Online Post-Master’s FNP Programs – What’s the Best Program for You?
It’s not uncommon for master’s-prepared nurses to add or change a nurse practitioner specialty. As a nurse who has already earned a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), you can now obtain a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) post-master’s certificate. This type of advanced certificate — which might also be called a post-graduate certificate — is designed to provide you with specialized knowledge geared toward the family nurse practitioner concentration. This program pathway often requires that the student hold an active, unencumbered RN license (and sometimes APRN certification) in order to enroll.
Why Get an FNP Post-Master’s Certificate?
While a family nurse practitioner MSN provides you with a broad and generalized scope of knowledge, the FNP post-master’s certification is more specialized and takes your prior education into account. Obtaining a post-grad certificate also allows you to add another specialty to your expertise, opening up even more employment opportunities. The careers that are open to you as a family nurse practitioner with a post-master’s certificate are similar to those who have an MSN in the field. FNPs are commonly employed in:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Primary care offices
- Private practices
Let’s take a closer look at why you may wish to pursue this type of program.
Pros
- Great option for an MSN-prepared nurse who wants to enter FNP the specialty without enrolling in a longer full degree program
- Most nurses can keep working while they pursue their FNP post-grad certificate
- More cost-effective than a DNP
Cons
- Not available for nurses with undergrad nursing degrees
- Culminates in a certificate and not a degree
- Nurses who wish to enter administrative or other indirect patient care roles within family care may find the DNP a better fit
How to Choose an Online FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Program
Though online options for family nurse practitioners to obtain their post-master’s certificate are becoming more common, it’s important to understand that some programs are actually a hybrid. These might allow you to complete much of the coursework online, but also require that you appear on campus a certain number of times. Students can also choose between full-time or part-time study options.
Prospective students can narrow down their choices by focusing on accredited FNP post-graduate certificate programs only, which are usually required for credentialing purposes.
Because of the wide range of certificates that you can choose to obtain, the number of credits that are required varies. This could also differ depending on the school you attend; most range from 12 to 36. The required clinical hours also increase the length of time that is needed to complete the certificate of your choice.
FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum
Prior to starting a family nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate program, you’ll likely be required to complete advanced pharmacology, advanced physical assessment, and advanced pathophysiology. The rest of the curriculum involves core nursing courses and FNP-related specialty courses. These courses may include:
- Adult-Gerontology Health Care
- Pediatric/Family Health Care
- Professional Role Development
Clinical hours with hands-on patient care are also a part of the FNP post-grad certificate curriculum. Over 700 clinical hours may be required, though this can vary. Online students can arrange a clinical preceptorship in their local area, as long as it is approved by their school.
List of Online Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
Search our listings below to find online and hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate programs near you.
Select Your State:
Alabama
Samford University | Birmingham, AL |
The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL |
Troy University
| Troy, AL |
University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL |
Alaska
University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage, AK |
Arizona
Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ |
Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ |
University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ |
California
Brandman University | Irvine, CA |
National University | San Diego, CA |
Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA |
Western University | Pomona, CA |
Colorado
University of Colorado
| Aurora, CO |
Florida
Barry University
| Miami Shores, FL |
South University
| Tampa, FL |
University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL |
Georgia
Augusta University | Augusta, GA |
Georgia State University
| Atlanta, GA |
South University | Savannah, GA |
Illinois
Bradley University | Peoria, IL |
Lewis University | Romeoville, IL |
University of St. Francis | Joliet, IL |
Indiana
Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN |
University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN |
Iowa
Graceland University | Lamoni, IA |
University of Iowa
| Iowa City, IA |
Kansas
University of Kansas | Kansas City, KS |
Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
| Richmond, KY |
Frontier Nursing University
| Hyden, KY |
University of Kentucky College of Nursing
| Lexington, KY |
Western Kentucky University
| Bowling Green, KY |
Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA |
Maine
Husson University | Bangor, ME |
Massachusetts
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences | Boston, MA |
University of Massachusetts Boston | Boston, MA |
Michigan
Saginaw Valley State University | Center, MI |
Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS |
Missouri
Maryville University
| St. Louis, MO |
University of Missouri - St. Louis
| St. Louis, MO |
Nebraska
Clarkson College
| Omaha, NE |
Creighton University
| Omaha, NE |
New Jersey
Monmouth University | West Long Branch, NJ |
New Mexico
The University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM |
New York
Long Island University | Brookville, NY |
Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY |
North Dakota
University of North Dakota
| Grand Forks, ND |
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH |
Otterbein University | Westerville, OH |
University of Cincinnati
| Cincinnati, OH |
Wright State University
| Dayton, OH |
Pennsylvania
Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Clarion, PA |
Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA |
Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA |
South Carolina
University of South Carolina | Columbia, SC |
South Dakota
South Dakota State University
| Brookings, SD |
Tennessee
King University | Bristol, TN |
Tennessee Tech University
| Cookeville, TN |
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN |
University of Memphis | Memphis, TN |
Texas
Angelo State University | San Angelo, TX |
The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX |
Virginia
George Mason University | Fairfax, VA |
South University - Richmond | Glen Allen, VA |
Washington, DC
The George Washington University | Washington, DC |
West Virginia
West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV |
West Virginia Wesleyan College | Buckhannon, WV |
Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin
| Mequon, WI |