Students who hold a bachelor's degree and are nationally certified as an RN are eligible to apply for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

In response to emerging trends in the field of advance practice nursing, FNU revised the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) curriculum in 2014 to incorporate some of the DNP Essentials. This "new" FNU MSN degree was available to students beginning their studies in January 2014 and after and Bridge students who "Crossed the Bridge" into the MSN January 2014 and after.

FNU graduates who completed the MSN with incorporated the DNP Essentials are eligible to follow the FNU Companion DNP program of study, a shorter program of study than the Post-Master's DNP offered by FNU. FNU graduates who began the MSN prior to January 2014 and who did not complete an MSN that incorporated the DNP Essentials and are eligible to continue into the Post-Master's DNP program of study.

FNU MSN graduates may transition into the DNP one of three ways: 1) in a streamlined fashion immediately following the MSN degree without a break in their studies, 2) in a streamlined fashion after taking an allowable one term stop-out the term after the MSN is conferred, and 3) after a break of more than one term via the FNU Admissions process.

For further information about the MSN program, visit the Catalog. Details for admission to the MSN program can be found at FNU Admissions.

Students holding an associate’s degree in nursing as the highest degree earned are eligible to enter the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program via the ADN Bridge Entry Option without first earning a bachelor’s degree. Students complete a series of Bridge courses to prepare them for the rigors of graduate education before progressing into the MSN curriculum.

The focus of the Bridge year is to bridge the knowledge gap between the ADN and MSN educational requirements to satisfy The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. The 24-credit program of study for the Bridge year is completed in one year (4 terms) with students progressing through the Bridge coursework as a cohort. Students are NOT awarded a bachelor’s degree at the end of the Bridge year.

For further information about the ADN Bridge Entry Option, visit the Catalog. Details for admission to the ADN Bridge Entry Option can be found at FNU Admissions.

Students who already have an MSN and are nationally certified as an APRN nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner are eligible to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) in an alternate specialty. Completion of the PGC allows the student to sit for an additional certification exam.

For further information about the Post-Graduate Certificate program, visit the Catalog. Details for admission to the PGC program can be found at FNU Admissions.

Students entering the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program must be registered nurses who have completed a master’s degree in nursing or a related field and are nationally certified as a nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner. FNU offers two curricular paths to earning the DNP: the POST-MASTER'S DNP and the COMPANION DNP. Each path has its own eligibility for entry, listed below.

Current FNU students may begin the DNP coursework via Direct Admission immediately after completing the MSN or PGC degree. Alternately, FNU students may take a term or more off before beginning the DNP coursework. FNU students who do not participate via Direct Admission will be required to apply for readmission via the Standard Admission procedures.

If you are not a current FNU student you will be required to apply for admission to FNU via Admissions. For further information about the DNP program, visit the Catalog. Details for admission to the DNP program can be found at FNU Admissions.

POST-MASTER'S DNP Entry into the Post-Master’s DNP is available to applicants who:

-completed the MSN program at FNU that did not include the DNP Essentials, entered prior to January 1, 2014.

-completed the PGC program of study at FNU that did not include the DNP Essentials, entered prior to January 1, 2014 or entered after January 1, 2017. Students who began the PGC at FNU between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2017 completed a curriculum that included the DNP Essentials.

-completed a MSN somewhere other than FNU.

The Post-Master's DNP allows students to complete a DNP degree with 28 credits (4-6 terms).

COMPANION DNP Entry into the Companion DNP program is only available to FNU graduates who:

-completed the MSN program at FNU that included the DNP Essentials, entered after January 1, 2014.

-completed the PGC program of study at FNU that included the DNP Essentials, entered between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2017. Applicants who completed the PGC at FNU will have their transcripts evaluated prior to admission to determine appropriate program of study.

The Companion DNP allows eligible FNU graduates to complete a DNP degree with 19 credits (3-6 terms).

FNU offers refresher programs for nurse-midwives and masters prepared women's health nurse practitioners who have been out of practice but hold current certification through the AMCB and NCC, respectively. Students will meet with the Associate Dean of Midwifery and Women's Health to discuss an individualized program of study based upon their experience, length of time out of practice, and intended scope of practice. At minimum, the program of study would include advanced didactic coursework focusing on the appropriate area of practice and clinical experiences with the same focus.

For further information about either of these refresher programs, visit the Catalog. Details for admission can be found at FNU Admissions.