Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner

The Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) concentration is designed for registered nurses who want to provide evidence-informed practice to culturally diverse populations using the latest technology for learning and practicing. This Program is grounded in a Caring Science model to teach a theoretical and evidenced-based practice of nursing. Students will learn how to implement best practices for promoting and managing the health of individuals, families, and communities. The Program provides the opportunity to be mentored as FNPs with distinctive populations in a variety of settings and communities.

Tuition Rate:

$36,262

(including fees)

Monthly Payment Plan:

$395 per month

Graduates that earn an MSN-FNP degree are eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing for a Nurse Practitioner. As of 2020, the California Board of nursing accepts three methods for application for NP licensure. Please review the details of those methods at https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml. All nurse practitioners must have a furnishing number to write prescriptions in California. Applications for furnishing numbers may be submitted at the time of nursing application. Per the California Code of Regulations, eligibility for Nurse Practitioner certification requires the possession of an active California registered nurse (RN) license.

Method One: California-Based Nurse Practitioner Education Program
Method Two: Non-California Based Nurse Practitioner Education Program.
Method Three: Equivalency

USU is a California-based Nurse Practitioner Program, and most learners are anticipated to apply for Method One:

Method One: California-Based Nurse Practitioner Education Program Documentation submitted directly to the Board of Registered Nursing:

Completed Application for Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification and applicable fee.
Completed Verification of Nurse Practitioner Academic Program form submitted by the nurse practitioner academic program.
Official, sealed transcript showing evidence of date of graduation or post-graduation nurse practitioner program.

Graduates are eligible to sit for a national certification exam from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Regulations vary from state to state, and non-California resident students are encouraged to carefully read the requirements and conduct further research in the state in which they intend to seek licensure as a Nurse Practitioner. There may potentially be other non-program requirements that students should be aware of, e.g. criminal background checks.

United States University actively monitors its state authorizations and state board of nursing program approvals for its MSN-FNP program. USU does not enroll in states where such approvals have not been received and remain current and on file with the Office of Accreditation, Regulatory Compliance and Institutional Effectiveness. Students are encouraged to review state authorization information here: https://www.usuniversity.edu/about/accreditation/ and encouraged to speak with their Enrollment Advisor prior to enrollment.

Required Time On-Campus

Students in the FNP program will be required to complete one 3-day face-to-face immersion during their MSN572 Advanced Health and Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan course. Immersion is required for course and degree completion, and must be taken concurrently with the MSN572 course. Students will be working with standardized patients and learning advanced clinical skills. Campus immersion dates are provided to students during orientation and there is also a schedule posted in the Nursing Caring Corner in D2L. Immersion dates may differ for students that have any changes to their degree plan such as, but not limited to, transfer credit, drop, fail or withdraw from courses, take leave from the University, or any change that may impact their program progress in any way. Students are encouraged to review the immersion schedule and plan work absences, travel, and transportation arrangements accordingly. All immersion related activities are at the student’s own expense.

Core Requirements:
Advanced Practice Requirements:
Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty Requirements: