Online MSN-FNP

6 semesters (full-time)
8 semesters (part-time)
3 intakes per year
1 campus immersion
1 virtual immersion

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Next Start: September 5, 2023

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Admission Requirements
School Comparison
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MSN Dual Track option

Nursing is a work of heart.

Learn why Lori Walters, MSN, was motivated to help others and pay forward the compassionate care of nurses in her life. A graduate of two MSN programs with dual certifications as an AGACNP and FNP, she chose Rockhurst University to enrich her nursing career and become a nurse practitioner.

Online FNP Program

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School Comparison: Online MSN Programs

With competitively priced tuition, the flexibility of online coursework delivery and a clinical placement team dedicated to making your clinicals seamless, Rockhurst University offers one of the best options among online FNP programs. At Rockhurst University, you can earn an affordable online MSN degree in as little as 24 months with the academic excellence of a Jesuit education.

Online MSN Programs	Tuition	Time to completion	Clinical placement
Rockhurst University	$35,999.81	24 to 36 months	600 hrs. Full assistance
Maryville University of Saint Louis	$38,585.00	24 months	745 hrs. No assistance
St. Louis University	$48,300.00	24 to 28 months	675 hrs. No assistance
University of Saint Mary	$38,750	24 to 48 months	780 hrs. Partial assistance

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Online MSN-FNP Sample Curriculum

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NUR 5020 - Professional Roles, Quality and Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice

This introductory course examines the role of advanced practice nurses as influenced by social, cultural, political, and economic forces. Issues present in the changing health care environment are examined for quality and patient safety initiatives to improve patient outcomes. The ethical dimensions and legal parameters for advanced nursing practice are investigated. (3 credits)

NUR 5300 - Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice

This course provides an overview of the role of information systems in health care organizations. Coursework emphasizes the integration of evidence-based practice in clinical decision support and the influence of health care information technology (HIT) systems on health outcomes. In addition, technical, organizational, and cost-benefit issues related to health care information systems, telemedicine applications, and artificial intelligence solutions will be explored. Through a combination of online readings and discussions, group assignments, and individual assignments, students will develop and exercise analytical skills for appraising health information systems in the context of the provision of care. (2 credits)

NUR 5600 - Mental Health for Family Nurse Practitioners

This course focuses on the theoretical foundations needed to treat patients with common acute and chronic mental health problems in the primary care setting. Emphasis is on the management of mental illness across the life span. (3 credits) Prerequisite or Concurrent: NUR 5950; Prerequisites: NUR 5650, NUR 5750

NUR 5950 - Advanced Health Assessment and Physical Diagnosis

The advanced health assessment and physical diagnosis course prepares students to perform a systematic, comprehensive health assessment. Students acquire the fundamentals of the differential diagnosis process and use evidence-based information to guide the diagnostic process. Students use scientific, cultural, and ethical principles and therapeutic communication while conducting advanced health assessments and reflecting on their professional performance. (3 credits) Prerequisites or concurrent: NUR 5650, NUR 5750

Clinical Placement Services

Our clinical placement team works closely with you to provide a seamless placement experience, ensuring your rotations meet University and national guidelines. These frequently asked questions will help you better understand the clinical placement services we provide.

How does the clinical placement process work?

How should I prepare for nursing clinicals?

When will I receive my clinical placement details?

What can I expect during nursing clinicals?

Frequently Asked Questions

If you don’t find the answers to your questions here, contact your Rockhurst University (RU) enrollment adviser and schedule a time to talk that’s convenient for you.

What is an MSN-FNP degree?

Rockhurst University’s Online Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) is a graduate-level program for RNs who hold a BSN degree. The online FNP programs can provide needed experience to RNs who are looking to become advanced practice nurses and specialize in providing primary care services. A primary benefit to online FNP programs is the ability to earn a degree while continuing to work.

How do I become a family nurse practitioner?

In order to become a family nurse practitioner, a registered nurse must pass a board certification. Rockhurst’s Online MSN-FNP program helps prepare students to pass their certification exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Rockhurst University Online graduates have maintained a 92% first-time pass rate for certification exams, a statistic that exceeds the national average.

What do family nurse practitioners do?

Family nurse practitioners work with all age groups, from pediatrics to adult-gerontology, resulting in high demand for FNPs. FNPs are able to diagnose and treat conditions through assessment of patient health history, perform physical examinations, place orders for preventative screenings and diagnostic testing, make medical diagnoses and help treat and educate patients towards healthy lifestyles.

What is the demand for FNPs?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nurse practitioners have a 52% projected job growth by 2030, making nurse practitioners one of the fastest-growing occupations within the decade. With over half of the states allowing nurse practitioners full practice authority, they are able to help bridge the gap from physician shortages.

How much does a family nurse practitioner make?

Earning an MSN-FNP degree is an effective way to increase your earning potential as a nurse. While salary can depend on the state, the average salary for a Nurse Practitioner in the U.S. is roughly $123,780 per year or $59.51 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021). Graduates of Rockhurst’s Online MSN-FNP program are sure to see a quick return on investment in either option of a full-time or part-time education as the demand for FNPs continues to grow.

Is RU’s online FNP program accredited?

The online FNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Rockhurst University and Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Is RU’s online FNP program faculty experienced?

You will learn from active clinicians who bring real-world experience into the online classroom. As trusted Rockhurst faculty members, they are committed to your success as an advanced practice nurse.

Are clinical placement services provided?

Yes. Clinical placement services are built into the cost of the program. A dedicated Rockhurst placement coordinator will identify an appropriate site and preceptor within a reasonable driving distance from where you live.

How long will it take for me to complete RU’s online FNP program?

The online FNP program is offered on a full-time and part-time basis. The full-time track takes 6 semesters to complete, while the part-time track takes 8 semesters.

How many credit hours are required for RU’s online FNP program?

The online FNP program requires 49 credits of coursework and 600 clinical hours to graduate.

How much does RU’s online FNP program cost?

The online FNP program costs $734.69 per credit hour, for a total program investment of $36,000, plus fees ($61/credit hour). Financial aid may be available to our online students.

A graduate of two MSN programs with dual certifications as an AGACNP and FNP, Lori chose Rockhurst University to enrich her nursing career and become a nurse practitioner.

Lori Walters, MSN

Dual MSN-AGACNP | MSN-FNP graduate, Rockhurst University

Campus Immersions for Online FNP Students

Online FNP students will attend one clinical immersion on the Rockhurst campus in Kansas City, Missouri for two days of clinical instruction in the new, state-of-the-art simulation lab and renovated nursing facilities. They will also engage in one virtual immersion to further hone their skills. In these immersive clinical experiences, students will receive hands-on skills training, complete high- and low-fidelity simulation, and demonstrate competencies through objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

Following the campus immersion, students will return home and continue their online coursework. Additionally, they will complete the rest of their clinical hours at a predetermined site under the direct supervision of a licensed preceptor and the indirect supervision of a Rockhurst clinical faculty supervisor.

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92% First-time certification exam
pass rates that exceed national average

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100% online coursework
plus campus immersion(s)

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52% Projected NP job growth by 2030
Source: BLS

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Master of Science in Nursing Dual Track (MSN Dual Track)

Some of our students elect to enroll in the dual degree track in which they earn two online MSN nurse practitioner specializations in one program: family practice and adult-gerontology acute care. Earning two specializations through a single MSN program saves you time and money, streamlines the educational experience, and opens doors to a variety of roles in health care. Our individual online MSN programs each require 49 credits to graduate, whereas the MSN Dual Track only requires 62 credits.

Due to the surging demand for providers in primary and acute care settings, holding both specializations expands your scope of practice and gives you the versatility to work in a wide range of environments. The dual MSN degree offers a significant opportunity to care for all types of patients, influence health promotion, provide primary care to individuals across the life span, and support the acute needs of chronically ill adult patients who may experience life-threatening emergencies.

Learn more about the Online MSN Dual track program

Student Support

A dedicated enrollment adviser can answer your questions and guide you through the application process. Click the link below to fill out a form and start the conversation.

Your adviser can help with:

Admission requirements
Clinical placement support
Curriculum details
Enrollment support
Financial aid
Tuition costs

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Georgia Mourtokokis

Lauren Wang

Kerry Fleeger

Challenge Yourself | Inspire Others | Impact Our World

Requirements Not Met

To proceed with either the BSN to MSN FNP or the BSN to DNP FNP, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree and hold your RN license.

If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.

To proceed with the EdD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Leadership, you are required to have a master’s degree.

If you don’t meet this requirement but would still like further information, please contact us.

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Online Master of Science in Nursing–Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)

Become a Compassionate and Ethical Family Nurse Practitioner