Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program

Ranked #9 in Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs1

Earn Your MSN Online
and Become an FNP

Empowering and educating nurses since 1902, Simmons University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program that extends our esteemed Boston-based FNP program to students across the country through a dynamic, online learning platform.

Nursing@Simmons’ innovative, online FNP program is designed for licensed registered nurses (RNs) who hold a BSN or a bachelor’s with a major in Nursing.

The baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs at Simmons are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Exceeding National Averages.
First Time Pass Rates.

96.05% of Simmons University graduates passed their ANCC boards in 2022.2

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A Supportive Nursing Education Designed to Fit Students’ Lives

The Nursing@Simmons online FNP program is designed to help nurses earn their MSN while continuing to provide care and help patients in their communities — we offer full-time, part-time, and extended program options, and consistent support from faculty and staff. 

To help working nurses successfully complete their degrees, the program incorporates a number of features which were implemented based on student feedback:

Predictable, standardized course schedules – Live courses are held on the same designated days of the week throughout the program for predictable scheduling that allows students to plan around work and life.

Clinical placement team –Students partner with a dedicated clinical placement specialist to find clinical sites and preceptors for rotations in or near their communities.

Course delivery that prioritizes RN lifestyles and learning outcomes – Courses are designed to help students learn in the way best for them, and are structured with our students’ busy schedules in mind. Many courses offer flexible attendance so students can choose to attend the live lecture or view the recording at a time more convenient for them.

Support and coaching – In addition to our knowledgeable and accessible faculty, students have a dedicated academic advisor and student success specialist for help and guidance outside the classroom.

“In clinicals, multiple preceptors have commented that I am well prepared and far ahead of students from other universities.”

– Alyssa Porter, Nursing@Simmons Student

Simmons Online
FNP Admission

We offer three start dates throughout the year: in January, May, and September. Admission is conducted on a rolling basis. Review our application requirements and request information to learn more. An admission counselor will be available to help guide you through the application process and answer your questions about the program.

May 2024 Cohort
Application Deadline

The final deadline for the September 2024 cohort is July 22, 2024.

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The FNP Role

Nursing Expertise

Nursing@Simmons prepares nurses with the solid knowledge base, comprehension, and clinical expertise required to practice as FNPs. Our program helps students broaden their scope of practice, provide holistic care to patients across the life span, and work in diverse clinical environments such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or community health centers.

Advanced Practice

As family nurse practitioners, graduates will be prepared to:

  • initiate and manage patients’ treatment plans
  • provide diagnoses and prescribe medication
  • focus on disease prevention and health management
  • improve the lives of patients and communities through health promotion

Demand for FNPs

By becoming an FNP, nurses may increase their earning potential in a field that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected to grow 52.4% between 2019 and 2029.3 Nurses can also gain a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction by expanding their scope of practice in a role that is consistently ranked one of the best jobs in health care.4

Frequently Asked Questions

  • FNP-BC is a credential awarded to FNPs when they earn board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — BC stands for “board certified.” To become a certified FNP, candidates have to hold an RN license, an MSN degree, and must pass a computer-based board certification exam. The FNP certification lasts for five years.

  • To become an FNP, you need specialized graduate-level education and training, and post-graduation board certification. To apply to Simmons’ MSN – FNP program, you will need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, and a U.S. registered nurse (RN) license. View the complete list of application requirements for our MSN – FNP program.

  • A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides care to families across the lifespan — from infants to adults.

  • Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide care to patients across the life span and work in diverse settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or community health centers. They are responsible for managing patients’ treatment plans, providing diagnoses and prescribing medications, and focusing on disease prevention and health management.

  • This depends on the population you want to serve. A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who works within a specific specialty in the medical field, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or women’s health. A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a type of NP who specializes in family medicine and provides care for patients of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

  • Both FNPs and PNPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who hold board-certified specializations. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide care to families across the life span — from infants to adults. Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) provide care to newborns, adolescents, and young adults.

  • Yes, FNPs are in demand. They can help meet the health needs of patients across the life span. In 2022, U.S. News & World Report named nurse practitioner the nation’s No. 2 best job5. Plus, employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 52% between 2020 to 20306.

  • FNPs hold an advanced level of clinical knowledge and expertise, with earning potential to match. Across several specialties, the median salary of an NP is $120,6807. You can meet the critical needs of all patient populations and advance in your career by earning an MSN from Simmons to become an FNP.

If you are a licensed RN and do not have your bachelor’s degree, or you are already an APRN with an MSN, another track may be a better fit.

1Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs (2023) U.S. News and World Report. Ranked in 2022.

2This statistic includes both on-campus and online students who graduated in 2022. The 96.05% Simmons board pass rate and the 85.9% national board pass rate are an average of the pass rates gathered from the ANCC.

3Employment Projections — 2019 – 2029 (2020). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 11, 2021 from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecopro.pdf

4Nurse Practitioner Overview (2021). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/nurse-practitioner

5100 Best Jobs. US News & World Report. Accessed June 28, 2022.

6Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed May 5, 2022.

7Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 28, 2022.