Deliver Primary Care to Families and Communities as a Family Nurse Practitioner
Carson-Newman offers an accredited online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program (MSN-FNP), taught by experienced faculty who are active practitioners in their own communities. Graduates are prepared with the skills necessary to define their own future as a holistic and confident family nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse.
*The master's degree program in nursing at Carson-Newman University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791 (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
By the Numbers
78%
avg. job offer rate for nurse practitioners at graduation (vs 46% for new grads across all disciplines)*
95%
job placement 4-6 months after graduation*
89%
female online FNP students at C-N
38
avg. age of online FNP students at C-N
*2017 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Report
Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program Highlights
Incorporate clinicals into your nursing practice. Enhance your nursing skills and advance your nursing career while continuing to work full-time.
Prepared practitioners. MSN-FNP students graduate ready to take the Family Nurse Practitioner National Certification exam.
Independent caregivers. Graduates are prepared to provide holistic primary care to individuals and families across the lifespan and thrive as a family nurse practitioner.
The Carson-Newman Department of Nursing believes you are only as successful as your training, which is why we have taken the stress out of the clinical placement process. As an online FNP student, you will be provided with clinical sites and preceptors for primary clinical rotations, so you can focus on coursework and building competency instead of worrying about the logistics of clinical placements.
Why Choose Carson-Newman's Online MSN-FNP Program
Our online programs provide unrivaled support and a user-friendly online learning system.
Convenient and flexible. Designed for working nurses, with 100% online coursework (not including clinicals, practicum or residency) and no mandatory login times.
Small class sizes. Enjoy an intimate learning environment focused on meeting your needs - we want you to succeed.
Stress-free clinical placement. You will be provided with a clinical site and preceptor, so you can focus on your studies.
Personalized support. A dedicated Student Success Advisor provides guidance and creates a supportive learning environment from registration to graduation day.
Affordable tuition. Our streamlined MSN-FNP program is competitively priced, saving you up to $200 per credit hour when compared with nationwide competitors.
NURS 501 - Advanced Pathophysiology, 3 credit hours Presentation and in-depth analysis of normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease as related to the provision and management of client care at the advanced level.
Residency Experience
One three-day required on-campus residency experience provides you the opportunity you to meet and connect with your peers and program faculty. During the campus residency, students will come to campus for hands-on skills practice and to complete an advanced assessment physical exam.
NURS 503 - Advanced Pharmacology, 3 credit hours Advanced pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly used drug categories are analyzed in depth with consideration to safe, high-quality, cost-effective drug therapy for client care.
MSN-FNP State Restrictions
Currently, the Carson-Newman online MSN-FNP program is available in the following states:
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Indiana
Kentucky
Maine
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program Careers and Outcomes
In-Demand Career
MSN Family Nurse Practitioners typically earn more than an RN or BSN-prepared nurse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the 2019 median annual pay for a nurse practitioner is $109,820. This is approximately $36,500 more than the 2019 median annual pay for a registered nurse at $73,300. By 2028, more than 53,000 nurse practitioner positions are expected to be created.
Fulfilling a Need
By earning an MSN-FNP degree and becoming a nurse practitioner, graduates will help fulfill a growing need for primary care providers. The projected shortage of primary care physicians is expected to reach as high as 55,200 by 2032. Family nurse practitioners are answering the call and filling the gap left by physicians.
High Job Satisfaction
Family nurse practitioners enjoy a high rate of job satisfaction. An FNP is one of the top four Best Healthcare Jobs and in the top five of the 100 Best Jobs according to U.S. News & World Report, 2020. Family nurse practitioners enjoy more autonomy than RNs. Some states grant prescriptive privileges to FNPs. FNPs can also provide a variety of primary care services.
At Carson-Newman, all nurses learn from a caring faculty of active practitioners who provide stimulating clinical experiences that directly connect hands-on assessment with comprehensive patient care opportunities. For MSN-prepared RNs who wish to earn their FNP licensure, we offer an online Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program.
Family Nurse Practitioners Fill a Growing Need for Primary Care Providers
An online Master of Science in Nursing-FNP degree is a doorway to a lucrative and in-demand career as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Family Nurse Practitioners, or FNPs, are registered nurses who have achieved the advanced education needed to act as family-focused primary care providers, either autonomously or in collaboration with medical physicians. Graduates of online MSN-FNP programs will join a field that is expected to grow by 36% by 2026.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC 2018), the number of new primary care physicians is not keeping pace with the needs of a growing and aging U.S. population. By 2030, the projected shortage of primary care physicians is expected to reach as high as 49,300. Online Family Nurse Practitioner programs are helping to close the gap, as MSN-FNP qualified nurses are well positioned to fill the role that has historically been filled by family doctors, particularly in states where FNPs have full practice authority.
Online nurse practitioner programs like the MSN-FNP degree offered by Carson-Newman prepare qualified nurses to take the FNP National Certification exam upon graduation, through an advanced curriculum that focuses on the provision of holistic care to individuals and families throughout every stage of life. Obtaining an FNP degree online is an ideal option for busy working nurses, as all coursework can be completed online and there are no mandatory class login times.
An FNP nurse who graduates from Carson-Newman’s MSN-FNP online degree program will be prepared with the knowledge and skills required to succeed as a Family Nurse Practitioner in a variety of health care settings, including outpatient medical clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
NURS 507 - Advanced Health Assessment, 3 credit hours
NURS 507 - Advanced Health Assessment, 3 credit hours
Comprehensive health assessment of the client with advanced application and synthesis of physiologic, psychological and sociocultural concepts as applied to comprehensive health appraisal of individuals, families and community groups. (60 Clinical Hours)
NURS 516 - Research Methods and Design in Nursing, 3 credit hours
NURS 516 - Research Methods and Design in Nursing, 3 credit hours
Exploration of quantitative and qualitative methods and research designs useful in clinical investigation for health-related trends in healthcare delivery.
NURS 537 - Advanced Primary Nursing Care for Adults, 7 credit hours
NURS 537 - Advanced Primary Nursing Care for Adults, 7 credit hours
Exploration and application of advanced nursing theory in the provision of a wide range of health promotion and care services for adults, including the elderly population. (240 Clinical Hours)
