Sacred Heart University Online Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN – FNP) Program
The College of Nursing at Sacred Heart University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN – FNP) program with 100% online coursework, a campus orientation, two competency and evaluation residencies, and practicums at approved facilities local to the student. This program is designed for BSN students who wish to become family nurse practitioners. FNP graduates may work in primary care clinics, government organizations, urgent care clinics, home healthcare situations, schools, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
Family Nurse Practitioners serve patients across the lifespan from infants to adults and older adults. Coursework for this degree focuses on health care research, advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and primary care topics. Learning outcomes include critical thinking using evidence-based practice, knowledgeable interpretation of medical information, effective communication with patients, families, communities, and other health care workers, health care education and patient counseling, and data analysis through health assessments and physical examinations. Interested students should note that they may need to travel significant distances to complete clinical requirements.
The Sacred Heart MSN – FNP program can be completed in three years taking one course per 16-week session. Many of the students are working professionals and are not able to take more courses at one time, however students may do so if it fits into their overall schedule. No GRE is required, however there are prerequisite courses and students must have a background check, liability insurance, and other items in place. Students also have the opportunity to study and complete clinicals abroad through the Global Programs.
Sacred Heart University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The online MSN – FNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of this program will be eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification exam to become a licensed FNP. Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, Connecticut.
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What to Expect from the Sacred Heart University Online MSN – FNP Program
Admission Requirements: Applicants to Sacred Heart University must have a BSN from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA. Applicants must also hold an unencumbered RN license in Connecticut or in their state of residence. In addition, applicants must have proof of professional liability insurance and have completed a background check. Application materials include the application, application fee, a statement of professional goals, a résumé, two letters of recommendation, a promise to pay form, disclosure, and official copies of transcripts of all prior nursing and academic coursework. Prerequisites include an undergraduate statistics course, an undergraduate research course, and an undergraduate health assessment course of at least 30 hours. Applicants will participate in an interview with faculty. No GRE or GMAT is required.
State Restrictions: While Sacred Heart University accepts students from most states into their MSN – FNP program, applicants outside of Connecticut should check with their state Board of Nursing to make sure they are eligible to study with Sacred Heart University. Sacred Heart University is authorized to operate in the SARA states. Note that residents of New York may enroll in the FNP program but may not complete clinicals in New York. In addition, due to limited clinical site opportunities in Connecticut, residents of Connecticut must be willing to complete clinicals in another state if necessary.
Study Plan: The Sacred Heart University online MSN – FNP is delivered in 16-week sessions and students should expect to spend 12 to 15 hours per week on each course. Students taking one course per session will be able to complete the program in three years. Start dates land in Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students come to campus for orientation and two other campus visits and have opportunities for global health experiences as well.
MSN – FNP Curriculum: The online MSN – FNP program comprises 42 credits and at least 550 clinical hours. Core courses include Health Policy and Ethics for Contemporary Nursing Practice; Principles of Health Care Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice; and Nursing Theory and Professional Roles for Contemporary Nursing Practice. FNP specialty courses include Family and Community Context for Healthcare; Advanced Pathophysiology for the Nurse Practitioner; Advanced Pharmacology for the Nurse Practitioner; Health Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner; Primary Care I: Comprehensive Primary Care of the Adult; and Primary Care II-III: Advanced Primary Care of Families in Complex Systems.
If students have not completed the following courses they will be added to the curriculum: Health Assessment for RNs and Statistics for Decision-Making.
Online Experience: Online MSN – FNP courses are completely asynchronous allowing for maximum flexibility with students’ work, family, and education schedules. However, students must complete assignments and participate in classroom discussions within a given timeframe. Sacred Heart University utilizes Blackboard as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Online learning tools may include lectures, readings, document sharing, discussion boards, and communication takes place through online chat, email, and phone calls. Online students have access to 24/7 technical support, academic advising, the online bookstore, online library, and career services.
On-Site Requirements: Sacred Heart FNP students are required to come to the Fairfield. Connecticut campus for orientation during their first semester, one residency in the first semester of their second year, and once residency in their final semester for skills testing. All other coursework is completely online and practicums are completed locally.
Paying for the Sacred Heart University Online MSN – FNP Program
Sacred Heart University charges $955 per credit plus fees for the online family nurse practitioner program. Interested students should contact the College of Nursing through Sacred Heart University for up-to-date tuition information as tuition costs may change from year to year.
Sacred Heart University students may be eligible for federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS Loans according to the FAFSA. FNP students are encouraged to inquire with their employers regarding a tuition reimbursement program. In addition, nursing students may also seek outside opportunities FNP degree.
Sacred Heart University offers FNP students competency and evaluation campus residencies and the opportunity to study and conduct clinicals abroad through Global Programs.
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, 06825
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
3
42
550
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
CT, NY
Program Tuition
42
$955.00
$40,110.00
$955.00
$40,110.00
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.