Georgetown Master of Science in Nursing | OnlineGeorgetown Master of Science in Nursing | OnlineGeorgetown Master of Science in Nursing | Online

Evolve your nursing career with Georgetown University’s School of Nursing, where you will be empowered to practice with purpose through our commitment to health equity and service to others.Evolve your nursing career with Georgetown University’s School of Nursing, where you will be empowered to practice with purpose through our commitment to health equity and service to others.Evolve your nursing career with Georgetown University’s School of Nursing, where you will be empowered to practice with purpose through our commitment to health equity and service to others.

  • CCNE-Accredited Programs — The MS in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  • Accelerate your career — Pursue your degree online and graduate in as few as 19 months. No GRE required. Part-time options available.
  • Top-Ranked Program — Ranked #3 in Family Nurse Practitioner Programs by U.S. News & World Report1, reflecting our commitment to health equity and service to others.

Online FNP Program Highlights

#3

Ranked Family Nurse Practitioner Programs by U.S. News & World Report2

CCNE

Accredited

100%

Average ANCC School
Certification Rate in 2023

100%

Average AANPCB School
Certification Rate in 2023

FNP Program Overview

Through a blend of asynchronous didactic content, synchronous class sessions, and in-person Objective Clinical Intensives (OCIs), the distance-based, online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program from Georgetown University School of Nursing prepares advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to provide primary care for the whole family in a variety of clinical settings.

The distance-based, online FNP program is designed for RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who are interested in primary care, promoting health and preventing disease.

Master of Science in Nursing graduates are prepared to pursue board certification and credentialing offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). Once certified, graduates can provide family-centered primary care.

Download the program brochure here (PDF, 3.4 MB).

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Family Nurse Practitioner Program Curriculum

The FNP curriculum is grounded in the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Students cultivate a holistic view of family health that encompasses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

The distance-based, online FNP program prepares students to pursue family nurse practitioner certification. The curriculum consists of 44 total credits and a minimum of 650 clinical hours.

To learn more about applying, visit the admissions page.

The Program

The Family Nurse Practitioner program affords registered nurses the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Nursing while continuing to work and fulfill their professional and personal responsibilities during the first year of study.

The curriculum at a glance:

44

credits

19-27

months to complete

7

total terms

650

minimum clinical hours

2

required Objective Clinical Intensives

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to advance your nursing career, request information about the distance-based, online Family Nurse
Practitioner program from Georgetown University School of Nursing.

Request Information

CCNE Accreditation

The distance-based, online Master of Science in Nursing at Georgetown University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CCNE accreditation ensures that nursing degree programs consistently provide high-quality education supported by effective educational practices.

As one of Georgetown University School of Nursing CCNE-accredited nurse practitioner programs, the distance-based, online FNP program offers a robust educational experience for aspiring primary care providers. Georgetown University School of Nursing faculty are committed to ensuring graduates are well-prepared not only for the certification exam but also for a career providing essential care to individuals and families.

FNP Program Certification Examination First-Time Pass Rates

Upon graduation, graduates are eligible to sit for certification examinations; they must also meet state requirements (including criminal history, mental or physical disability, and disciplinary action) to obtain licensure. The FNP program prepares graduates to sit for the family nurse practitioner certification exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP) for board certification and credentialing.

Georgetown University School of Nursing graduates regularly achieve outstanding first-time pass rates on the board certification exams. The statistics below include pass rate information for online students who graduated from Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Nursing program in the year indicated.

2023

  • AANP School Pass Rate Average – 100%
  • ANCC School Pass Rate Average – 100%

20223

  • AANP School Pass Rate Average – 98%
  • ANCC School Pass Rate Average – 100%

2021

  • ANCC School Pass Rate Average – 100%
  • AANP School Pass Rate Average – 98.4%

2020

  • ANCC School Pass Rate Average – 100%
  • AANP School Pass Rate Average – 98.08%

Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

The Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates to practice independently in a variety of clinical settings. The role of an FNP varies depending on state licensure and practice legislation.

Full scope of practice for FNPs includes all aspects of primary care, including diagnosis and management of common acute and complex chronic conditions.

Registered nurses seeking to become nurse practitioners will enter a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow 40 percent between 2021 and 2031.

Career outcomes for FNPs vary by region and city, but earning a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University means RNs can become nurse practitioners from anywhere in the country, from Seattle to Chicago, Raleigh to Atlanta, and Philadelphia to Minneapolis.

Other Distance-Based, Online Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Programs at Georgetown University

In addition to the FNP program, Nursing@Georgetown offers three other distance-based, online master’s programs for aspiring nurse practitioners and advanced nursing professionals. Learn more about the following distance-based, online NP program and APRN specializations, which allow you to pursue board certification in your area of professional interest:

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Georgetown University’s online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program.

  • FNP-BC is the credential used when a family nurse practitioner is board certified (BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The FNP-C or NP-C credential is used when a family nurse practitioner is board certified (C) by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). Both certifications are recognized nationally. Nursing@Georgetown’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses to pursue board certification in one of four specializations of their choice, including FNP.

  • To specialize in family practice as a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse must first gain advanced education in health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology and diagnostic reasoning and preparing themself for board certification by completing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The Nursing@Georgetown DNP program equips registered nurses with both hands-on the clinical experience and board certification preparation.

    Upon graduation, what certification examinations are FNP graduates eligible to sit for?
    The FNP program prepares graduates to sit for the family nurse practitioner certification exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP) for board certification and credentialing. Georgetown University School of Nursing graduates regularly achieve outstanding first-time pass rates on the board certification exams. Graduates must also meet state requirements (including criminal history, mental or physical disability, and disciplinary action) to obtain licensure.

  • A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced-practice registered nurse who specializes in providing comprehensive primary care for patients of all ages, including infants, adolescents, adults and seniors. FNPs provide preventative care and promote general wellness, treat individuals and families throughout significant portions of their lifespan with acute and chronic illnesses, conditions and injuries. FNPs practice in a variety of health care settings, including community health centers, private practice, health care systems and universities.

  • FNPs care for patients ranging from infants to the elderly and may serve as the primary care provider for entire families. They educate patients on preventative health care measures, acute and chronic health issues, monitor long-term health, and assess, diagnose, manage and treat illnesses and conditions.

  • Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are nurse practitioners (NPs) who specialize in family health. They provide comprehensive primary care throughout a patient’s lifetime. NPs have many specialization opportunities, including adult-gerontology, women’s health, pediatrics, and more. These specializations are based on educational background and type of care the NP is interested in providing.

  • FNPs and PNPs are specializations held by nurse practitioners, each requiring advanced nursing degrees and certification. The key difference between a family nurse practitioner and a pediatric nurse practitioner is the populations they serve: FNPs care for patients throughout their lifespan, while PNPs provide care from infanthood through adolescence.

  • FNPs are in demand. They are equipped to provide primary care to patients of all ages. Because FNPs are uniquely situated to meet the increasing demand for primary care providers, career prospects are high, and demand is expected to grow 40% from 2021 to 2031.1

    Further in 2022, U.S. News & World Report named nurse practitioner the nation’s No. 2 best job.2

  • The U.S. is experiencing a shortage of primary care physicians, with demand projected to continue exceeding supply.3 As FNPs step in to meet this demand, their expertise often translates into competitive salaries. Experienced nurse practitioners, including family nurse practitioners, may earn a median annual wage of $120,680.4

  1. Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved August 2024. ↩︎
  2. Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved August 2024. ↩︎
  3. For reference, the national certification rate for the 2022 ANCC certification was 91%, and the national average certification rate for the 2022 AACN certification was 74%. Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ↩︎