MSN FNP Program

The Nightingale College MSN FNP curriculum combines advanced nursing theory with practical preparation for family practice across the lifespan.

Foundational coursework covers the advanced practice nursing role, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, health promotion and disease prevention, advanced health assessment, healthcare policy and ethics, evidence-based practice, and health informatics. Later semesters focus on advanced family health in primary care settings and supervised practicum experiences.

Overall, the program consists of 30 graduate nursing courses delivered over six semesters, with online instruction completed online and in-person seminars and preceptorship experiences completed in one of the multiple Supervised On-ground Field Experience (SOFE) areas near your location. Practical courses begin in the third semester of the program and continue through the end of the program.

The MSN FNP program is designed for registered nurses who already hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and want to prepare for advanced practice as a family nurse practitioner.

The curriculum emphasizes assessment, differential diagnosis, prescribing, treatment, and disease management for patients across the lifespan.

Given its blended distance-learning format, the MSN FNP program is also suited for professionals who wish to advance their education and career without affecting their current personal, professional, or community commitments.

After completing the MSN FNP program, you are academically eligible to pursue family nurse practitioner certification and apply for APRN licensure in order to practice.

As a family nurse practitioner, you may assess patients, diagnose health conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide health education and preventive care (subject to applicable state-level scope-of-practice laws). Nurse practitioners work in settings such as physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics, and outpatient care centers.

The MSN FNP program at Nightingale College prepares you for proficiency and leadership in your field of practice, enabling you to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes in your future work setting.

Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not publish separate national wage estimates for the specific family nurse practitioner specialization, the most recent median salary estimate for nurse practitioners as a whole is $132,300 per year or $63.61 per hour, which is $34,750 more annually than the national median salary of registered nurses.

Actual earnings vary by location, experience, employer, work setting, and scope of practice. For more information, read our article on family nurse practitioner salaries by state.

Yes. Applicants must hold a BSN from an appropriately accredited institution, generally with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and maintain an active, unencumbered U.S. RN license. Applicants with a GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 may be considered for admission on academic probation.

Additionally, applicants must also fulfill the following requirements:

• Have at least one year of experience as a registered nurse
• Have actively worked as an RN within the previous two years
• Submit official postsecondary transcripts
• Submit a résumé or curriculum vitae
• Provide a personal statement
• Submit two letters of recommendation
• Participate in an MSN FNP program interview
• Meet with a learner funding advisor

Finally, applicants must reside in a state in which Nightingale College is authorized to offer the program and must notify the College before relocating to another state.

The prescribed MSN FNP curriculum takes approximately 24 months, or six academic semesters, to complete, totaling 90 academic weeks of instruction. However, failure to complete coursework or the requirement to repeat coursework can delay program completion.

The program requires 55 semester credits, divided into 37 credits for theoretical instruction and 18 for practical experiences.

The curriculum includes 810 integrative practicum contact hours, 22.5 applied field-experience hours, and 547.5 didactic contact hours. The practicum component is divided into one-credit courses that may be scheduled individually or combined into larger blocks to accommodate clinical opportunities and learning needs of learners.

Yes. Nightingale College is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Its master’s degree program in nursing, which includes the MSN FNP track, is programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

For more information, consult the Accreditation and Affiliations page.

The MSN FNP program at Nightingale College offers a straightforward admissions process. As a no-waitlist program, qualified applicants can begin their studies without waiting for a seat to become available. Nightingale College also has an overall acceptance rate of 100%. Thus, applicants who meet the admission requirements are accepted into the program.

Possibly. Nightingale College takes an active role in assisting MSN FNP learners in securing clinical placements and preceptors that reflect their preferences or needs.

While the theoretical instruction activities are entirely online, practical experiences (in-person seminars and preceptorship experiences) can be completed in one of the listed Supervised On-ground Field Experience (SOFE) areas.

Consult our SOFE Areas page to find the location that best suits your learning experience.