Online Family Nurse Practitioner

Online Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) Degree Programs

CTU’s Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program is designed to help you advance your skills in this fast-paced field.

The program integrates a foundation of evidence-based practice, population health, policy, informatics and nursing theory with concentration courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment. Students will receive hands-on instruction during weekend labs in Colorado at the start and end of the program.

For the eighth consecutive year, CTU’s online Master of Science in Nursing degree programs are ranked among the Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs by U.S. News and World Report.*

* CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Online Programs.

Program Credits

5 Weeks

Course Length

Online

Location

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Program Overview

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program helps the registered nurse prepare to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse capable of managing the health care of individuals across the lifespan by providing preventive and primary care, promoting optimal health and wellbeing, and management of chronic illnesses.

Nurse practitioners are involved in patient history taking, physical examination, diagnostic testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Nurse practitioners are educated at the graduate level, prepared to take the national certification exam, and then licensed by the state to practice at an advanced level.

The FNP program integrates a foundation of evidence-based practice, population health, health policy, informatics and nursing theory, with concentration courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment, to help the student prepare for rigorous FNP didactic and clinical coursework. The program’s 630 direct-care clinical hours are designed to provide the student with the clinical experience needed to develop in their new role and deliver primary care for families. Combining didactic coursework with direct care clinical experience, students study how to manage care that is interdisciplinary, collaborative and culturally appropriate as well as provide primary care to diverse, underserved, and vulnerable populations across the lifespan.

FNPs work independently as well as collaboratively with other clinicians and health care and social service professionals in a variety of settings, such as clinics, schools, hospitals, homes, workplaces and community-based organizations.

The MSN-FNP prepares nurses for advanced licensure and to sit for the national certification exam. Certification exam applicants may be denied exam eligibility based on a past criminal record.

College of Nursing Mission Statement

Through an innovative curriculum and student-centered teaching, the nursing faculty teaches, supports, and inspires students to become competent, caring, and accountable professionals who serve a diverse client population within a dynamic health care environment.

MSN Program Goals

Employ leadership skills to improve the quality of care in a variety of healthcare settings.
Integrate advanced nursing and science knowledge into practice.

The Master of Science in Nursing degree program at Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)

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Courses

Courses - Core		Credits
NRSG612 This course provides an overview of the development and relationship of nursing theory, research, and practice. Students will explore the process by which theory and research is critically appraised and translated into evidence-based practice in the development of clinical outcomes. An appreciation for diverse research methods and research appraisal is integrated into the course. Course assignments focus on evidence-based practice applications. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Integrating Theory and Research for Evidence-Based Practice	4
NRSG615 This course is designed to establish the foundational knowledge for understanding and practicing nursing informatics in healthcare settings. This course will also examine other technologies to deliver and enhance care. Consideration is given to the use of information technology to support decisions that promote safety and quality in patient-centered care, and concerns about protecting information and system integrity are addressed. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Healthcare Informatics and Technologies	4
NRSG617 This course provides a critical analysis of socioeconomic, political, legal, ethical, and global factors that affect nursing and healthcare delivery. Issues of cost, quality, and access are considered with emphasis on healthcare reform, including financing and payment systems, delivery models, health information management, and the integration of healthcare services to affect safety and quality. The means of influencing policy making will be discussed. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Policy and Politics in Nursing and Healthcare	4
NRSG625 This course is based on a multifaceted definition of community. The promotion of healthy societies worldwide, through health improvement and disease management/prevention activities, is explored through an interprofessional approach. Additionally, the impact of genomics and genetics relative to health promotion/disease mitigation is studied. The effects of social, political, and environmental conditions are examined in relation to healthcare access, quality of care, patient values and preferences, and cultural relevance. The contributions of advanced nursing providers to improving patient and population health outcomes are analyzed. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Promoting and Preserving Health in a Diverse Society	4
	Total Credit Hours:	16

Courses - Concentration		Credits
NRSG650 This course builds upon prior undergraduate pathophysiology competencies to assist the student in preparation for the advanced practice registered nurse role. This course will examine normal physiology, pathology, clinical manifestations, and disease states as it relates to the care of individuals across the lifespan.Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Advanced Pathophysiology for the Nurse Practitioner	4
NRSG651 This course builds upon prior undergraduate pharmacology competencies to assist the student in preparation for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse role. The course will examine pharmacotherapetics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to the care of individuals across the lifespan. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Advanced Pharmacology for the Nurse Practitioner	6
NRSG652 This course builds upon prior undergraduate physical assessment competencies to assist the student in preparation for the advanced practice registered nurse role. This course will provide the student an opportunity to develop advanced physical assessment skills for patients across the lifespan. This course has a 2 credit lab component. Students must successfully complete both the lab component, NRSG653 Advanced Physical Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner Lab, and didactic component, NRSG652 Advanced Physical Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner, to pass this course. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Advanced Physical Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner	4
NRSG653 This course provides students with an opportunity to apply skills and competency instruction delivered during NRSG652 Advanced Physical Assessment in a lab setting. This course requires the student to attend a face-to-face clinical competency verification with College of Nursing faculty. This course is taken in conjunction with NRSG652 Advanced Physical Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner. Failure to successfully complete this lab course will result in a failing grade in both NRSG652 Advanced Physical Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner and NRSG653 Advanced Physical Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner Lab. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Advanced Physical Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner Lab	2
NRSG654 This course will evaluate the advanced practice roles in nursing. Students explore concepts related to the Nurse Practitioner role, scope of practice and regulatory requirements. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	Role of the Nurse Practitioner	3
NRSG655 This course allows students the opportunity to synthesize knowledge from advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and physical assessment into the development of holistic patient-centered plans of care for adult, geriatric and frail elderly patients. Students will be required to utilize evidence-based practice in the treatment and evaluation of healthcare outcomes of the patient across the adult life continuum. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	FNPI Advanced Nursing Practice: Care of the adult, geriatric and frail elderly	6
NRSG656 This course allows students the opportunity to synthesize knowledge from advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and physical assessment into the development of holistic patient-centered plans of care for women across the lifespan. Students will be required to utilize evidence-based practice in the assessment, treatment and evaluation of healthcare outcomes of women across the life continuum. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	FNPII Advanced Nursing Practice: Women’s Health	2
NRSG657 This course allows students the opportunity to synthesize knowledge from advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and physical assessment into the development of holistic pediatric patient-centered plan of care. Students will be required to utilize evidence-based practice in the assessment, treatment and evaluation of healthcare outcomes of the pediatric patient. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	FNPIII Advanced Nursing Practice: Pediatrics	2
NRSG660 This course allows the Family Nurse Practitioner student the opportunity to apply newly learned theory from advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and physical assessment into the development of holistic patient-centered care for adult, women, geriatric and frail elderly patients. Students will be required to demonstrate the use of evidence-based practice in the treatment and evaluation of healthcare outcomes of the patient across the adult life continuum, including pregnancy. This course is taken as a series of NRSG660A (3 credits), NRSG660B (3 credits), NRSG660C (2 credits), which must be completed sequentially in separate sessions. This series requires completion of 240 supervised direct care practicum hours (80 of which are in women’s health) with the adult population. The entire series must be completed in order for a grade to be granted. The preceptor must be approved by the College of Nursing prior to enrollment in this course. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	FNPI Practicum: Advanced nursing care of the adult, geriatric and women patients	8
NRSG661 This course allows the Family Nurse Practitioner student the opportunity to apply newly learned theory from advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and physical assessment into the development of holistic pediatric patient-centered care. Students will be required to demonstrate evidence-based practice in the assessment, treatment and evaluation of healthcare outcomes of the pediatric patient. This course is taken as a series of NRSG661A (3 credits) and NRSG661B (3 credits), which must be completed sequentially in separate sessions. This course requires completion of 180 supervised direct care practicum hours with a pediatric population. The entire series must be completed in order for a grade to be granted. The preceptor must be approved by the College of Nursing prior to enrollment in this course. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	FNPII Practicum: Advanced nursing care of the pediatric patient	6
NRSG662 This course allows the Family Nurse Practitioner student to integrate core nursing concepts such as evidence-based practice, population health, policy, informatics, nursing theory, and Family Nurse Practitioner competencies in preparation for an independent advanced practice registered nurse role. This course is taken as a series of NRSG662A (3 credits) and NRSG662B (2 credits) and NRSG662C (2 credits), which must be completed sequentially in separate sessions. This course requires completion of 210 supervised direct care practicum hours with patients across the lifespan. The entire series must be completed in order for a grade to be granted. The preceptor must be approved by the College of Nursing prior to enrollment in this course. This course has a 2 credit lab component and NRSG662B and NRSG662C are taken in conjunction with NRSG663A (1 credit) and NRSG663B (1 credit), respectively. Students must successfully complete both NRSG662 FNPIII Practicum: Advanced nursing care across the lifespan and NRSG663 FNPIII Advanced nursing care across the lifespan, Lab to pass this course. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	FNPIII Practicum: Advanced nursing care across the lifespan	7
NRSG663 This course provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate skills and competencies delivered throughout the program of study. This course requires the student to attend a face-to-face Family Nurse Practitioner competency verification with College of Nursing faculty. This course is taken sequentially as NRSG663A (1 credit) and NRSG663B (1 credit), in separate sessions in conjunction with NRSG662B and NRSG662C, FNPIII Practicum: Advanced nursing care across the lifespan, respectively. Failure to successfully complete this lab course will result in a failing grade in both NRSG662 FNPIII Practicum: Advanced nursing care across the lifespan and NRSG663 FNPIII Advanced nursing care across the lifespan, Lab. Students must earn a grade of B- (80%) or higher in all core and concentration courses to pass the course in the program.	FNPIII Advanced nursing care across the lifespan, Lab	2
	Total Credit Hours:	52

Total Credit Hours: 68

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Learning Outcomes

MSN Program Outcomes:

Synthesize knowledge from nursing and a variety of sciences in diverse settings for the purpose of improving nursing care.
Apply organizational and systems leadership concepts to promote quality patient care.
Evaluate performance improvement processes designed for the purpose of providing quality patient care.
Apply research outcomes and evidence-based practice to recommendations for improved patient care.
Synthesize health policy processes established for the advocacy of quality healthcare.
Integrate interprofessional collaboration to the management of patient and population health outcomes.
Apply organizational, client-centered, and culturally appropriate concepts to clinical prevention and population care to identified populations.

MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner concentration outcomes:

Integrate technology in patient care management to improve health outcomes.
Operate as an independent practitioner in the management of healthcare for patients across the lifespan.
Formulate ethical plans of care which incorporate knowledge from current research, clinical guidelines, practice and assessment to improve health outcomes.
Employ complex and advanced leadership skills in guiding change to improve health outcomes.

Faculty

Dr. Rose Nieves

University Dean

Dr. Rose Nieves is the Dean of the College of Nursing for Colorado Technical University. In this role, she leverages her vast experience as a nursing leader, educator and healthcare provider to help assess, mold, develop and direct the College of Nursing.

Dr. Kelly White

Executive Program Director

Dr. Kelly White is the Executive Program Director of Nursing and Health Studies at Colorado Technical University. With more than 25 years of experience in nursing education and leadership, she has actively participated in the changing needs of nursing students, faculty and in the transforming healthcare arena.

For more faculty profiles please visit our Leadership and Faculty page.
For more information visit the College of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program requires an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States. All students must maintain this licensure throughout the program of study.

Students must have graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an institutionally accredited institution. A cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 for the last 90 quarter (60 semester) hours of study undertaken for full acceptance into the program.

Prior to starting the nursing program all applicants must submit an unofficial or official copy of college transcript from their BSN degree for review. Applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program who meet all general admission requirements, but who have a CGPA for the BSN degree between 2.75 to 2.99 for the last 90 quarter (60 semester) hours of study, may be granted provisional admission. Students must successfully complete their first two MSN courses with a minimum of 3.0 GPA to be granted full admission to the nursing program or be administratively withdrawn.

Students must have a minimum of one year of recent direct care nursing experience prior to admission to the program.

Provide a current resume.

CTU has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

CTU has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Delaware, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia.

This information is subject to change; CTU will update these lists as information becomes available.

Resources

Download Handbook

Download Schedule

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FAQs

When and where can I begin my nursing master’s degree program classes?

This MSN degree program is offered online and starts every 5 weeks. For more information, you can speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-855-230-0555) or request it online. Once you’ve completed the online request, you can expect to hear from an advisor within 24 hours to answer any questions you may have and to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.

How many credits are required to graduate from this nursing degree program?

This Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program is comprised of 68 credit hours. Candidates may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Why should I pursue a Master of Science in Nursing degree program with a Concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner at CTU?

At CTU, our nursing courses are built around our proprietary Intellipath^® learning system, an adaptive learning technology that recognizes what candidates already know, anticipates what they’re ready to learn, and tailors the course materials accordingly so they can move quickly over the content they already know.

We provide registered nurses the flexibility to attend classes while working with 100% online courses and access to our handy mobile app. There is no waitlist, no GMAT/GRE, and MSN-FNP candidates may qualify to sit for the national Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam upon program completion.

Is the Master of Science in Nursing degree program at CTU accredited?

Yes, The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, Master of Science in Nursing degree, Post Graduate APRN Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Colorado Technical University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Where do the clinical/practicum experiences take place?

Nursing students receive support from the Clinical Coordinator to identify practicum sites within their community. The FNP nursing student is required to complete 630 direct-care clinical hours. NRSG660: FNPI takes place at a clinical site that serves the adult, geriatrics and women populations. NRSG661: FNPII takes place at a practicum site that serves the pediatric population. NRSG662: FNPIII takes place at a practicum site that serves patients across the lifespan.

Information about the practicum can be found in the Nursing Learning Center where the Family Nurse Practitioner Handbook (MSN & PGC) is located. The Clinical Coordinator also partners with nursing students to assist with practicum placements. Nursing students must disclose if they are requesting to do their practicum with their employer. Nursing students may not complete practicum hours in their current department or with in-line supervisors.

To speak with an advisor, request information here.

Can I work full time and go to school?

The structure of the FNP nursing program is designed to allow the working nurse to advance in his/her MSN degree while continuing to work within the community. With an asynchronous (any time of day) classroom format, this allows nursing students to formulate a study schedule that can be incorporated into their professional life. Instructors also provide synchronous chats to support varied adult learning needs. The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration requires rigorous study and strong time management skills with dedicated daily reading and study time.

FNP nursing students are required to visit our Colorado campus in Denver, Colorado for two intensives or labs. The first intensive weekend is required before the practicum courses to ensure students are prepared for safe patient interactions. Hands-on instruction is also provided during the intensive. The second intensive weekend is required before completion of the FNP program to help ensure students are prepared to act as independent practitioners before sitting for certification exams.

What resources does the CTU MSN-FNP concentration provide students to help prepare for the certification exam?

The College of Nursing has resources built into the program that assist students in preparing for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam. The 3P exam which students take in NRSG653 Advanced Physical Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner Lab, is used to assess students’ synthesis of learning from the advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced physical assessment courses. CTU also provides APEA (Advanced Practice Education Associates) resources such as MyQBank with hundreds of review questions, a pre and post-predictor exam, along with a certification review course during the final practicum. Students also receive access to the UpToDate database to retrieve the latest clinical evidence to support their practice.