Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner

MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Earning your Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner degree from HBU will prepare you for rewarding and flexible practitioner roles in family-focused healthcare settings including managing, diagnosing, and treating patients from across the lifespan.

The FNP program prepares you to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

  • 100% Online, Asynchronous Coursework
  • Faith-based education with a holistic approach
  • 24-26 Months – Work While You Learn (part-time)
  • 2 Starts per Year (Fall, Spring)
  • CCNE Accredited
  • $23,000 Tuition ($500 per credit)
  • 46 Credits
  • Clinical Hours (733 Hours)

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Where can an FNP degree take you*?

$58K - $99K

Registered Nurse

$79K - $164K

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

$74K - $134K

Family Nurse Practitioner

*Glassdoor.com, Texas Salaries, February 2022

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Curriculum

This course explores and analyzes theories and propositions from social, psychological, medical, nursing, and interpersonal relations as a foundation to understanding research, practice, and scholarship in nursing. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

This course focuses on pathophysiological processes across the lifespan and the development of clinical reasoning skills that distinguish the relationships between normal physiology and specific system alterations produced by injury and disease. Particular attention will be given to etiology, pathogenesis, developmental and environmental influences, and clinical manifestations of major health problems. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

This course provides the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents. The pharmacologic treatment of major health problems will be explored. Principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics will be examined. The effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender and funding on pharmacologic therapy will be emphasized. Legal aspects of prescribing will be fully addressed. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

Students will learn to integrate appropriate research to assist in resolving clinical issues. Evidence-based practice will be utilized to include patient preferences and values as well as clinical expertise while integrating research data.

The principles and theories germane to leadership will be explored in relation to complex organizations and the development of leadership styles and policy making within microsystems, mesosystems, and macrosystems to transform those healthcare systems. Course content will include continuous quality improvement models, processes, and tools to measure outcomes in a healthcare facility. Emphasis will be placed on the political, demographic, and economic forces that influence the development of health policy and professional nursing practice. Ethical and legal dimensions of nursing practice and interprofessional relationships at advanced level will be explored. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

This course will build upon health assessment skills developed in the professional nurse’s basic educational program. The theoretical and clinical basis for assessment in advanced nursing practice will be developed. The process whereby the advanced practitioner utilizes comprehensive physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment across the lifespan to gather specific data relevant to common health problems is demonstrated. Faculty and preceptors facilitate laboratory and clinical experiences, which focus on assessment of clients and presentation of findings in a variety of settings. This course will require 27 hours of precepted patient care hours practicing the didactic content across the lifespan. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

This course is designed to provide the learner with an overview of growth and development, encompassing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that occur from conception through late adulthood. This course will include an introduction to the human development theories common to all people, as well as five ways in which the population differs from others. The learner will gain hands-on experience through precepted direct patient care of individuals within the context of family. Evidence-based practice is interwoven with practical applications to parenting, teaching, healthcare, and public policy. This course will provide didactic and hands-on practice with guidelines for health supervision of infants, children, and adolescents. This course has 81 hours of precepted clinical and is 40% didactic and 60% direct patient care.

Focus in on managing complex healthcare problems through the development of evidence-based diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills. Participants evaluate the use of advanced diagnostic techniques in terms of best evidence, client values/beliefs, available resources, and clinical expertise. This course will also provide hands-on practice with the advanced skills needed in primary care. This class requires 20 simulation/lab hours on campus or alternative location. This class requires 20 simulation/lab hours on campus or alternative location. This course is 85% didactic and 15% simulation/lab.

This course is the first of two that explores advanced studies in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illnesses in adult patient populations. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to progress in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical, including 135 clinical hours.

This course provides didactic in the diagnosis and management of women’s health. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

This course is the second of two that provides content in the diagnosis and management of adult illness. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical.

This course provides advanced nursing practice studies in the diagnosis and management of common, acute and chronic illnesses in pediatric patient population. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. This course is 40% didactic and 60% clinical, including 81 clinical hours.

The purpose of this course is to provide a conceptual basis for advanced practice nursing. Students examine nurse practitioner competencies with emphasis on acquiring knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in healthcare delivery, health policy, and complex healthcare systems. Research and quality improvement mechanisms to implement change are explored. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

This course will provide the opportunity for the learner to integrate and practice the content from previous courses. This course is a precepted clinical of 180 hours. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

Houston Baptist University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program allows you to efficiently complete your master’s degree in about two years. The program is a made up of 14 courses for a total of 46 credits. Below is an outline of the FNP program.

Nurse Practitioners are In Demand

Demand for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) is far greater than the supply, putting NPs in demand across the state. The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies estimates that Texas needs more than 4,580 new NPs to fill today’s job opportunities. At only 4%* of the RN workforce in Texas, NPs are on the rise and answering the needs of our aging population and changing healthcare environment. NPs enjoy a range of healthcare environments and types of roles, offering you long-term flexibility to shape your career on your own terms.

*American Nurses Association, 2016

Master’s in Nursing Program Features

Four In-Demand Online MSN Programs at HBU:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care (PNP-PC)
  • Nurse Education
  • Nurse Leadership

Flexible, Affordable and Convenient

  • 100% Online, Asynchronous Coursework
  • Practicum & Role Immersion Experiences at Healthcare Facilities Near You
  • 24 Month Completion Time – Work While You Learn

Learn Comprehensive Skill Sets Valuable to Employers

In order to meet the need for highly trained nursing staff in Texas hospitals and healthcare facilities, the online MSN programs follow an industry-aligned format. Program competencies blend employer requirements and those of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties ensuring that the curriculum is high quality and targeted to the skills you need to succeed today. Our MSN curriculum is student-centric and personalized, blending online courses with direct, hands-on experiences. Learning outcomes are industry-aligned, utilizing next-generation technology, and strongly supported by clinical/practicum and preceptor experiences.

Tight-Knit Community and Personalized Support

As a student at HBU, you are provided with a supportive and tight-knit community from day one. Instead of learning in crowded lecture halls, students receive real-time, personalized feedback while working online as well as at leading healthcare facilities to master their skills. Individualized faculty support guides you along the way through coursework and hands-on clinical/practicum and preceptor experiences.

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