Home > Online Programs > Nursing > RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Online Coursework
Continue working full-time as you earn your degree
7-1-7 Model
Take one course at a time, with a break between
Two Degrees
Earn your BSN degree along the way
A flexible pathway to becoming an NP
Learn to treat patients of all ages through hands-on learning experiences as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
Advance your credentials from ADN or ASN to MSN while keeping your job as a registered nurse through a flexible, online and asynchronous program. Spring Arbor University’s online RN to Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN-FNP) program provides faith-based learning experiences that will help you grow as a person and as a practitioner caring for diverse populations through a structured, supportive curriculum.
And with a certification pass rate of 88% pass-rate this program will prepare you to sit for the certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Continue working full-time as you earn your BSN and MSN degrees without skipping a beat
- Gain the skills needed to prepare you to sit for the certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Learn from highly educated, talented faculty who build close relationships with students in small class sizes
- Receive 1:1 support from a dedicated Student Success Coach
- SAU works with you to secure clinical placements that match your preferred location, with extensive support, training and access to our clinical partner network to help you succeed
- Spring Arbor University's online RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner program is CCNE-accredited* and highly ranked for academic quality.
*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, post-master certificates, and doctor of nursing practice programs at Spring Arbor University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
If you already have your MSN, we offer a Post-Master’s Certificate-FNP that can be completed in 18 to 24 months, depending on prior coursework.
RN to MSN - FNP Program Fast Facts
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Designed for Working Nurses
The RN to MSN-FNP program is designed with nurses’ shift work, rotating schedules and full-time employment in mind. Our 7-1-7 model and flexible, online coursework help reduce burnout during the transition away from bedside care.
- Four-year program
- 87 credits total
- 625 clinical hours
- One four-day campus residency during the third year
- Online, asynchronous coursework—flexible curriculum paired with built-in support
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your schedule
- 7-1-7 Model - Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
Inspiring Outcomes
- Understand Population-Specific Care to provide evidence-based primary healthcare to infants, children and antepartum women
- Address healthcare disparities by delivering compassionate care and advocating for underserved populations and their healthcare needs
- Build a leadership mindset by learning how to facilitate healthy behavioral changes through compassionate, family-focused care
- Join a committed community dedicated to helping you grow professionally, personally and spiritually
- Evaluate health policies based on ethical reasoning and Christian framework
- Prepares you to sit for the certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
- Serving the community with over a decade of online nursing education, SAU is proud to have awarded over 2,000 Master of Science in Nursing degrees
- Graduating from a family nurse practitioner program will equip you with the skills to join one of the fastest-growing job fields in nursing
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Designed for Working Nurses
The RN to MSN-FNP program is designed with nurses’ shift work, rotating schedules and full-time employment in mind. Our 7-1-7 model and flexible, online coursework help reduce burnout during the transition away from bedside care.
- Four-year program
- 87 credits total
- 625 clinical hours
- One four-day campus residency during the third year
- Online, asynchronous coursework—flexible curriculum paired with built-in support
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your schedule
- 7-1-7 Model - Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
Inspiring Outcomes
- Understand Population-Specific Care to provide evidence-based primary healthcare to infants, children and antepartum women
- Address healthcare disparities by delivering compassionate care and advocating for underserved populations and their healthcare needs
- Build a leadership mindset by learning how to facilitate healthy behavioral changes through compassionate, family-focused care
- Join a committed community dedicated to helping you grow professionally, personally and spiritually
- Evaluate health policies based on ethical reasoning and Christian framework
- Prepares you to sit for the certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
- Serving the community with over a decade of online nursing education, SAU is proud to have awarded over 2,000 Master of Science in Nursing degrees
- Graduating from a family nurse practitioner program will equip you with the skills to join one of the fastest-growing job fields in nursing
Online RN to MSN - FNP Program Curriculum
For a complete listing of RN to FNP courses, contact us for a program guide.
Prepares the family nurse practitioner student to examine evidence-based principles of nursing care in the context of family and nursing theory, and apply this knowledge to clinical practice within diverse family systems, from a Christian perspective. Students will consider and apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies that are the essential to the holistic management of the child bearing women/family, both as an independent provider and within a multidisciplinary team. Students will focus on the care of healthy ante-partum women and those with health pattern variations that result in at-risk pregnancy. Emphasis is placed on collaborative management of women and families during pregnancy. Concepts focused on promoting wellbeing will be explored with emphasis on family interventions that promote resiliency as well as the health and wellbeing of the family.
Focuses on the delivery of advanced nursing care with the knowledge and skills essential for comprehensive health assessments, analysis of data, formulation of diagnoses, development of therapeutic plans, and implementation of preventative care, health promotion, and maintenance activities for diverse adult clients.
About the 7-1-7 Model
Bridge programs are perfect if you are looking to advance your clinical, analytical and professional development skills while continuing to practice nursing. In addition to a more comprehensive skill set, you will gain the experience and competencies needed for career advancement, leading to higher salaries, greater autonomy and potential leadership roles.
This depends on where you would like to practice. In some states, FNPs can practice independently. FNPs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospital outpatient clinics
- Private group practices
- Community health centers
- Schools
To be accepted in SAU’s Online RN to FNP program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Associate degree in nursing or diploma in nursing leading to RN licensure
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits
- An unrestricted, unencumbered, current nursing license from the state of employment; license must be kept current throughout the program
- Short personal statement
- Completed online application
SAU’s online RN to MSN-FNP program can be completed in as few as four years.
Take one course at a time while enjoying a week off between classes with our 7-1-7 model (seven-week courses, one-week breaks).
Typically, our RN to Family Nurse Practitioner classes have 20-25 students.
Students are taught the skills needed to analyze current policies within ethical framework and Christian teachings and will gain the experience needed to identify available resources and present solutions when unethical behaviors are observed. In addition, students also have the option to submit prayer requests and devotions within weekly classes.
Alleviating primary care shortages in underserved U.S. counties would save over 7,000 lives annually and boost life expectancy in the U.S. by two months.*
You will prepare to expand critical primary care access through SAU's online RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program.
FNPs can provide the full spectrum of primary care services, as primary care physicians do. They prescribe medication, perform examinations, diagnose illnesses and provide treatment for patients ranging from infants to older adults.
In some states, FNPs can practice independently. FNPs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospital outpatient clinics
- Private group practices
- Community health centers
- Schools
The median annual wage** of FNPs is $115,000, which is 42 percent higher than RNs.***
*National Council for Mental Wellbeing
**American Association of Nurse Practitioners
***U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Grow as a Christ-Centered Nurse
At Spring Arbor University, it is a privilege to provide a Christ-centered nursing education to our students and to participate in their journey. You will grow spiritually, personally and professionally throughout this program and will gain a better understanding of what it means to live out your faith as a nurse.
While the Christian faith is the foundation of our program, we welcome all students regardless of personal faith. All students will benefit from introspection and critical thinking as they consider how to meaningfully care for patients of different faith backgrounds.
Watch this video for more information on our faith-based philosophy.
Student Testimonials
"I knew I wanted to learn in a place where my faith would be supported and encouraged. As a non-traditional student, I needed a program that fit [with] my work schedule, and Spring Arbor does exactly that. The professors are always encouraging, and there are so many resources to help you succeed."
Katie Bozarth, MSN-FNP
"I thank God that he brought me to Spring Arbor because it has been such a wonderful experience for me.
[…] if you're wondering if you should go, I think you should talk to somebody. Call them up. They're going to help you. They're going to help you. If you don't know what you want, you will by the time you're done talking with them."
Tonya Devoz, MSN-FNP
“Before Spring Arbor University, I was working as a BSN. I’ve worked in multiple different areas of care and was interested in trying my hand as an advanced practice nurse. I chose Spring Arbor because it is a Christian-based program that allowed me to work full-time as a nurse while also attending school. The seven week on/one week off schedule was perfect for courses. I have enjoyed the program, especially the small class sizes that allowed me to get to know my peers and my professors. Upon graduation, I hope to explore the world as a FNP and my place in it. It is my goal to take care of people in the primary care environment and oversee the care of people over their life span.”
Aydrea Westrick, MSN-FNP
"She [Tracie] walked me through every step. Every time I felt like maybe I’m not good enough, maybe I don’t think I’ve got what it takes … she made me feel that if you want to do this, you can do this.”
David Bechtold, MSN-FNP
"It is a great program. The faculty are awesome. They are very supportive, they are very positive, just a good group of people that genuinely seem to care about the students."
Brooke Shaw, MSN-FNP
"You're not just a name, you're not just a number. There's a reason you're accepted, and there's a reason you choose the school."
Elena Howell, MSN-FNP
