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DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

MSN FNP & PMC FNP

Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

Introduction

Advance your career with the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Degree from Saint Francis University


 


Earn your MSN FNP through the most affordable MSN program in Pennsylvania!


The Saint Francis University Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is designed for the working registered nurse who is seeking education and clinical skills as a family nurse practitioner in a program that is a mix of asynchronous online education, in-person residency days and on-site clinical experiences.

 

In addition to being affordable, SFU's MSN program is  designed for the working nurses, with 100% online, asynchronous course delivery — so you can fit in time to study around your schedule.

 

Plus, the MSN only requires two campus visits for clinical components and the FNP track only requires additional visits for residency days — which is fewer days than any other program in the state.

 

Offered: Online with Clinical Components

 

                                            

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Approved by the PA State Board of Nursing

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Upon successful completion, graduates are able to sit for either the AANPBC or ANCC FNP certification exam
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No GRE or GMAT required

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The Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner program is designed for working registered nurses seeking education and clinical skills as a FNP. 


The post-master’s certificate FNP program is designed for the student who already has earned a master’s degree in nursing and is seeking to become a family nurse practitioner.

 

National certification for FNPs and the Certification Requirements can be found at: http://www.aanpcert.org/ and https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/family-nurse-practitioner/.

CURRICULUM & COURSE

MSN FNP track and PMC FNP 

We offer two ways to advance your nursing career as a family nurse practitioner (FNP).

Both programs are designed to prepare students in the advanced practice role of the family nurse practitioner caring for families and individuals across the lifespan in a primary care setting.

MSN FNP Track or PMC FNP Program

 

  • Degree Path
  • Learning Outcomes
  • Licensure Requirements
  • Degree Path:

    • Courses vary in length from 7 to 15 weeks and will be offered in an online format.
    • Residency Requirements
      • The Department of Nursing faculty members are committed to quality and excellence in all Nursing programs. While the coursework is offered online, in order to maintain quality in our programs, residency requirements are essential to student success.

    MSN FNP:

     Course Catalog (23-24) | Plan of Study

     

    PMC FNP:
    Course Catalog (23-24)
    Plan of Study


    Admission Deadline:

    The FNP program has rolling admissions, but it is wise to apply as soon as you can to ensure your materials are approved prior to the start of the next term.

  • Learning Outcomes

    Graduates of the MSN program will be prepared to:

    • Exercise a selected advanced nursing practice role to ensure the delivery of high-quality direct patient care and/or to foster an organizational climate in health care and nursing educational settings that serve to promote high quality patient care.
    • Exercise leadership in interdisciplinary collaboration to develop and/or refine organizational structures and processes through which high-quality, evidence-based and cost-effective care and the improvement of patient outcomes are assured.
    • Participate in political processes at a variety of levels to influence health care policy that benefits patients, the profession and the interdisciplinary community of health care providers.
    • Make critical, constructive and effective use of scientific evidence in the implementation, evaluation and revision of health care services to better serve the health needs of individuals in the context of their families and communities.
    • Exercise leadership to cultivate a highly ethical, culturally competent, and caring health care culture through the promotion of self-awareness, effective communication, effective group dynamics, values-based realism, courage, and principled action.
    • Employ administrative and clinical information technology to access and leverage knowledge effectively, ethically and legally in the interest of safe, effective patient care in a variety of settings. 
  • Licensure Requirements

    The MSN and PMC FNP programs meet licensure requirements in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, who can be contacted at:
    P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA, 17105; (717) 783-7142; https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/

    BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/Board-Approved-Nursing-Education-Programs.aspx


    • Following successful completion of the master’s or post-master’s certificate program, students may be eligible to sit for the family nurse practitioner national certification examination from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).   
    • Students may be eligible for certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) in Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing or in any state in which the program is available for enrollment. We are working to expand the number of states in which each program is authorized. Refer to the University’s State Authorization web page for additional information and program availability. 
    • Since this program leads to a professional license or certification, authorization may or may not be required of the University from the state professional licensing board prior to the student beginning a clinical or field experience in a state other than Pennsylvania. Check with your program clinical coordinator with questions about state professional licensure board requirements prior to enrollment. Any changes in state of residence after enrollment could affect eligibility to complete the program. 
    • The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing requires that the Pharmacy course must be taken within 5 years of intended completion of the MSN Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner program for the applicant for CRNP licensure to be eligible for prescriptive licensure. Students living outside of Pennsylvania should investigate the requirements of the State Boards of Nursing in their respective home state.
    • Please note that most states require nurses to be nationally certified and to have completed an accredited graduate nursing program in order to obtain licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse. Each national certification provider and state Board of Nursing will have eligibility requirements in addition to these educational requirements, such as passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they are eligible for state Board of Nursing approval and certification as an advanced practice registered nurse in their state. Students can obtain additional information from their state's Board of Nursing, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing website https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm provides contact information for each state Board of Nursing.
    • For more information regarding authorization and licensure, visit the University’s State Authorization web page https://www.francis.edu/State-Authorization/

Admission Requirements MSN FNP

  • MSN FNP
    • Current RN license in U.S. state/territory or locale where student will complete clinical requirements. Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required for clinical coursework completed in Pennsylvania.
    • Official transcripts verifying the conferral of a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited program.  This includes all transcripts with transfer credits to the degree-granting institution.
    • BSN GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
    • Evidence of qualification and capacity for graduate study as reflected in the following:
    • Application Essay - A 500- to 700-word essay that discusses your professional and educational goals as they relate to the master’s program for which you are applying;
    • Two professional references (these letters should be completed by two people who can attest to your aptitude for graduate work and leadership in the profession); and
    • Experience/employment history/professional activity (e.g., community, organizational and volunteer service, and creative professional accomplishments).
    • Minimum of one year of full-time work experience as a registered nurse is required prior to registration in clinical or specialty courses.
    • Interview with program faculty (in person, online, or by phone).
    • Ability to attend the required program residencies (and review course for FNP students).
    • Students must meet the Technical Standards for Admission.
    • Proficiency in English.
    • All applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, The TOEFL Family of Assessments (ets.org));
      • The minimum overall TOEFL score is 84 (internet-based test); 24 is the minimum score in the speaking section, and 24 is the writing section minimum score.

    Applicants must meet the following prerequisites:  

    • Completion of an introductory college-level course in statistics (200-level preferred).
    • Completion of an undergraduate physical assessment course.
    • Demonstrated computer literacy (including the ability to send and download attachments) or completed courses in word processing, spreadsheet, database management and presentation graphics.

    Advanced Standing

    • A maximum of six (6) graduate-level credits from a regionally accredited university and approved program may be transferred toward completion of the requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
    • Transfer credit will only be accepted for courses in which a grade of “B” (GPA = 3.0 on 4.0 scale) or its equivalent has been received.
    • These credits cannot have been applied to a previous degree.
    • Courses taken over five years prior to admission will not be accepted.
    • Official transcripts certifying graduate-level courses completed at another institution prior to admission to Saint Francis University are to be submitted at the time of application and will be evaluated for transfer of credits.

    Procedure for Requesting Transfer Credits

    • Contact MSN Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner Program Director for transfer credit evaluation.
    • Admission deadline June 1, 2023

    Please note: All submitted materials become the property of Saint Francis University

Admission Requirements PMC FNP

  • PMC FNP

    Post-Master's FNP Certificate

    To qualify for the online Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC), Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner track, the candidate must meet the following prerequisites:

    • Official transcripts verifying the conferral of a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited program.  This includes all transcripts with transfer credits to the degree-granting institution.
    • Official transcripts verifying the conferral of a Master’s of Science in Nursing from an NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited program.
    • A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.    
    • At least one full calendar year of full-time experience as an RN prior to registration in clinical or specialty courses.
    • Current RN license in the U.S. state/territory or locale where student will complete clinical requirements. Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required for clinical coursework completed in Pennsylvania.
    • Completion of an undergraduate statistics course.
    • Completion of a Gap Analysis form.
    • Application Essay - compose a 500- to 700-word essay that discusses your professional and educational goals as they relate to the master’s program for which you are applying.
    • Two professional references (these letters should be completed by two people who can attest to the applicant’s aptitude for leadership in the profession).
    • Experience/employment history/professional activity (e.g., community, organizational, and volunteer service, and creative professional accomplishments).
    • Interview with program faculty (in person or by phone).
    • Ability to attend the required program residencies (and review course for FNP students).

    Students must meet the Technical Standards for Admission.

    • Proficiency in English 
    • All applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, The TOEFL Family of Assessments (ets.org)).
      • The minimum overall TOEFL score is 84 (internet-based test); 24 is the minimum score in the speaking section, and 24 is the writing section minimum score.

    Official transcripts certifying graduate-level courses completed at another institution prior to admission to Saint Francis University should be submitted at the time of application and should be evaluated for acceptability as advanced standing credit in the PMC-FNP track.

    • Transfer credit will only be accepted for courses in which a minimum grade of “B” (QPA = 3.0 on 4.0 scale) or higher or its equivalent has been received from degree granting programs.
    • Generally, courses must have been completed within 5 years of admission. However, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing requires that Pharmacology must be taken within 5 years of the intended program completion in order to be eligible for prescriptive licensure.
    • Students living outside of Pennsylvania should investigate the requirements for the State Board of Nursing in their home state.

    Please note: All submitted materials become the property of Saint Francis University.


    Placement/Advanced Standing

    • A maximum of nine (9) graduate-level credits from a regionally accredited university and approved program may be transferred toward completion of the requirements for the Post-Master’s Certificate, Family (Individual across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner track.
    • Transfer credit will only be accepted for courses in which a grade of “B” (GPA = 3.0 on 4.0 scale) or its equivalent has been received.
    • Courses taken over five years prior to admission will not be accepted.
    • Official transcripts certifying graduate-level courses completed at another institution prior to admission to Saint Francis University should be submitted at the time of application to be evaluated for acceptability as advanced standing credit in the PMC-FNP track/MSN Program.

    Procedure for Requesting Transfer Credits

    • Contact the Post-Master's Certificate FNP Program Director for transfer credit evaluation.

    *Note the Curriculum is subject to change. 

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Department of Nursing Faculty

Benefit from our experienced Faculty

 The nursing undergraduate faculty teach with a philosophy of learning as a self-motivated and voluntary endeavor on the part of nursing students. Using our “curriculum of caring” as a source of inspiration, we have moved away from the traditional role of teacher to that of “facilitator of learning” to help you take on the responsibility of self-direction. We support you as you develop the best ways of learning and becoming the best nurse possible. 

 

Nursing  Program Chair:  Dr. Rita Trofino, DNP, MNEd, RN, Rtrofino@francis.edu 814-472-3027

Accreditation Statement:


The Master of Science in Nursing program at Saint Francis University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about RN-BS or RN-BS-MSN programs and Saint Francis University

  • Is the program completely online?

    No. The Family Nurse Practitioner program at Saint Francis University is a mix of asynchronous online education, in-person residency days and on-site clinical experiences.