Master's Degree
MSN-FNP Online Program
Family Nurse Practitioner
CLASSES START
Jan 6th
20 Mo. Program Length | 48 Credits |
Online Format | DNP Dual credit |
Master's Degree
MSN-FNP Online Program
Family Nurse Practitioner
Earn your MSN-FNP with Herzing and become possible
| Accreditation | CCNE accredited,1Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Format | 100% online classwork with inter-professional educational opportunities |
| Clinicals | 585 clinical hours - Herzing pledges clinical placement |
| Get started | 6 start-dates per year |
| Dual credit | Earn dual credit towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) |
| Pathways | Graduate with an MSN and become qualified for our online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program; or choose a BSN to DNP-FNP program |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2024
Overview: MSN-FNP Degree Program
The MSN-FNP degree (BSN to FNP) is a 48-credit graduate program which prepares you for a career as a family nurse practitioner. The degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in advanced practice nursing, clinical decision-making, pediatric, adult, and geriatric nursing, and much more.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Classes Start January 6th
Learn More Today
MSN-FNP Program Curriculum
Ranging from newborn to geriatric, Herzing’s online MSN-FNP program is a population-focused curriculum completed in the primary care setting. The program is designed for BSN nurses looking to go from BSN to FNP - to be completed over twenty months (5 semesters) when attending full-time.
The curriculum offers advanced, immediately relevant training through core MSN courses, direct care courses, and clinical courses. A minimum of 48.00 semester credit hours and 585 practicum hours are required for graduation.
Options for RNs with an ADN
We also offer an RN to MSN-FNP option for nurses who hold associate degree in nursing.
Choose to go from RN to MSN or earn your BSN on the way in our RN to BSN to MSN track.
You may also choose to begin working towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) by applying for our BSN to DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner program.
| Program | Monthsi | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSNFNP) | 20 | 48 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program. Program availability varies by location.
Required Core Courses
All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Direct Care Courses
All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Specialty Courses
All courses, 24.00 semester credit hours, are required.
+ Chair approval is needed for PMC students to take NU 627 with another clinical course simultaneously.
Clinical Proficiency Exam and Policy Courses
The following courses are 0.00 semester credit hours associated with the policy outlined above. Students are required to take as co-requisite courses along with NU 611, NU 642, NU 664 or NU 671, depending on the program of study. NSG 0600 - Clinical Proficiency Course Semester Credit Hours: 0.00 NSG 0600R - Clinical Proficiency Remediation Course (if needed) Semester Credit Hours: 0.00
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the MSN-FNP program is $755 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.
Scholarship Opportunity
You may be eligible for the Herzing University Nurses Circle of Achievement Scholarship.
Eligibility requirements include a minimum GPA earned in your undergraduate nursing program, and maintaining a minimum GPA throughout the MSN program.
You can potentially earn 10% tuition reduction!
Enrollment requirements
To enroll in Herzing’s online family nurse practitioner program, prospective students must live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the MSN-FNP program, and:
- Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they live. (Note: Holding a multi-state, compact state license and being a resident in a compact license state will be deemed to have met this requirement.)
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited university or college with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District Of Columbia.
Clinical Experience: Herzing supports your search for a preceptor
Finding a preceptor or clinical location for a nurse practitioner program can be a pain point for many prospective nursing students. With Herzing University you are never on your own.
Benefits of the Herzing MSN-FNP program clinical experience
- Strong University guidance. Herzing goes above and beyond to help you find a clinical site. Our Clinical Guidance Process backed by the Herzing MSN Clinical Placement Pledge ensures you are able to secure clinical placement as part of the MSN-FNP program.
- You will be ready. Our program includes a Clinical Readiness Course to prepare you for success in the practicum your clinical experiences during your time here at Herzing University.
- Interdisciplinary opportunities. Exposure to diverse patient care environments makes you a better, more prepared nurse practitioner. Our priority is your experience to build upon in your new career—the Herzing MSN-FNP program requires a minimum of 100 patient encounters and 135 clinical hours in your clinical courses as part of the 585-hour requirement to ensure you see a variety of patients. You will earn personalized, valuable clinical experience with a deeper background treating patients of many ages across the lifespan including times of wellness and illness.
- Flexible scheduling. Fitting clinical hours into an already hectic life can be a challenge. In collaboration with your clinical preceptor, you will identify a schedule that works best for you.
- We treat you like a professional. You are a student—but in a clinical setting you are accountable to a licensed healthcare provider and their patients. From enrollment to completion we treat you like the nursing professional you are working so hard to become.
If you'd like more detail on the process, read our guide to finding a nurse practitioner preceptor, which includes information on what sites you may choose, what kinds of preceptors you can work with, and tips on how to secure a clinical.
Your clinical placement is our pledge.
We understand securing clinical placement as part of an MSN-FNP program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.
Classes Start January 6th
Waived Enrollment FeePreparing for a career as a
Family Nurse Practitioner
Earning the right credential can help you build lifelong success.
The demand for Family Nurse Practitioners has never been greater. Now is the time to make a change that can deliver benefits for years to come. Download a copy of our complimentary guide to learn more about Herzing's MSN-FNP program and the unique advantages it provides you.
1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Accreditation acknowledges that Herzing's nursing programs meet specific national standards including institutional resources, quality curriculum and teaching practices, and program outcomes related to completion rates, pass rates and employment.
Online Learning and On-Site Training
One of the most important elements of our online MSN-FNP program is the opportunity to engage with patients and preceptors in the clinical environment. As a Herzing FNP student, you will complete online classes with on-site clinical experiences that provide you the opportunity to practice skills and apply your learning in real-world settings.
- Our Clinical Readiness Course prepares you to be successful in your clinical experience.
- Our Virtual Bootcamp helps you prepare for the certification exam.
Clinical Experience Assistance
The clinical experience is an integral part of our program to help prepare you for your advanced practice nursing career. At Herzing, you’ll have clinical coordinators who serve as a resource to students in finding and securing appropriate clinical sites.
Convenience and Support
Herzing's online MSN-FNP program is designed for busy professionals looking to get their nurse practitioner degree online. Flexible online scheduling is available to accommodate the demands of work, home, and life. And like Herzing’s local campuses, you can expect the personalized attention and support that Herzing is known. Masters-prepared academic coaches offer one on one assistance and coaching to enhance study skills, build confidence, and provide support in helping MSN FNP students achieve academic success.
Collaborative, Real-World Experience
Learn from experienced teaching faculty whose rich, professional experiences enhance our students’ education. And with an interactive online learning environment, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with nurses from around the country.
What exactly is a family nurse practitioner?
With the changes in healthcare reform, Family Nurse Practitioners serve a vital role; counseling patients for health prevention, promotion and disease management, as well as seeing, diagnosing and treating patients who would have historically waited weeks to see a physician. In recent years, the role of nurse practitioners has expanded. Along with the increase in duties performed, so too has the need for more qualified graduates risen. Help fill the need with a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Herzing University.
Nurse Practitioner ranked #1 Best Health Care Job for 2023 by U.S. News & World Report!
Family nurse practitioners provide care for patients of all ages and have great flexibility in choosing a specialty. Nurse Practitioners often select positions in family practice, geriatrics, pediatrics, Ob-Gyn, urgent care, internal medicine and primary care.
What can I do as an FNP?
Graduates of Herzing's MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner program are prepared to work in diverse healthcare and academic environments with patients across the lifespan, including:
- Family Practice
- Primary Care
- Public Health
- Retail Health Clinics
- School Health
- Urgent Care Clinics
- Veterans Administration
- Women's Health
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $128,490 per year ($61.78 per hour). Pay depends on many factors, including your location, what healthcare institution you work for and your level of experience.*
Discover the average nurse practitioner salary by state and find out what nurse practitioners make on average near you.
The Herzing University online MSN-FNP program is not entry level. We require a BSN degree from an accredited university or college and a current, active and unrestricted license as an RN for acceptance into our MSN-FNP program.
If you have no experience in nursing and are considering a second career as a family nurse practitioner, see our accelerated BSN program option or MSN Direct Entry program. These programs can put you on track to earn your bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing to become an RN and qualify for our FNP program options.
Additional RN options include our Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and 3-year BSN programs. We now offer an online BSN program for non-nurses, available for enrollment in select U.S. states.
The answer really depends on the state where you’d be working. There are a few basic levels of practice: full, reduced and restricted.
Explore this map from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners to discover your state’s standards and get an understanding of what it means.
Over the course of your education, you’ll learn much more detail about the scope of practice for family nurse practitioners vs. other roles in healthcare.
We offer multiple options for current nurses of all types, including pathways for ASN/ADN, BSN, and MSN degree holders.
View our available online Family Nurse Practitioner programs.
Our online FNP program has 6 start dates per year, ensuring that you will have a start date coming up soon, but giving you enough time to get your personal affairs in order before jumping in. You can take the first step and apply now or contact an admissions advisor by calling 855-285-3809.
Here’s a selection of the most common types of nurse practitioners:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Each specialty has its own unique requirements in terms of job experience and certification.
One of the most important elements of the online MSN-FNP program is the clinical. At Herzing you’ll have a clinical coordinator who will serve as a resource to students, guiding and assisting with securing appropriate clinical sites.
Herzing has been partnering with clinical sites for decades, which affords students the best clinical settings due to our reputation of strong clinical presence in a wide range of facilities.
We pledge YOUR clinical placement!
With Herzing University you are never alone. Read our guide to finding preceptorship for the FNP program and get more information on who you can choose, what kinds of sites you can look for, and how we support your search.
Licensure requirements for FNPs vary from state to state. Most require a current RN license and a master’s degree in nursing. Graduates from Herzing University’s FNP program are eligible to sit for one of the FNP certification exams. Two main bodies offer FNP certification:
You may choose which exam you’d like to take. After completing your master’s degree, you will need to get certified and obtain licensure in the state you wish to practice before opening your practice as an FNP.
Nurse practitioners work primarily in hospitals (state, local & private), physician’s offices, outpatient care centers, educational facilities and offices of other health practitioners, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Learn more about where family nurse practitioners work and their average salary in each type of healthcare facility.
Choose your NP pathway
Considering all of your options for nurse practitioner specialties?
Herzing University offers multiple nurse practitioner programs for current nurses holding an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in nursing.
Our goal is to help you walk your career path no matter where you are, or where you want to go.
Explore Herzing NP programsAccreditations
Accreditations & Disclosures
1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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