If you are a registered nurse with a desire to expand your scope of practice and further your advanced nursing skills, you might consider pursuing a post master’s FNP certificate program online.
Online post masters FNP programs help nurses with an MSN to obtain the skills and education necessary to pursue licensure and certification as a family nurse practitioner (FNP).
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Careers for family nurse practitioners are on a fast growth trajectory, with employment opportunities available in a wide variety of primary care settings.
Online Post Master’s FNP Certificate Programs
Online post master’s FNP programs are designed for registered nurses who have clinical experience, a masters in nursing, and a desire to advance to primary care practice as a nurse practitioner.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) can have a wide scope of practice, providing comprehensive primary care for all ages from birth through death. Some nurses may pursue studies and employment focused on specific and specialized age-related care, including pediatrics or geriatrics.
The key concepts of primary care studied in your program may include:
- Advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology
- Health promotion
- Disease prevention
- Evidence-informed family practice
- Clinical health assessment
- Clinical decision-making
- Diagnostic reasoning
- Primary care of patients across the lifespan
- Ethical leadership and advocacy
Graduates are prepared to provide comprehensive patient care, including health promotion, counseling, screening, and patient education.
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MSN nurses who complete an FNP program are eligible to sit for the FNP certification exam. Successfully completing the exam and achieving certification and state licensure allows you to pursue work as a licensed primary care provider.
In addition to addressing patient complaints and acute conditions, family nurse practitioners must be able to perform and interpret overall patient health assessments. Graduates may find career opportunities in various primary care settings, including physician’s offices, emergency settings in hospitals or clinics, family practices, and home health agencies.
Depending on their individual state’s requirements, some FNPs have the option of running their own private practice. If you are interested in educating others, you may pursue employment options in postsecondary nursing instruction.
Family Nurse Practitioner Careers & Salaries
After completing your FNP certification, you may find a variety of career opportunities within the field of primary care.
Primary patient care is needed in various healthcare settings, including physician’s offices and primary care clinics, home health and hospice settings, and urgent care settings. Graduates may also find employment in family planning centers, nursing home facilities, correctional institutions, ambulatory care centers, college campuses, or private businesses.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for nurse practitioners is $120,680.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | $128,360 |
| Nurse Practitioners, Outpatient Care Centers | $127,230 |
| Nurse Practitioners, General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $124,200 |
| Nurse Practitioners, Home Health Care Services | $115,730 |
| Nurse Practitioners, Offices of Physicians | $103,850 |
| Nurse Practitioners, Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $102,380 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Registered Nurses | $77,600 |
| Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers | $77,440 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
Careers for nurse practitioners pay higher than average salaries, with strong job growth predicted to continue. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 46% job growth for NPs over the next ten years.
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Depending on the scope of practice allowed by the state in which you practice, you may be allowed to establish and operate an independent practice. In states with reduced or restricted scopes of practice, you may work alongside a physician, providing primary care in a physician’s office.
FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum & Courses
The required coursework in an online FNP certificate program can vary, but here are some common courses you may come across:
- Advanced Health Assessment: In this course, you’ll examine the holistic assessment process of individuals, with a focus on critical thinking and decision-making.
- Advanced Pathophysiology: This course focuses on common diseases, symptoms, syndromes, and conditions of major organ systems.
- Advanced Pharmacology: This course builds on prior pharmacology knowledge of the effect of drugs on the human system in managing patient health.
- Family Primary Care: In this course, you’ll focus on the prevention and management of patient care, including diagnostic testing, prescriptive treatments, and collaboration with other health professionals.
- Primary Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents: This course introduces you to the care of patients in this age range, from primary care to episodic treatment.
- Primary Care of Adults and Older Adults: You’ll focus on the care and treatment of the adult and older population throughout their lifespan.
- Healthcare of Women Across the Lifespan: In this course, you’ll focus on managing health conditions specific to women, including risk identification.
- Clinical Decision-Making: This course focuses on key assessments and clinical categories that affect clinical decision-making using hypothetical clinical scenarios.
- Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners: This course prepares you to safely manage and prescribe therapeutics in the course of your practice.
- Health Promotion Across the Lifespan: In this course, you’ll use case studies to evaluate healthcare problems with concepts including self-care, healthy technology, healthy lifestyles, and more.
In addition to the courses above, most online FNP programs may require you to take prerequisite courses or fulfill additional licensure requirements needed to practice in certain states.
Admissions Requirements
While admissions criteria vary from school to school, listed below are some common admission requirements for a post masters FNP online program:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from accredited school
- Current and unencumbered nursing license
- Proof of professional work experience as an RN
- Letter of intent outlining your goals and intentions upon completing the program
In addition to the criteria listed above, FNP programs may require you to have earned a minimum GPA in your MSN program. You’ll generally fill out an online application as well, which sometimes includes a fee.
Online FNP Certificate Programs Accreditation
Regional accreditation is the process that ensures a school and its courses meet a predetermined standard of quality.
Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted type of accreditation. Some employers and certification boards may only accept applicants with credentials from a regionally accredited school. In addition, if you are considering pursuing additional education, some schools only accept degrees earned from accredited institutions.
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To find out which schools are accredited by credible organizations, you can visit the US Department of Education’s website.
CCNE Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation for FNP programs is awarded by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CCNE accreditation ensures that a school’s nursing programs and courses align with industry standards and designated criteria.
Programs that CCNE accredits are determined to meet national requirements and promote educational best practices in nursing. Accreditation may impact your eligibility for both industry certification and additional education, as some nursing programs only accept applicants with degrees from CCNE-accredited programs.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
As you explore online post masters FNP programs, you can also consider the various financial aid resources that are available to students who qualify.
If you are currently employed as a registered nurse, you could explore financial assistance options through your employer. Many medical institutions offer tuition assistance, tuition reimbursement, or reduced tuition on healthcare-related education programs.
You can also see if you qualify for student loans or grants from the state or federal government. You can visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more about potential federal aid opportunities.
What Is a Post Master’s Certificate in FNP?
A post-master’s certificate in FNP is an advanced program that prepares registered nurses with an MSN to qualify for certification as a family nurse practitioner.
An FNP’s scope of practice includes comprehensive family primary care. In this type of program, you can develop the skills and knowledge needed to assess and treat patients of all ages. Your topics of study will likely include health maintenance, disease prevention, and health promotion.
Program courses help you further your critical thinking, decision-making, and clinical skills to manage patient health and diagnose and treat common, acute, and chronic conditions.
What Can You Do with an Online Post Masters Certificate in FNP?
By going further than nurses who take advantage of online accelerated RN to BSN programs, graduates who complete their post masters FNP online can go on to pursue certification and state licensure as a family nurse practitioner.
Family nurse practitioners can work in a variety of primary care settings, including physician’s offices, primary care clinics, emergency settings, private practices, and home health care. Some nurse practitioners also seek employment in educational settings, using their knowledge and experience in postsecondary nursing instruction.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for nurse practitioners are on the rise and pay higher than average salaries. Those with experience may go on to pursue senior or leadership roles in the healthcare field.
Is an FNP a Doctor?
While both FNPs and doctors can provide primary care to patients, an FNP is not a doctor. A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in family care. They are certified to provide comprehensive primary care.
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Depending on state requirements, FNPs may or may not be allowed to operate their own primary care practice. Doctors have completed medical school and have more options for setting up their own medical practice. FNPs frequently work alongside or in place of doctors in providing high-quality primary care to patients, but they are not medical doctors.
How Long Does It Take to Get an FNP Post Master’s Certificate Online?
Many FNP certificate programs online can be completed in 1 to 2 years, depending on your schedule. The two main variables in completion time are your course schedule and clinical requirements.
If you can take courses full-time, you may be able to complete your certificate program in 16 months or less. Many programs require a minimum number of supervised clinical hours, with some requiring on-campus visits. The specified number of clinical hours will also determine the total time needed to complete your certificate program.
What’s the Difference Between an Online Post Masters FNP Certificate vs. Certification?
Students who complete their post masters FNP certificate online have completed courses that provide them with the knowledge needed to take the FNP board certification exam.
Here are some key distinctions between the academic certificate and the professional certification.
| Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate | FNP Certification |
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Graduates who complete their certificate program are not able to practice primary care until they receive FNP certification and complete their state’s licensing requirements.
Is a Post Master FNP Online Certificate Worth It?
Yes, a post master FNP online certificate is worth it for many students. With official FNP training, registered nurses with an MSN can pursue family nurse practitioner certification and expand their career opportunities to include primary care across the lifespan.
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FNPs may find fulfilling and satisfying careers in their communities providing comprehensive primary care, either in their own practice or in a number of other primary care settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 46% over the next ten years, which is much faster than average for all other occupations.
Universities Offering Online Post Masters FNP Certification Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Drexel University offers a Post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program. Graduates are eligible to sit for either the AANP or the ANCC certification exam. Previous graduates have had a 100% pass rate. The program features synchronous online lectures and class discussions, on-campus intensives, and a clinical practicum.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Duquesne University offers an online program for a Family Nurse Practitioner Post-master’s Certificate. GRE scores are not needed to apply, and the school offers three start dates each year. The program includes a combination of online coursework, on-campus labs, and clinical hours that may be completed locally. The curriculum seeks to prepare graduates for AANP and ANCC certification exams.
Duquesne University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
George Washington University offers an online Post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program that is designed to help students expand the scope of their nursing practice. There are two tracks offered, one that requires 30 credits and one that requires 17 credits, depending on the student’s previous master’s-level coursework. The program was designed with professional working nurses in mind.
GW is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Grand Canyon University offers a Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program designed for those who already have a Master of Science in Nursing. Students must complete 37 credits to graduate. Each course is 16 weeks long and can be completed online. Potential courses include Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, and Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning with Skills Lab.
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Herzing University offers a Post-master’s FNP Certificate. Coursework can be completed online, and students can potentially finish the program in 16 months. The curriculum seeks to prepare students for AANP and ANCC exams. The program requires the completion of 33 credits and 585 clinical hours.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indiana State University offers an online Family Nurse Practitioner Post-master’s Certificate program. There are no required on-campus visits, and students are responsible for arranging their own clinical placements. The program requires the completion of 26 credit hours and can typically be finished in about 16 months.
Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Maryville University’s Post-master’s FNP Certificate program features coursework that is 100% online and allows students to complete clinical hours locally. Courses are designed to be flexible so students can study on their own schedules. The program requires the completion of 11 courses, and it can usually be finished in 2 years.
Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Northern Kentucky University’s Post-master’s FNP Certificate program is available online. It requires the completion of 35 credit hours and can potentially be finished in 22 months. Each course is 7 weeks long, and there are six start dates every year. This program is only open to those who have already worked 1,000 clinical hours as an RN.
Northern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Regis College offers a Post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program that can be completed online. It can potentially be finished in just 1 year. The program does not require any campus visits but does require at least 600 clinical hours. Prospective students can apply to begin in the fall, spring, or summer.
Regis College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
Texas Woman’s University offers a Post-master’s FNP Certificate program that can be completed online. Each course is 13 weeks long. New students can start in the spring, summer, or fall. The program requires the completion of 9 courses, six of which feature clinical components. Students typically take just one course at a time.
Texas Woman’s University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Cincinnati offers a Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate. The program is intended for those who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing and who have at least one year of work experience as a nurse. Previous graduates have had a 100% pass rate on certification exams.
The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Massachusetts—Boston has two FNP certificate options, a 12-credit option and a 21-credit option, depending on a student’s previous education and experience. Students in the 21-credit program must complete 600 hours of supervised clinical experience and can typically finish in 2 semesters of full-time study.
The University of Massachusetts – Boston is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Utica University offers a Post-master’s FNP Certificate online program. Class sizes are small, and students receive personalized support. The curriculum prepares students for AANP and ANCC exams. The program requires the completion of 31 credit hours, including a clinical practicum. It can potentially be finished in just 1 year.
Utica University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Vanderbilt University offers a Post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate. The program uses a hybrid format, with some online and some on-campus elements. Students must also complete at least 500 supervised clinical hours. Vanderbilt does aid in finding sites for clinical placement.
Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Wilkes University offers a Post-graduate FNP Certificate online program. Students are required to attend two residencies on campus and complete 584 clinical hours. Wilkes provides support in finding clinical placement sites. Students must complete 30 credit hours to earn the certificate. The program can potentially be finished in less than 2 years.
Wilkes University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Getting Your Post Master’s FNP Certificate Online
If you already have an MSN, pursuing your post-masters FNP certificate online could be a strategic way to expand your career opportunities and broaden your scope of practice as a nurse.
Numerous career options are available for FNPs in primary care settings, including private practices, urgent care clinics, and hospice and home health centers, to name a few. There will always be a need for nurse practitioners with advanced clinical skills and knowledge to provide comprehensive primary care for patients across their lifespan.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your educational and professional journey, you can start looking into online post-master’s FNP programs from accredited universities.
