Northern Illinois University Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
The Northern Illinois University (NIU) School of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP) with a family nurse practitioner (FNP) focus. Students complete coursework online and come to campus for three visits. Clinical preceptorships are completed at approved facilities local to the student.
The School of Nursing operates from a set of core values that includes integrity, commitment, social justice, and responsiveness. Under these values, NIU seeks to prepare nurses to: serve with integrity and respect for the dignity of all of humanity, follow a code of ethics and standards of practice, operate from a place of moral principles, and uphold basic human rights.
The MSN – FNP program can be completed in two and a half years on a full-time basis, preparing nurses to serve in a much-needed role in the community. In fact, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data, jobs for nurse practitioners are expected to rise by 28 percent between 2018 and 2028, as compared to a five percent increase across all jobs (BLS, 2018).
Key outcomes of the MSN-FNP program include the ability to integrate all facets of healthcare to improve quality of care and patient outcomes, to effectively communicate with teams of healthcare professionals to create care plans for their patients and promote health and well-being, and to improve the safety of patient care.
The DNP-FNP program prepares bachelors prepared nurses to take on leadership roles in the healthcare community. Moving through the MSN coursework seamlessly into the DNP curriculum provides a fast track to the highest nursing practice level, a level that may eventually become the required degree for nurse practitioners. DNP graduates lead by improving patient quality of care, implementing research into practice, analyzing problems and finding solutions that take into account cost, quality, and efficiency.
Graduates of the MSN and BSN to DNP programs will be eligible to sit for the family nurse practitioner certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Northern Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The NIU online FNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Northern Illinois University is located in DeKalb, Illinois.
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What to Expect
General Graduate Nursing Admissions Requirements: Students must hold a current, unencumbered RN license in the state of Illinois and a BSN degree from an accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Application materials include an application, application fee, official transcripts, a professional goal statement, and three professional letters of recommendation. No GMAT or GRE is required, nor will it be considered for admission. An interview may be required.
State Restrictions: Northern Illinois University is an NC-SARA participant and accepts students from all states into their online programs. However, importantly, FNP program graduates only meet eligibility requirements for FNP licensure in Illinois and Wisconsin. Students from other states should check with their state’s Board of Nursing to see if they qualify and should be advised that at this time these programs do not meet criteria for licensure in other states.
Study Plan: The Northern Illinois University online MSN takes about two and a half years full-time and longer for part-time. Students have up to six years to complete the program. Start dates land in the Fall and Spring. Courses run on semesters and may include summer sessions in the plan. The program can be completed both part-time and full-time.
The BSN to DNP program can be completed full-time in four years and students have up to 10 years to complete the program. Start dates land in the Fall and Spring and courses run on semesters. Students in both the MSN and BSN to DNP complete local preceptorships and visit campus infrequently throughout their program.
MSN – FNP Curriculum: The online MSN – FNP program comprises a minimum of 50 credits plus at least 572 clinical hours. Core courses include Educational Statistics I or Biostatistics in Public Health or Biostatistical Analysis; Transition to Graduate Level Nursing; Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan; Advanced Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing; Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan; Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan and Lab; Advanced Nursing Leadership; Clinical Prevention for Population Health; and Informatics for Evidence-Based Nursing.
FNP specialization courses include Primary Care: Infant, Child, and Adolescent; Primary Care: Adult; Internship: Infant, Child, and Adolescent; Primary Care: Women During Reproduction; Internship: Adult Across the Lifespan with an Emphasis on Women; Internship: Adults Across the Lifespan.
BSN to DNP – FNP Curriculum: The online BSN to DNP – FNP program comprises 76 credits plus 1,072 clinical hours. Core courses follow the same core as the MSN. Advanced Practice Nursing courses include Diagnostic Reasoning and Primary Care: Women Across the Lifespan. In addition, students choose two of the following skills courses: X-ray Interpretation; Suturing; Electrocardiogram Interpretation; Orthopedic Skills and Office Procedures; and Billing and Coding Processes.
The FNP specialization courses follow the MSN course sequence. DNP core courses include Advanced Nursing Leadership; DNP Research: Evidence-Based Practice Methods; Clinical Prevention for Population Health; Advanced Nursing Ethics; Informatics for Evidence-based Nursing; and Data Analysis in the Health Sciences.
Students also complete DNP Project I-III: Seminar and DNP Project I-III: Practicum.
Online Experience: NIU utilizes Blackboard as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are asynchronous with the ability to use webconferencing, discussion groups, chat, email, and other web services. Students use the platform to view syllabi, check and submit assignments, take assessments, and collaborate with faculty and peers. Student services include technical support, disability resources, library services, writing skills help through The University Writing Center, career development support, academic advising, and faculty support.
On-Site Requirements: Northern Illinois University FNP students are required to come to the DeKalb, Illinois campus for at least three immersion experiences: one during the health assessment, and one each during the two chosen skills courses. Other immersion experiences may be required. All other coursework is online and preceptorships are completed local to the student.
Paying for the Northern Illinois University Online FNP Programs
Northern Illinois University charges the same tuition rate for residents and out-of-state students. Tuition is listed in the tables below. Prospective students should contact the NIU School of Nursing for cost clarifications and updates.
NIU offers unsubsidized federal graduate loans according to the FAFSA. Nursing students may also check with their employers to see if a tuition reimbursement program or tuition discounts are available. Nursing students may also seek other opportunities for funding such as outside scholarships and grants.
Northern Illinois University operates its FNP MSN and DNP programs from core values that include integrity, social justice, and commitment, seeking to serve every person with respect and dignity through a code of ethics and high moral principles.
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
1425 W. Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, Illinois
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
3
76
572
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
76
$745.00
$56,620.00
$745.00
$56,620.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
3
50
1,072
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
50
$745.00
$37,250.00
$745.00
$37,250.00
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.
Sara Navratil
WriterSara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.