Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Family Nurse Practitioner Overview

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) acquires a broad base of knowledge and experience to provide direct health care services to people of all ages for the purposes of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses. The FNP focuses on care of patients and families and functions primarily in ambulatory care settings. The population in primary care family practice includes newborns, infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, adults and the elderly. There are a total of 42 credit hours in the specialty with additional direct clinical hours.

Our 100% online degree program is designed specifically for practicing nurses like you who are looking to take their careers to the next level. With options to personalize your coursework around your specific goals and availability, we are committed to providing you with the freedom and flexibility to be successful in your job and in your life.

The FNP graduate is prepared to:

Synthesize knowledge from nursing theories, the humanities, and evidence-based scientific clinical guidelines to guide assessment of health status for patients of all ages.
Demonstrate advanced practice clinical decision making, integrating critical thinking, to interpret patient and diagnostic test data and formulate differential diagnoses and a plan of care for patients and families across the lifespan.
Design and implement a mutually agreed upon management plan and therapeutic interventions with patients and families across the lifespan.
Evaluate and revise the documented management plan based on patient/family findings, problems and expected outcomes of treatment.
Apply family assessment methodologies and research findings to improve and evaluate the care of patients and families across the lifespan.
Advocate for patients and families to provide cost-effective, culturally competent, ethical, quality care in and across health care settings.
Model responsibility for continued professional development, integrity, accountability, competence, and credentialing as a family nurse practitioner.

For more information regarding the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), click here. For more information on the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), click here.

Online Learning

USI faculty and staff are dedicated to giving you the support you need no matter the modality for which you're taking classes. Check out our robust resources for online students including what online learning is, technology requirements and frequently asked questions.

Online Student Resources

Other Emphases

Nursing - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)

Master's

Nursing - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS)

Master's

Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Master's

Nursing - Nursing Education Leadership

Master's

Nursing - Healthcare Systems Leadership

Master's

100% Online

42 Credit Hours

Complete in 2.5-3 Years

College & Department Contacts

Dr. Bailey P. Rankin

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Chair of Graduate Nursing Programs

Career Outlook

Evansville Regional Data National Data

The Master of Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner will train you in the knowledge you need to advance your healthcare career and you will receive the specific training to reach your professional and academic goals.

Ranked by U.S. News and World Report

Our master’s in nursing online program is ranked as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. It’s also ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs for veterans. This is because we are committed to providing you with the high-quality academics, dedicated faculty and staff, and vital student support to ensure you reach your full potential and excel in your chosen field.

Evansville Regional Data National Data

Top Regional Occupations by Income

*income information provided by O*NET Online. Occupation opportunities vary by region and experience.

The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.

Tuition and Fees

Scholarships and Aid

Grants

CCNE Accredited Seal The master's degree program in nursing at the University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Out-of-State Licensure Information

Requirements for licensure and certification vary by profession and by state. USI has reviewed the educational requirements for each state and licensing agency to determine if the academic program here at USI meets the educational requirements to be eligible for licensure/certification in each state or not. Please note that some states may have additional requirements for licensure, such as residency requirements, additional non-academic certifications, etc. that USI cannot determine. We encourage you to check with your state's licensing agency for all requirements needed to obtain licensure.

Licensing Information

Related Programs