OVERVIEW
Become a Family Nurse Practitioner—Online, On Your Schedule
Do you want to take your nursing career to a new level and deliver cost-effective, holistic, high-quality primary care to individuals, families, and communities as a family nurse practitioner?
91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC FNP) is aÌýcutting-edge post-graduate certificate programÌýfor nursesÌýwho have already earned their MSN and wish to become advanced practice registered nurses.Ìý
This nurse practitioner certificate focuses on the courses you need to become a Family Nurse Practitioner; you will not repeat coursework from your MSN program.
NOTE: Due to the clinical requirements of this program, the Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate is currently NOT available to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, New York, North Dakota, and Washington.
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above,Ìýmust complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state.ÌýSee more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More aboutÌý.ÌýYou can alsoÌýcompare post-master's certifications to MSN programs.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner program requires you to travel to and attend one three-day FNP SageSkills Workshop located at a 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Clinical Learning and Simulation Center (Sim Center). Please see map below to identify your travel-to Sim Center location.
This program can be finished withinÌýÌý
1 Year
This is dependent on transfer credit and how quickly you move through core coursework. Please note the clinical components of this program are set.Ìý
Tuition per six-month term is
$7,465
This includes tuition and all associated program fee costs. Tuition and fees charged per 6-month term—rather than pay per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their degree!
This is a highly competitive program.
97%
Currently, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø's Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate program is accepting applications from a limited number of students. The required FNP SageSkills Workshop and Clinical Internship in this degree make it a highly practical and demanding program of study.
COURSES
Post-Master's Certificate
Family Nurse Practitioner Courses
Program consists of 10 courses
If you have already taken any of the three Nurse Practitioner Core courses or their equivalent, you will have the option to transfer those credits, lowering the total number of classes you need to take and decreasing the time to earn your post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner certificate.
The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Post-Master's Certificate FNP curriculum is evidence-based. It's designed to make you an effective and caring nurse practitioner and healthcare provider. Courses in this online nursing degree are consistent with the NONPF (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties) standards for nurse practitioners.
This is not an acute or emergency care practitioner program. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø's mostly online program provides the knowledge and skills needed to sit for the national FNP certification exam and obtain state licensure.Ìý
This program consists of the following courses, which you will typically complete one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on.ÌýNotice: Students in the state of Kansas who intend to seek licensure in Kansas who started on or after March 1st, 2025 will be required to complete 750 direct patient care hours.
10 Courses
Program consists ofÌý10 courses
At 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Field Experiences
Special requirements for this program
While most of your coursework will be completed online, your nursing program includes some requirements.ÌýA few of these include clinical internships at a facility near you and one three-day FNP SageSkills Workshop at a 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Clinical Learning and Simulation Center.
Skills For Your Résumé
As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.Ìý
- Care Coordination:ÌýSuccessfully educated patients on disease processes and treatment plans using credible sources, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health and treatment.
- Clinical Reasoning: Expertly evaluated outcomes of patient care plans to prioritize and modify the plans according to the patient's changing status and needs, ensuring personalized and effective care delivery.
- Health Promotion: Implemented health improvement programs for individuals, cohorts of patients, families, populations, or groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention, or self-care management, positively impacting the health and well-being of diverse populations.
- Acute Care:ÌýApplied in-depth knowledge of patients' pathophysiology when analyzing lab data, test results, physical assessment data, telemetry, invasive monitoring, and vital signs, leading to accurate and comprehensive patient assessments.
- Care Delivery Process: Proficiently assessed the efficacy of nursing data to increase value in nursing interventions, nursing services, and patient outcomes, promoting continuous improvement in patient care and nursing practices.
- Data Analysis: Analyzed data to identify populations at-risk to health issues, enabling targeted interventions and preventive measures to enhance community health and reduce health disparities.
“Our partnership with 91³Ô¹ÏÍø enables our employees to advance their education affordably without interrupting their careers.â€
—John Steele, Senior Vice President of Human Resources
HCA Healthcare
Why 91³Ô¹ÏÍø?
Valued
Top accreditations mean that your FNP degree is respected by employers and peers. You will get a quality education that is valuable in the industry.
Flexible
You can continue workingÌýat your full-time job or maintaining your responsibilities while pursing your FNP degree. You don't have to log-in to classes and there aren't due dates. You are in charge of your degree.
Strong Alumni Network
When you enroll in this nursing master's program at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, you join an impressive network of healthcare professionals.
Accredited, Respected,
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One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.Ìý
Ìý
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ().
COST & TIME
AnÌýAffordable Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—91³Ô¹ÏÍø helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.Ìý
Note: The Post-Master's Certificate FNP program may be completed in as little as 1 year.
A Post-Master's Certificate Is Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
Most 91³Ô¹ÏÍø students qualify for financial aid, and 91³Ô¹ÏÍø is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.Ìý
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
*91³Ô¹ÏÍø undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to theÌýInstitute for College Access and Success (2022).
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
An Online Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Program Built for a Busy Nurse’s Schedule
91³Ô¹ÏÍø offersÌýunparalleled flexibilityÌýto work with your busy schedule. Online coursework and tests are available anytime, anywhere. Our commitment to education means that you move through your courses as quickly as you demonstrate mastery of the material.ÌýYour prior experience and education can help you complete your courses more quickly.
Once you’ve mastered the material,Ìýyou prove what you know through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments.ÌýDemonstrating mastery is how you pass a course, so learning what it takes to be outstanding in your career as an effective nurse practitioner is at the heart of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum.
"91³Ô¹ÏÍø has a wonderful learning platform where you can learn and succeed at your own pace, and they have mentors and course instructors to guide you along the way..â€
—Breann Dickey
M.S. Nursing
CAREER OUTLOOK
A Family Nurse Practitioner Master's Prepares You to Deliver Primary Care with a Comprehensive Perspective
Working as a nurse practitioner is aÌýrewarding career where helping others is at the forefront.ÌýAs an FNP, you’ll provide care to families, improving patient outcomes while serving your community.
In addition to the clinical skills you’ll develop, you will be prepared to:
- Lead interprofessional healthcare teams
- Help shape healthcare policy
- Make business decisions in order to deliverÌýhigh-quality, cost-effective healthcareÌý
- Work in a wide variety of settings to provide care to patients
A rewarding career starts with a respected degree which is what you get at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø. Our FNP education prepares eachÌýgraduate to work independently in delivering healthcare to individuals and families. If you enjoy caring for others, you may find a career as a family nurse practitioner particularly rewarding.
Return on Your Investment
Many 91³Ô¹ÏÍø graduates may see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary from all degrees. Source:Ìý2024 Harris PollÌýof 1,655 91³Ô¹ÏÍø graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one 91³Ô¹ÏÍø degree since 2017.
40%
Projections indicate that employment of nurse practitioners will grow 40% by 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
91³Ô¹ÏÍø's Post-Master's Certificate—Family Nurse Practitioner Grads Can Expect Rewarding Careers
Primary care FNP careers you can pursue after graduating with a post-master's certificate from 91³Ô¹ÏÍø include:
- Outpatient primary care and specialty clinics
- Family practice clinics
- Urgent care clinics
- Women's health clinics
- Community service centers
- Pediatric clinics
- Hospitals
- Retail health centers
- Corporate wellness centers
- Telehealth clinics
- Community health centers
- Rural health centers
- Federal qualified health centers
- Chronic pain
91³Ô¹ÏÍø Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers
Hospitals and clinics around the country know the benefit of a degree from 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, so your healthcare degree is valuable.
ADMISSIONS
Admissions Requirements UniqueÌý to our Post-Master's Certificate, Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Program
To be considered for this program, you must:
- Possess an M.S. in Nursing or Terminal Nursing Degree (e.g., DNP, PhD)Ìýfrom an accredited institution or state board of nursing-approved program.
- Possess a current, active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license from AND a permanent residence in an approved state. Students must complete the internships in their state of residence/license and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state.ÌýÌýmust be endorsed by your state of residence. (The Post-Master's FNP is currently not available for students in California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, New York, North Dakota, and Washington.)
- Submit aÌýcriminal background checkÌýthrough DISA Healthcare Technology. Additional fees may apply.
- Submit aÌýprofessional resume or CVÌýoutlining your academic, professional, and service history.ÌýÌý
- Submit anÌýapplication essay. You must submit a response to the application essay questions detailing your experience in nursing and explaining why you want to become an NP. This essay helps us understand your unique situation and personal goals.
- ProvideÌýthree letters of recommendationÌýfrom:Ìý
1. A supervisor or manager who directly supervised you in a clinical setting.
2. A professor, faculty member, or academic advisor who can provide meaningful input regarding your academic record.
3. A Board Certified practicing healthcare provider (APRN, NP, PA, MD, DO) who has served as a mentor or whom you have shadowed, preferably in the specialty to which you are applying. Note: A registered nurse cannot serve as the practicing provider for this recommendation source.
- Have one year of clinical experience and be actively working as an RN at the time of application. *This requirement is strongly preferred, as these will be competitive factors in the admission decision-making process.
Transfer Credits
91³Ô¹ÏÍø offers a generous transfer policy, but many graduate level degrees do not allow for transfer credits. Some graduate programs allow the transfer of individual courses or certifications and others do not. Please speak to an Enrollment Counselor for the specifics of your desired program. You will still need to send in your transcripts to validate your bachelor's degree—this can be done independently or with our free transcript service.Ìý
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Enrollment Counselor.
Safety Notice
91³Ô¹ÏÍø and the Leavitt School of HealthÌýare committed to the health, safety, and well-being of all patients, community members, and key stakeholders that interact with 91³Ô¹ÏÍø students at various clinical/host sites.ÌýInteractions will include direct patient interaction, observation experiences, and in-person FNP SageSkills Workshop. Interactions may include project development or conducting research. Standard compliance verification for students in applicable LSH programs is required to protect the public, meet LSH program expectations, reasonably assure compliance with state regulatory board requirements, meet 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s contractual and legal obligations with clinical partners, and support 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s mission to prepare students who will be qualified to enter their desired field. Compliance items may include, but are not limited to, background checks, immunizations, and drug screens as needed.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø offers certifications for Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Other nurse practitioner certifications include pediatric, acute care, adult-gerontology, and women’s care, among others.
While both registered nurses andÌýnurse practitionersÌýfocus on patient observation and care,Ìýnurse practitioners canÌýprescribe treatments, order tests, and diagnose patients—duties normally performed by physicians—that RNs cannot. Registered nurses usually work under a physician who determines patient care, diagnoses, and follow-up. Typically, nurse practitioners have greater autonomy and responsibility due to their advanced education, training, and experience.
The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø FNP program culminates with three clinical internship courses that together consist of 650 precepted direct patient care clinical hours.Ìý
You will work with preceptors in clinics in your local community, as available, to train in the provision of primary care. To do so, you will need to be in clinical sites that allow you access to patients across the lifespan, with sufficient experiences in treating the wide variety of conditions and full spectrum of complexity found in primary care.
No. You can only complete clinical hours within the states where 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s FNP program is currently offered and where you possess a current, unencumbered RN license.Ìý
91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s FNP program is currently offered in the following states:ÌýAlabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Yes. Students will work with the Clinical Experience Team to submit potential clinical sites and preceptors for approval. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø will evaluate the appropriateness of each clinical site and preceptor and provide approval as appropriate.Ìý
Yes. The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø FNP program prepares you to take the FNP national certification exam of your choice from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Program.
Students are responsible for paying the travel, lodging, food, and other associated costs to participate in the clinical internship rotations and FNP SageSkills Workshop.Ìý
Any clinical hours completed at your current place of employment must not be part of your regular employment responsibilities or schedule. While your current place of employment may be approved as a clinical site, your preceptor may not be your employment direct supervisor.Ìý
The number of clinical sites that you need is based on how well each site prepares you to meet the core 91³Ô¹ÏÍø FNP competencies. Collectively, the clinical sites must provide you with access to patients across the lifespan, with sufficient experiences in treating the wide variety of conditions and full spectrum of complexity found in primary care.Ìý
The FNPÌýSageSkills Workshop is an immersive three-day learning experience conducted in-person at a 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Clinical Learning and Simulation Center. The FNP SageSkills Workshop occurs during the term prior to the clinical internship and must be completed prior to starting clinical internship courses. The purpose of the workshop is to allow you to practice and demonstrate competence in procedural and clinical skills before beginning your precepted clinical practice. The ambulatory skills taught and evaluated include suturing, splinting, casting, skin biopsies, joint injections, as well as other ambulatory care skills.ÌýAdditionally, students will complete objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) with standardized patients (SPs) to prepare them to take on the role of provider. Upon completion, you will be ready to maximize the time with your clinical preceptors in perfecting your ambulatory skills in the clinical internship courses.
An NP MSN program can take about two and a half years with an accelerated program like the one we offer at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø. If you are not already a registered nurse, it can take as many as six to eight years of courses, certification, and training to earn a degree as a nurse practitioner (NP). Nurse practitioners need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, and also must pass the APRN certification exam.
- Be a registered nurse with a BSN and experience in the field
- Earn your MSN-FNP degree
- Earn your state license and certification (each state has unique requirements, so be sure to understand what your state will require)
If you want to become a nurse practitioner more quickly, consider an online degree program that will allow you to accelerate your coursework and move at your own pace.
Yes. Patience is key if you're looking to get into NP school. Nurse practitioner programs are highly competitive. Elements like good grades in your BSN program and experience as an RN are taken into account.Ìý
91³Ô¹ÏÍø is approved to offerÌýfederal student aid. You will need to apply using the FAFSA, which is used to determine your eligibility for aid. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s FAFSA school code is 033394.
Scholarships are available for new 91³Ô¹ÏÍø students and returning graduates.ÌýÌýabout scholarship opportunities and how they can help you pay for school. Get information on:
- How to apply
- Eligibility requirements
- Examples of scholarships
- What happens after you apply
- FAQs
- Other financial aid options
91³Ô¹ÏÍø's tuition is a flat rate that is charged every six months. You can take as many courses as you are able in that six-month term—with no extra cost. You simply pay for the term and do as much work as you can or want to during that time. This means that finishing faster helps you save money—a major benefit you won't find at most other schools.Ìý
