Exceeding National Averages.
First Time Pass Rates.
97.8% of Simmons University graduates passed their ANCC boards in 2020.2
Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program
Ranked #9 in Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs1
Earn Your MSN Online
and Become an FNP
Empowering and educating nurses since 1902, Simmons University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program that extends our esteemed Boston-based FNP program to students across the country through a dynamic, online learning platform.
Nursing@Simmons’ innovative, online FNP program is designed for licensed registered nurses (RNs) who hold a BSN or a bachelor’s with a major in Nursing.
The baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs at Simmons are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Exceeding National Averages.
A Supportive Nursing Education Designed to Fit Students’ Lives
The Nursing@Simmons online FNP program is designed to help nurses earn their MSN while continuing to provide care and help patients in their communities — we offer full-time, part-time, and extended program options, and consistent support from faculty and staff.
To help working nurses successfully complete their degrees, the program incorporates a number of features which were implemented based on student feedback:
Predictable, standardized course schedules – Live courses are held on the same designated days of the week throughout the program for predictable scheduling that allows students to plan around work and life.
Clinical placement team –Students partner with a dedicated clinical placement specialist to find clinical sites and preceptors for rotations in or near their communities.
Course delivery that prioritizes RN lifestyles and learning outcomes – Courses are designed to help students learn in the way that works best for them, and are structured with our students’ busy schedules in mind. Many courses offer “flex scheduling,” with lectures hosted multiple times per week so students can choose the lecture session that fits their schedule. All live sessions are also recorded and accessible to students.
Support and coaching – In addition to our knowledgeable and accessible faculty, students have a dedicated academic advisor and student success specialist for help and guidance outside the classroom.
“In clinicals, multiple preceptors have commented that I am well prepared and far ahead of students from other universities.”
Simmons Online
FNP Admission
We offer five start dates throughout the year: in January, March, May, September, and November. Admission is conducted on a rolling basis. Review our application requirements and request information to learn more. An admission counselor will be available to help guide you through the application process and answer your questions about the program.
September 2023 Cohort
Application Deadline
The final deadline for the September 2023 cohort is July 21, 2023.
The FNP Role
Nursing Expertise
Nursing@Simmons prepares nurses with the solid knowledge base, comprehension, and clinical expertise required to practice as FNPs. Our program helps students broaden their scope of practice, provide holistic care to patients across the life span, and work in diverse clinical environments such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or community health centers.
Advanced Practice
As family nurse practitioners, graduates will be prepared to:
- initiate and manage patients’ treatment plans
- provide diagnoses and prescribe medication
- focus on disease prevention and health management
- improve the lives of patients and communities through health promotion
Demand for FNPs
By becoming an FNP, nurses may increase their earning potential in a field that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected to grow 52.4% between 2019 and 2029.3 Nurses can also gain a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction by expanding their scope of practice in a role that is consistently ranked one of the best jobs in health care.4
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is FNP-BC?
FNP-BC is a credential awarded to FNPs when they earn board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — BC stands for “board certified.” To become a certified FNP, candidates have to hold an RN license, an MSN degree, and must pass a computer-based board certification exam. The FNP certification lasts for five years.
How Do You Become a Family Nurse Practitioner?
To become an FNP, you need specialized graduate-level education and training, and post-graduation board certification. To apply to Simmons’ MSN – FNP program, you will need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, and a U.S. registered nurse (RN) license. View the complete list of application requirements for our MSN – FNP program.
What Is an FNP?
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides care to families across the lifespan — from infants to adults. Learn more about our MSN – FNP program.
What Do Family Nurse Practitioners Do?
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide care to patients across the life span and work in diverse settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or community health centers. They are responsible for managing patients’ treatment plans, providing diagnoses and prescribing medications, and focusing on disease prevention and health management.
Is FNP Better Than NP?
This depends on the population you want to serve. A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who works within a specific specialty in the medical field, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or women’s health. A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a type of NP who specializes in family medicine and provides care for patients of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Which Is Better: FNP or PNP?
Both FNPs and PNPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who hold board-certified specializations. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide care to families across the life span — from infants to adults. Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) provide care to newborns, adolescents, and young adults. Learn more about our MSN – FNP program to see if FNP is right for you.
Are FNPs in Demand?
How Competitive Is the FNP Salary?
FNPs hold an advanced level of clinical knowledge and expertise, with earning potential to match. Across several specialties, the median salary of an NP is $120,6807. You can meet the critical needs of all patient populations and advance in your career by earning an MSN from Simmons to become an FNP.
Explore More About the FNP Program
Curriculum | Admission | Tuition & Financial Aid | Which Degree Is Right for Me? | FAQs
If you are a licensed RN and do not have your bachelor’s degree, or you are already an APRN with an MSN, another track may be a better fit.
1Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs (2023) U.S. News and World Report. Ranked in 2022.
2The Simmons graduate ANCC pass rate statistic includes both on-campus and online students who took the exam in 2020. Simmons graduates, both on-campus and online students, had a 97.8% ANCC pass rate.
3Employment Projections — 2019 – 2029 (2020). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 11, 2021 from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecopro.pdf
4Nurse Practitioner Overview (2021). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/nurse-practitioner
5100 Best Jobs. US News & World Report. Accessed June 28, 2022.
6Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed May 5, 2022.
7Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 28, 2022.