DNPPrograms.com

  • FAQ
    • Accreditation
    • BSN to DNP Programs
    • Choosing a DNP Program
    • DNP vs. PhD
    • Paying for your DNP
  • Specialties
    • Clinical Nurse Specialist
    • Nurse Anesthetist
    • Nurse Educator
    • Nurse Executive
    • Nurse Midwife
    • Nurse Practitioner >
      • Family
      • Gerontological
      • Neonatal
      • Pediatric
      • Psychiatric/Mental Health
      • Women’s Health
  • States
    • Alabama
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • District of Columbia
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Online Programs
You are here: Home / Specialties / Nurse Practitioner Programs / Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

AdvertisementFeatured Schools

School Name Program Name More Info
Regis College Online MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program website
Regis College Online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program website
Sacred Heart University Online Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program website

In the eyes of a family, an FNP may be the most important medical care provider of all. Ready to submit your applications for the DNP? Feel free to skip ahead to our program listings. But if you’re looking for tips on FNP certification requirements, an inside look at the DNP degree, and examples of DNP capstone projects, read on!

Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner

The Modern Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioners – otherwise known as FNPs – are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide primary care to patients of all ages. Like GPs of old, FNPs often become trusted medical advisers to families. They may be responsible for treating acute illnesses, managing chronic conditions, conducting physicals and diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and counseling families on better health and wellness.

This last task is also one of the most important. A large part of a FNP’s job is focused on disease prevention, health promotion, and holistic care. Regardless of the setting – be it a doctor’s office, a rural clinic, a private home, a school, or a hospital – FNPs act as patient advocates, helping families deal with complex healthcare systems. Although many FNPs work under the supervision of a clinical physician, some run their own private practices. Others take up leadership positions as hospital administrators, researchers, or healthcare policy makers.

FNP Certification Requirements

Once you have completed graduate nursing education, you have 2 major options for FNP certification. The first is the Family Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (FNP-BC) credential offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The second is the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) credential offered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

There is a lot of debate about which FNP credential is better to pursue. However, most FNP nurses claim there is absolutely no difference when it comes to job applications. When in doubt, talk to your mentors and check with your State Board of Nursing for advice. Regardless of your choice, your DNP program should clearly state that it is accredited and able to prepare you for FNP certification exams. If you can’t find information about certification exam pass rates on the program website, ask the school to provide you with the statistics.

FNP-BC Requirements

  • Hold a current, active RN license.
  • Hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
  • Complete a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours during your family nurse practitioner program.
  • Complete graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology, as well as coursework in health promotion/maintenance, differential diagnosis, and disease management.
  • Pass the national FNP-BC exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
  • Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.

FNP Requirements

  • Hold a current, active RN license.
  • Hold a master’s, post-master’s, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
  • Complete a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours during your program.
  • Complete APRN core courses in advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology.
  • Pass the national FNP exam administered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
  • Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.

Helpful Professional Organizations

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
  • American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
  • American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC)
  • Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE)
  • National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC)
  • National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)

The Family Nurse Practitioner DNP

Typical DNP Curriculum

Most FNP programs are listed as “graduate tracks” or “concentrations” in DNP degrees. In other words, you start by taking general APRN courses and gradually concentrate on family health. Good DNP programs tend to focus on 3 pillars of learning:

  1. Advanced clinical skills
  2. Nursing leadership
  3. Evidence-based theory & practice

Look for DNPs that give you plenty of primary care experience with a variety of clients (e.g. vulnerable populations, infants, hospice patients, etc.) in a range of settings (e.g. rural homes, inner city hospitals, specialty clinics, etc.). And take advantage of every on-site resource. For example, to give your independent DNP capstone project extra heft, you may wish to work with your university’s medical research center.

Make no mistake – the DNP is a long haul. Because of FNP certification requirements, the curriculum must cover key APRN courses such as advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology. To meet AACN’s Essentials of Doctoral Education, the program will also include classes such as healthcare policy, information technology, biostatistics, healthcare delivery systems, and evidence-based practice. Happily, most programs will allow you to focus on a sub-specialty (e.g. cardiology, urology, gerontology, orthopedics, critical care, etc.).

Experience Requirements

Experience requirements for DNP programs differ from school to school. You may be asked to have 3-5 years of clinical experience as an RN or you may simply be required to provide proof of work in primary care. Most universities recommend that you spend some time shadowing a primary care provider (e.g. physician or NP) in a related setting. The more clinical hours you’ve amassed dealing with patients of different ages and populations, the better your chances for acceptance.

Examples of DNP Capstone Projects

  • Implementation of an Evidence-Based Educational Workshop and Toolkit: Menopausal Women’s Healthcare Needs for the Primary Care Provider. (University of San Francisco)
  • Implementing Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations to Address Adult Obesity: A Practice Change in Primary Care. (West Virginia University)
  • Patient Care Enhancement of Acute Viral Upper Respiratory Illness. (Frontier Nursing University)
  • Using a DNP-Led Transitional Care Program to Prevent Rehospitalization in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

DNP Programs with a Family Nurse Practitioner NP Focus

Alvernia University

Reading, Pennsylvania
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice

Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner DNP
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP

Augsburg College

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Post BSN DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN required for:
Post MSN DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
MSN required for:
Post Master's DNP

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
BSN required for:
Online Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner Track (BSN entry)

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP - FNP)

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, Colorado
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP - FNP)

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

CUNY Hunter College

New York, New York
MSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner DNP

Delta State University

Cleveland, Mississippi
MSN required for:
Post Master's (FNP) - DNP
Post Master's (Non FNP)

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
BSN required for:
BSN to DNP- Family Nurse Practitioner

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Fairfield University

Fairfield, Connecticut
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Florida International University

Miami, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP - Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nursing Practitioner
MSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Specialty for Nurse Practitioners

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Jacksonville University

Jacksonville, Florida
BSN required for:
BSN to DNP - FNP

Kent State University at Kent

Kent, Ohio
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Post-BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-BSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Family Nurse Practitioner

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana
BSN required for:
BSN to DNP - Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Boston, Massachusetts
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
RN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
BSN required for:
BSN to DNP (Family/Individual)

Moravian College

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky
BSN required for:
BSN - DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Omaha, Nebraska
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Family Nurse Practitioner

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, Ohio
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Accreditation: ACEN
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
BS-DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, Oregon
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Pace University-New York

New York, New York
MSN required for:
FNP - DNP

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, Connecticut
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Post-Bachelor's DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, Pennsylvania
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

Provo, Utah
BSN required for:
Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice (Family Nurse Practitioner)

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois
BSN required for:
Family (DNP)

Rutgers University

Newark, New Jersey
BSN required for:
Post Baccalaureate DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
Post Baccalaureate DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
Post Baccalaureate DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care
Post Baccalaureate DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care

Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, Indiana
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice

Salisbury University

Salisbury, Maryland
BSN required for:
Post-Bachelor's to DNP (FNP)

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, California
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Post Baccalaureate DNP/FNP

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Family Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Family Nurse Practitioner

The College of Saint Scholastica

Duluth, Minnesota
BSN required for:
BSN to DNP - Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Memphis, Tennessee
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Dual Concentration in Adult-Gerontology and Family Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Dual Concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nursing

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee
BSN required for:
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
BSN required for:
Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Track

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Post Baccalaureate Family Nurse Practitioner

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Bethesda, Maryland
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP)

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, California
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Maryland-Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Family

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester

Worcester, Massachusetts
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Michigan-Flint

Flint, Michigan
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, Nebraska
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Advanced Emergency Nursing (Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Dual Role NP)
Family Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric (Family) Nurse Practitioner

University of South Florida-Main Campus

Tampa, Florida
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, Texas
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Washington-Bothell Campus

Bothell, Washington
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, Washington
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, Washington
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN required for:
MSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Viterbo University

La Crosse, Wisconsin
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN required for:
Post MSN to DNP - FNP/AGNP

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN required for:
Post MSN to DNP - AGNP to FNP
Post MSN to DNP - FNP to PHMP

Washington State University - Vancouver

Vancouver, Washington
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
D.N.P. Family Nurse Practitioner

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
BSN required for:
Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN required for:
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner

Copyright © 2019 · Degree Prospects, LLC · About This Site | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use