Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Online

Advance your nursing practice and prepare to deliver superior care to patients of all ages with our CCNE-accredited MSN – FNP online program, designed to be flexible and accessible for working professionals like you.

Apply by 1/3/25
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Consider the MSN – FNP online program at NKU

Equip yourself with the clinical experience, knowledge, and qualifications you need to become an advanced practice Registered Nurse by earning your Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from Northern Kentucky University. This quality online program prepares you to provide a full range of primary healthcare services, make referrals, and serve as an educator, counselor, and advocate for patients of all ages. As a graduate, you will be eligible to take the FNP certification examination.

The program's coursework emphasizes advanced healthcare standards, theory, and evidence-based practice that support delivering primary care across the life span. MSN core curriculum includes interactive courses focused on all aspects of primary care for adolescents and adults, diagnostic reasoning and advanced physical assessment, human pathophysiology, and advanced clinical pharmacology for APRNs. The FNP concentration courses cover pediatrics and adults, clinical residency, and a capstone to synthesize your learning.

In this online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner program, you will:

  • Prepare for your nurse practitioner certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients of all ages
  • Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
  • Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
  • Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations, including patients and providers
  • Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
  • Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
  • Prepare for your nurse practitioner certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients of all ages
  • Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
  • Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
  • Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations, including patients and providers
  • Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
  • Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level

As a graduate and certified family nurse practitioner, you will be prepared to practice in a variety of clinical settings, such as:

  • Family practice clinics
  • Urgent care clinics
  • County and state health departments
  • Primary healthcare
  • Hospice facilities
  • Physician practices
  • Schools
  • Family practice clinics
  • Urgent care clinics
  • County and state health departments
  • Primary healthcare
  • Hospice facilities
  • Physician practices
  • Schools

Also available:

Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of nursing programs online. Learn more about our online healthcare programs.

Total Tuition $34,557
Program Duration As few as 24 months
Credit Hours 48

Accreditation

CCNE Accredited

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.

Tuition Breakdown:

Total Tuition $34,557
Per Credit Hour $578
Niche Best Colleges 2024

Renowned for Quality Nursing Programs

Ranked among the “Best Colleges for Nursing in America” by Niche.com, 2023

Calendar

Jot down these important deadlines

The MSN – FNP online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Fall 210/16/2410/3/2410/8/2410/11/2410/16/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/7/251/10/251/13/25
Spring 23/17/253/5/253/10/253/14/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/254/30/255/5/255/9/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/18/256/23/256/27/256/30/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/3/25
Class Starts 1/13/25
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Admissions

Read the details of our admissions

The admission process is the first step toward earning your MSN – FNP degree online. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.

Admission Requirements:

  • 3.0 GPA or higher on undergraduate coursework
  • Current and unencumbered RN license
  • 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse

MSN – FNP Online Admission Requirements

  • Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
    • If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee; the fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from both a regionally accredited program and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited program
    • Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work and any graduate work completed
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
  • Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date from the state in which you are licensed and practice
  • 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse; fill out the verification form here
  • A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found here.

Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:

NKU Office of Graduate Education
302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099

[email protected]

Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.

Note: The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Licenses are granted by the licensing authority in individual states, and those licensing boards might require an additional exam on laws and regulations specific to that state. Some states may also have other requirements. Out-of-state students who require subsequent licensure by the state of residence (e.g., nursing or education) should check with the state licensure office.

If at any time during your program of study you relocate to another state, restrictions may apply and adversely affect your program progression. Change of state residency may affect student program status. Notify your advisor and concentration coordinator immediately if you plan to relocate.

Courses

Take a look at the online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum

For the MSN – FNP online program, students must complete a total of 48 credit hours, including eight core courses (24 credit hours), six clinical courses (6 credit hours) with a total of 750 clinical hours, and six specialty courses (18 credit hours). Each course is seven weeks in length.

Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination, critique, and evaluation of the theoretical foundations of nursing practice. Appraisal of diverse scholarly resources to inform advanced nursing practice. Identification of a research problem with development of a research question.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores the application and utilization of theories in nursing practice and research. Focuses on the cyclical nature of theory, research, and practice in healthcare settings. Integration of theoretical foundations into advanced nursing practice. PREREQ: MSN 600.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Understanding and analysis of health data for application to evidence-based nursing practice for public health, health promotion, clinical prevention, and population health. Emphasis is placed on the use of health data and the best evidence in the application and evaluation of recommendations to improve health outcomes. Prerequisite: Admission to the DNP program or permission of department; pre or co-req DNP 800 or MSN 602.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores health care issues, policies and economic factors influenced by technological, social, economic, and political factors; availability of and access to health care for varied populations; social distribution of health care, actions for dealing with health care dilemmas, federal and state regulatory programs, and health care financing will be examined.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course aims to cultivate APRNs' skills and knowledge for comprehensive patient evaluation through in-depth study, hands-on practice, and case-based learning. Students learn to conduct patient-centered, safe, and high-quality holistic health assessments while interpreting diagnostic data in patients across the lifespan.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A systems-based approach designed to study the physiology and pathophysiology relating to human health. Integrative regulatory mechanisms responsible for homeostasis and cellular adaptation will serve as the foundation for clinical assessment, decision-making, and management in clinical practice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course students learn the APRN pharmacological management of patients across the lifespan. Students learn the management of pharmacotherapeutics across all major drug classes. Outcomes include appropriate selection, administration, education, and interventions for pharmacological therapy. Emphasis is given to the psychosocial, cultural, ethical, and legal aspects of pharmacological management. Pre-req: MSN 610
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the history and role of Advanced Practice Nurses. This includes an overview of the role of the Advance Practice Nurse as a Provider, Consultant, Educator, Researcher, Collaborator, Leader and Administrator. Selected legal, practice, and ethical issues are explored. Nursing theory is incorporated into the course.
Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Interactive course covering topics related to the primary care of adults, specifically examining the ears, eyes, nose & throat, neurological, psychosocial, dermatological, musculoskeletal, and abdominal systems. Pathophysiology, principles of health promotion and disease prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of common health problems within these systems will be presented.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Interactive course covering topics related to primary care of adults, specifically examining the renal, women’s health & gynecology, fetal development, preconception & prenatal, men’s health, hematological, immunological & respiratory systems. Pathophysiology, principles of health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of common health problems within these systems presented.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Interactive course covering topics related to primary care of adults, specifically examining cardiac and endocrine systems, palliative care, minor emergency care, and common laboratory and diagnostic tests. Pathophysiology, principles of health promotion and disease prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of common health problems within these systems will be presented.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This interactive course focuses on the management of common illnesses affecting and pharmacological management of geriatric patients. Students incorporate principles of health promotion, disease prevention, pathophysiology, and assessment to develop therapeutic management and evaluation strategies for geriatric patients.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses the role of the primary care nurse practitioner in well-child supervision and the clinical management of common pediatric health problems. This advanced pediatric course will integrate principles of child development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, epidemiology, genetics, and cultural considerations in the primary care of children.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The first in a series of courses comprised of a supervised FNP clinical course in a variety of primary care settings. Students will engage in health promotion, problem identification, management of acute and chronic illnesses, integration of advanced assessment, and management of pharmacological and other therapeutic interventions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The second in a series of courses comprised of a supervised FNP clinical course in a variety of primary care settings. Students will engage in health promotion, problem identification, management of acute and chronic illnesses, integration of advanced assessment, and management of pharmacological and other therapeutic interventions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The third in a series of courses comprised of a supervised FNP clinical course in a variety of primary care settings. Students will engage in health promotion, problem identification, management of acute and chronic illnesses, integration of advanced assessment, and management of pharmacological and other therapeutic interventions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The fourth in a series of courses comprised of a supervised FNP clinical course in a variety of primary care settings. Students will engage in health promotion, problem identification, management of acute and chronic illnesses, integration of advanced assessment, and management of pharmacological and other therapeutic interventions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The fifth in a series of courses comprised of a supervised FNP clinical course in a variety of primary care settings. Students will engage in health promotion, problem identification, management of acute and chronic illnesses, integration of advanced assessment, and management of pharmacological and other therapeutic interventions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The sixth in a series of courses comprised of a supervised FNP clinical course in a variety of primary care settings. Students will engage in health promotion, problem identification, management of acute and chronic illnesses, integration of advanced assessment, and management of pharmacological and other therapeutic interventions. Pre-req: MSN 654L
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Practicum synthesizing content from all previous courses in the Advanced Practice Nurse majors. This culminating experience will result in a project synthesizing all previous learning. Pre-reqs: MSN 623, MSN 629, MSN 654L

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