Family Nurse Practitioner Overview

Complete MSN-FNP specialty track in as few as 8 semesters of year-round, full-time study

MSN-FNP Overview

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. 

  • 100% online coursework
  • No mandatory login times
  • Learn from FNPs
  • No group work
Our program 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. 
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FNP at a glance:

  • Licensed for all ages (family)
  • Independently diagnose and manage patients
  • Care for their own panel of patients
  • Prescribe medications independently, including controlled substances*
  • Co-manage patients with specialists

*An FNP’s scope of practice is determined by individual State Boards of Nursing.

Classes Begin July 8

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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, body systems and diseases. They deliver a range of acute, chronic and preventive healthcare services. In addition to diagnosing and treating illness, FNPs perform routine checkups, health-risk assessments, immunization and screening tests and can offer personalized counseling on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The FNP specialty track prepares you for a variety of roles** including:

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

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

Curriculum

What will I learn?

Chamberlain's FNP curriculum provides the foundation and support working nurses need as they prepare to expand their nursing practice. View the MSN curriculum (PDF) to learn about the MSN core courses.

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MSN FNP Track Courses

Population Health, Epidemiology, & Statistical Principals
Advanced Pathophysiology
Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals
Advanced Pharmacology for Care of the Family
Advanced Physical Assessment
Leadership and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

Practicum

How do practicum work?

Nursing practicums are courses in which you apply your knowledge and skills in real-life situations. Practicum courses are very different from core courses because they place additional responsibility on you, the learner. To be prepared for practicum courses, it is critical for you to identify and formalize arrangements for your practicum experience as early as possible.

What You Need to Know:

  • Each practicum course contains 125 practicum hours, which must be completed within seven weeks, or approximately 18 hours per week
  • You are responsible for selecting an appropriate site and preceptor; Chamberlain will provide guidance during the admissions process and assistance once you begin your program. Once you've identified your chosen site and preceptor your practicum coordinator will secure the necessary contracts on your behalf.
  • All practicum hours must be scheduled and completed with your selected preceptor during the course and hours may not be carried over to or made up with a future practicum course. (Be sure to include time for illness or preceptor’s absence in your calculation of how many hours per week you may need to complete)
  • You must complete all five practicums in the sequence outlined below

The online learning format helps ensure that life doesn’t get in the way of school and that school doesn’t get in the way of life.

Sue B.

Master of Science in Nursing Program
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Practicum Courses

Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care
Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family
Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family Practicum
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice across the Lifespan Practicum
FNP Capstone Practicum and Intensive
Preceptors and Practicum Sites

Preceptors & Practicum Sites

Once you apply, your admission representative will provide you with information on how to identify a potential practicum site and preceptor. You are responsible for identifying an appropriate practicum site and preceptor. Before starting the MSN FNP program, you do not need to identify a preceptor. However, we require you to identify a potential practicum site before you can enroll in your first class.

What is a preceptor?

  • Serve as a role model for you, while mentoring and directly supervising all aspects of your practicum experience
  • Promote your professional development by strategies for remaining current in the field and engaging in ongoing continuing education
  • Orient you to the practicum site environment and identify appropriate experiential opportunities that align with course outcomes, student learning agreement and needed skills by the end of the practicum course
  • Meet with faculty three times throughout the practicum via conference call to evaluate your progress
  • Provide direct supervision of your practicum hours
FNP Preceptor Resource Manual (PDF)

Preceptor Criteria

You may use a board certified nurse practitioner, medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or a physician's assistant as your preceptor. You will be asked to provide a copy of their CV, medical license and board certification (for NPs only).

Nurse Practitioner Preceptor Guidelines

  • Master’s degree in nursing at a minimum
  • Nationally board-certified as a nurse practitioner
  • Hold an active advanced practice license in the state in which you will conduct your practicum
  • Have at least one year of practice as a nurse practitioner
  • Is not your current supervisor

Tip: It is recommended to have a secondary preceptor and practicum site selected in the event that your initial selection does not meet the requirements or your practicum cannot be completed in time.

Practicum Site Criteria

  • Your practicum site must be an outpatient, primary care setting such as a family practice clinic
  • Your practicum site cannot be in a hospital or inpatient setting. If your preceptor sees patients in a clinic, but also does rounds in a hospital, you can accompany them on rounds but your site must be the clinic location
  • You must spend the first two practicum courses in outpatient, primary care but you may participate in specialty rotations in your final three courses (pending approval)
  • Your practicum site may be the institution where you are currently employed but you must function outside of the RN role and work as a student with your preceptor
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MSN Program FAQs

What if I’m unable to get a preceptor or practicum site on my own?
What technologies will I need to go to class?
Can I switch specialty tracks if I decide I want another concentration during my program? What if I am undecided on my track half way through the program?
How many classes do you recommend I take at a time?
How will I communicate with my professors?
How can I find out if I qualify for tuition savings?

Compliance Requirements

Clinical compliance is required prior to registering for any practicum course. You will be contacted by the Clinical Compliance Coordinator one session prior to the practicum course (during NR-509) and they will provide you with a compliance packet and instructions for submitting the required items. You must have all your compliance items submitted to the Clinical Compliance Coordinator by Friday of week seven in NR-509 or you will not be allowed to register for the practicum course. Your practicum site may have additional compliance requirements for you to meet prior to starting your practicum. If so, the Clinical Compliance Coordinator will be notified by your practicum coordinator once the contract is complete and on file with Chamberlain.

FNP Practicum Resources

Practicum Questions

Call an admission representative at 877-751-5783.

Request Info

Immersion Weekend

What happens during Immersion Weekend?

FNP Immersion Weekend
As part of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) curriculum, you’ll attend an immersion weekend during week 7 of the NR-509 course, Advanced Physical Assessment. The purpose of the immersion weekend is to provide you the opportunity to interact with your professors and fellow students, observe, participate and be evaluated on clinical assessment skills, thus ensuring your preparation for advanced learning within your practicum experiences.

The immersion weekend allows faculty and staff to work with you and assess your clinical competency before entering clinical rotations. The weekend also allows you to further experience Chamberlain Care.™ Extra time is taken to go through an overview of what to expect in NR-511: Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care, your first clinical course. This preparation helps set you up for continued success.

FNP Immersion Weekend Agenda

  • Friday

    You'll arrive leading into the weekend. This allows you time to check in to your hotel and get situated.

  • Saturday

    The immersion itself starts on Saturday morning. The Dean welcomes everyone with an opening keynote before you break out to the skill sessions with your professors.

    During the first day, you will spend time with your professors going through five skill stations learning to gather history and physical exam data pertinent to patient complaints that might be seen in a primary care setting. The following are the complaints you will learn about:

    • Generalized abdominal pain
    • Cough
    • Non-specific headache
    • Sore throat
    • Sinus pain
    • Ear pain
    • Skin rash

    The day ends with dinner and leaves ample time for you to prepare for your demonstration the next day.

  • Sunday

    On Sunday, you perform a full head to toe assessment of a partner in order to advance to practicum courses. Once through, your immersion is complete.

Location

Q Center Training Facility
1405 North Fifth Avenue
St. Charles, IL 60174

*Students are responsible for their travel costs while participating in the immersion weekend. Typical costs include travel to/from Illinois, lodging and meals for 1-2 nights.

Immersion Weekend Questions?

Call an admission representative at 877-751-5783.

Request Info

Tuition & Expenses

What types of financial assistance are available to me?

MSN Program Costs

Chamberlain provides you with individualized support throughout your educational journey beginning with the admissions process. Your admissions representative will work with you to build a schedule that will work with your life and finances, whether that's one class or three. Check out the Net Price Calculator for an estimate of federal and institutional aid. 

View tuition and expenses information for the MSN degree program.

We're Here to Help

Our admissions representatives can help you find out what financial options are available to you.

Request More Info

Financial Aid Options

Chamberlain partners with healthcare institutions, community colleges and associations to provide accessible educational opportunities for registered nurses. Check to see if you qualify for a group-specific tuition rate because of your association with one of our healthcare partners.

Accreditation

Accreditation, State Authorizations & Approvals

Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing program, master's degree in nursing program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation.

CCNE