How to Get Started
Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an exceptional career choice for nurses who aspire to provide comprehensive primary care and empower patients to adopt healthy lifestyles that promote their holistic well-being. With a flexible schedule, Youngstown State University delivers an online MSN-FNP program that prepares you for the FNP certification exam offered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Online programs with asynchronous instruction offer flexibility for busy working professionals. However, these programs require discipline from students to stay on top of class discussions, assignments, and readings.
Most FNP students earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then become registered nurses by passing the NCLEX-RN examination. Some schools also have RN to MSN programs and post-master’s FNP graduate certificates. Most programs include clinical rotations where student nurses gain experience with preceptors who oversee their work. These rotations preview what it will be like to work as an FNP.
Coursework
FNP online programs allow students to trade physical classroom time for virtual lessons and activities. Students need a computer or mobile device, internet access, and a microphone to participate in courses. Some online nursing programs use synchronous instruction, meaning students must log in at specific times to hear lectures and interact with instructors and classmates in real-time.
Many online FNP programs also require clinical hours. Clinical hours function as mandatory medical internships that help students get hands-on training under the supervision of preceptors and healthcare professionals who serve as mentors to nursing students.
Some family nurse practitioner programs include a residency. It can be a valuable addition to an online FNP program, bridging the gap between what students learn in the classroom and what they’ll face on the job. It can be an excellent option for nurses currently employed and wishing to progress in their careers without taking an extensive leave of absence.
Graduation
Besides evaluating whether an online FNP program offers the right balance of coursework, clinical hours, and practicums, prospective students should also assess a university’s reputation. A school’s accolades, the depth of its faculty (including their professional experience and expertise), and relationships with local hospitals can help make an NP’s career more successful.
In addition to course requirements, some universities may request that applicants have a certain level of professional experience, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a background check. Some schools also require an unencumbered RN license to participate in clinical hour experiences.
Career
Online FNP programs offer an exciting new career opportunity. These specialized nurses are trained to provide patients with education, counseling, and primary care in various healthcare settings. They can treat common illnesses and injuries, prescribe medication, co-manage with physicians, perform physical examinations, and order tests.
Students who wish to swiftly finish their graduate course and obtain their advanced nursing degree are usually the target audience for full-time online programs. These types of programs require rigorous coursework and clinical internships.
Students are also able to choose a specialized concentration in gerontology. The school also offers an RN-to-MSN and an MS-PhD program.
