Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at the Orvis School of Nursing (OSN) prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver comprehensive primary care to individuals and families across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics. FNPs are qualified to assess, diagnose, and manage a wide range of health issues while promoting wellness and preventive care.

This program offers both MSN and DNP degree options as well as a post-master’s certificate, providing students with flexibility in pursuing advanced practice nursing education. Through specialized coursework and immersive clinical experiences, students gain the skills to address complex health needs within diverse community settings, including family practices, outpatient clinics, and specialty centers. Students complete 780 clinical hours (500-780 clinical hours for post-master’s certificate) in supervised settings, fully coordinated by OSN, enabling them to focus entirely on patient care and professional growth. DNP students complete additional residency hours for a total of 1000 hours.

Scope of practice and career opportunities

Graduates of the FNP program are prepared to deliver high-quality, family-centered care, addressing health needs for all ages, from infants to older adults. The program empowers graduates to pursue careers in primary care clinics, urgent care, community health centers, and specialty practices where they play a key role in patient wellness, disease prevention, and chronic illness management.

Upon completion of the FNP track, graduates will be able to do the following:

• Integrate advanced clinical and theoretical knowledge to assess and manage a wide array of health conditions across the lifespan.
• Utilize clinical reasoning and build collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary teams to deliver optimal, patient-centered care.
• Promote health and prevent disease through individualized, family-centered care, education, and counseling.
• Apply evidence-based practices to enhance quality and outcomes in primary care settings.
• Advocate for patient and family well-being through health education, empowerment, and support.

Curriculum and clinical experience

The FNP curriculum combines rigorous academic coursework with 780 clinical hours (500 for post-master’s certificate) in OSN-secured placements, ensuring students gain practical experience across diverse care environments.

Sample courses include the following:

• Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
• Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology for Family Practice
• Diagnosis and Management of Common and Chronic Conditions
• Family-Centered Care and Health Promotion

Clinical experiences include family practice settings, community health centers, pediatric clinics, and specialty care environments.

Certification and accreditation

Graduates of the FNP program are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam (American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Association of Nurse Practitioners). Orvis graduates regularly exceed the national first-attempt pass rate, with most cohorts achieving a 100% pass rate. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reflecting OSN’s commitment to excellence in nursing education.