We found 204 online FNP programs at the Masters, Doctorate, or post-master's / graduate certificate levels. The Online Family Nurse Practitioner degree is a growing program, and a program many universities are bringing to an online or hybrid format. Most nurses that enroll in an Online FNP program are currently working as a Registered Nurse, some with only their RN license, and some with their BSN.

Others may be considering going back to school to earn a MSN Nurse Practitioner degree. Others may be considering a Doctorate in Family Nurse Practitioner program, or others may already have an MSN degree and are only seeking the online FNP certification via a post-master's certificate program. With over 200 online FNP programs, there are plenty to choose from.

School Level Program Admissions
Georgetown University Master Online Master's in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP.
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Utica University Master Online MS - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Prepare for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board (AANP).
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Simmons University Master Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program
Scholarships are available for the online Family Nurse Practitioner program at Simmons University.
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Click to view 100% online FNP programs that are taking applications for 2024.

What is an Online Family Nurse Practitioner Degree?

For students who have their bachelor's 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.

Many 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's more important than ever for nurses to have the skills necessary to work in this rapidly changing field.

Who Should Consider an Online FNP Program?

Online family nurse practitioner programs are typically geared towards those who are working in busy facilities, with hours that don't always synch with traditional class times. That's why you can find many online programs that do not require mandatory login or chat times for peer and professor lectures and discussions.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Most coursework can be completed on your schedule, as long as you keep pace with the expected timelines the syllabus outlines. 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.

School Level Program Admissions
St. John Fisher University Master Master of Science in Nursing
4 program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP. Part-time and accelerated tracks available. The Wegmans School of Nursing is ranked among the top 100 nursing schools nationally, and is No. 6 in New York state.
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George Mason University Master Online MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
CCNE Accredited. Prepare to sit for exams from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
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Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track
Discover how to contribute to excellence in healthcare and provide quality, evidence-based and holistic primary care to diverse communities throughout the lifespan.
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Sacred Heart University Master Online MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
GRE/GMAT Not Required.
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Seton Hall University Master Online MSN - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care
CCNE-accredited program, 100% AANPCB exam pass rates for primary care graduates over the past five years.
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Seton Hall University Master Online MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Graduate prepared to sit for ANCC's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing board certification.
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Seton Hall University Master Online MSN - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
CCNE-accredited program, Primary and Acute tracks.
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How Long Does an Online Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Take?

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. 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.

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 haven’t taken your GRE, you can breath easy. Many online FNP programs do not require the GRE for admission.

Sample Top 5 Online FNP Classes

In most online FNP graduate level programs you will take a variety of courses to give you a well-rounded education. The following courses are common for students to gain a firm understanding of the skills needed to be successful in family nursing. You should compare curriculum at several schools to make sure you choose a program that will help you gain the competencies in the area of family nursing you want to pursue. Courses also depend on what specialization you choose, if you decide to take a specific track as part of your studies.

Nurse research methods: Evidence-based research is integral to the practice of nursing in order to provide high quality patient care. This course can help you learn to use research methods and findings for the evaluation and delivery of services. You can also learn how to work on research teams and apply your findings to aid in organizational improvement in a variety of healthcare settings.

Family nursing theory: Understanding the theories for providing family-centered care is critical being effective as a NFP. This type of course can help you identify areas where families can improve deficiencies in helping members who have chronic or terminal illness. You can also analyze the effect of changing social environments on family health, and understand variations across cultural and diverse backgrounds.

Socio-cultural issues: In an increasingly diverse world it is essential that nurses understand the ways socio-cultural issues can have an impact on providing quality care. In this type of course you can learn how ethnicity, occupational and recreational qualities can impact the type of care you need to give patients. Substance abuse, diet and coping mechanisms may also be looked at to understand how to help patients overcome challenges that are common in our culture.

Management of chronic illness: Nurses play a vital role in helping patients manage chronic illness. Helping improve care for these individuals and helping their families understand how to aid in care are important proficiencies for FNP’s to understand. With almost half of the population suffering from chronic disease, these are big issues in the field of healthcare. This course can help you understand different types of illness and how to deliver quality care to patients in the family system.

Family counseling: Counselors aren’t the only professionals who need to understand counseling skills. Whenever challenges arise in families, it takes more than caring and understanding to help them cope. This course can help you learn the strategies for helping families deal with chronic, terminal, and other types of illness. As an NFP you will need to understand mental and emotional problems that arise with a variety of medical conditions. Having the ability to manage group dynamics between family members is a complicated, but important skill to have have as an FNP.