FNP Career Overview
- What FNPs Do: As a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), you will diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication and therapy, conduct routine check-ups, order patient lab tests, assist in minor surgical procedures, focus on disease prevention, educate patients.
- Where Do FNPs Work: The most common places you will work are in private practices, hospitals, clinics, schools, and hospice facilities.
- Employment Projections: Job growth for Family Nurse Practitioners is projected to grow 31 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- How Much Will You Earn: According to several public and private sources, Family Nurse Practitioners make between $97,990 and $117,298.
- Number of FNP Programs: 388 universities offer nurse practitioner programs in the U.S. 38 universities offer an online FNP program.
- How Long Does It Take to Become an FNP: If you already have your BSN, becoming an FNP will take between 2 and 3 years. To become RN-BSN, or RN to MSN will take about 2 to 3 years.
- Requirements to Become an FNP: You need a bachelor’s degree, RN licensure, master’s degree in nursing, national certification, and state licensure.
Eight Steps to Become an FNP
- Earn Your RN – Earn your RN from an CCNE or ACEN accredited university. Your ADN/BSN credits will more likely be fully accepted in your MSN program. Guide to earning your BSN.
- Pass The NCLEX-RN Exam – Pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Several study habits along with taking plenty of practice NCLEX-Tests will help you pass the first time. Check our guide and free exams with rationales.
- Earn Your MSN – Take courses in family nursing theory and intervention, acute and chronic illness management, research, primary healthcare concerns and leadership preparation.
- Complete Supervised Clinical Hours – Complete at least 500 supervised clinical hours as a part of the master’s program.
- Become Board Certified – Earn your board certification in family practice through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) to become a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (CFNP).
- Obtain Licensure – Apply for licensure in the state you want to work in.
- Obtain a DEA Number – Apply for DEA registration to prescribe medication.
- Maintain Active Certification Licensure – Minimum amount of 100 continuing education credits and 1000 hands on clinical hours during the 5-year re-certification period. Keep active BLS and DEA licenses. Maintain an active RN license in the state where you practice.

What is a Family Nurse Practitioner
A Family Nurse Practitioner is a type of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) that provide comprehensive direct patient care to male and female patients throughout their lifespan. In a typical day you will collect medical histories, perform examinations, diagnose, order and evaluate laboratory tests, educate patients, make referrals, and prescribe medication. You can manage chronic conditions, treat acute conditions, care for children and infants, and care for older adults. You can also specialize further in areas such as cardiology, nephrology, palliative care and more. Read the overview of how to become a nurse practitioner.
How Do I Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
Becoming an FNP requires a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in nursing. There are many different pathways to becoming an FNP depending on whether you are already an RN or have no prior nursing experience.
- BSN to MSN: If you have a bachelor’s in nursing you can complete a traditional master’s in nursing program in 2 years.
- Bachelors to MSN: If you have a bachelors in something other than nursing you complete a Accelerated MSN or Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing program. These programs require you to have completed a certain number of pre-requisite courses such as biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, pathology and more. After 2 to 3 years (depending on the program) you can earn a master’s in nursing.
- BSN to DNP: If you choose to get a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) this will take about 4 years. You will graduate with both MSN and DNP degrees. A DNP degree prepares the advanced practice nurse to apply research to their clinical practice.
- MSN to DNP: If you already have a master’s in nursing you can get a DNP degree in about 2 to 3 years.
Similar nursing careers: Pediatrics Registered Nurse, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
Campus and Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
University | Offered as | City/State |
---|---|---|
Florida Gulf Coast University | Campus, Hybrid | Fort Myers, FL |
California State University-San Marcos | Campus, Hybrid, Online | San Marcos, CA |
Brandman University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Irvine, CA |
Purdue University | Campus, Hybrid | West Lafayette, IN |
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Milwaukee, WI |
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Eau Claire, WI |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Oshkosh, WI |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Madison, WI |
Viterbo College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | La Crosse, WI |
Marian University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Fond Du Lac, WI |
Marquette University | Campus, Hybrid | Milwaukee, WI |
Concordia University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Mequon, WI |
Alverno College | Campus, Online | Milwaukee, WI |
Bellin College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Green Bay, WI |
West Virginia Wesleyan College | Campus, Hybrid | Buckhannon, WV |
WV University Morgantown Campus BA-BS To BSN Program | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Morgantown, WV |
Wheeling University BA-BS To BSN Program | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Wheeling, WV |
Marshall University Huntington Campus | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Huntington, WV |
Shepherd University | Campus, Hybrid | Shepherdstown, WV |
Washington State University | Campus, Hybrid | Pullman, WA |
University of Washington | Campus | Seattle, WA |
Seattle Pacific University | Campus | Seattle, WA |
Seattle University | Campus, Hybrid | Seattle, WA |
Pacific Lutheran University | Campus, Hybrid | Tacoma, WA |
Gonzaga University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Spokane, WA |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Richmond, VA |
University of Virginia-MSN | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Charlottesville, VA |
Radford University (Roanoke) | Campus, Online | Radford, VA |
Shenandoah University -Eleanor Wade Custer | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Winchester, VA |
Old Dominion University | Campus, Online | Norfolk, VA |
Marymount University-Accelerated | Campus, Hybrid | Arlington, VA |
Hampton University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Hampton, VA |
James Madison University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Harrisonburg, VA |
Liberty University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Lynchburg, VA |
Jefferson College of Health Sciences US28507100 | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Roanoke, VA |
Geo. Mason Univ. Acc 2nd Deg | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Fairfax, VA |
Westminster College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Salt Lake City, UT |
University of Vermont | Campus, Hybrid | Burlington, VT |
University of Utah | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Salt Lake City, UT |
West Texas A & M University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Canyon, TX |
Brigham Young University-Provo | Campus | Provo, UT |
Texas Woman’s University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Denton, TX |
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Houston, TX |
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Lubbock, TX |
The University of Texas Medical Branch @ Galveston | Campus, Online | Galveston, TX |
The University of Texas at Arlington | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Arlington, TX |
The University of Texas at Austin | Campus, Hybrid | Austin, TX |
The University of Texas at El Paso | Campus, Online | El Paso, TX |
The University of Texas at Tyler | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Tyler, TX |
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | Campus, Hybrid | San Antonio, TX |
Prairie View A & M University | Campus, Online | Prairie View, TX |
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Campus, Hybrid | Belton, TX |
Midwestern State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Wichita Falls, TX |
Texas A & M International University | Campus, Online | Laredo, TX |
University of Houston-Victoria | Campus, Hybrid | Victoria, TX |
University of the Incarnate Word | Campus, Hybrid, Online | San Antonio, TX |
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | Campus, Online | Corpus Christi, TX |
Baylor University | Campus, Hybrid | Waco, TX |
Union University | Campus, Hybrid | Jackson, TN |
Angelo State University | Campus, Hybrid | San Angelo, TX |
Tennessee Technological University | Campus, Online | Cookeville, TN |
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Knoxville, TN |
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chattanooga, TN |
University of Memphis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Memphis, TN |
Middle Tennessee State University | Campus, Online | Murfreesboro, TN |
King University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Bristol, TN |
East Tennessee State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Johnson City, TN |
Belmont University | Campus, Hybrid | Nashville, TN |
Carson-Newman University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Jefferson City, TN |
South Dakota State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Brookings, SD |
Austin Peay State University | Campus, Online | Clarksville, TN |
Mount Marty College | Campus, Hybrid | Yankton, SD |
University of South Carolina-Columbia | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Columbia, SC |
Medical University of South Carolina | Campus, Online | Charleston, SC |
Clemson University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Clemson, SC |
Francis Marion University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Florence, SC |
University of Rhode Island | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Kingston, RI |
Salve Regina University | Campus, Hybrid | Newport, RI |
Widener University-Main Campus | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chester, PA |
Wilkes University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Wilkes-Barre, PA |
Temple University | Campus, Hybrid | Philadelphia, PA |
Villanova University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Villanova, PA |
University of Pittsburgh | Campus, Online | Pittsburgh, PA |
Robert Morris University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Moon Township, PA |
University of Scranton | Campus, Hybrid | Scranton, PA |
PA State University | Campus, Hybrid | University Park, PA |
University of Pennsylvania | Campus | Philadelphia, PA |
Misericordia University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Dallas, PA |
La Salle University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Philadelphia, PA |
Gannon University | Campus, Online | Erie, PA |
Drexel University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Philadelphia, PA |
Carlow University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Pittsburgh, PA |
DeSales University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Center Valley, PA |
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Campus, Hybrid | Bloomsburg, PA |
University of Portland | Campus, Hybrid | Portland, OR |
Oklahoma City University – Okla. City | Campus, Hybrid | Oklahoma City, OK |
Wright State University-Main Campus | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Dayton, OH |
Xavier University | Campus, Online | Cincinnati, OH |
Youngstown State University | Campus, Online | Youngstown, OH |
University of Toledo | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Toledo, OH |
Ursuline College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Pepper Pike, OH |
Walsh University Gary And Linda Byers School of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | North Canton, OH |
The Ohio State University-Main Campus (Columbus) | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Columbus, OH |
Ohio University-Main Campus (Athens) | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Athens, OH |
Otterbein Nursing Program (Otterbein University) | Campus, Hybrid | Westerville, OH |
Malone University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Canton, OH |
Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Columbus, OH |
Kent State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Kent, OH |
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Campus, Hybrid | Cincinnati, OH |
Case Western Reserve University | Campus, Hybrid | Cleveland, OH |
Cedarville University | Campus, Hybrid | Cedarville, OH |
University of North Dakota | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Grand Forks, ND |
North Dakota State University (Combined NDSU Fargo campus and NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health Bismarck) | Campus, Hybrid | Fargo, ND |
University of Akron Main Campus | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Akron, OH |
Winston-Salem State University | Campus, Online | Winston-Salem, NC |
Western Carolina University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Cullowhee, NC |
University of Mary | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Bismarck, ND |
University of North Carolina Wilmington | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Wilmington, NC |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chapel Hill, NC |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Charlotte, NC |
Gardner-Webb University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Boiling Springs, NC |
Duke University | Campus, Hybrid | Durham, NC |
Upstate Medical University | Campus, Hybrid | Syracuse, NY |
SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn | Campus, Hybrid | Brooklyn, NY |
University at Buffalo | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Buffalo, NY |
SUNY Health Science Center Stony Brook | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Stony Brook, NY |
The Sage Colleges | Campus, Hybrid | Troy, NY |
St John Fisher College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Rochester, NY |
Pace University-ASDBS-New York | Campus, Hybrid, Online | New York, NY |
University of Rochester | Campus, Hybrid | Rochester, NY |
The College of New Rochelle-ASDBS | Campus | New Rochelle, NY |
New York University-ASDBS | Campus, Hybrid | New York, NY |
Mt St Marys College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Newburgh, NY |
College of Mount Saint Vincent | Campus, Hybrid | Bronx, NY |
Le Moyne College | Campus, Hybrid | Syracuse, NY |
Molloy College | Campus | Rockville Centre, NY |
Dominican College of Blauvelt | Campus, Hybrid | Orangeburg, NY |
D’Youville College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Buffalo, NY |
Daemen College | Campus, Hybrid | Amherst, NY |
CUNY Hunter College | Campus, Hybrid | New York, NY |
CUNY Lehman College | Campus, Hybrid | Bronx, NY |
Columbia University in the City of New York | Campus, Hybrid | New York, NY |
All UNM BSN graduates Aggregated | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Albuquerque, NM |
New Mexico State University-Las Cruces | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Las Cruces, NM |
William Paterson University of New Jersey | Campus, Hybrid | Wayne, NJ |
Stockton University | Campus, Hybrid | Galloway, NJ |
The College of New Jersey | Campus, Hybrid | Ewing, NJ |
Monmouth University School of Nursing and Health Studies | Campus, Hybrid | West Long Branch, NJ |
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | Campus, Hybrid | Teaneck, NJ |
Rowan University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Glassboro, NJ |
Rivier University | Campus, Hybrid | Nashua, NH |
University of New Hampshire (DEMN), Durham | Campus, Hybrid | Durham, NH |
University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Campus, Online | Las Vegas, NV |
University of Nevada-Reno | Campus, Hybrid | Reno, NV |
University of Nebraska Medical Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Omaha, NE |
Creighton University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Omaha, NE |
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Omaha, NE |
MSU Bozeman College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | Bozeman, MT |
Southeast Missouri State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Cape Girardeau, MO |
Missouri State University-Springfield | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Springfield, MO |
Research College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Kansas City, MO |
Saint Louis University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Saint Louis, MO |
University of Missouri-Columbia | Campus, Online | Columbia, MO |
University of Missouri-Kansas City | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Kansas City, MO |
University of Missouri-St Louis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Saint Louis, MO |
Maryville University of Saint Louis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Saint Louis, MO |
University of Central Missouri | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Warrensburg, MO |
Cox College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Springfield, MO |
University of Southern Mississippi | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Hattiesburg, MS |
Mississippi University for Women | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Columbus, MS |
Delta State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Cleveland, MS |
Winona State University | Campus, Hybrid | Winona, MN |
Alcorn State University | Campus, Hybrid | Alcorn State, MS |
The College of Saint Scholastica | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Duluth, MN |
Minnesota State University-Mankato | Campus, Hybrid | Mankato, MN |
Metropolitan State University | Campus | Saint Paul, MN |
University of Minnesota, Baccalaureate | Campus, Hybrid | Minneapolis, MN |
Wayne State University | Campus, Hybrid | Detroit, MI |
Augsburg College | Campus, Hybrid | Minneapolis, MN |
Oakland University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Rochester Hills, MI |
Saginaw Valley State University | Campus, Hybrid | University Center, MI |
Spring Arbor University | Campus, Hybrid | Spring Arbor, MI |
University of Michigan-Flint | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Flint, MI |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Campus, Hybrid | Ann Arbor, MI |
Michigan State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | East Lansing, MI |
Davenport University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Grand Rapids, MI |
University of Detroit Mercy | Campus | Detroit, MI |
Simmons College | Campus, Hybrid | Boston, MA |
College of Our Lady of Elms | Campus, Hybrid | Chicopee, MA |
Regis College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Weston, MA |
Northeastern University – Accelerated | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Boston, MA |
Mass College of Pharm-Boston-Accelerated | Campus, Online | Boston, MA |
University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Lowell, MA |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Campus, Online | Amherst, MA |
University of Massachusetts-Boston | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Boston, MA |
Endicott College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Beverly, MA |
Boston College | Campus | Chestnut Hill, MA |
American International College | Campus, Hybrid | Springfield, MA |
Johns Hopkins University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Baltimore, MD |
Salisbury University | Campus, Hybrid | Salisbury, MD |
Coppin State University | Campus | Baltimore, MD |
University of Southern Maine | Campus, Hybrid | Portland, ME |
University of Maine at Orono | Campus, Hybrid | Orono, ME |
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | Campus, Online | Standish, ME |
Univ. of Louisiana Lafayette | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Lafayette, LA |
Husson University | Campus, Hybrid | Bangor, ME |
Southeastern LA Univ | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Hammond, LA |
Southern Univ Baton Rouge | Campus, Hybrid | Baton Rouge, LA |
Loyola University New Orleans | Campus, Online | New Orleans, LA |
McNeese State Univ | Campus, Online | Lake Charles, LA |
Nicholls State Univ | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Thibodaux, LA |
Northwestern State Univ | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Natchitoches, LA |
Grambling State Univ | Campus | Grambling, LA |
Spalding University | Campus, Hybrid | Louisville, KY |
Western Kentucky University-Bowling Green | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Bowling Green, KY |
Northern Kentucky University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Highland Heights, KY |
University of Louisville-Louisville | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Louisville, KY |
Murray State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Murray, KY |
University of Kentucky | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Lexington, KY |
Kentucky Christian University | Campus, Online | Grayson, KY |
Eastern Kentucky University | Campus, Online | Richmond, KY |
Washburn University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Topeka, KS |
Bellarmine University | Campus, Online | Louisville, KY |
Wichita State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Wichita, KS |
Pittsburg State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Pittsburg, KS |
University of Kansas Medical Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Lawrence, KS |
Fort Hays State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Hays, KS |
University of Iowa | Campus, Hybrid | Iowa City, IA |
Morningside College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Sioux City, IA |
Valparaiso University | Campus, Hybrid | Valparaiso, IN |
Allen College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Waterloo, IA |
Briar Cliff University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Sioux City, IA |
Clarke University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Dubuque, IA |
Purdue University-Calumet Campus | Campus, Online | Hammond, IN |
University of St Francis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Fort Wayne, IN |
Saint Mary’s College | Campus, Online | Notre Dame, IN |
Indiana University East | Campus, Online | Richmond, IN |
Indiana Wesleyan University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Marion, IN |
University of Indianapolis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Indianapolis, IN |
University of Southern Indiana | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Evansville, IN |
Indiana State University | Campus, Online | Terre Haute, IN |
Indiana University-South Bend | Campus, Online | South Bend, IN |
Goshen College | Campus, Online | Goshen, IN |
Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne | Campus, Online | Fort Wayne, IN |
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Indianapolis, IN |
Ball State University | Campus, Online | Muncie, IN |
Resurrection University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chicago, IL |
University of St Francis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Joliet, IL |
Saint Xavier University | Campus | Chicago, IL |
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Edwardsville, IL |
Saint Anthony College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | Rockford, IL |
Saint Francis Medical Center – College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Peoria, IL |
North Park University | Campus | Chicago, IL |
Northern Illinois University | Campus, Hybrid | Dekalb, IL |
Olivet Nazarene University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Bourbonnais, IL |
Loyola University – Chicago | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chicago, IL |
Lewis University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Romeoville, IL |
Mennonite Nursing at Illinois State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Normal, IL |
Governors State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | University Park, IL |
University of Illinois at Chicago | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chicago, IL |
Bradley University | Campus, Online | Peoria, IL |
Idaho State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Pocatello, ID |
University of Hawaii at Hilo | Campus, Hybrid | Hilo, HI |
University of Hawaii @ Manoa-MEPN | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Honolulu, HI |
Hawaii Pacific University | Campus | Honolulu, HI |
Valdosta State University | Campus, Hybrid | Valdosta, GA |
Georgia Southern University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Statesboro, GA |
Georgia State University | Campus, Hybrid | Atlanta, GA |
Kennesaw State University | Campus, Hybrid | Kennesaw, GA |
South University-Savannah | Campus, Online | Savannah, GA |
Emory University | Campus, Hybrid | Atlanta, GA |
Georgia Southwestern State University | Campus, Online | Americus, GA |
Columbus State University | Campus, Online | Columbus, GA |
Albany State University | Campus, Online | Albany, GA |
Brenau University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Gainesville, GA |
The University of Tampa | Campus | Tampa, FL |
University of South Florida College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | Tampa, FL |
University of Miami | Campus, Hybrid | Coral Gables, FL |
University of North Florida | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Jacksonville, FL |
Nova Southeastern University – Ft. Lauderdale | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
Palm Beach Atlantic University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | West Palm Beach, FL |
Jacksonville University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Jacksonville, FL |
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
Florida State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Tallahassee, FL |
University of Florida – Gainesville | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Gainesville, FL |
Florida Atlantic University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Boca Raton, FL |
Florida National University-Miami | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Miami, FL |
University of Central Florida | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Orlando, FL |
Howard University | Campus, Hybrid | Washington, DC |
College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Barry University | Campus, Online | Miami, FL |
George Washington University | Campus, Online | Washington, DC |
Georgetown University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Washington, DC |
University of Delaware | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Newark, DE |
The Catholic University of America | Campus, Hybrid | Washington, DC |
Southern Connecticut State University-Accelerated | Campus | New Haven, CT |
Quinnipiac University-Accelerated | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Hamden, CT |
Sacred Heart University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Fairfield, CT |
University of Saint Joseph-Accelerated | Campus, Hybrid, Online | West Hartford, CT |
Fairfield University-Accelerated | Campus, Hybrid | Fairfield, CT |
Regis University-Choice | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Denver, CO |
University of Connecticut-Storrs Campus – Accelerated | Campus, Hybrid | Storrs, CT |
University of Northern Colorado | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Greeley, CO |
Colorado Mesa University – Traditional | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Grand Junction, CO |
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – Traditional | Campus, Online | Colorado Springs, CO |
Sonoma State University | Campus, Hybrid | Rohnert Park, CA |
Walden University | Campus, Online | Minneapolis, MN |
University of San Francisco | Campus, Hybrid, Online | San Francisco, CA |
Samuel Merritt University | Campus, Hybrid | Oakland, CA |
University of San Diego/Hahn | Campus | San Diego, CA |
San Francisco State University | Campus, Hybrid | San Francisco, CA |
National University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | La Jolla, CA |
Loma Linda University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Loma Linda, CA |
Fresno Pacific University | Campus, Hybrid | Fresno, CA |
Holy Names University | Campus | Oakland, CA |
University of California-Los Angeles | Campus | Los Angeles, CA |
California State University-Long Beach | Campus | Long Beach, CA |
California State University-Los Angeles | Campus | Los Angeles, CA |
California State University-Dominguez Hills | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Carson, CA |
California State University-Fresno | Campus, Online | Fresno, CA |
Azusa Pacific University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Azusa, CA |
California Baptist University | Campus, Online | Riverside, CA |
California State University-Bakersfield | Campus, Hybrid | Bakersfield, CA |
University of Central Arkansas – Conway | Campus, Online | Conway, AR |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Little Rock | Campus, Hybrid | Little Rock, AR |
Arkansas State University – Jonesboro | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Jonesboro, AR |
Northern Arizona University | Campus, Online | Flagstaff, AZ |
Grand Canyon University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Phoenix, AZ |
University of Arizona | Campus, Online | Tucson, AZ |
University of Alaska Anchorage | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Anchorage, AK |
Samford University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Birmingham, AL |
University of South Alabama | Campus, Online | Mobile, AL |
University of Alabama in Huntsville | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Huntsville, AL |
University of Alabama | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Tuscaloosa, AL |
Auburn University at Montgomery | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Montgomery, AL |
Auburn University | Campus, Online | Auburn, AL |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Birmingham, AL |
Chamberlain University | Campus, Online | Phoenix, AZ |
Arizona State University-Downtown Phoenix | Campus, Hybrid | Phoenix, AZ |
United States University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chula Vista, CA |
University of Phoenix-Online Campus | Campus, Online | Phoenix, AZ |
Texas State University-San Marcos- St. David School of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | San Marcos, TX |
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Oklahoma City, OK |
East Carolina University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Greenville, NC |
Rutgers University-Camden | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Camden, NJ |
Rutgers University SON Newark | Campus, Hybrid | Newark, NJ |
University of Mississippi Medical Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Jackson, MS |
University of Maryland-Baltimore | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Baltimore, MD |
LSU Health Science Center | Campus, Hybrid | New Orleans, LA |
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Campus, Hybrid | Knoxville, TN |
Duquesne University | Campus, Online | Pittsburgh, PA |
Long Island University-Post | Campus, Hybrid | Brookville, NY |
DePaul University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chicago, IL |
Georgia College and State University | Hybrid, Online | Milledgeville, GA |
Arizona State University | Hybrid, Online | Tempe, AZ |
FNP Certification and Licensure
Certification means that you are qualified to provide care for patients within your specialty. You obtain certification by taking a national exam through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). After you obtain national certification you can apply for licensure through the state’s board of nursing (BON). Licensure means that you are legally able to practice in a given state. This requires submitting transcripts from your FNP program, current licensure as an RN in the state where you are applying, a fee (varies by state), and proof of national certification.
Where Do FNPs Typically Work
FNPs have a broad patient population therefore you can work in a variety of settings. These can vary from private practices, community health settings, university health clinics, urgent care clinics, prison systems, occupational health and more. Further specialization in areas such as such as cardiology, nephrology, palliative care etc., can allow you to work in more specialized clinics or hospitals.
How Much Do Family Nurse Practitioners Earn
The expected salary for FNPs can vary by state, city, experience, and practice setting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics nurse practitioners earn a median of $104,610 per year. Multiple sources show that FNPs can make between $97,990 and $117,298. In general, urban areas tend to pay more than rural areas. Private practices will often pay more than community health settings. You can also get other financial benefits such as loan forgiveness by working with medically underserved populations. You can get loan forgiveness through the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, through Perkins Loan Forgiveness, or the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program after qualifying. As you gain experience as an FNP you can negotiate a higher salary.
Online FNP Programs
Online FNP programs allow aspiring NPs to have more flexibility with their personal, professional, and educational lives. These programs allow you to complete coursework online and arrange your clinical hours in an area that is convenient for you. Depending on the program you may be required to come to campus occasionally.
What is a Typical FNP Curriculum
Course work varies a little by university. Most graduate nursing programs will require that you take one course in the following subjects, similar to what Boston College’s FNP program outlines:
- Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing
- Conceptual Basis for Advanced Practice Nursing
- Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Research Methods for Advanced Practice Nursing
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Family Theory
The Role of the FNP in the Primary Care Provider Shortage
With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act placing increased importance on preventative and primary care, along with the aging of the baby boomer population, there is a growing need for primary care providers. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicted an increased demand for physicians, specifically in the area of primary care between 2013 and 2025. As providers who are qualified to care for people of both genders throughout their lifespan FNPs provide a cost-effective solution to filling this gap and complementing the role of the physician. See Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant guide.
Resources
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
Books
- Practice Guidelines for Family Nurse Practitioners, 4e
- Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination and Practice Preparation
- Pharmacology Mnemonics for the Family Nurse Practitioner
