Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner online
This CCNE-accredited online program prepares you to assess and promote the health of children and adults as a nurse practitioner.
Apply by:
Start class:
Program Overview
Why consider WP’s RN to MSN – FNP online program.
$38,128.75
Total Tuition
28 months
Duration
65*
Credit Hours
This CCNE-accredited RN to Master of Science in Nursing FNP online program from William Paterson University prepares you to assess and promote the health of children and adults. Designed to be flexible for working nurses, this RN to MSN FNP gives you the opportunity to earn two degrees in one seamless program. After completing the embedded baccalaureate curricula, you will earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, qualifying you for new career opportunities as you continue toward your MSN. This innovative program equips you with the specialized knowledge and clinical experience you need to provide primary care to patients of all ages as an advanced nurse practitioner.
Coursework is 100 percent online and includes exploration of the role of the APN, nursing research strategies, legislation and social policy, and population health. You will also examine advanced pathophysiology; pharmacology; and health assessment of pediatric, adult, and childbearing clients. Throughout this online RN to MSN FNP program, our experienced faculty will help develop your expertise in health promotion through evidence-based practice. Upon completion, you will be eligible to sit for the FNP certification exam—of which graduates of our MSN – FNP program have had a 100 percent pass rate.
Along with the skills you gain from our online RN to MSN FNP program, you will also be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of nursing theories, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry in the delivery of healthcare services
- Develop leadership and communicate effectively using the collaborative approach to improve quality care
- Analyze changes in the healthcare system through the design and implementation of health-related projects that strengthen the outcomes in the healthcare delivery system
- Apply evidence, research, and theory to improve health services
- Apply current health information and technologies to advance the quality and accessibility of care
- Advocate for healthcare policies and systems to improve healthcare
- Analyze systems responses to health and illness to improve the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health that reflect respect across diverse cultures
- Engage in advanced nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and clinical populations
- Apply advanced knowledge of nursing theories, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry in the delivery of healthcare services
- Develop leadership and communicate effectively using the collaborative approach to improve quality care
- Analyze changes in the healthcare system through the design and implementation of health-related projects that strengthen the outcomes in the healthcare delivery system
- Apply evidence, research, and theory to improve health services
- Apply current health information and technologies to advance the quality and accessibility of care
- Advocate for healthcare policies and systems to improve healthcare
- Analyze systems responses to health and illness to improve the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health that reflect respect across diverse cultures
- Engage in advanced nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and clinical populations
This family nurse practitioner program prepares you to deliver primary care in a variety of settings, such as:
- Internal Medicine Offices
- Community Clinics
- Rehab and Long-Term Care Facilities
- Specialty Clinics
- University Student Health Centers
- Ambulatory Care
- Home Care
- Prisons and Jails
- Internal Medicine Offices
- Community Clinics
- Rehab and Long-Term Care Facilities
- Specialty Clinics
- University Student Health Centers
- Ambulatory Care
- Home Care
- Prisons and Jails
$38,128.75
Total Tuition
As few as 28 months
Duration
65*
Credit Hours
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, post-master's degree certification in adult gerontology and family nurse practitioner, and DNP programs at William Paterson University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ccneaccreditation.org). Expires June 30, 2030.
Need More Information?
Tuition
Choosing our online program is cost-effective.
The William Paterson University online RN to MSN – FNP program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. Tuition includes a nursing course fee that provides students a range of services and resources that specifically support student learning and success in the online nursing program.
Tuition breakdown:
$38,128.75
Total Tuition
Tuition breakdown:
$38,128.75
Total Tuition
Calendar
Milestones to guide your online journey.
William Paterson University online RN to MSN programs are delivered in a flexible format ideal for working professionals with accelerated coursework and six start dates each year.
Now enrolling:
1/5/25
Apply Date
1/27/25
Class Starts
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring I | 1/27/25 | 1/5/25 | 1/8/25 | 1/17/25 | 1/22/25 | 3/16/25 | 7 weeks |
| Spring II | 3/24/25 | 3/2/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/14/25 | 3/19/25 | 5/11/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer I | 5/19/25 | 4/27/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/14/25 | 7/6/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer II | 7/14/25 | 6/22/25 | 6/24/25 | 7/3/25 | 7/9/25 | 8/31/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall I | 9/8/25 | 8/17/25 | 8/20/25 | 8/29/25 | 9/3/25 | 10/26/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall II | 11/3/25 | 10/12/25 | 10/15/25 | 10/24/25 | 10/29/25 | 12/21/25 | 7 weeks |
Now enrolling:
1/5/25
Apply Date
1/27/25
Class Starts
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Learn how to apply to WP’s online RN to MSN – FNP program.
We’ve streamlined the admission process for our RN to MSN – FNP online to help you get started right away. Please read the admission requirements, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. Review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.
The requirements include:
- Associate degree or diploma from an accredited institution
- RN license valid and unencumbered
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
You must meet the following requirements for admission to the RN to MSN – FNP online program:
- Submit online application and $50 application fee
- Associate degree or diploma from an accredited university, with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA
- Valid, unencumbered RN license active in the state in which they are practicing
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Upon completion of the BSN course requirements of this degree program, students must be employed as an RN in the state in which they wish to practice to qualify for the MSN portion of this degree program. To matriculate into the MSN, students will need to submit a resume via email at that time showing their current employment status.
A 3.0 GPA must be maintained to continue to MSN portion of the program.
Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:
Email address: [email protected]
Mail address:
Office of Graduate Admissions & Enrollment ServicesWilliam Paterson University
Morrison Hall 102
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
At WP, you’ll learn from nursing faculty who are committed to your success while serving as innovative pioneers in their fields. Two WP nursing professors received the Diva and Don Award in 2019 for advancing healthcare in New Jersey.
Courses
Discover what you will learn in the RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online program.
For the RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online, you must complete 65 credit hours and 680 clinical hours. 30 credit hours for RN to BSN must be completed prior to matriculation into MSN portion of the program, allowing for conferral of BSN at that time.
NUR 4307: Leadership Seminar
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This seminar course is the application of nursing leadership concepts necessary for a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Class activities promote leadership practice in assessing outcome indicators related to health problems/diagnoses of children and adults. Students synthesize nursing and inter-professional knowledge as they hone the ability to manage health care situations and enact the professional nursing role.
NUR 4280: Healthcare Economics
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is a study of the economics of illness care, third-party payers and the business of healthcare. The application of economic principles and tools will be used to examine the health care industry and the role of the nurse. The content includes demand management; concepts of efficiency; impact regulation and health care policy; and an understanding of economic decision-making in the health care arena.
NUR 4252: Dimensions of Public Health Post Licensure
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The application of public health concepts provides the framework for this course. In conjunction with community partners, students conduct a community assessment collecting data from a variety of sources. Selected health indicators are discussed, as are goals, objectives and interventions to improve the health of populations. Principles of epidemiology are applied. Students observe and participate in health policy development and delivery of services at the community level.
NUR 4361: Nursing Practice for RN-BSN
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course, the student will develop collaborative relationships with patients, families and other health care providers in order to design and coordinate health care. Students will demonstrate judicious integration of evidence and other sources of information in nursing care of populations and individuals. Students will engage in experiences in a variety of public health/community settings and will care for clients across the age span with physical and psycho-social needs. Students are expected to take an active role in the construction of their own learning.
NUR 5701: Population Health, Legislation and Social Policy
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores the social determinants of health, political process, and development of social policy. Evidence-based populations interventions and outcomes will be examined. Selected legislation that influences healthcare delivery will be analyzed.
NUR 5461: Advanced Pathophysiology
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth study of the pathogenesis of major conditions affecting clients across the lifespan, including children, child-bearing women and young adults, adults and older adults. Assessment of complex clinical situations will be analyzed along with laboratory and diagnostic data to provide a rationale for nursing management decisions.
NUR 3500: Nursing Research
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed as a writing intensive course to help the student understand and utilize research concepts and methods by developing the ability to analyze, criticize, and interpret research. Students address the process of how research is applied to nursing practice through critiquing several published research studies and submitting an evidence-based practice project proposal.
NUR 4305: Leadership and Professional Practice
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course will enable the students to examine the economic, sociocultural, ethical and legal processes affecting health care delivery systems and their subsequent effect on the nursing profession. Emphasis will be placed on leadership and management theory.
Students must choose one of the following courses:
NUR 5081: The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides evidence-based knowledge on the leadership of advanced practice nurse roles within the healthcare delivery system. Current socio-cultural, ethical, and legal issues will be examined. The role of the APN will be analyzed in working in interdisciplinary teams and focus on the skills of collaboration with other health professions to improve quality care.
NUR 6011: Advanced Pharmacology
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with information that will enable them to apply clinical pharmacotherapeutics to client care. Standard and new drugs; drug delivery systems in pharmacotherapy; age-and illness-related modifications across the lifespan; and drug and food interactions are emphasized. The legal and regulatory aspects of drug administration with the prescriptive authority of the advanced practice nurse will be explored.
NUR 6001: Advanced Health Assessment of the Adult Client
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course includes the study of history taking, physical exam and laboratory/diagnostic techniques that support the assessment and diagnosis of young adults, adults, and older adults by the advanced practice nurse. The course allows the student to develop the cognitive and psychomotor skills required to perform a comprehensive health assessment including health history and physical examination of the young adult, adult, and older adult and to address common healthcare problems seen in a primary care community setting.
Students will complete either NUR 5081 or NUR 6011 during the RN to BSN portion of the program and will only need to take the other during MSN portion.
NUR 5001: Theoretical Foundations For Nursing
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on theory development and criteria for evaluating theories. Emphasis is on a variety of interdisciplinary and nursing theories and their application to clinical and community nursing based practice. Includes an exploration of contemporary issues in theory development and the relationship between theory and research in nursing as a practice discipline.
NUR 5081: The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides evidence-based knowledge on the leadership of advanced practice nurse roles within the healthcare delivery system. Current socio-cultural, ethical, and legal issues will be examined. The role of the APN will be analyzed in working in interdisciplinary teams and focus on the skills of collaboration with other health professions to improve quality care.
NUR 6021: Nursing Research Strategies: Translational Science
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides graduate students with the skills for critically evaluating and participating in nursing research, evidence-base clinical practice, quality improvement, & translational research. All phases of the research process for quantitative and qualitative designs are incorporated. Emphasis is placed on the relationship among theory, practice and research. Ethical implications of research are considered. Students address evidence-based practice and are introduced to quality improvement models. Each student develops a thesis pre-proposal with application to their area of clinical interest to be implemented as the masters’ thesis requirement.
NUR 6011: Advanced Pharmacology
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with information that will enable them to apply clinical pharmacotherapeutics to client care. Standard and new drugs; drug delivery systems in pharmacotherapy; age-and illness-related modifications across the lifespan; and drug and food interactions are emphasized. The legal and regulatory aspects of drug administration with the prescriptive authority of the advanced practice nurse will be explored.
NUR 6111: Advanced Nursing Practice I
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Required for the adult/gerontology and family nurse practitioner tracks. Emphasis is on age-appropriate health screening, health maintenance, and health promotion. The management of selected acute/chronic healthcare problems of the young adult, adult, and older adult are addressed including: EENT (ears, eyes, nose, throat), hematological, cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and neurological system disorders. Development of advanced practice nursing and interdisciplinary plans of care based on research evidence, legal, political and ethical considerations, and the use of information technology will be addressed.
NUR 6121: Advanced Nursing Practice II
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Required for the adult gerontology and family nurse practitioner tracks. Emphasis is on age-appropriate health screening, health maintenance, and health promotion. The management of selected acute/chronic healthcare problems of the young adult, adult, and older adult are addressed including dermatological, genitourinary, woman’s health, hematological and immune disorders, mental health, and emergency problems. Special emphasis is given to the management of the young adult and older adult. Development of advanced nursing and interdisciplinary plans of care using research evidence, critical thinking, legal, political and ethical considerations will be emphasized. The efficacy of alternative and complementary therapies will be explored.
NUR 6130: Advanced Practice III
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is required for the advanced clinical practice track. Emphasis is on management of selected acute/chronic healthcare problems of pediatric and childbearing clients. Developmental needs will be addressed, as well as HEENT, hematological, cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, dermatological, genitourinary, immune system and mental health problems specific to these populations. Special emphasis will be on the management of the pregnant/ante partum/postpartum woman. Development of advanced nursing and interdisciplinary plans of care using research evidence, critical thinking, legal, political and ethical considerations will be emphasized. This is the third and final course in a series of three advanced nursing clinical management courses.
NUR 6210: Advanced Health Assessment for FNP
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This course includes the study of history taking, physical exam and laboratory/diagnostic techniques that support the assessment and diagnosis of the pediatric and childbearing client by the advanced practice nurse (APN). The course allows the student to develop the cognitive and psychomotor skills required to perform a health and physical assessment on infants, children, adolescent, adult and child bearing women and to address common healthcare problems seen in a primary care community setting.
NUR 6041: Advanced Nursing Practicum I
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Provides an opportunity for advanced nursing practice nurses e.g. nurse practitioner to demonstrate role competencies. Interdisciplinary theories and research are synthesized and applied in the delivery of primary care, management and/or educational outcomes to diverse populations. Clinical practicum requires a minimum of 170 supervised hours in healthcare settings, institutions and/or academic institutions. Seminars, which are two and one half-hours every other week, enable students to integrate learning.
NUR 7011: Advanced Nursing Practicum II
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course is required for students in the nurse practitioner tracks. Students are expected to initiate health promotion, assess, make clinical decisions, and manage care in consultation with appropriate healthcare providers for young adults, adults, and older adults. Preceptorships will be held in variety primary care settings across diverse populations. Clinical practicum requires 170 supervised hours. Seminars, which are two-and-one-half hours every other week, enable students to integrate learning.
NUR 7070: Advanced Nursing Practicum III
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Required for the advanced practice track – family nurse practitioner. Students are expected to apply and synthesize knowledge and skills of health promotion, health maintenance, and clinical management of common acute and chronic healthcare problems of pediatric and childbearing clients. Preceptored clinical practicum requires 170 supervised hours.
NUR 7253: Advanced Nursing Role Practicum for FNP
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
The roles and competencies of the family nurse practitioner is addressed. For family nurse practitioners, various roles will focus on managing care of neonates, infants, children, young adults, pre an post-natal women, adult, and older adults. The practicum will provide students with experience in their functional role within a variety of health care settings with diverse populations. Clinical practicum requires 170 supervised hours. Seminars, which are two-and-one-half hours every other week, enable students to integrate learning.
*We have made transferring your credits easy! 30 of the total 120 credits needed for a baccalaureate degree will be awarded for the RN license. In addition, the University Core Curriculum (general education) will be considered complete for applicants with an AS, AAS or Diploma and 60 college credits, meaning you will only need to complete the 30 hour nursing program and a Statistics course if you have not yet completed one. Please speak with your Enrollment Specialist to find out more information about this generous transfer credit policy!
Ranked #19 among the “Top Public Schools, Regional Universities North” by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
