Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

What You Will Learn

Husson University’s MSN – Online Family Nurse Practitioner program will prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need to deliver expert and compassionate care to individuals and families in a primary care setting. You’ll learn from experienced, practicing faculty, following a curriculum designed to ensure that you can work successfully with patients across the lifespan and with traditional, nontraditional and culturally diverse families. Our graduate nursing students have achieved a 95% passage rate on national certification exams, demonstrating the delivery of exceptional education in our online family nurse practitioner programs.

Please visit our state authorizations page to see whether this program is available in your area.

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The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Husson University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a family nurse practitioner?

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who delivers a variety of family-focused health care services to patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors.

FNPs conduct physical examinations, order or perform diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, create treatment plans, and treat acute and chronic diseases, ailments, and injuries. They can do just about anything that falls under the purview of primary care.

FNPs work in a number of settings, such as community health clinics, private practice, health care systems and universities. In some states, they can have their own private practices. In others, they must work under the direct supervision of a medical doctor.

Is a family nurse practitioner a doctor?

A family nurse practitioner does not have a medical degree, so by definition, they are not a medical doctor. Some FNPs do have doctorates, but they are in nursing science. They all have at least a master’s degree.

FNPs undergo rigorous training and credentialing similar to that of a medical doctor and perform many of the same tasks such as prescribing medication and performing physical exams.

FNPs have a wide range of responsibilities, from teaching patients about disease prevention to treating significant illnesses. They can also earn extra certifications in areas such as diabetes, pain management and obesity management. Specialization is not a requirement to be an FNP; many cover general medical practice.

What experience do I need to become an FNP?

You need an advanced nursing degree and proper credentials to be an FNP, as well as any certifications if you choose to specialize. You may also need at least one to two years of professional nursing experience to get an FNP license. Each state has different criteria for licensure.

How to become a nurse practitioner

It starts with going to nursing school to get a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BSN). Once you complete your undergraduate studies, you can apply for graduate school to earn a master’s or doctorate in nursing science. Often, this is something you can do with in-person classes or online.

Some nurse practitioners stop at a master’s degree in nursing science. Others go on to earn their doctorate. To be a nurse practitioner, though, you must have at least a master’s degree.

Husson University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.