Welcome to Family Nurse Practitioners.org, the top resource for finding FNP programs and careers online. With hundreds of Family Nurse Practitioner programs in our directory and years of experience running healthcare and nursing websites, we are the best FNP resource on the web.
Family Nurse Practitioners.org is the top guide for finding a Family Nurse Practitioner program online. We have searched the web, as well as sourced specific datasets, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the CCNE, and the ACEN, among others, to find all of the FNP programs online. We then visited each website, reviewed their program, and have provided a summary of the program highlights to help you make your decision in a more timely and informed fashion.
Here are some quick pages you may be most interested in:
- Online FNP Programs
- FNP Programs by State
- Acute Care FNP Programs
- Primary Care FNP Programs
- Neonatal FNP
- Pediatric FNP
- Psychiatric FNP
- Womens Health FNP
- Family Nurse Practitioner Career Guide
Family Nurse Practitioners.org is dedicated to providing information that can help you decide IF a Family Nurse Practitioner career is right for you and WHERE you can study to earn a Family Nurse Practitioner degree. With HUNDREDS of FNP programs in our online, hand-edited directory, you can rest assured Family Nurse Practitioners.org is the best resource when deciding on an FNP program to study.
Finding a MSN or FNP Program
You should fully vet any FNP or MSN program you apply to or consider. There are important questions you should ask: how long is the FNP program? How much is the FNP program? What is the program and university accreditation? What are the types of classes you should expect? What are their career placement rates? If it is an online FNP program - what is the online learning environment like?
Deciding on which Family Nurse Practitioner program to pursue can be difficult - we have provided extensive information to help make that decision a little easier.
Regis College offers multiple online Master of Science in Nursing programs from five specialties, including Pediatric NP, Family NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Women’s Health NP or Adult-Geriatric NP. ACEN Accredited. Regis College also offers an Online DNP program.
Nursing @ Simmons delivers the online Master of Science in Nursing program from Simmons University. The CCNE-accredited program is designed for licensed RNs, who already hold a Bachelor's degree, seeking to advance their careers by earning an MSN in as few as 20 months.
APRNs, earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice online in as little as two years from Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Become a leader in your field and improve health care through evidence-based research. Master of Science in Nursing and RN license required.
Online FNP Programs for Working Nurses
Online family nurse practitioner programs are typically geared towards those who are working in busy facilities, with hours that do not always sync with traditional class times. That is why you can find many online programs that do not require mandatory login or chat times for peer and professor lectures and discussions. Most coursework can be completed on your schedule, as long as you keep pace with the expected timelines the syllabus outlines.
Family Nurse Practitioners play an integral role in the healthcare of families, children, and adults. With the rise of more highly educated nurses comes opportunity for increased career choices, especially with a Master of Science in Nursing. The MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner track is one of the top Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner, or APRN, degree choices for many nurses with their RN license or BSN degree.
What is an Online Family Nurse Practitioner Degree?
For students who have their Bachelors in Nursing and want to learn their graduate level options, online family nurse practitioner programs can be a great option for those who want to serve populations of patients in all age ranges. Many programs can be completed through 100% online coursework, without having to report to campus. These online programs still provide experiential learning by giving students the opportunity to perform clinical experiences at healthcare facilities near their home, or in their current nursing roles. Plus, most healthcare facilities want the most trained and skilled nurses to provide top-quality patient care. With the advancements in technology and data-integrated healthcare, it is more important than ever for nurses to have the skills necessary to work in this rapidly changing field.
Nursing @ Georgetown delivers the online MS in Nursing program from Georgetown University. In as few as 19 months, RNs with a BSN can earn their degrees to pursue certification in an APRN specialty.
Click for admissions informatoin.
Nursing @ USC delivers the online Master of Science in Nursing program from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing. RN and BSN required.
Why Consider a Nurse Practitioner Degree and Career?
The expansion of Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs is mostly due to the demand healthcare facilities, private or public. For some quick numbers — the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, one of the top Nurse Practitioner organizations especially for practicing Family Nurse Practitioners, represents the interests of its 70,000 members and 222,000 nurse practitioners nationwide, and it is growing every year.
A 2017 report from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners referenced a U.S. News and World Report list of the top 100 Best Jobs – Nurse Practitioners were ranked second, with the Dentist profession being sourced as the best job. The Nurse Practitioner career has recently been cited in the same report as one of the top careers. For reference, the past rankings for Nurse Practitioners on the US News Best Jobs list:
2017: 2nd
2016: 6th
2015: 2nd
2014: 4th
Other health care professions ranking in the top 20 include: physician assistants, nurse anesthetists, pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists, nurse midwifes, physical therapists, anesthesiologists, physicians and psychiatrists also listed in the top 20. Registered nurses were also acknowledged and appeared at number 22.
Family Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation
When comparing programs you will want to be sure you enroll in one that will prepare you to take the national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). This certification is governed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is the national organization recognized by state and federal standards for professional practitioners.
Nurse Practitioner Tracks
There are a number of different Nurse Practitioner, or Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner (APRN) program tracks that are specifically tailored toward a specific nurse practitioner career. Use the below tool to learn about the tracks certified by the aforementioned ANCC.
[su_tabs vertical=”yes”]
[su_tab title=”Nurse Practitioner Certifications“]
Nurse Practitioner Certifications
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult Nurse Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
School Nurse Practitioner
Diabetes Management—Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Emergency Nurse Practitioner
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[su_tab title=”Clinical Nurse Specialist Certifications“]
Clinical Nurse Specialist Certifications
Adult Health CNS
Adult-Gerontology CNS
Adult Psychiatric–Mental Health CNS
Child/Adolescent Psychiatric–Mental Health CNS
Gerontological CNS
Home Health CNS
Pediatric CNS
Public/Community Health CNS
CNS Core
Diabetes Management—Advanced
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[su_tab title=”Specialty Certifications“]
Specialty Certifications
Ambulatory Care Nursing
Cardiac Rehabilitation Nursing
Cardiac-Vascular Nursing
Certified Vascular Nursing
College Health Nursing
Community Health Nursing
Diabetes Management—Advanced
Faith Community Nursing
Forensic Nursing—Advanced
General Nursing Practice
Genetics Nursing—Advanced
Gerontological Nursing
Hemostasis Nursing
Home Health Nursing
Informatics Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Nurse Executive
Nurse Executive—Advanced
Nursing Case Management
Nursing Professional Development
Pain Management Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Perinatal Nursing
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Public Health Nursing—Advanced
Rheumatology Nursing
School Nursing
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How Long Does an Online Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Take?
Long story short: an Online FNP program varies for every university. Each nursing school has different requirements that may shorten or lengthen the online FNP program.
However, students can earn their online FNP degree in as little as 8 semesters, depending on the program they choose. These programs help students move quickly through online coursework at the same pace as traditional campus-based offerings. Classes can include lectures that you can watch when your schedule allows, as well as online discussions you can participate in to gain new perspectives provided by your peers and faculty.
What to Expect in the Virtual Classroom
With new technology, online courses also offer clinical simulations and experiences that you can witness and perform without leaving your home. What’s more, faculty can be available by phone, email and other tools in your online dashboard. Now that distance learning technology is so common and advanced, even campus courses utilize the tools that are making online learning so widely available and credible in the eyes of universities and employers across the nation.
Benefits of the Online FNP Degree
What is also beneficial about taking the online approach to earning your FNP is the flexibility in start dates. Since online programs are easier and more efficient to deliver, you can find several online programs that offer up to 6 start dates per year. And if you have not taken your GRE, you can breath easy. Many online FNP programs do not require the GRE for admission.
Top Nurse Practitioner Organizations You Should Know
No matter where you are on your path to becoming an FNP, you should look into the following organizations and associations that can connect you with mentors and like-minded professionals. This is by no means a complete list, but a good place to start spreading your wings and networking while you earn your education.
American Academy of Family Nurse Practitioners (AAFNP)
https://www.aanp.org
If you are going to purse a career as an FNP, this is the first organization you should look into. The AAFNP was formed to give professionals somewhere to turn for resources and information to help further their careers. This association also makes a huge impact in public policy and connecting specialists in the field with students who are seeking guidance. There is a reason corporations and other organizations partner with the AANFP and their 205,000+ members.
American Nurses Association (ANA)
http://www.nursingworld.org
Perhaps the best place to start your search is the ANA, the all-encompassing organization for professional nurses. They have a wealth of professional resources you can take advantage of, no matter what type of FNP you want to become. Whether you want to find work, sign up for conferences or check out their benefits, this is a great organization to join – the gold standard for nursing networks.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
http://www.nursecredentialing.org
This organization is dedicated to promoting quality nursing care on a global scale. They offer credentialing programs that certify nurses in all specialities. They also work with healthcare environments and offer accreditation to colleges, universities and other academic environments where nursing education is offered.
Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)
https://www.npwh.org
Women’s health is always a big topic in healthcare and politics. But no matter what the debate, there is no denying the importance of understanding women’s health issues in the scope of your role as an FNP. The NPWH is dedicated to protecting women’s health through quality care and innovative technology, as well as evidence-based research. They offer educational events and e-learning opportunities for FNP’s to stay in tune with current best practices in care.
American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP)
http://aaenp-natl.org
This organization is on a mission to help NP’s administer quality emergency care to patients of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. FNP’s may have an infinite number of situations where they are dealing with emergency care or aiding those to directly deliver care in urgent situations. This can be a good organization to learn more about and use as an educational and networking resource. They also offer professional opportunities that can help FNP’s move ahead in their career and expand their options for roles in healthcare.
Other Nurse Practitioner Organizations
There are quite a few Nurse Practitioner organizations you should look into when figuring out which nurse practitioner program to pursue. Below are some of the top nurse practitioner organizations, along with a few that overlap into Critical Care and other nursing specialties.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
https://www.ncsbn.org
111 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277
Phone: 312-525-3600
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
http://www.aacn.org
101 Columbia
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-4109
Phone: 800-899-AACN (2226)
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
http://www.gapna.org
East Holly Avenue Box 56
Pitman, NJ 08071-0056
Phone: 866-355-1392
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
http://www.napnap.org
20 Brace Road, Suite 200; Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Phone: 856-857-9700
email: [email protected]
National Certification Corporation
http://www.nccwebsite.org
142 E. Ontario Street, Suite 1700,
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-951-0207
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
http://www.pncb.org
800 South Frederick Avenue, Suite 204
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4152
Phone: (301) 330-2921 or 888-641-2767 (tollfree)
Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology
http://www.apsho.org
3131 Princeton Pike, Bldg. 1 Suite 205 Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
609-832-3000
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
http://www.nonpf.org/
1615 M Street, NW, Ste. 270
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 289-8044
To become an FNP, consider the benefits of enrolling in an online program to further your career without putting your current nursing role on hold.