The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner prepares graduates to function in the role of a Family Nurse Practitioner in a primary care setting. Students receive clinical and course content in Women’s Health, Internal Medicine (adult/gerontology), and Pediatrics. Upon graduation, they are eligible to sit for the ANCC and AANP Family Nurse Practitioner certification exams and become licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
All coursework is delivered fully online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous classes. Synchronous sessions are scheduled on Tuesdays to make planning easier for working nurses. Students typically complete the core curriculum in one to two years before beginning the FNP role courses, which start every fall semester. These courses include weekly classroom time and require 220 clinical hours each semester for three semesters, totaling 660 hours. Clinical experiences cover women’s health, pediatrics, family practice, and internal medicine, including care for older adults.
Students are encouraged to seek out clinical placements early in the program, but the School of Nursing offers extensive support through its clinical coordination department and maintains a strong network of primary care, women’s health, and pediatric providers. Faculty work closely with students to identify appropriate sites and preceptors. The program consists of 24 credits in core courses, 18 credits in FNP role courses, and a 3-credit capstone, for a total of 45 credits. Students completing the final role course in the summer are eligible for graduation.
Program Features
- Co-manage patients’ conditions and provide health promotion and management of acute and chronic conditions with experienced preceptors
- Typical responsibilities include comprehensive physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing conditions, providing counseling and patient education, and performing procedures
- Clinical hours include practice in women’s health, pediatrics, family practice, and internal medicine, including practice with older adults
Careers
For over 50 years, Southern’s program has prepared graduates to incorporate professional standards to provide safe, evidence-based, and compassionate care of the highest quality to diverse populations. Employers readily recruit graduates from all of the nursing programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent through 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Nurses with Graduate Degrees Earn More
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses in 2021 was $75,330. With a master's degree or higher, you can expect to earn significantly more, with median salaries ranging from $100,000 to $120,000+. In addition to higher salaries, nurses with graduate degrees may have access to more advanced positions and opportunities for leadership and management roles. They may also be eligible for higher pay grades and more benefits such as tuition reimbursement, retirement plans, and healthcare coverage.
Typical Job Titles
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Primary Care Provider
- Advanced Practice Nurse
- Health Educator
- Nurse Researcher
- Nurse Supervisor
General Information
October 1st for admission into the spring semester and February 15th for admission into the fall semester. Incomplete applications after October 15th (for Spring entry) or March 1st (for Fall entry) will not be considered, no exceptions. Please contact the program director if you require an extension due to special circumstances, as these will be reviewed case-by-case.
Graduate School Application
Applicants are required to have a 3.0 GPA in the baccalaureate nursing program and a total cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all post-high school education. Selected students who have a total GPA between 2.8 and 3.0 will be permitted to submit GRE or MAT scores as part of their application for consideration. The MSN committee will determine if a conditional acceptance will be offered to students within this GPA range. Applicants must have an active, unrestricted RN license at the time of application, and must have completed a BSN by the end of the semester of the application cycle (i.e. if applying in spring application cycle for fall admission, candidate must complete BSN by end of the spring semester). Additional requirements include two letters of reference (one academic and one professional are preferred, though two professional references will be accepted) and an admission essay. Letters of reference should be requested to be completed on official letterhead, and recommenders will be emailed with a link to submit letters once the applicant fills out the graduate school application. Prior nursing experience is strongly encouraged and will be considered by the admissions committee, though is not required as part of the application process. It is strongly recommended that all candidates shadow an FNP prior to applying, as this will give students an idea of the role of the FNP as well as assist them with the application essay.
46 Credits total. Up to 9 credits may be transferred in from another institution with approval from the program director after acceptance into the program.
Students will meet with their advisor upon admission to the program as well as periodically to create and adjust plan of study as needed and ensure all graduation requirements are met.
Note: MSN Program requirements include earning a “B” or better (84 average) in each of the required courses
Core Requirements (25 credits)
NUR 500 – Nursing Theories and Conceptual Models – 3 credits
NUR 514 – Transforming Nursing Practice through Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy – 3 credits
NUR 516 – Healthcare Informatics for Nursing Practice – 3 credits
NUR 519 – Evidence-Based Nursing Practice – 3 credits
NUR 526 – Advanced Health Assessment with lab (lab available on ground or online) – 3 credits
NUR 521 – Advanced Pathophysiology – 3 credits
NUR 524 – Advanced Pharmacology – 3 credits
NUR 533 – Introduction to Diagnostic Testing for the Advanced Practice Nurse - 1 credit
NUR 540 – Legal Issues in Healthcare – 3 credits
Clinical Component and Role Function (18 credits)
NUR 534 – Role of Family Nurse Practitioner I (must earn a grade of "B" or better) – 6 credits, including 220 clinical hours (fall semester)
NUR 535 – Role of Family Nurse Practitioner II (must earn a grade of "B" or better) – 6 credits, including 220 clinical hours (spring semester)
NUR 536 – Role of Family Nurse Practitioner II (must earn a grade of "B" or better) – 6 credits, including 220 clinical hours (summer semester)
Special Project (3 credits)
NUR 592 – Special Project in Nursing (must earn a grade of "Pass" or better) – 3 credits
Lectures are offered fully online with a combination of asynchronous and synchronous content. All synchronous lectures are scheduled on Tuesdays for the duration of the program.