Chamberlain University Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Chamberlain University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN – FNP) degree through the College of Nursing & Public Health, along with an RN to BSN to MSN – FNP degree. The university also offers a Post-Master’s FNP Certificate for MSN/DNP-prepared registered nurses. These programs provide 100% online coursework with required practicums at approved facilities local to the student and one weekend campus intensive. Certificate students come to campus twice.
Family nurse practitioners serve all ages of the population from infancy to adolescence, adults and the aging population. They are able to diagnose and manage patient care, prescribe medications, and manage a patient’s health care as a team with other specialists and care providers. FNPs provide a range of health care services including routine check-ups, treating acute and chronic illness, and performing health risk assessments, immunizations, and preventative services.
Chamberlain University’s online FNP programs offer the flexibility of online asynchronous coursework with no group work, and a learning environment led by licensed family nurse practitioners. Students in the FNP programs must complete five practicums in the allotted time frame of seven weeks each. These practicums consist of 125 clinical hours and must be supervised by a preceptor.
In addition, all students attend an immersion weekend for the course Advanced Physical Assessment. Here, students have the opportunity to network with faculty and peers, conduct observations, and be assessed on their clinical assessment skills. This ensures students are adequately prepared to enter their practicum courses and experiences. Finally, Post-Master’s FNP Certificate students come to campus an additional time for an intensive review session.
Graduates of the Chamberlain FNP programs will be prepared to take the national certification exam for FNPs. Family nurse practitioners serve in various roles in hospitals, government organizations, clinics, private practice, schools, and other health care entities.
Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the FNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Chamberlain University is located in Downers Grove, Illinois.
What to Expect from the Chamberlain University Online FNP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the College of Nursing & Public Health at Chamberlain University must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA for all nursing coursework. Online applications must include an application fee, official transcripts, an admissions essay, and two letters of recommendation. All nursing applicants must show proof of a current, unencumbered RN license.
International students must also provide proof of English language proficiency as well as transcripts evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES).
- Program Specific Admission Requirements
- MSN – FNP: Hold a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution or a program accredited by an agency recognized by the CHEA; nursing coursework must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- RN to BSN to MSN – FNP (ADN Bridge Option): Hold an RN license with a diploma or an ADN degree (diploma or associate’s degree nursing program) from a regionally accredited institution or a program accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or an RN license accompanied by a non-nursing bachelor’s degree under the same accreditation requirements; ADN or diploma coursework must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. RN to BSN coursework must be completed with a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
- Post-Master’s FNP Certificate: Hold an MSN degree from a regionally accredited institution or a program accredited by an agency recognized by the CHEA; the earned MSN must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
State Restrictions: While Chamberlain University accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Illinois should check the State Authorization page through Chamberlain University as well as contacting graduate admissions as the FNP programs do not accept students from every state.
Study Plan: Chamberlain University online nursing programs are delivered 100% online and practicums are completed locally. All FNP programs require one weekend campus visit for an intensive. Additionally, FNP Certificate students come to campus for an intensive review session. Courses are offered in an 8-week format with two courses being completed per semester. The MSN-FNP can be completed in eight semesters, the RN-BSN to MSN in 10 semesters, and the Post-Master’s FNP Certificate in 5 semesters. The programs begin in January, March, May, July, September, November.
MSN – FNP Curriculum: The MSN – FNP program comprises 45 credits and 625 practicum hours. MSN-FNP courses include Foundational Concepts and Advanced Practice Roles; Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice; Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice; Population Health, Epidemiology & Statistical Principles; Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice; and Healthcare Policy and Leadership. Additionally students complete Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals; Advanced Pharmacology for Primary Care Family; and Advanced Physical Assessment.
Practicum courses include Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care; Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family; Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family; Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice Across the Lifespan; and an FNP Capstone Practicum and Intensive.
RN to BSN to MSN – FNP Curriculum: The RN to BSN to MSN – FNP program comprises 160 credits, 77 of which may be transferred in through an associate’s degree. The remaining 83 credits include general requirements and nursing courses. Students in this track complete all required MSN coursework and practicums as listed above as well as courses such as Statistical Reasoning for the Health Sciences; Transitions in Professional Nursing; RN Evidence-Based Practice; Political Science; and RN Community Health Nursing.
Post-Master’s FNP Certificate Curriculum: The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program comprises 30 credits and includes Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Physical Assessment, and Leadership and Role Development of the Advanced Practice Nurse. In addition, FNP Certificate students complete the five practicum experiences listed for the MSN.
Online Experience: Chamberlain University uses Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Canvas offers a multitude of learning tools that enhance the learning experience and allow faculty and students to communicate effectively and create an experiential learning environment. Through Canvas students can view videos, complete assignments, take assessments, participate in online discussions, exchange email, view syllabi and grades, and much more. Nursing students have access to several key success tools including Chamberlain Care Student Success Strategies which helps with time management, writing skills, and library use. A personal tour of the online Canvas system can be arranged with an admissions advisor. There is also an online classroom demonstration video series available to students. Additionally, students gain support from professors who devote time and attention to personalized communication, the student services team who provide financial and academic advice, the Tutoring Center Smarthinking online tutoring service, online library, ASPIRE counseling services, and 24/7 technical support.
On-Site Requirements: Students in all three FNP degree options are required to attend an immersion weekend as part of the Advanced Physical Assessment course. This immersion is held at the Q Center Training Facility in St. Charles, Illinois. During this Friday through Sunday experience students interact with peers and faculty and conduct clinical observation and evaluations. Each student is assessed on his/her clinical assessment skills to ensure they are ready for the practicum experiences. Students in the Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program also come to campus for an intensive review session.
Paying for the Chamberlain University Online FNP Programs
The online MSN – FNP and the Post-Master’s Certificate cost $655 per credit plus fees. For the RN to BSN to MSN – FNP program students are charged $590 per credit for undergraduate coursework and $655 per credit for graduate coursework. This averages out to about $630 per credit plus fees. Potential candidates should contact the admissions department of The School of Nursing & Public Health through Chamberlain University for current tuition information.
Chamberlain University may offer grants, loans, and scholarships to help finance nursing degrees. The DAISY Honoree Scholarship offers a 15% tuition savings for those who have won The DAISY Award, The DAISY Nurse Leader Award, The DAISY Team Award, The DAISY Training Award or The DAISY Faculty Award (through the DAISY Foundation). Federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS Loans may also be available. Nursing students are encouraged to check with their employer to see if they qualify for a tuition reimbursement program or tuition discounts. Additionally, Chamberlain students may pursue innovative opportunities to fund their nursing degree such as organizational or community scholarships.
100% online coursework, no group work, one campus immersion weekend, and 6 start dates make Chamberlain nursing programs an enticing option.
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Track Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner Track RN-BSN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Track (ADN Bridge)
3005 Highland Parkway
Downer's Grove, Illinois 60515
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nusing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January, March, May, July, September, November
No
1
45
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, DE, IL, IN, IA, MN, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, RI
Program Tuition
45
$655.00
$29,475.00
$655.00
$29,475.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January, March, May, July, September, November
No
2
30
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nusing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, DE, IL, IN, IA, MN, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, RI
Program Tuition
30
$655.00
$19,650.00
$655.00
$19,650.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nusing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January, March, May, July, September, November
No
1
83
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
3.0 or higher RN to BSN & No GRE Required
2.0 or higher ADN
AL, AK, AR, DE, IL, IN, IA, MN, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, RI
Program Tuition
83
$630.00
$52,290.00
$630.00
$52,290.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.