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Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

Take Charge of Your Career

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Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

Take Charge of Your Career

Advance your degree while you work with our online FNP program.

Next Start Date | January 4

Request Information

CCNE Accredited logo

Advance your degree while you work with our online FNP program.

Next Start Date | January 4

Request Information

CCNE Accredited logo

FNP at a Glance

Program Details

Complete in: 8 Semesters

Next Start Date: January 4

Accreditation: CCNE
New: Preceptor Matching Support

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Our convenient online FNP program curriculum gives you the foundation and support you need to expand your practice in less than 3 years, even as you work full-time. Advance your nursing education in a setting that emphasizes student success and academic excellence. 

  • Largest MSN FNP program in the country
  • Combined ANCC and AANP 2019 overall pass rate of 90.1%
  • Relentless, personalized support
  • 100% Online FNP coursework

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track includes an exclusive immersion experience, preparing graduates for the FNP National Certification examinations.

Preceptor Matching Service

A Chamberlain University Exclusive

Starting your FNP preceptor courses is one of the most exciting times of your program. To help you prepare for Family Nurse Practitioner practicum courses, you will be paired with a dedicated team to help you identify practicum sites and preceptors. We recommend starting early to formalize arrangements for your MSN FNP practicum experience.

Your practicum coordination team offers dedicated support to all students by:

  • Offering coaching sessions through the entire process
  • Providing resources on how to find a practicum site
  • Giving tips on professionalism and how to approach a potential site
Learn How to Qualify for Preceptor Matching

You may be eligible* if you meet the following requirements:

  1. You have participated in at least two coaching calls with the Practicum Coordination Team
  2. You can document at least five sites that have denied your practicum requests
  3. You submit your case to a Practicum Coordinator no later than three sessions before the start of the practicum course

*This service is for post-licensure nursing degree and certificate program students only, specifically RN to BSN Online Degree Completion Option, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Science in Nursing-Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Master of Science in Nursing- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner (GC-FNP) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

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Search
Our practicum coordination team conducts a search within 100 miles of your home to find a convenient clinical site

Connect
We’ll provide you with an available preceptor’s contact information

Apply
You connect with the preceptor to secure their commitment and submit your practicum application

 

Want to know more? We're here to help
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Experience a Career-Oriented Online FNP Program Curriculum

Join an online FNP program designed by working nurses, for working nurses

In as few as eight (8) semesters, Chamberlain’s Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track is designed to prepare students to expand their nursing practice. Through 100% online coursework, the FNP curriculum integrates theory and practical application through online discussion threads, simulation and clinical experiences. Our Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track is designed to help prepare graduates to sit for national certification as an FNP and enhance their role and opportunity for advancement in a wide range of healthcare settings.

fnp schedule


Expand and Advance Your Practice

Chamberlain courses are specially designed to give future FNPs the tools and expertise to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system. From pathophysiology and pharmacology to advanced assessment and leadership skills, you’ll learn the most important skills required to run your own practice. For an example of an 8-semester course load, check out our sample MSN-FNP curriculum.

See Full Curriculum
Population Health, Epidemiology, & Statistical Principles

This course introduces students to advanced practice competencies related to population health, epidemiology, and statistical principles. Students explore, analyze, apply, and evaluate biostatistics for evidence-based practice and population-based care. Topics include the use and application of epidemiology and statistics for the delivery and monitoring of aggregate populations.

Advanced Pathophysiology

The student explores, analyzes, applies, and evaluates the normal and abnormal human responses to selected pathophysiologic mechanisms and conditions.

Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals

This course expands knowledge of pharmacological principles specific to the role of the APN. Students explore, analyze, apply, and evaluate commonly used drugs for the treatment of chronic diseases and self-limiting acute conditions.

Advanced Pharmacology for Care of the Family

Students build expanded knowledge of pharmacology across the lifespan, applying foundational principles from previous courses. Specific issues will be addressed including the effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender and funding on pharmacologic management. Legal and ethical aspects of prescribing will be addressed.

Advanced Physical Assessment

This course expands the knowledge and skills of health assessment principles necessary to perform a thorough health assessment. The student will develop assessment techniques related to history and physical examination of clients across the lifespan, including psychiatric-mental health and related supportive assessments. Students will explore, analyze, apply, and evaluate these principles in the classroom and laboratory.


A Health Assessment Performance Evaluation will occur in the laboratory setting, requiring the student to visit the Chamberlain campus offering this evaluation.

Leadership and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

This course introduces students to the role development of today’s advanced practice nurse (APN) leader in society and healthcare organization systems from the perspective of primary and acute care. Students will explore, analyze, apply, and evaluate diverse aspects of ethical and legal decision-making standards specific to APN scope of practice. Topics include the standards and regulations governing the practice of APNs in diverse settings. The course emphasizes strategies and processes that foster implementation of visionary leadership, diffusion of innovation, and change within an organization and explores social, political, legal, legislative, regulatory, and organizational factors that influence healthcare. Principles of leadership are emphasized including ethics, negotiation, motivating others, acting as an advocate, problem-solving, managing diversity, interprofessional collaboration and multi-agency partnerships, quality improvement and safety, and organizational behavior.


Prepare for Your Practicum

Chamberlain provides guidance from admission through graduation including securing support in a practicum. Our Practicum Coordinators help with matching assistance for students to find their ideal practicum. For more information, read our Practicum Handbook.

Download Handbook
Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care

This course will provide students with content regarding formulating differential diagnoses of individuals within the primary care setting, along with an introduction to critical diagnostic skills to cultivate evidence-based behaviors. An emphasis will be placed on processing client information in a logical, progressive manner and formulating differential diagnoses for individuals across the lifespan. The course will include 125 hours of supervised clinical practicum in primary care.

Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family

This course continues to expand the knowledge of health-assessment principles specific to the role of the FNP, with a focus on the common health problems and healthcare needs of the middle-aged and older adult and family. The student will explore, analyze, apply, and evaluate chronic health conditions frequently encountered in the primary care of older adults. Students will further develop their skills related to patient education, protocol development, follow-up, and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted primary-care setting.

Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family Practicum

This course continues to expand the knowledge of health assessment principles specific to the role of the FNP, with a focus on the healthcare needs of women and families throughout reproductive and childrearing years. Students will further develop their skills related to health promotion, prevention of illness, diagnosis, and management of health problems commonly experienced. Care strategies will include patient education, protocol development, follow-up, and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted primary care setting.

Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice across the Lifespan Practicum

This course continues to expand the theoretical and practical knowledge of diagnostic principles specific to the role of the FNP, for the healthcare needs of individuals of all ages. Students will further develop their skills related to health promotion, prevention of illness, diagnosis, and management of complex acute and chronic conditions, including behavioral health. Care strategies will include patient education, protocol development, follow-up, and referral through a clinical practicum experience in a precepted advanced practice setting.

FNP Capstone Practicum and Intensive

Students synthesize all elements of clinical management skills and knowledge and continue to analyze, apply, and evaluate diverse aspects of patient assessment and care. This precepted clinical practicum is with an approved provider in an advanced practice setting. Focus topics include clinical management skills, case studies, chart reviews, and practice critique, with a capstone project evidencing increasing complex clinical management skills. An on-ground intensive review session occurs during this course.

Get Live Board Certification Exam Review 

At the end of our Capstone course you will get an intense board review session to help prepare you to be successful on your Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Exam. During the 2.5 day intensive experience, you’ll attend a live comprehensive board review session in the Chicago area for culminating

Take Your Practice to the Next Level

Earn your MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner and get the autonomy you deserve

Licensed for all ages (family)

Independently diagnose and manage patients

Care for your own panel of patients

Prescribe medications independently

Co-manage patients with specialists

Immerse Yourself in a Real Care Setting

Sharpen your skills with our exclusive FNP Immersion Experience

Week 7 of our Advanced Physical Assessment course ends with one of the most exciting events of the semester: The two-day immersion experience. Here you will join our professors in the Chicago area where you will experience personalized instruction in real-time. It’s a confidence-inspiring experience that helps prepare you for clinical rotations and sets you up for continued success.

FNP immersion

Questions about the MSN FNP Immersion Experience?
Call us at 877.751.5783 or request more information.

FNP Admission Process

Take a Simpler Path to Success

Nurse Practitioner School Requirements
  • Fast-track your career as a family nurse practitioner
    Expand your practice (or even start your own) with an MSN-FNP in less than 3 years.
  • Learn and earn with flexible scheduling
    Log in anytime with our 100% online FNP program, and never miss a day of work.
  • Get support finding a preceptor
    You’re matched with a dedicated team to help you secure clinical sites and preceptors.
  • Make the most of your budget
    See how our admission representatives can help you access special rates and maximize value.
Admission Criteria

Online FNP program applicants must have received a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Potential students who meet admission criteria with a CGPA for the BSN degree between 2.75 to 2.99 will be provisionally accepted into the MSN-FNP program and given a formal NP assessment—at no cost—to determine your starting course within the MSN-FNP track. The assessment determines your science proficiency so we can provide the best resources and support to foster your success in the MSN-FNP courses, following your acceptance.

A Bachelor’s degree in nursing or higher and a current, unrestricted RN license are required in order to enroll in our FNP program. The RN license must be issued in the United States or from a jurisdiction of the NCSBN.

FNP students are required to provide a background and fingerprint check.

Transfer of Credits

Transfer credits from other FNP programs and institutions are considered on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with the transfer credit policy. Transfer credits for the FNP specialty track may only fulfill core course requirements in the MSN degree curriculum. Chamberlain will accept a total of six semester hours from other institutions.

Transfer Guide

Recommendation letters should be recent and written specifically for your application to the Chamberlain MSN-FNP program, not generic reference letters. Personal recommendations from friends and family members do not fulfill admission criteria to the program. Seek reference letters from professors who are familiar with your academic and clinical performance and recommendations from supervisors from a professional setting.

How Long Is Nurse Practitioner School?

Students may complete nurse practitioner school requirements in two and a half years, or eight semesters, of full-time study if they take two courses per semester for three semesters each year. Some students choose to space out the program requirements and take longer to complete their studies.

Classes Start January 4
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Explore Your Tuition Options

Plus see if you qualify for special rates

Concerned about cost of online FNP programs? We can help.

Our admission representatives can help create a plan for FNP school that fits your budget. With our guidance, more than 90% of Chamberlain students receive some form of financial assistance. 

View Scholarships & Grants

See a typical cost breakdown of our MSN FNP degree program or try our Net Price Calculator for a rough estimate of your costs.

See if you’re eligible for Partner Tuition Rates

If your employer, community college or association has an education partnership with Chamberlain, you could receive exclusive savings. Find out if you’re eligible now.

We're Here to Help

We know that researching FNP online programs takes time and you may have questions. Our admissions representatives can help you find out what financial options are available to you.

Request More Info
chamberlain grads

Chamberlain grad? Save on tuition 

Earning your MSN is closer than you think, Chamberlain alumni are eligible to save $100 per credit hour, for a total savings of $3,600.

MSN FNP Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who focuses on comprehensive healthcare for families and family members across all ages and demographics, body systems and diseases. They fill a void in primary care, especially in rural regions or areas with physician shortages.

FNPs deliver a range of acute, chronic and preventive healthcare services. In addition to diagnosing and treating illness, FNPs perform routine checkups, health-risk assessments, administer immunizations and screening tests. They offer personalized counseling on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and education in the prevention of illness. The FNP specialty track prepares you for a variety of practice settings,* including:

  • Family Practice
  • College Health Retail Clinics
  • Women's Health Pediatric
  • Primary Care
  • Internal Medicine

*Some careers may require several years of experience in addition to educational credentials.

Is this a Master of Science in Nursing FNP online program? 

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Track features 100% online coursework. The FNP curriculum consists of 45 specialty track credit hours, these online FNP courses will be completed in addition to 650 onsite lab and clinical hours.

I’ve never taken an online course before and I’m a little nervous. How do I prepare myself for online FNP learning?

Chamberlain has several resources that can help you become acclimated to the online FNP program classroom. Once you apply you will have access to Chamberlain Care Student Success Strategies, which provides information on time management, scholarly writing, using the library and more. You can also ask your admissions representative for a personal tour of the online environment in which you will be taking classes.

Are campus visits required?

Campus visits are not required, the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track has 45 credit hours of FNP online coursework. The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track does require two visits; one for the immersion experience as part of NR-509, and one for intensive as part of NR-667.

How can I find out if I qualify for tuition savings?

Your admissions representative can help identify if you qualify for tuition savings through a partnership with your employer, community college or association. Alternatively, you may qualify for a scholarship or grant.

Do I have to find my own preceptor?

Before starting the MSN-FNP program, you do not need to identify a preceptor. Once you complete the application process, your admission representative will provide you with information on how to identify a potential practicum site and preceptor. After that you will be matched with a dedicated team to support you in securing your practicum site and preceptor. As an added service to you, our experiential learning team is available to assist in the preceptor and site matching process.

Join a Proudly Accredited Institution

View our Accreditations, State Authorizations and more

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In addition to a university accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and multiple program accreditations from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).† Chamberlain continuously earns new approvals from respected agencies across the nation.

For a complete list, check out our authorizations or view our approvals in your state. 

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Distinguished Accreditations

Chamberlain University College of Nursing was named a Center of Excellence™ in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing for promoting the pedagogical expertise of faculty.