practicums in ambulatory care sites that see patients with acute and chronic illness, such as family and internal medicine practices, rural clinics, and some specialty care clinics. Students are responsible for securing a practicum site, and the Department of Nursing has a clinical placement coordinator who can help with the process. Practicum sites may be within 80 miles of the university.

Nurses who earn an MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of South Florida are prepared to treat individuals and families across the health continuum and throughout the lifespan. The FNP role is comprehensive, and graduates are prepared to participate in and use research, implement health policy, manage cases, and serve in leadership roles. The curriculum for this concentration includes 52 credits and 720 clinical hours. Some of the classes include health assessment, reproductive health, health management of adults and older adults, primary care of children and adolescents, and special topics in family health management. All MSN students must complete a comprehensive exam. USF allows students to take a full-time or part-time plan of study. Part-time students can complete the degree in eight semesters. Classes for this degree are offered in a standardized sequence, and students need prior permission to deviate from the predetermined class sequence.

Students in the RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Brenau University can choose from a standard or accelerated pace. In the standard program, students complete 31 undergraduate credits as full-time students over a calendar year. For the master's portion of the program, they earn 44 graduate credits over three years as part-time students. In the accelerated program, they complete all the undergraduate requirements in one semester. The undergraduate classes are online, and the graduate courses are offered in a hybrid format that combines online classes with meetings at Brenau's North Atlanta campus one Saturday a month. The FNP requires students to complete several practicum experiences, including separate clinical rotations focused on treating adults through the lifespan, women, and children. Candidates also complete a practicum in skills and advanced role. Brenau uses small cohorts so students can collaborate with faculty and fellow students.

The Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions at Georgia State University uses a hybrid format for the courses in its MSN program. Core classes meet onsite in Atlanta on the first day of class. The specialty courses in the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration meet onsite about four times per semester. Online classes may have synchronous and asynchronous elements. Once RNs complete the required bridge courses, the MSN-FNP degree requires 48 credits, and students may attend on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses and practicum in the track include common health problems of adults, common health problems of children and adolescents, and ambulatory health care of women. Students also complete an advanced practicum where they integrate what they have learned in the clinical area they choose. The MSN-FNP program accepts students for the fall and spring semester.

Nurses in the RN to MSN program at South University can earn a BSN and MSN online in a streamlined process that allows them to take fewer classes than they would if they pursued the two degrees separately. The program combines fully online classes with hands-on clinical training. FNP students complete practicum experiences in gerontology, pediatrics, women's health, and primary care. Students who complete the Family Nurse Practitioner program are eligible to take the national certification exams for FNPs. Graduates can function as advanced clinicians, providing preventive care, diagnosing and managing common health problems for individuals of all ages, and promoting positive health behaviors. Students in the FNP program sometimes take classes with students in the adult/gerontology NP program, allowing them to take part in cross-specialty collaborations.

The College of Health and Society at Hawaii Pacific University allows nurses in the RN to MSN program to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner qualification. Once students complete undergraduate requirements, the MSN FNP is a 45-credit program that prepares nurses to work with patients of all ages and in a variety of settings. Generally, students take the core courses for this MSN during the first year, taking classes two afternoons per week if they are full-time students. Specialty courses for the FNP degree cover advanced care for a variety of specific populations, including children, women, adults, and older adults. Students complete a practicum caring for each of those populations and a fifth practicum of their choice. Students can complete practicum experiences in the summer, and the college helps students to secure a practicum site. Classes are offered in face-to-face and hybrid formats.

Northwest Nazarene University uses a cohort model for its MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program. The Nursing Department finds that grouping students in cohorts helps to create an interactive learning environment and promotes collegiality among students. The courses for this program must be taken in sequential order. The FNP program requires 48 credits, and RN to MSN students must take an additional nine to 15 credits. Classes are delivered online, and students are required to come to the campus in Nampa, Idaho, four times during the program for one-week residencies. Students can complete the required clinical rounds in their home state, making the program friendly to the needs of working professionals. Online classes last from five to 15 weeks and are considered intensive. The FNP program begins in the fall, so RNs with an associate degree must complete prerequisites during the prior spring and summer semesters.

The Family Nurse Practitioner track in DePaul University's RN to MSN program prepares nurses to provide primary care across the lifespan. Specific classes in the track cover the primary care of infants, children, and adolescents; the adult and older adult; and women's reproductive health and gynecology. The program also includes a class in the clinical management of acute and chronic illnesses in primary care. FNP students complete practicum experiences for three academic quarters, acquiring about 600 hours of hands-on experience under the supervision of a preceptor. Candidates are also required to complete a capstone project in which they synthesize nursing science to improve the quality of care to vulnerable populations. In addition to using analytical and research skills, the capstone encourages nurses to practice skills in leadership and advocacy by making policy recommendations to improve clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification test to become an FNP.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Lewis University has an RN-MSN option for nurses who want to become Family Nurse Practitioners. Once nurses complete any required bridge courses, the Master of Science in Nursing with the FNP specialty track requires 48 credits. Students also complete at least 630 clinical hours. Coursework includes 18 credits in core courses, 13 credits in the specialty core, and 17 credits in the FNP specialty track. For the specialty, students take three courses and related practicums. One covers adults in community and primary care, another covers primary care of women, infants, and children, and the third covers adult/gerontology and adolescents. Lewis University has partnerships with a wide range of health care organizations in the region, with more than 50 sites available for clinical experiences. Examples of clincial sites include the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Loyola Medical Center, and La Rabida Children's Hospital.

Olivet Nazarene University offers an RN to MSN program that has a track in Family Nurse Practitioner. Students in this program complete 720 clinical hours where they apply what they are learning in the classroom. The practicum is taken concurrently with the required courses in this specialty. Those courses cover children's health, women's health, and adult and geriatric health. Students learn about acute, episodic, complex, and chronic therapeutics and management for different populations. Candidates work with a preceptor they selected to complete their clinical experiences. For the RN-MSN program, classes are delivered online, with undergraduate courses lasting six weeks and graduate-level courses lasting eight weeks. Students can enter the program in September or January.

Classes for the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program at St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing are delivered online, but FNP students must meet on campus one time for each practicum course they take. The curriculum requires three practicum courses. Online classes may be synchronous or asynchronous. Students in the FNP program gain experience with disease management, health education, and health promotion for patients across the lifespan. They are prepared to treat individuals for chronic or acute illnesses in settings such as clinics and physician offices. Graduates are eligible to take a certification exam for Family Nurse Practitioner. More than 90% of graduate students at St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing received financial aid last year.

The School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Saint Xavier University has a special entry option for nurses with a non-nursing bachelor's degree that allows them to earn the MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner. The curriculum includes 18 credits in core classes, nine credits in supportive classes, and 20 credits in the FNP specialty. Three courses require a related practicum: primary care of women and children, common health problems in primary care, and complex problems in primary care. For their practicum, nurses work with primary care providers in a clinical setting and acquire clinical decision-making skills for the FNP role. Saint Xavier has several scholarships for nursing students. For example, the Lebold/Sigma Theta Tau/Alpha Omicron Scholarship is awarded to a student who shows a commitment to caring and compassionate nursing care. The Oesterle Scholarship and the Scholl Scholarship are awarded to full-time graduate nursing students who demonstrate financial need.

The Family Nurse Practitioner specialty is one of the concentrations open to students in the RN-BSN-MSN program at the University of Saint Francis. However, because of a shortage of sites for clinical placements, enrollment in this program is limited to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and New Mexico. Once students enter the graduate portion of the program, they must complete 16 credits in the graduate core, 12 credits in the advanced practice core, and 19 credits in practica courses. The curriculum includes three courses in FNP theoretical principles and clinical management with practicum experiences and a final clinical residency. Students in the program may also take 12 credits in optional nursing education courses if desired. The education courses prepare students for a nurse educator role and make them eligible for the Certified Nurse Educator exam.

RNs with a bachelor's degree in another field can become a Family Nurse Practitioner through Ball State University's online RN to MS option. Once students complete the required bridge courses, the FNP degree requires 47 credits. Six credits are in the research core and eight credits are in the nursing core. FNP students complete 33 credits in primary core courses, including courses in primary care of adults, children, and women. They also complete 690 hours of supervised clinical work providing primary care to each of those populations. The Ball State University School of Nursing employs graduate nursing students as teaching and research assistants, and several departmental scholarships are available. Ball State's online graduate nursing program was ranked #13 by U.S. News and World Report.

The Family Nurse Practitioner MSN at IUPUI School of Nursing uses a unique, narrative-centered curriculum. Students and faculty view the family as the identified unit of care. The FNP track requires 43 credits and 600 clinical hours. The 22 credits in core MSN classes use an online delivery format, although some classes have synchronous sessions that students can attend in person or through videoconferencing. For the required class in physical assessments, students must come to campus five times. For the FNP track, classes use a hybrid format that combines online work with in-person meetings. Generally, in-person sessions are held once every two weeks or less frequently than that. Students can complete their clinical hours anywhere in Indiana. Graduates are prepared to take a national certification exam for FNP and may find employment in health care facilities ranging from nurse-managed clinics and emergency rooms to schools and prisons.

Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program at Allen College focus on primary care for patients across the lifespan. As a college based in Iowa, Allen's program also has an emphasis on providing health care in rural communities. FNP graduates are prepared to work with patients of all ages in settings such as primary care clinics. This 45-credit program has 19 credits in core MSN requirements and 26 FNP credits. Students gain experience in caring for adult and older adult patients, women, children, and in providing complex care of the family. Theory courses are delivered in a hybrid format. Students also complete 600 practicum hours, gaining hands-on experience with different populations. Students may select their own preceptor so that they can concentrate on the kinds of experiences they most want. Before starting practicum classes, a student must have at least 800 hours of clinical nursing experience as an RN.

RNs who want to become Family Nurse Practitioners can earn both their BSN and MSN through Graceland University by enrolling in the RN-BSN-MSN FNP program. Classes in this program are offered online, although students must come to the campus in Independence, Missouri, for a two-day focus session. The MSN FNP degree requires students to complete 47 credits. Students complete clinicals in their home community. Required practicum experiences include 180 hours working with pediatric patients, and a separate 180-hour practicum working with adults. For their capstone, candidates complete a 240-hour Family Nurse Practitioner practicum where they manage acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. The capstone also requires students to coordinate care with an interdisciplinary approach and to incorporate patient education and health promotion. Practicum courses require students to spend about 16 to 24 hours a week in a clinic setting.

Students in either RN to MSN pathway at Loyola University New Orleans can enter the MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner track. The FNP track is a 48-credit program that includes 720 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Courses are delivered online, and students can complete the clinical work in their home community. The practicum experiences include delivering primary care to pediatric patients, adults, and women's health patients. FNP students are required to attend a conference held on the Loyola campus each spring. Loyola offers optional electives in scientific writing and advanced statistics and data management for MSN candidates who want to strengthen their skills in those areas. Students work with an advisor to develop a course plan, and it is possible to complete the master's degree in eight semesters. U.S. News & World Report ranks Loyola's online nursing program #39.

The School of Nursing at Southern Maine University allows RN-MS students to enter the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. The concentration requires students to complete 50 credits and 600 clinical hours. The clinical requirements are spread over three semesters. Required courses within the specialty include behavioral and psychosocial health of the family, prenatal care, primary care of the child with episodic illness, and primary care of adults. Students may attend on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students can complete the program in four to six semesters. Part-time students generally complete the program in six to nine semesters. Graduate nursing students at Southern Maine University are eligible for many scholarships. For example, the Boyne Family Nursing Scholarship is for students who want to provide care for the elderly in underserved areas of Maine and the Kim Moody '82 and Family Scholarship is for students from underrepresented communities.

The School of Nursing at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers an RN to MSN Bridge program in Family Nurse Practitioner. This is a part-time program with classes delivered online in an asynchronous format. Students must attend four on-campus meetings during the program, with these events lasting from one to three days. Nurses can complete their clinical experiences in their home community so they can continue to work. Students can enter the program in the fall, spring, or summer term, and they complete the bridge coursework in the first year. Once they start the MSN portion of the program, candidates can complete the degree in six semesters. Including the bridge requirements, this is a 62-credit program. Students who take two courses per semester, including summers, can finish in three years.

Students in the RN to MSN pathways at Regis College can earn an MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner. Students in the FNP track complete 24 credits in core classes and 22 credits in the FNP specialty. Courses for the specialty cover primary care of the family and students complete 600 hours of clinical experiences through two 300-hour practicums. Students may earn their degree entirely online with no campus residency requirements. The program is also available at the Weston campus of Regis College. Pi Epsilon, the nursing honor society at Regis College, awards scholarships annually to eligible chapter members and provides funding for student academic research. In 2017, graduates of the FNP program at Regis had an 85% first-time pass rate on the FNP certification exam, compared with a national average of 83 percent. Placement rates for role-specific jobs six months after graduation was about 84%.

RNs without a bachelor's degree can earn an MSN and become a Family Nurse Practitioner completely online through the Nursing@Simmons program at Simmons University. Students take all classes online and complete required clinical experiences in their home community working with a preceptor. To move from RN to FNP, students must complete 68 credits and 836 clinical hours. Full-time students can complete the program in eight terms or about 30 months. Part-time students can complete the program in 10 terms or as little as three years. The terms each last for 14 weeks. Clinical rotations provide students experience in providing chronic and acute care across a range of populations. The master's degree also requires a scholarly research project, such as a quality improvement proposal or a critique of existing medical literature. Students in the RN-MSN FNP class have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.13.

Spring Arbor University has an online RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program that allows RNs to earn the FNP online by completing 92 credits. After finishing undergraduate and graduate-level core courses, students in the FNP track take courses such as advanced practice in primary care, health promotion across the lifespan, and family systems and clinical management of the childbearing family. Students complete at least 625 clinical hours working with a local preceptor in their home community. Students also communicate regularly with Spring Arbor clinical faculty who oversee the clinical experiences. For a capstone, FNP students complete an evidence-based project. Spring Arbor Online is designed for adults who want to keep working while they study. Aside from courses that have clinical requirements, students can take just one course at a time. Courses are delivered in seven-week terms, and there is always a week off between terms.

Nurses in the RN-MSN program at The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing can choose the Family Nurse Practitioner track, which is offered through a combination of online, on-campus, and hybrid course delivery systems. Most courses are either totally online or offered in a hybrid format, which requires students to come to campus up to four timers per semester. Some classes may be synchronous. FNP students must complete 630 hours of clinical experience, and they must complete all clinical work in Mississippi. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the state's only academic health sciences center and it has access to four major hospitals, including Batson Children's Hospital and University Hospital, so students have access to a variety of learning environments. School of Nursing FNP graduating classes have a record of 100% pass rates on the certification exam for Family Nurse Practitioners.

Students in the RN-MSN Entry Point Option at Research College of Nursing can earn an MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner. The program requires students to complete six bridge courses before starting work on the master's degree. All MSN students take core nursing courses and advanced practice nursing courses. FNP students also take seven courses in the specialty. Courses including primary care in pediatrics, primary care in women's health, and three primary care practicums where nurses get hands-on experience providing care across the lifespan. For their final practicum, students complete 300 hours in the Family Nurse Practitioner role as they provide care for patients from all age groups with chronic or acute conditions. Faculty members supervise the clinical experience and conduct seminars where students can discuss professional issues, effective change in the health care system, and other relevant topics.

RNs who enter the RN to MSN program at Clarkson College can complete the courses required to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Courses specific to the FNP major include primary health care, primary care of children and adolescents, and primary care of women. These courses require students to complete clinical experiences with a preceptor. Clarkson also requires graduate students to complete service experiences, and the FNP curriculum includes one of the service courses, advanced nutrition. For their service project, students work with a service agency to help the community. Students also complete an evidence-based research project. The program is delivered mostly online, with FNP majors required to come to campus four times. Students in the RN to MSN program may be eligible for the Nursing Workforce Educational Grant from Clarkson College, which allows students to take undergraduate nursing courses at a reduced tuition.

RNs who want to become an advanced practice nurse can earn a Master of Science in Nursing with an FNP concentration at Rivier University. This track is available on campus in Nashua, New Hampshire, or online. On-campus students can choose 7-week or 14-week classes, and online classes run for 14 weeks. Depending upon an RN's prior education, the program can require up to 49 credits and can be completed in three to five years. Over three practicum semesters, students get 600 clinical hours of hands-on experience and transition to the role of FNP under the guidance of preceptors. Students also complete a capstone project, such as a scholarly paper, that demonstrates their scholarship and critical thinking. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the certification exam for FNP. For the past three years, Rivier's graduates had a first-time pass rate of 100% on the exam.

RNs with a bachelor's degree in a different subject may enter the Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program at the University of New Hampshire. This track requires students to complete 45 credits, including classes covering families in health and illness, health policy, health care systems, and health promotion and risk reduction. Students also complete three practicum classes in the primary care of families where they diagnose and manage acute episodic and chronic illness in clients across the life span. Students work under the guidance of a preceptor while gaining valuable clinical experience. The final practicum is considered the capstone course for FNP candidates, but UNH also gives FNP students the option of producing a master's thesis. Graduates are eligible to take the credentialing exam to be certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Applicants with an RN license and a bachelor's degree in another field should have professional nursing experience.

The Family Nurse Practitioner track at Fairleigh Dickinson has a primary care focus. Students in the RN to BSN to MSN program complete 62 credits in nursing requirements for this major, with two classes fulfilling requirements for both the BSN and MSN. One course focuses specifically on the primary care of infants, children, and adolescents, including managing common health care problems. Another class focuses on women's health. While taking didactic classes in these areas, students also complete a practicum with a similar focus, so they are treating children while learning about primary care of children, for instance. FNP students are also required to take a course in family systems theory where they look at the family unit from a systems perspective and analyze how family characteristics are related to health and illness. Candidates for this degree are also required to complete a scholarly master's project.

The School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at the College of New Jersey has a bridge program for RNs who want to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Once students complete the bridge requirements, they can begin work on their MSN. The FNP requires students to complete 47 credits, with 25 credits in core classes and 22 credits in the specialty. FNP candidates complete three courses in primary care of all ages and a course covering primary care of the childbearing family. Future FNPs must complete 715 practicum hours. All courses for the FNP are delivered on campus, and students complete their clinical experiences during the daytime, usually on weekdays. Full-time students may be able to complete the master's portion of this degree in two full years, including summers. Part-time students are accepted, and they must complete all the requirements within six years of entering the program.

The School of Nursing at Stony Brook University offers the Family Nurse Practitioner program through distance education, and the program has some on-site requirements. The Master of Science in Nursing FNP track requires students to complete 45 credits, including core and research courses, advanced practice courses, and clinical courses. Students take four courses in advanced theory and clinical practice in family health nursing, along with requried clincial hours. Candidates complete the clinical hours with a preceptor in their region. FNP students begin their program in the summer. Graduates of this program are eligible to take either national FNP certification exam. The School of Nursing is part of the Health Sciences School at Stony Brook University.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing has a Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track for master's level nursing students. The curriculum requires 54 credits and 616 clinical hours. Courses cover topics such as psychopathology and psychiatric assessment, individual psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and group and family psychotherapy. Students in the Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program may be eligible for the Finger Lakes Regional Scholarship, which is a 50% scholarship for students who live or work in the Finger Lakes region. The region encompasses 18 counties, and the scholarship can be applied to the undergraduate and graduate portions of the RN to BS to MS program as long as the student is in the mental health track. The School of Nursing has three start dates a year: September, January, and May. The program is delivered online with short on-campus intensives that are usually two to four days long.

The College of Nursing at SUNY Upstate Medical University has a Master of Science in Nursing track in Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Students must complete 53 credits, including three courses in clinical management for the psychiatric mental health nurse. The curriculum also includes classes in mental health theory, family nursing theory, and pharmacology. All students take a class in nursing education, and students who take an additional two nursing education classes can add a nursing education certificate to their credentials. The College of Nursing also offers a thesis option for nurses who want to conduct independent research and produce a thesis. Graduates of the program had a 100% pass rate on the PMHNP certification exam in 2016 and 2018 and a pass rate of more than 90 percent in 2017.

The RN to MSN program at Franklin University is offered in an online format and has an option in Family Nurse Practitioner. Nurses with an associate degree can be ready to start work on the MSN in just 12 weeks D the time it takes to complete the required bridge course, called essentials of professional nursing. Students must earn at least a B in the class to enter the MSN-FNP program. The FNP program prepares nurses to work in a primary care setting and manage the health of families and individuals. Students can complete the 41-credit master's degree in as few as 27 months. Classes are delivered online, but students must complete clinical practicum during their last year in the program. Graduates are eligible to take to the FNP national certification test, and the curriculum even includes a course designed to help students prepare for the certification exam.

The Family Nurse Practitioner program at Xavier University includes 17 credits of nursing core classes and 28 credits in the concentration. Classes meet on campus in Cincinnati once a week, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. Classes are scheduled so that students may be able to take two courses that meet on the same day. FNP students also complete 600 clinical hours. Students complete classes and practicum experiences that focus on the childbearing family, pediatric and adolescent care, and adult and geriatric care. At the end of the program, nurses complete an immersion practicum in the FNP role. Students are admitted into the FNP program in the fall term. Xavier University has received a $500,000 endowed scholarship from the Western-Southern Foundation to establish a nursing scholarship fund for minority and disadvantaged students at Xavier. The College of Nursing also has other scholarships for nursing students.

Bloomsburg University offers an RN-BSN-MSN program that leads to a master's degree in the Family Nurse Practitioner track. The program covers primary care for patients of all ages with acute or chronic conditions. The program also has a focus on meeting the needs of underserved and multicultural populations. The courses for this degree are offered in a hybrid format. Core classes are delivered online in an asynchronous format. The five clinical courses for the FNP are held on campus in Bloomsburg or at the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Clinical courses include practice-based learning experiences where students apply the skills and theories they learned in class. Nurses may move through this program as full-time or part-time students. Graduates can take the exam for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

The Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program at Widener University offers an accelerated RN to MSN option for nurses who want to care for individuals across the lifespan. Full-time students can complete the master's degree portion in 18 to 20 months. Part-time students can set their own pace as long as they complete it in five years. The courses are delivered in a hybrid format, with in-person classes meeting in Chester or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. For their clinical rotations, students work at a variety of regional health care facilities and systems. The FNP is a 46-credit program, including 12 credits in core classes, 16 credits in support classes, and 18 credits in the specialty. Each specialty course requires students to perform a faculty-supervised clinical practice, and students complete at least 672 hours of clinical practice to earn their degree. Widener automatically considers all entering graduate students for merit-based scholarships.

Students in the RN-MSN bridge program at Wilkes University can complete the courses for the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track online. Students are required to come to campus while taking the course in advanced health assessment. Students complete nearly 600 hours of clinical experience in an approved location in their home community, although they may be required to complete a residency at the Wilkes University campus in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, during their clinical experiences. Clinical requirements include 500 hours in primary care and 84 clinical hours with children and families. The FNP curriculum requires 43 credits, and students in the RN to MSN program complete a total of 53 credits to earn the FNP, including bridge classes. The Passan School of Nursing enrolls students into this program in the spring and fall semester.

Nurses in the RN to MSN program at South Dakota State University can apply for priority consideration for the Family Nurse Practitioner program. The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program uses a combination of on-campus and online course delivery. The College of Nursing has four locations around South Dakota for nursing classes: Brookings, Aberdeen, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. FNP students complete four integration practicum where they get hands-on experience using the skills and knowledge they have gained in the classroom. Students in the MSN may choose to complete a research project, thesis, or coursework only option. The project or thesis options require more credit hours than coursework only plan. The College of Nursing has about 170 graduate students enrolled, and in 2017 graduates had a 100% pass rate on the APRN tests. Additionally, 100% of graduates found jobs within three months.

The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program at East Tennessee State University has a rural focus. The College of Nursing offers full-time and part-time options for the FNP, and students may start in the spring or fall. The classes are delivered fully online, and the School of Nursing has seven nurse-managed health centers were students may complete clinical experiences. The FNP concentration requires 500 hours of clinical experiences, which are arranged so that students spend 60 hours on health assessments through the lifespan, and 110 hours each on primary care of young and middle adults, older adults, women's health, and children and adolescents. ETSU offers a range of scholarships for graduate students, such as the Dr. Paul Dishner Scholarship for a student with financial need. In 2018, ETSU graduates had a 98% pass rate on the first try for FNP certification exams.

At Southern Adventist University, the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner track is open to students in the accelerated RN-MSN program. Students in the accelerated program take 25 credits in core classes and the MSN capstone. Those in the FNP emphasis complete another 22 credits with a focus on direct care across the lifespan, including courses covering care for adults and children. Students complete 600 hours of clinical practicum working with preceptors in various health care settings. For the capstone, students use research evidence to improve practice quality or outcomes. Students also compile a professional portfolio in their final semester. All graduate nursing classes meet on Tuesdays to aid students in planning for work, school, and home responsibilities. Southern Adventist has a 100% job placement rate for nursing graduates.

The College of Nursing at Union University uses a cohort model for the Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track in its MSN program. Cohorts begin the program each year in August and students move through the program as a group. Only full-time students are allowed in this program, which students complete in four semesters. Classes are delivered in a blended format with online elements and in-person meetings on the campuses in Jackson, Germantown, and Hendersonville, Tennessee. The curriculum includes 46 credits and 560 clinical hours. Classes in the specialty include mental health assessment and psychopharmacology. Students also complete two practicum experiences in managing acute and chronic mental disorders. One practicum focuses on children and adolescents and the other on adults and geriatric populations. Students also complete a specialty focus practicum. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Nurses who complete the RN bridge program at the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing can enter the Master of Science in Nursing track in Family Nurse Practitioner. This is a 46-credit program for advanced practice nurses who want to deliver primary care to patients of all ages, including health promotion, assessment, and management of chronic and acute conditions. Students complete four FNP practicum experiences. The first three are each focused on a specific population - women, adults and older adults, and children and adolescents. For the final practicum, the student completes a full-time immersion in the role of Family Nurse Practitioner in a primary care setting. The Loewenberg College of Nursing's online graduate nursing program ranked #17 by U.S. News & World Report, and graduates have a 100% job placement rate.

The psychiatric-mental health nursing program at Vanderbilt University is considered one of the best in the nation, ranked #2 by U.S. News & World Report. The program takes a holistic approach, integrating psychological, biological, and social factors of mental health care. The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is delivered in a modified distance learning format that combines online classes with concentrated blocks of time when students come to the campus in Nashville. Students may be able to complete clinical requirements in their home community. The curriculum requires 41 credits, including core classes and specialty classes. Some of the specialized classes include individual and family psychotherapy, health assessment applications for the PMHNP, neuroscience for mental health practitioners, and psychopharmacology. Students also complete 620 clinical hours. Graduates are prepared to take the national certification exam for PMHNP, and Vanderbilt grads had a 100% first-time pass rate in 2018.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi delivers coursework for the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner track completely online. The 49-credit program is designed for part-time study so that students can continue to work. Students enter the program in the fall and spend the first two semesters on core coursework. In the first summer, they begin FNP specialty courses, and by the spring semester they begin performing clinical rotations. By the time they graduate, future FNPs have completed at least 630 clinical hours. Half the students in a cohort are assigned to a modified sequence and begin clinical rotations earlier in the course sequence to maximize the number of students admitted to the program. Students are responsible for finding preceptors, and instructors must approve the clinical site for any practicum experience.

Texas Woman's University offers an online program leading to a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner track. This is a 46-credit program that students can finish in about three years. Students take 13 courses, each lasting for 13 weeks, and six of the courses require clinical hours. TWU has a placement coordinator who matches students with preceptors and helps students find a placement site close to their home. At the end of the program, students complete two immersion experiences in the FNP role. Students can begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer term. FNP graduates from Texas Woman's University have a 98% first-time pass rate on licensure exams. The Family Nurse Practitioner program is open to students who enter either RN to MSN pathway at TWU.

Registered nurses who want to enter the Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing must have two years of full-time clinical experience before applying to the program. Students gain skills in primary care across the lifespan and learn to manage common acute and chronic illnesses. They also learn about health promotion, disease prevention, and management skills for community health nursing. The curriculum requires 48 credits, and graduates are eligible to take the national credentialing exams to become a certified FNP. Required courses include 12 credits in MSN core classes, 9 credits in the advanced practice core, and 21 credits in the concentration. Students also complete 645 clinical hours. Full-time students can earn their Master of Science in Nursing in 1.5 to 2 years, but the program is also open to part-time students. All students begin the program in the fall.

The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston's Cizik School of Nursing has an RN to FNP program. The goal of this 54-credit program is to prepare practitioners who can deliver primary care services in underserved and diverse communities in Texas. Registered Nurses with an associate degree can gain the training necessary to be a Family Nurse Practitioner in six or seven semesters of full-time study. The program uses a cohort format, in which a group of students advances through the program together, developing a supportive network of colleagues. Cohorts are never larger than 10 students. The program is almost entirely online with on-campus requirements for some labs and simulation experiences during certain FNP classes. Students begin classes in the spring for this program, and there is no part-time option. Applicants should have a year of clinical RN experience by the time the program starts.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at West Texas A&M University delivers the coursework for the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner track in a hybrid format. Clinical experiences are only available in Texas. Practicums in primary health care across the lifespan are arranged around specific processes, such as cardiology, gastroenterology, and neurology. Students complete three semesters of clinical experiences before entering their final capstone clinical working in the FNP role in a clinical setting. The curriculum requires 46 credits, and students choose whether to produce a thesis or take a research synthesis class to prepare for comprehensive exams. Students in the Accelerated RN to BSN/MSN program may apply for this specialization. The Department of Nursing awards a range of scholarships to graduate students, such as the Matt Vaughn Memorial Nursing Scholarship ($1,000) for RNs returning to school and the GENEX Services Scholarship ($1,000).

The George Mason University School of Nursing offers a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration in its Master of Science in Nursing degree program. To earn the degree, students must complete 15 credits in core MSN classes and 34 credits in the FNP specialty. Students complete three family primary care practicum experiences, assuming more responsibility in delivering primary care with each experience. Students must complete a minimum of 600 clinical hours for this degree. Full-time students can complete the program in two years. Part-time students can finish in three years, depending on how many credits they take each term. Graduates are prepared to take either national FNP certification exam. The School of Nursing awards many scholarships to graduate students, such as the CVS Health Foundation Scholarship for nurse practitioner students and the Rosemarie C. Brenkus Endowed Scholarship, which is reserved for working RNs pursuing a BSN or MSN.

The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration for MSN students at James Madison University combines online delivery for core classes with in-person meetings for specialty classes. FNP specialty classes meet once a week at the JMU campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In total, the degree requires 49 credits and 650 clinical hours. Students are required to arrange their own clinical experiences, and they may arrange to work with preceptors in their home community. Students must meet specific hour requirements for certain experiences, such as 40 obstetrics hours and 80 pediatric hours. Generally, students select one site to complete their first semester (150 hours) of practicum and use multiple sites for their second or third practicums, which are each 250 hours. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam for Family Nurse Practitioner. Applicants to this concentration must have relevant clinical experience and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

Students pursuing the RN to MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner from Shenandoah University can complete the degree in six semesters of full-time study or eight semesters as part-time students. Bridge courses are delivered online, and MSN classes are offered in a hybrid format that allows students to participate through an online live stream or by attending in the classroom. MSN courses meet at Shenandoah's Winchester, Virginia, campus and in Fairfax, Virginia. FNP students must complete 40 credits and 600 clinical hours, including 40 hours in women's health and 80 hours providing pediatric primary care. The university has agreements with several clinical sites but allows students to suggest alternate sites where they have a developed relationship. Many of Shenandoah's clinical site partners are in rural and medically underserved areas. All students enter the MSN program in the fall.

RNs pursuing the Master of Science in Nursing with the Family Nurse Practitioner specialization at Wheeling University take their classes online, and they are required to make one on-campus presentation in Wheeling, West Virginia. Students may be required to purchase specific software, such as Typhon, for use in some courses. Nurses can complete their clinical experiences near their home community at an approved clinical site. Coursework for this degree is divided into three cores: nursing, clinical, and FNP. The nursing core covers topics such as health care policy and nursing theories. The clinical core includes advanced practice courses such as pharmacology. The FNP core includes classes in primary care of infants, children and adolescents; reproductive health; adults; and aging adults. Each of those four classes requires 168 clinical hours.

The Family Nurse Practitioner MSN at Concordia University-Wisconsin is a 41-credit program. All the classes are delivered online, and students complete three clinical courses where they learn to assess and treat episodic and chronic health conditions in patients of all ages. During these clinical learning experiences, students gain hands-on experience working with pediatric, older adult, and women's health issues as well as common health problems across the lifespan. Once RN-BSN-MSN students complete their undergraduate work, they can choose how quickly to progress through the FNP program. Concordia offers plans that take three years, three and a half years, and four years. Students may start the program in the spring or fall, and they must attend a one-day orientation on campus before beginning coursework. FNP students are also required to take a two-week course in advanced health assessment on campus in Mequon, Wisconsin.