Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
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Degree
Master's
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School
Nursing
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Program Feature(s)
Specialized Tracks, Study Abroad, Accelerated Pathways
Program Overview
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.
Family Nurse Practitioner at FranU
Fast Facts About FranU MSN-FNP
“I can say with total confidence that the education, mentorship and clinical training I received are the best in the entire nation. The caliber of nursing education, in addition to the personal and moral formation provided by the university’s Franciscan heritage, collectively represents the highest quality of training a future nurse can hope for. No matter where I go from here, I credit the rest of my professional career to FranU.”
Trey N. Parker, BSN, R.N., CEN, AMB-BC
Current Student
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.
Nurse Practitioner Ranked #1 Job In the U.S.
Nurse Practitioner is ranked #1 on U.S. News’ Best Healthcare Jobs list, recognized for its vital role in primary care, strong job outlook and meaningful patient impact. FranU’s FNP graduates are prepared to serve as compassionate, highly skilled providers in clinics, hospitals and community health settings.
FNP Faculty
FranU’s faculty members are highly skilled professionals with diverse backgrounds, representing a comprehensive blend of clinical practice, content expertise and educational experience.
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.
Traditional Entry
The Master of Science in Nursing – Traditional Entry (BSN to FNP) pathway is designed for licensed, practicing nurses seeking career advancement with a focus on rural and underserved populations.
This competitive 2–3 year program combines online and hybrid coursework with hands-on clinical practicums across diverse healthcare settings. Students gain specialized knowledge and real-world experience, graduating prepared for certification and confident in their ability to serve as advanced practice nurses.
Expedited Entry
Reach your family nurse practitioner goals faster by joining the Expedited Entry Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at FranU. This entryway and curriculum are for those currently enrolled in a BSN nursing program or have graduated from a BSN program within the past year. The curriculum combines the necessary specialized knowledge with hands-on training through online courses and hybrid learning formats. Students cover classwork in three years and earn real-world experience by completing 750 hours of clinical practicums in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
Post Master's Certificate
The post-master’s FNP certificate program is a one-to-two-year program designed for MSN-prepared nurses who want to expand their scope of practice and become family nurse practitioners. This program offers primarily online courses with occasional in-person intensives or lectures, preparing advanced nurses to become board-certified FNPs with a special focus on practicum experiences in rural and/or medically underserved settings. The program’s rigorous curriculum includes practicum and seminar courses that immerse students in the work they will do as an FNP.
Family Nurse Practitioner Program Features
Program Mission
The mission of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's Family Nurse Practitioner Program is to advance the knowledge of highly-skilled nurses in preparation for advanced practice as Franciscan servant leaders in a variety of 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 health care across the lifespan.
Program Goals
The goals of the family nurse practitioner master’s degree program include:
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Sharing resources and talent with other programs and health professionals to maximize student learning.
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Coordinating consistent practicum learning experiences in predominately medically underserved and/or rural settings.
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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).
The MSN-FNP program requires the completion of 44 credit hours and 750 clinical hours over 2 or 3 years.
Applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program should fulfill the following criteria to be considered for admission:
- 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
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited CCNE or ACEN undergraduate nursing institution
- Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or better in undergraduate coursework
- A minimum of 1-year full time experience as RN prior to starting FNP clinicals.
- Academic preparedness for advanced sciences and advanced clinical skills
- Current BLS certification; official copy must be submitted
- Three (3) professional letters of recommendation (one from current immediate supervisor)
- One-page professional goal statement for a Family Nurse Practitioner
- All undergraduate or graduate transcripts
- Current immunizations; official copy must be submitted
- Must meet and comply with the MSN-FNP Core Performance Standards
Students who meet the above admission requirements will be invited to an interview.
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.
FNP Frequently Asked Questions
Admission and Tuition FAQs
For information on tuition and fees, please see the tuition and fee schedule for the most current rates.
FranU prides itself on being one of the most affordable Catholic universities, providing the utmost care and respect when helping students and their families find financial aid opportunities that work for them. Complete information on need-based financial aid and supplemental loan programs is available on the Financial Aid page.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University requires that applicants to its graduate nursing programs hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or equivalent degree, e.g. Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).
Yes, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended.
Your goal statement should address, in detail, your intellectual and clinical interests, your interest in the specific specialty to which you are applying, and your fit with Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s MS in nursing-family nurse practitioner program.
The following components should be included in your resume/CV:
- Educational background, including institutions, degree(s) awarded and/or degrees in progress, dates of degrees awarded/anticipated date of degree
- Relevant employment history, with location, brief description of position, and dates (if within a health care setting, please describe the type of unit and duties within that position)
- Community/volunteer experience
The acceptable file formats are .pdf, .doc, and .docx.
Yes, after review of your application, the admission committee will select those applicants who will be invited for an interview. You will be contacted directly by a member of the faculty admissions committee.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) Exam FAQs
There is no way to prepare for the assessment. The assessment should be completed in one sitting and answers provided should be honest and truthful. It should take between 15 and 20 minutes to complete the 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.
No, registration is not required. Applicant names and email addresses are entered into the system and the link is emailed directly to your personal email. When you take the assessment, you will be asked to provide your age and gender. That is all the information required. Once you complete and submit the assessment, no other actions are required.
Dr. Alicia Bates is the contact person for the EI assessment for the program. You can email her directly if you have any questions.
Accreditation Information
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.
The Learning Experience
Get a preview of FranU’s Family Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner program. Check out the complete curriculum.
- NURS 5330 Physiology & Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NURS 6420 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NURS 6340/Lab Advanced Health Assessment & Health Promotion for Family Practice Lab
- NURS 5345 Scholarly Project
- Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Practice Series (NURS 5610, 5615, and 5620)
