Southern New Hampshire University Online Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN – FNP) Program

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers an online Master of Science in Nursing program, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN – FNP) track with online coursework, a one-week immersion in New Hampshire, and clinical practice hours under the guidance of preceptors. Taught by doctorally prepared clinical faculty, the SNHU FNP track prepares graduates to serve patients of all ages, assessing, diagnosing, and treating acute and chronic illnesses. In addition, FNPs focus on preventive healthcare and patient education.

SNHU offers five start dates per year and FNP students can complete the degree in just under two years by taking two courses per 10-week term. Course delivery is asynchronous for maximum flexibility and tuition is very affordable. The one-week immersion is connected with the class Advanced Pharmacology for the Prescriber. Here the students demonstrate learned skills in assessment, diagnostics, and pharmacotherapies through clinical simulation. There is a separate cost for the immersion.

The MSN FNP program track covers the study of adults and gerontological patients, infants, children, adolescents, and women, as well as mental health. Clinical practicums are required and are distributed across five courses in primary care settings. In addition, courses cover evidence-based practice, nursing leadership, epidemiological and biostatistical applications in healthcare, and interprofessional collaboration.

Graduates of the program will have met the educational requirements to sit for one of the national FNP certification exams through either the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Family nurse practitioners may work in primary care clinics, private or group practices, schools, government facilities, long-term care facilities, home health nursing, and research organizations.

Southern New Hampshire University is located in Manchester, NH, and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.

What to Expect from the SNHU Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Admission Requirements: MSN applicants must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. All applicants must hold an unencumbered RN license in an approved state of study where students reside and where clinicals will be completed.

Applicants must also have two years of full-time nursing work experience and identify at least one possible preceptor for clinical experiences. No GRE or GMAT is required. Application materials include an application, resume or CV, acknowledgement form, technical requirements, official transcripts, and proof of RN licensure.

State Restrictions: Southern New Hampshire accepts students from eleven states at this time: Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.

Study Plan: The MSN – FNP track can be completed in a little less than two years attending on a full-time basis at two courses per 10-week term. Students have up to five years to complete the program track after completing NUR 600. The MSN program begins five times per year. All coursework is online and delivered in an asynchronous manner, and clinicals are completed at approved sites local to the student. A one-week immersion is also included in New Hampshire.

MSN – FNP Curriculum: The Southern New Hampshire University MSN FNP program track comprises 51 credits plus 650 clinical practice hours. Core courses include Role Development and Transformation of the MSN Professional Nurse; Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare; Epidemiology and Biostatistical Applications in Healthcare; Global Health and Diversity; and Evidence-Based Practice and Scholarly Inquiry.

Nurse practitioner courses include Advanced Clinical Pathology; Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning; and Advanced Pharmacology for the Prescriber (immersion included).

FNP specialty courses include Primary Care of Adults and Gerontological Patients; Primary Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents; Primary Care of Women; Primary Care for Mental Health; and Primary Care Across the Lifespan Practicum I-V.

Online Experience: The SNHU FNP track is delivered asynchronously in weekly modules so students can successfully meet course requirements. Students communicate with faculty and peers through discussion boards, multimedia tools, phone calls, and email correspondence. Each student is assigned an academic advisor who can help plan course schedules and support students throughout the program.

Student serviced include IT solutions, a writing center, tutoring services, career services, library services, and are available even on weekends. Southern New Hampshire University also offers SNHUconnect, an online student union where students can meet up with faculty, staff, and peers to collaborate on projects, gain feedback, and share ideas. Finally, SNHU helps students secure clinical preceptorships at approved locations.

On-Site Requirements: SNHU FNP students travel to New Hampshire for a one-week clinical immersion experience. This clinical immersion is connected with the course Advanced Pharmacology for the Prescriber and students demonstrate learned skills in assessment, diagnostics, and pharmacotherapies through clinical simulation. All other coursework is online and clinicals are completed in approved states.

Paying for Southern New Hampshire University Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Southern New Hampshire University charges $627 per credit plus fees for the online MSN-FNP program track. There is a separate $2,000 cost for the one-week immersion in New Hampshire. The fee covers items associated with the immersion, such as facility rentals, on-site faculty, training materials, and standardized patients. Travel including transportation costs, flights, lodging and meal costs are not included in this fee and are the responsibility of the student to pay for and secure. Prospective students should contact SNHU for current tuition information and costs as these may change from year to year.

Southern New Hampshire University offers federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS Loans, according to the FAFSA. In addition to graduate loans, some students may be eligible for SNHU scholarships. Prospective students should inquire with the financial aid office through Southern New Hampshire University. Finally, students may have the option of employer tuition reimbursement programs, private loans, and outside scholarships and grants.

Southern New Hampshire University

SNHU offers affordable tuition, a one-week immersion, five start dates, and local clinicals for its Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program.

APRN Programs

MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Campus Address

2500 N River Road
Manchester, New Hampshire 03106

Southern New Hampshire University – MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

January, March, June, August, October

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

1

Credits Needed to Graduate

51

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

750

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

51

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$637.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$32,487.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$637.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$32,487.00

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

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara 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.