Online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
Working with families is one of the most rewarding aspects of the nursing profession. Gwynedd Mercy University’s online Family Nurse Practitioner program gives you the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of patients from childhood through geriatric adulthood. Earning an online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree (MSN-FNP) or your Family Nurse Practitioner certificate equips you with the advanced clinical knowledge and skills to meet the complex challenges and changing landscape of family patient care.
The 48-credit online MSN-FNP program includes 720 hours of precepted clinical experience. The program prepares you for the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners exams. In addition, you will be prepared to continue your education to the doctoral level.
The online program provides you with schedule flexibility and convenience. The MSN-FNP degree is a two-year full-time online advanced practice nursing program. Additionally, we strive to allow you to complete your clinicals locally when possible.
The Master of Science in Nursing program at Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The program is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board with full status.
Career Opportunities for Family Nurse Practitioner Graduates
An MSN will benefit your career and FNPs have a myriad of career options from which to choose. Whether you are working in a physician’s office or at a clinic, you will be able to best serve patients across their life-stages with your MSN-FNP.
Roles and Salary Potentialii
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) – Median salary $117,670iii
- Nursing Manager – Median salary $87,542iv
- Nursing Administrator – Median salary $89,573v
- Nurse Researcher – Median salary $81,500vi
- Nurse Advocate – Median salary $ 66,130vii
Curriculum and Course Topics
Our goal through the MSN-FNP program is to make you the best possible nurse so you can excel in providing patients, at any stage in life, the best possible care.
Course topics include an 18-credit core of FNP courses:
- Advanced Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Roles – 3 credits
- Advanced Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Roles – 3 credits
- Advanced Assessment & Lab for Advanced Nursing Roles – 3 credits
- Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles – 3 credits
- Nursing Research Methodology & EBP – 3 credits
- Leadership & Health Policy – 3 credits
Plus, an additional 30 FNP credits:
- Role Transition I – 3 credits
- Role Transition II – 3 credits
- Primary Care I – Introduction – 3 credits/90 hours
- Primary Care II – Newborn (0-5) – 3 credits/90 hours
- Primary Care III – Young Child (6-11) – 3 credits/90 hours
- Primary Care IV – Adolescent (12-18) – 3 credits/90 hours
- Primary Care V – Young Adult (18-29) – 3 credits/90 hours
- Primary Care VI – Middle Adult (30-55) – 3 credits/90 hours
- Primary Care VII – Older Adult (56+) – 3 credits/90 hours
- Primary Care VIII – Women’s Health & Pregnancy – 3 credits/90 hours
For a full-time program, students take a maximum of 9 credits; part-time students take 3-6 credits.
Completing Your Clinical Requirements
The MSN-FNP program requires 720 hours of precepted clinical practice in a professional environment that is different from your current employer. Gwynedd Mercy University has more than 100 partnerships with regional health care affiliates to facilitate your clinical courses.
Our faculty makes finding a location for your clinical requirements, choosing a preceptor and completing the appropriate paperwork as easy as possible. We are committed to your success.
FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Option
If you have already completed your MSN, then an FNP post-master’s certificate program is a great way to add another credential to your professional accomplishments and to position yourself for success.
You may only need to take a handful of courses to earn your FNP post-master’s certificate. Since each student’s prior academic experience is different, we will work with you on an individual basis to determine what courses you will need to take to earn your FNP post-master’s certificate.
Admissions Requirements
Graduate Program
Admissions Requirements:
- Application
- 3.0 GPA minimum requirement
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a college or university accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or Accrediting commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), (previously National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC)), or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)
- Two professional references from employers and one academic reference (these people who have known you for a minimum of one year)
- Personal Goal Statement
- APA format including citations and references with 12-point font and one-inch margins
- Minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 1000 words
- In the statement, identify the following:
- Purpose for attending graduate school
- Discuss the responsibilities of the role that you are pursuing
- Why are you suited for the role that you are pursuing
- How will you incorporate adding graduate school into your life
- Resume
- Evidence of the equivalent of 12 months of clinical practice in the area in which you are applying
- Must be completed within the last three years and prior to beginning the graduate practicum courses
- Official sealed transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- An undergraduate statistics course is required (completed within the last 10 years)
- Valid unencumbered Pennsylvania RN license (Must be PA)
- Maximum of six transferable credits will be evaluated for transfer.
- Must provide the syllabus including course description and student learning outcomes within 30 days of the personal interview
- Personal Interview with the Program Director and/or faculty
*We are currently unable to accept students from the following states: Alabama, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Utah, California, Washington.
Post-Master’s Certificate
Admissions Requirements:
- Application
- 3.0 GPA minimum requirement
- Master’s degree with a major in nursing from a program approved by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Two professional references from employers and one academic reference (who have known the candidate a minimum of one year)
- Personal Goal Statement
- APA format including citations and references with 12-point font and one-inch margins
- Minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 1000 words
- In the statement, identify the following:
- Purpose for attending graduate school
- Discuss the responsibilities of the role that you are pursuing
- Why are you suited for the role that you are pursuing
- How will you incorporate adding graduate school into your life
- Resume
- Evidence of the equivalent of 12 months of clinical practice in the last three years in the area in the area in which you are applying
- Must be completed within the last three years and prior to beginning the graduate practicum courses
- Official sealed transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Valid unencumbered Pennsylvania RN license (Must be PA)
- Maximum of six transferable credits will be evaluated for transfer
- Must provide the syllabus including course description and student learning outcomes within 30 days of the personal interview
- Personal Interview with the Program Director and/or faculty
- Graduate courses in Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics for APN that have been completed within the last five years
*We are currently unable to accept students from the following states: Alabama, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Utah, California, Washington.
Advance Your Nursing Career
Contact an enrollment representative to learn more and advance your nursing career today.
i The Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner program at Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
ii Please note that salary estimates are based on survey data. Actual salaries can vary depending on location, employer and professional work experience and certification.
iii https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
iv https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nursing_Manager/Salary
v https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nurse_Administrator/Salary
vi https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nurse_Researcher/Salary
vii https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nurse_Advocate/Hourly_Rate
Licensure: This program was designed to meet the licensure requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s licensure requirements prior to enrolling in this program. For more information, please visit out Program Licensure Requirements page.