Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner

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The Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program is designed for baccalaureate registered (BSN) nurses to gain advanced nursing education and practice with a focus on family practice nursing. Students in the family nurse practitioner master’s program obtain advanced training in primary health care for patients across their lifespans, preparing students for careers as board-certified family nurse practitioners.

The FranU MSN-FNP program offers a unique structure for educational access to advanced study in nursing. The design promotes sharing resources and responsibilities through a collegial and collaborative relationship among nursing faculty and students representing diverse educational backgrounds and experiences in nursing and higher education.

The mission of the FNP program is to strengthen the knowledge of highly-skilled nurses in preparation for advanced practice as Franciscan servant leaders in various settings, with a focus on rural and medically-underserved settings. The program achieves its mission by creating a respectful educational environment that embraces cultural diversity, emphasizes collaboration and interprofessional healthcare teams and promotes evidence-based primary healthcare across the lifespan.

Upon program completion, graduates will meet certification requirements to sit for the FNP certifying examination.

School
School of Nursing
Career
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP)
Program Contacts

Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2026 Enrollment!

Apply by September 16, 2025 to secure your spot in our Family Nurse Practitioner program. Don't miss this opportunity to advance your career!

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Family Nurse Practitioner at FranU

Career

Graduates who obtain a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree often become certified family nurse practitioners. CFNPs work in a family practice (primary) or specialty care setting treating patients of all ages.

Nurse Practitioner Ranked #1 in U.S. News 2025's 100 Best Jobs.

Advance Your Practice in FranU’s BSN to MSN-FNP Degree Program

Reach the next level in your career in a flexible, affordable program. Our competitive hybrid online/in-person program equips working nurses with the specialized knowledge and hands-on training to become family nurse practitioners through rigorous coursework and high-quality practicums. Contact us to find out more about FranU’s BSN to MSN-FNP degree program.

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MSN-FNP Program Pathways

There are three ways to apply to the MSN family nurse practitioner program. The traditional route is designed for current working baccalaureate registered nurses seeking to advance their education through an MSN program to become family nurse practitioners.

For currently enrolled or soon-to-be graduates of BSN programs, the expedited entryway allows you to transition seamlessly from your bachelor’s degree to the MSN-FNP program. Master’s degree holding nurses can also advance their careers through FranU’s post-master’s degree FNP certificate program.

Program Features


MSN-FNP Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program should fulfill the following criteria to be considered for admission:

  1. Current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana at the time of application and enrollment
  2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited CCNE or ACEN undergraduate nursing institution
  3. Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or better in undergraduate coursework
  4. A minimum of 1-year full time experience as RN prior to starting FNP clinicals.
  5. Academic preparedness for advanced sciences and advanced clinical skills
  6. Current BLS certification; official copy must be submitted
  7. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation (one from current immediate supervisor)
  8. One-page professional goal statement for a Family Nurse Practitioner
  9. All undergraduate or graduate transcripts
  10. Current immunizations; official copy must be submitted
  11. Must meet and comply with the MSN-FNP Core Performance Standards

Students who meet the above admission requirements will be invited to an interview.

Admission Process

The FNP admissions cycle at FranU opens every March 1. The application deadline is September 16. Entrance into the family nurse practitioner program is competitive and is based on the stated admission requirements.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are submitted by the published deadline to be considered for an interview. Interviews will be conducted monthly. Applicants invited for an interview will be required to pay a $70 fee to complete an Emotional Intelligence assessment. Qualified applicants are interviewed by program representatives. Once admitted to the program and before beginning coursework, the student must obtain RN licensure in the State of Louisiana.

For students applying for the Post-Master's Certificate Program, admission may occur throughout the year on a case-by-case basis.

Program Length and Enrollment Requirements

The MSN-FNP program requires the completion of 44 credit hours and 750 clinical hours over 2 or 3 years.

Goals

The goals of the family nurse practitioner master’s degree program include:

  1. Sharing resources and talent with other programs and health professionals to maximize student learning.

  2. Coordinating consistent practicum learning experiences in predominately medically underserved and/or rural settings.

  3. Offering a curriculum that promotes collaborative, culturally appropriate, ethical, evidence-based care of individuals, families, communities and populations.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

The graduate program learning outcomes are derived from the mission and core values of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, the 2021 AACN Essentials Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (Domain), and the 2022 NONPF NP Role Core Competencies (CC).


Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

  • Apply critical thinking and requisite knowledge to independently design, implement, and evaluate holistic and comprehensive care across the lifespan (Domain 1, 2 and CC 1, 2).
  • Use technology and information systems to inform clinical practice and evaluate health care quality outcomes (Domain 8 and CC 8).
  • Translate existing evidence to improve health outcomes and advanced nursing practice across settings (Domain 4 and CC 4).
  • Communicate and collaborate interprofessionally to manage, coordinate, and improve care across settings (Domain 2, 6 and CC 2, 6).
  • Demonstrate leadership to promote improved access, quality, and cost-effective health care by applying principles of organizational and systems theory (Domain 5, 10 and CC 5, 10).
  • Evaluate policies that affect healthcare organizations and systems to promote individual, family, and population health (Domain 3, 7 and CC 3, 7).
  • Integrate ethical principles and advocacy strategies to influence health and health care in diverse, equitable, and/or inclusive environments (Domain 1, 9 and CC 1, 9).

Family Nurse Practitioner Program Admission and Tuition FAQ

Family Nurse Practitioner Program Admission and Tuition FAQ

Do I need to submit a transcript for an associate's degree or a summer class taken at a local community college if the credits show up on my graduating transcript?

Yes, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended.

What should I include in my goal statement?

What should I include in my resume/CV?

Is an interview required?

I have my bachelor's degree in non-nursing content, but I am an RN. Am I eligible?

If I have below a 3.0 GPA, should I apply?

What is the tuition for the MSN-FNP program?

How do most students finance their education?

Emotional Intelligence (EI) Exam FAQ

What is the EI Assessment?

The EQ-i 2.0 is completed by all applicants who are invited to interview with the program. The assessment is composed of 133 statements, and you rate each using a 5-point Likert scale. The EQ-i 2.0 will measure a set of emotional and social skills that influence the way we:

1. perceive and express ourselves,

2. develop and maintain social relationships,

3. cope with challenges, and

4. use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way.

The EQ-i 2.0 model of emotional intelligence is comprised of fifteen factors across five categories of functioning. These skills, which form the building blocks of abilities such as communication, resilience, and time management, can be mapped theoretically and empirically to job competencies, productivity, academic performance, and other measures of success to help predict and improve functioning.

How can I prepare for the EI Assessment?

Can I register for the EI test now on my own?

Who can I contact to ensure my EI Assessment was received by FranU?

Regional Accreditation

For information about our SACSCOC accreditation, please visit our Institutional Accreditation page.

Nursing Accreditations

The Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program including the Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, including the Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) is Continuing Accreditation.

To view the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program, please visit then ACEN website.

The program is fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN), 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, (225)755-7500.

Note: Prospective students should visit the State Authorization page to verify that Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is authorized to offer online courses and programs in your respective state. Prior to enrollment, students are also encouraged to visit their state educational agency or licensing board to ascertain whether or not they can utilize their degree program for additional compensation, initial licensing or renewal, as well as any other benefits.