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Preferred Campus

Preferred Program

Master's Degree

MSN-FNP Online Program
Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Length

20 Mo.

Credits

Format

Online

Dual Credit

DNP

NEXT START January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

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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

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Classes start: January 6th

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.

Curriculum

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.

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	Months ²	Credit
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSNFNP)	20	48

Required Core Courses

All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to guide students in evaluating healthcare policy issues that impact decision making and outcomes in healthcare. Students will explore healthcare delivery systems and analyze issues which impact the delivery of healthcare and nursing at global, national, and state levels of government. Students will analyze the development, formulation, and implementation of policies and related economic issues that can influence healthcare practice today. In addition, the course includes topics such as the relationship between healthcare providers and patients, insurance policies, quality management, legislative liability issues, ethical decision making, and other policy issues.

This course focuses on the integration, translation, and application of established and evolving theoretical, evidence-based, and disciplinary nursing knowledge as the basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice. Students examine frameworks for knowledge and propose a practice application informed by leadership principals and ethical decision making.

This course will explore information and communication technologies and informatics processes used to provide care, gather data, drive decision making, and manage and improve the delivery of safe, high‐quality, and efficient healthcare services in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards. Students will perform an information technology analysis of their practice and develop strategic planning to direct the selection and implementation of new information and communication technologies for their practice setting.

This course applies the principals of best practices, change theory, and improvement and implementation science to the development of innovative solutions for complex health systems to ensure optimal care. Course key concepts include organizational structure, including relationships among macro‐, meso‐, and microsystems across healthcare, and financial and payment models for cost management and reimbursement. Students will engage in a strategic planning initiative for a complex healthcare system which enhances value, access, quality, and cost‐effectiveness, including policy to address health equity and eliminate structural discrimination.

The course focuses on the application, evaluation, and dissemination of knowledge in practice to improve health and transform health care. The processes for the generation, critique, synthesis, and translation of knowledge will be examined. Students will complete human subject protection certification, determine best practices for a specified clinical initiative, and apply evidence to clinical decision making using a framework of evidence-based practice and improvement science.

Required Direct Care Courses

All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is an examination of the process of holistic assessment (physical, psychosocial, and cultural) of individuals across the lifespan. Focus is critical thinking and decision-making related to the role of the advanced practice nurse in a primary care setting.

The course examines scientific concepts of pathophysiology essential to diagnostic reasoning and clinical management of common disease states. The dilemma of cost and need for laboratory and radiographic evidence to support diagnosis is examined.

This course is designed to advance the student's knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics in the management of health and disease states. Major categories of pharmacological agents are examined in the context of the life span, culture, and health and disease states. State and federal regulation related to purchase, possession, administration and patient education about controlled substances, pharmacologic agents and non-pharmacologic agents used as medications are examined.

Required Specialty Courses

All courses, 24.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is an examination of the processes applicable to clinical decision making. Models for clinical decision making will be presented. An overview of key assessments and the wide range of clinical activity categories that impact clinical decision making will be provided. Application of course concepts will be accomplished through engagement with hypothetical clinical scenarios.

This course focuses on the provision of care to the adult patient, aged 18 to 64 years of age, by the family nurse practitioner. This clinical course continues to develop diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills in students. Students apply theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines and contemporary practices in the assessment and management of health and disease states in the adult population.

As the population ages, care of the older adult becomes an increasing need in primary care. Family nurse practitioners in primary care focus on care of patients across the lifespan including this older adult population. This clinical course will explore the special needs of the older adult (65 and older) by synthesizing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines and contemporary practices in assessment and management of health and disease states in the geriatric population. Since this course is reflective of the last course in the clinical sequence, APEA testing for board certification preparation will be incorporated to assist the student with preparation for the exam.

+ Chair approval is needed for PMC students to take NU 627 with another clinical course simultaneously.

The focus of this clinical course is on integrating theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines and contemporary practice in the assessment and management of health and disease states specific to women across the lifespan. Personal, family, cultural, community, and societal influences are analyzed for their impact on the physical and emotional health of women. Health risk identification, health promotion, health maintenance, and treatment alternatives are examined.

The focus of this clinical course is on synthesizing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines and contemporary practices in assessment and management of health and disease states in the pediatric population from birth through adolescence. The context of family-centered care in relation to individual child growth and development, safety, and cultural practices is explored. Health risk identification, health promotion, health maintenance, and treatment alternatives are applied to individuals, families, and populations.

This course focuses on proficient multidimensional leadership for healthcare. Leadership theory, managing change in complex environments, mentoring, and creating a workplace environment that promotes social justice and equity, self‐care, personal health, and well‐being, and lifelong learning will be emphasized. Student will examine their personal, professional, and leadership development process, and create a three-dimensional advocacy-based approach to provide leadership in for the healthcare, professional, and community arenas.

This course examines the healthcare delivery continuum from public health prevention to disease management of populations and describes collaborative activities with both traditional and non‐traditional partnerships from affected communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others for the improvement of equitable population health outcomes. For a selected population, students will analyze health priorities and the potential for collaboration and partnerships to provide a basis for interventions, policy, advocate strategy, and emergency preparedness.

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

Tution & Cost

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the MSN-FNP program is $775 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.

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Scholarships & Financial Aid
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.
Find scholarships and grants
Military/Veteran Discounts
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.
VA/Military benefits

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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!

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Requirements

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, and Wisconsin.

Classes Start: January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now

Clinicals

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.

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.

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.

Your Clinical Placement is Our Pledge

We understand securing clinical placement as part of an MSN degree 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.

Why Herzing

MSN-FNP Program Benefits

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Preparing 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.

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Careers

What Can You Do With an MSN?

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

Classes Start: January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now

Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here’s a selection of the most common types of nurse practitioners:

Each specialty has its own unique requirements in terms of job experience and certification.

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, available for enrollment in select U.S. states.

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Locations

Program Finder

MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs / Showing 1 program for the Online campus

MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Online
This online graduate degree in nursing will provide students with the academic knowledge, skills, and expertise to apply for certification as a family nurse practitioner. Graduates will be prepared to have integrated praxis philosophy throughout multiple courses. The program consists of core, specialty, and clinical courses. This program is for licensed registered nurses (current, unrestricted license) who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and are interested in advancing their careers to become a certified family nurse practitioner.
Prior to enrollment, individuals considering a Master of Science in Nursing program (nurse practitioner tracks) should check with their applicable state board of nursing before enrolling in any graduate nursing program for any specific state requirements and required clinical courses for eligibility to apply for licensure.
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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 programs