What to Expect in Chamberlain’s MSN-FNP Program

Earning an advanced nursing degree is an exciting step to take in your career. It’s an experience that is both challenging and rewarding. Becoming a family nurse practitioner is a worthwhile career choice for nurses, with opportunities to develop long-term relationships with patients and work more independently. Chamberlain's online FNP program provides the flexibility you need and faculty who provide individualized support.

For nurses interested in earning their Master of Science in Nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track, there are some key things to be aware of before entering the Chamberlain FNP program option. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect at Chamberlain while preparing for your career as an FNP.

Chamberlain FNP Course Schedule and Curriculum

As a part of Chamberlain's FNP program's curriculum, you will progress to the FNP specific courses after you complete your core master's courses. The FNP specific courses include:

• Population Health, Epidemiology and Statistical Principles
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Physical Assessment
• Leadership and the Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

Download Chamberlain University's MSN FNP curriculum plan.

The program is designed to be completed over two and a half years, with students taking one course every eight weeks.

Once you have completed the above courses, you are ready to begin your clinical courses. These include:

• Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care Practicum
• Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum
• Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family Practicum
• Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice Across the Lifespan Practicum
• Capstone Practicum

You’ll get a taste of the practicum experience when you take the Advanced Physical Assessment course.

This course is designed to prepare you for your first practicum course where you will be seeing patients with your preceptor at an outpatient primary care site. The Advanced Physical Assessment course culminates with the Immersion experience where you will go to a designated location to work directly with faculty to hone your assessment skills.

After completing the Immersion experience, you are ready to begin fulfilling your clinical hours. Each of the five consecutive practicum courses has a 125-hour clinical component in addition to the online didactic part of the course. These hours must be completed over the seven and a half weeks of the course.

How Long is Chamberlain's FNP Program?

You can complete Chamberlain University's MSN-FNP in 8 semesters. With this program, 100% of coursework is completed online. The online coursework is complemented by two in-person weekends and your on-site practicum experience.

The Chamberlain University FNP Clinical Experience

It’s important to understand the impact that the clinical hours component will have in terms of scheduling your time for work and family. Most students will not be able to maintain their full work schedule unless they receive support in other aspects of their life.

The 125 clinical hours equate to about 16 hours per week. This time can be worked out according to the student and preceptor’s schedules so the actual hours per week can vary depending upon individual circumstances.

Post-program

Once you have completed the Chamberlain FNP program you will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination as a Family Nurse Practitioner from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). After successfully passing the exam, you will then be eligible for licensure in your state.

Always remember, our faculty are here to ensure your success and help you gain the necessary skills to treat patients of all ages. We encourage you to communicate with them as you progress through the program.

Ready to get started? Request more information now. 

By Chamberlain University