Online Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Programs – What’s the Best FNP Graduate Certificate 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 graduate 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. 

Compare the 2021 Top Ranked Online FNP Post-Master's Certificate Programs

For advanced-practice RNs who wish to switch or add a specialty as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), the post-master's certificate route is an increasingly popular pathway. Choosing the right program, however, is an important consideration. With online certificate programs popping up all over the country, prospective students need to pick wisely. Below, we've ranked the best online FNP Post-Master's Certificate programs to help you find the right school for you. For more information on how we developed our rankings, visit our Methodology page.

1.

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Overview:

Grand Canyon University prepares master's-level RNs to advance their careers with a Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate. The online program covers evidence-based patient care, comprehensive health assessments, and managing acute and chronic conditions with an eye toward treating diverse populations.

Highlights:

• Two separate on-campus experiences are required
• Prepares graduates for the FNP board cert exam
• A Christian institution of higher learning located in Phoenix, AZ

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Master Of Science In Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online/Hybrid

2.

Samford University

Birmingham, AL

Overview:

Established in Alabama, Samford University offers a recognized Family Nurse Practitioner post-master's cert for RNs with a master's degree. The intensive online program teaches students to improve healthcare outcomes for patients of all ages. Its thorough curriculum includes diagnosing conditions, managing acute and chronic treatments, writing prescriptions, and overall health promotion.

Highlights:

• No travel required; clinicals can be completed at the student's home state
• Graduates are ready for the FNP national certification exam
• Ranked fourth for the best private, Christian nursing school in the southeast

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online/Hybrid

3.

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Overview:

Ball State, which is located in Indiana, offers a Family Nurse Practitioner post-master's certificate pathway for RNs with an MSN degree. The program covers diagnosing and treating acute illnesses across the patient lifespan as well as writing prescriptions, interpreting diagnostics, and providing patient education and treatment plans.

Highlights:

• Students can complete in-person clinicals in their residential state
• Graduates are ready to sit for the FNP certification exam
• Affordable tuition rates from a public research university

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

4.

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

Overview:

Eastern Kentucky University's online Family Nurse Practitioner post-master's certificate program readies students to advance their nursing careers and move into leadership roles. The program teaches evidence-based care of both acute and chronic ailments across the entire patient lifespan. It is recognized for its focus on healthcare delivery in rural settings.

Highlights:

• Has a 98% pass rate for FNP national certification exams
• Offers reduced tuition rates for active-duty military
• Has consistently ranked in the top 50 online graduate nursing programs

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-MSN Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

5.

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA

Overview:

Duquesne University in Pittsburg has an online post-master's cert program specializing in the Family Nurse Practitioner role. Open to RNs with a master's degree, the program readies nurses to become leaders and prepares them to provide quality primary care to patients across the lifespan. This esteemed program includes an independent practice option.

Highlights:

• 100% pass rate for the FNP cert exam from 2018 to 2021
• Curriculum includes extensive clinicals and two on-campus labs
• Program length is 33 credit hours (9 courses) or 2.5 years on average

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan) Online/Hybrid

Why Get an FNP Post-Master’s Graduate 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 grad 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 Graduate Certificate Programs

Search our listings below to find online and hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate programs near you.