Program Description

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program option is a 55 credit hour program with 630 clinical practicum hours. The program prepares Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to work as primary care practitioners. BSN-prepared registered nurses (RNs) are given access to a high quality graduate education in order to serve the healthcare needs locally and beyond. Emphasis is placed on primary care throughout the lifespan. Upon graduation from the program, Family Nurse Practitioner students are eligible to sit for the AANP and/or ANCC certification exams. There is an option for students in this track to take three additional graduate nursing education classes to earn a post-masters certificate in nursing education.

Hybrid Program for Adult Learners

The FNP program is a hybrid program. Three courses – Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Physical Assessment – are taught face-to-face. The rest of the classes are primarily taught online, with some required face-to-face sessions.

Face-to-face sessions are always on Wednesdays to facilitate planning work schedules. Courses are scheduled at varying times, which may include daytime and/or evening hours.

Plans of Study

The MSN/FNP plan of study for full-time students can be completed in two calendar years if started in the Spring (January) term, or slightly longer if started in Fall (August).

Students may develop a part-time plan of study with input from their faculty adviser.

Clinical Requirements

The MSN/FNP program requires 630 precepted clinical hours in a primary care setting. Preceptors are advanced practice nurses, physicians, or physician assistants with at least one year of experience in their chosen specialty area. The Graduate Nursing Handbook explains the process of selecting a preceptor and provides specific guidelines for each course.

Students are responsible to locate their own preceptors and schedule hours for each clinical course. A directory of past preceptors and sites is available to current students on Typhon. In addition, information on potential new preceptors is made available through the Student Graduate Nursing Site on Blackboard.

Students must be licensed and/or practicing in states included in the NLC Compact. States NOT included in the compact are: California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, & Alaska, US Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements and deadlines are posted on the MSN Applications and Forms page.

Requirements upon Acceptance

Upon acceptance into the MSN/FNP track, learners must provide documentation of the following onto our online documentation system from CastleBranch:

  • Satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
  • Annual TB skin test
  • Immunizations including Hepatitis B and Varicella
  • American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Certification for healthcare providers
  • Malpractice Insurance
  • Current, unencumbered nursing license

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