The Saint Francis University FNP Residency Experience

Bridging Theory and Practice:
Inside Our FNP Residency Experience

An immersive weekend residency experience is a pivotal component of our Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program. In their first residency experience, students showcase their ability to complete a head-to-toe physical exam and learn about skills and techniques to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming start of their clinical experiences. This time also allows the students to work with their colleagues and faculty in person, as the remainder of the program is asynchronous online.

During the second residency experience in the program, the students focus on specific skills needed to function in practice and make them competitive with employers, as graduation is only 7 months away. The students learn to suture lacerations, staple lacerations, create and place casts, create and place splints, and read EKGs. They also strengthen their assessment and telehealth skills.

Residencies foster camaraderie and networking among the FNP cohort. Since the program started in 2019, there have been five residency weekend experiences with each cohort providing 3 and 10 students for each experience. All of our FNP students are professional nurses from diverse backgrounds—ranging from primary care and emergency rooms to ICU, mental health, and travel nursing. The students bring their previous experiences to the table: sharing their knowledge with their colleagues and gaining skills in return. The camaraderie that develops during these weekends is one of the program’s most interesting aspects, creating a supportive network that can extend well beyond graduation.

About the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Saint Francis University

Advance your career with Saint Francis University’s MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program—the most affordable MSN program in Pennsylvania. Designed for working registered nurses, this program combines 100% online, asynchronous coursework with limited in-person residency days and clinical experiences. Choose from two pathways: the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP) or the Post-Baccalaureate MSN Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner (PMC FNP).

View more photos from the residency experience: 

https://saintfrancisuniversity.smugmug.com/24-25-Photo-Collection/FNP-Residency-Oct-11