Online Post-Master's FNP Program

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Stress-Free clinical placements

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100% Online 
Coursework (not including clinicals)

CCNE Accredited Online FNP Program

Graduate in 24 months or less

Online Post-Master's FNP Program

Complete Your Nursing Calling by Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner

Carson-Newman’s Post-Master’s FNP Certificate Online Program is designed for working nurses with an MSN to help you achieve your full nursing potential. You will develop the advanced nursing expertise to thrive as an autonomous and highly skilled family nurse practitioner. By focusing on a holistic approach to nursing, you will develop the ability to influence and improve the health of individuals, families and entire communities.

To learn more, get your free program guide and schedule an appointment for a brief conversation with an enrollment advisor.

Fast Facts

  • 100% online (not including clinical practicum or residency)
  • Stress-free clinical site placements
  • Complete the Post-Master's FNP online in as few as two years or less, taking eight 15-week courses
  • Learn from experienced faculty of nurse educators who are active nurse practitioners in their communities
  • One three-day on-campus residency experience connects you with your peers and instructors
  • Accredited by:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    • Approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
  • #26 in Best Value Schools – U.S. News & World Report, 2018
  • #99 Best Nursing Schools: Masters – U.S. News & World Report, 2020

 

Stress-Free Complimentary Clinical Placements

Make your journey to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP) as efficient as possible. At Carson-Newman University, our online FNP students are supported from start to finish—and that includes clinical placement services. Learn more about how Carson-Newman provides support during the clinical placement process, so you can focus on your development as an FNP.

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*

91%

certification pass rate for Carson-Newman FNP graduates

600

clinical placement hours placed for you by Carson-Newman**

*2017 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Report
**Total clinical placement requirement is 660-690 hours depending on your capstone course.

Online Post-Master’s FNP Certificate Program Highlights

  • Support throughout your clinical placement. You will be provided with convenient pre-approved preceptors and clinical placements in your area.
  • Graduate ready for success. Graduates of our online family nurse practitioner program are prepared and ready for the family nurse practitioner certification exam.
  • Build on your existing education and experience. Your MSN degree and experience can qualify you for the FNP certificate. Graduate in two years or less while you continue working.
Upcoming Start Date

Apply by April 5

Next Start: May 6, 2024

NURS 501 - Advanced Pathophysiology, 3 credit hours

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.

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Why Choose Carson-Newman's Online MSN to FNP Certificate 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 provide the attention and support you need to help you succeed.
  • Personalized support. A dedicated Student Success Advisor provides one-on-one guidance and creates a supportive learning experience from registration to graduation day.
  • Affordable tuition. Our FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Program is competitively priced and can save you up to $200 per credit hour when compared with nationwide competitors.
  • Free and fast transcript evaluations. We evaluate your transcripts free of charge, usually within 48 hours.

Online Post-Master's FNP Certificate Curriculum

Below are select courses from our program. For a complete curriculum and course descriptions, please download a free program guide:

Angela Wood, PhD

“Our small clinical groups learn first-hand from well prepared faculty who offer a wide range of clinical experience. Plus, their sincere interest in the success of each student results in prepared graduates who are ready to demonstrate servant leadership to their patients and families.”

- Dr. Angela Wood, PhD, RN (Nursing Professor, Former Chair)

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.

Learn more about the three-day on-campus residency experience.

Family Nurse Practitioners are the Future of Primary Care

Many families and communities across the U.S. already rely on family nurse practitioners as their primary source of health care — and the demand for nurses with FNP certification is growing.

  • Develop a holistic advanced practice nursing skill set. See the bigger picture as you promote health and wellness, prevent disease, manage primary care and provide wellness education for individuals, families and at-risk populations.
  • Gain autonomy and lead through action. Demonstrate independent decision-making and critical thinking skills through evidence-based practice. Recognize and provide culturally appropriate health care wherever you choose to practice.
  • Define your own career path. Focus your practice on primary health care for families, and gain deeper insight into health care policy, technology and research.
State Authorization

Currently, Carson-Newman is accepting applicants for the Post-Master's FNP Certificate program in the following states:

Carson-Newman state authorization map

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Enrollment into a program does not guarantee licensure or certification. Each state has its own rules and regulations related to professional licensure requirements which can be changed at any time based on state discretion. The student is responsible for staying up to date on state licensure requirements. Please view the state licensure requirements for your program: Nursing MSN Licensure and Nursing Post Master’s Licensure.

Other Options for Registered Nurses

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. If you are a BSN-prepared RN and are interested in becoming a family nurse practitioner, our online MSN-FNP program can prepare you to become a more empowered and autonomous caregiver.

Online FNP Certificate Program Careers and Outcomes

Online FNP Program Career Growth and Salary Outlook

Family Nurse Practitioners Are in Demand

Family nurse practitioners typically earn more with their advanced scope of practice than RNs or BSN-prepared nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the 2020 median annual pay for a nurse practitioner is $111,680,. This is approximately $38,000 more than the 2019 median annual pay for a registered nurse at $73,300. By 2029, more than 110,700 nurse practitioner positions are expected to be created.

Families and Communities Depend on FNP

The projected shortage of primary care physicians is expected to reach as high as 55,200 by 2032. Family nurse practitioners are filling the gap left by physicians. By earning an FNP Certificate online, you will help fulfill the growing need for primary care providers in underserved communities across the United States.

Improve Career Satisfaction and Independence

Family nurse practitioners enjoy a high rate of job satisfaction. An FNP is ranked as one of the top four Best Healthcare Jobs and in the top five of the 100 Best Jobs overall, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2020. This satisfaction comes from the ability to define their own practice and be the primary care providers for people of all ages, in the very communities in which they live. Many states also grant prescriptive privileges to FNPs.

Nurse Practitioners Make a Difference

According to a study in the journal Medical Care, practices with nurse practitioners on staff list fewer hospitalizations, ER visits and specialist referrals. Other findings indicate that there is little difference when comparing patient results regarding primary health care provided by a nurse practitioner and MDs.

Apply today to learn how quickly you can complete the program. Get your transcript evaluation within 24 to 48 hours. Contact us or download a free program guide to learn more.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Post-Master's FNP Certification?

The online Post-Master’s FNP certification (PMC-FNP) program is for registered nurses who hold an MSN degree and are looking to prepare for the role of an advanced practice nurse. Graduates gain the skills necessary to define their own future as holistic and confident family nurse practitioners, ready to impact their communities. 

The fully accredited online PMC-FNP program is 100% online (not including clinicals or residency), which allows you to earn FNP certification on a schedule that supports work-life balance

Carson-Newman University offers student-centric support, including:

  • Personalized admissions assistance
  • Free clinical placement services
  • Affordable tuition for less than $30k
  • Flexible, online coursework
  • No application fee
  • 1:1 support throughout the program from a Student Success Advisor
What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

A family nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has received the specialized clinical and educational training necessary to practice primary family-focused care. Like a family physician, a family nurse practitioner works with patients of all ages to diagnose medical conditions, treat illness, prescribe medications and maintain health over the lifetime.

The laws regulating family nurse practitioners differ from state to state. Certain states require FNPs to work under the supervision of a physician. In many states, however, family nurse practitioners are authorized to work independently.

What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?

Think of a family nurse practitioner as a registered nurse who is licensed to perform many of the same roles as a family doctor. A family nurse practitioner sees patients of all ages for scheduled or drop-in health care appointments. Depending on state restrictions, he or she performs physical exams, orders diagnostic tests and procedures, diagnoses illnesses, prescribes and administers treatment, and educates patients on how to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?

Family nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings. While many choose to work in private practice, others work in settings such as retail clinics, hospitals and schools.

  • Private Practice: Many FNPs work in private practice outpatient clinics, where they focus on providing primary care to their supervising physician’s patients or their own patients.
  • Retail Clinics: It is becoming common for FNPs to work in retail health clinics. Often these clinics are open during regular business hours up to seven days a week and attract a high percentage of walk-in patients.
  • Urgent Care Centers: Urgent care centers are where patients go for non-emergency urgent care such as minor fractures, sprains and allergic reactions, all of which FNPs are trained to handle.
  • Hospitals: Some FNPs choose to work in hospital settings. Because their training is in primary care, FNPs who want to work in hospitals often obtain additional certification as an acute care nurse practitioner or emergency nurse practitioner.
  • Schools: A small percentage of FNPs work in schools where they provide primary care for students.
What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Family Nurse Practitioner?

A family nurse practitioner has many important roles and responsibilities. Just like a primary care physician, an FNP provides diagnosis, treatment, disease management, health education, and preventive health care services. Depending on the state they work in, FNPs have the authority to:

  • Manage chronic health conditions like hypertension and diabetes
  • Treat minor acute injuries (such as sprains and strains) and illnesses (such as flu)
  • Provide health care to people of all ages, from infants and children to adults and the elderly
  • Conduct health assessments and physical examinations
  • Oversee women’s health requirements, including preconception and prenatal care
  • Educate patients about health, wellness and disease prevention throughout the lifespan
  • Order and interpret diagnostic tests
  • Prescribe medication

FNPs work with a broad patient population including members of all genders and ages. In many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas, family nurse practitioners are the sole primary care providers in FNP-led care clinics.

How Much Do Family Nurse Practitioners Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for a nurse practitioner was $123,780 per year in 2021. This is over $46,000 more than a registered nurse's 2021 yearly median wage of $77,600.

Salaries vary for nurse practitioners based on where they work and their specialty. Overall, nurse practitioners are compensated well, with the top 50% taking home six-figure salaries (U.S. News & World Report).

What is the Job Outlook for Family Nurse Practitioners?

The job outlook for family nurse practitioners is excellent. Since the United States currently faces a shortage of primary care physicians, there is a surging demand for family nurse practitioners. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over 121,400 new nurse practitioner jobs will be created from 2020 to 2030, representing an employment growth rate of 45% (much faster than the average).

NURS 503 - Advanced Pharmacology, 3 credit hours

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.

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Why Become a Family Nurse Practitioner?

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) have high earning potential; they typically make more than RN or BSN-prepared nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that a nurse practitioner's 2021 median annual pay is $123,780. Additionally, nurse practitioners are experiencing a job growth rate that is much faster than average. 

FNPs enjoy high levels of job satisfaction and more autonomy than RNs. Nurse practitioners are ranked as #1 in Best Health Care Jobs and #2 in 100 Best Jobs nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 69.7% of nurse practitioners are certified in family practice. 

FNPs fulfill a real need. By earning your PMC-FNP and becoming a nurse practitioner, graduates will help bridge gaps in primary care. The shortage of primary care physicians is expected to reach as high as 48,000 by 2034. FNPs are answering the call to make health care more accessible across the U.S., especially in primary care.

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)

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NURS 531 - Advanced Primary Nursing Care for Women, 6 credit hours

NURS 531 - Advanced Primary Nursing Care for Women, 6 credit hours

Exploration and application of advanced nursing theory in the provision of a wide range of health promotion and care services for women, including reproductive health. (180 Clinical Hours)

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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)

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