Online FNP Programs
The Future Is Bright for Family Nurse Practitioners
The demand for nurse practitioners is on the rise, with 40% employment growth projected through 20341. As a family nurse practitioner, you’ll provide comprehensive primary care across the lifespan, diagnose conditions, manage treatment plans and promote preventive health. If you’re drawn to building long-term patient relationships, delivering holistic care and serving as a trusted frontline provider, the FNP role may align well with your interests and career goals.
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Gain Clinical Expertise and Experience to Pursue FNP Certification
Sacred Heart University’s online FNP programs impart the advanced knowledge and clinical skills needed to provide a higher level of care to patients. You’ll complete online courses and clinical experiences that enable you to conduct physical exams, diagnose illnesses and offer treatment options in primary care settings.
Our FNP programs are ideal for registered nurses wanting to acquire an advanced degree and qualify for nurse practitioner roles. After earning your degree or graduate certificate, you’ll be prepared to seek FNP certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Explore FNP CurriculumPathways to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
Sacred Heart offers three pathways to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and you do not need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to get started. Each of our online FNP programs includes high-quality online courses taught by faculty members with advanced expertise and extensive experience in primary care.
RN-MSN
Take a Direct Path to Become a FNP
Total credit hours: 51 to 153
Duration: 3.5 years
Degrees earned: BSN and MSN
Program Details: Gain access to top-tier nursing positions by earning both your BSN and MSN. Focus on providing exceptional patient care or branch out into education, research, consulting, management and more.
Who Should Apply: This streamlined program is available to registered nurses seeking a direct path to an advanced degree. While completing the BSN coursework, you’ll need to maintain a 3.0 GPA to select the FNP specialization for your MSN degree.*
View ProgramMSN
Build on Your BSN to Become an FNP
Total credit hours: 36 to 42
Duration: 2 to 2.5 years
Degree earned: MSN
Program Details: Explore health care policy and ethics, principles of health care research and the underlying theories of contemporary nursing.
Who Should Apply: Designed for registered nurses who earned a BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA,* Sacred Heart’s FNP program delivers advanced education that aligns with the certification requirements for becoming a family nurse practitioner.
View ProgramPost-Master’s FNP Certificate
Build on Your MSN Degree to Become an FNP
Total credit hours: 24
Duration: 1.5 years
Certificate earned: FNP
Program Details: Learn to conduct physical examinations, diagnose and treat common illnesses, and help patients take action to improve or maintain their personal well-being.
Who Should Apply: Sacred Heart offers this post-master’s certificate to registered nurses who earned an MSN from an accredited college with a 3.0 GPA.* Through this online program, you’ll prepare to contribute to patient-centered care in various health care settings.
View ProgramDay in the Life of an FNP
When your FNP career begins, you will work directly with patients across the lifespan to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions. As a primary care provider, some of your responsibilities will include:
- Diagnosing and treating patients according to evidence-based practice
- Applying advanced pharmacology in treatment plans
- Educating patients to promote well-being
To prepare you for the demands of primary care, Sacred Heart’s FNP specialization includes an array of clinical experiences. The combination of online learning and hands-on practice lays a solid foundation for FNP roles and certification through ANCC or AANP.
Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?
- Primary care facilities (clinics, private practices and community health centers)
- Outpatient care centers
- Hospitals (ER, inpatient and specialty units)
- Long-term care centers
- Schools
- Telehealth
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Read ArticleSource and Disclaimer
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners.” Retrieved November 7, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-6.
*Each online nursing program includes specific admission requirements, available on the following pages: