The Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are in high demand, commanding six-figure salaries in many parts of the country.

FNPs are trained to take on different roles and responsibilities than traditional nurses or nurse practitioners (NPs). To become an FNP, you must first earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree and pass a board examination — a process that usually takes three years or more to complete.

Busy modern students need flexibility and convenience. That makes online programs an enticing option for many. We’ve identified the top programs and ranked them here, along with an explanation of what to look for in a program and what to expect once you graduate.

The right online FNP program for you depends on your experience, background, finances, and attendance preferences. These are some of the most important to consider when choosing which schools to apply to.

During accreditation, an independent group of experts reviews a program for quality, to determine if graduates who pass the board exam can safely practice. This is a crucial indicator of program quality for many reasons.

In addition to attending clinical rotations in person, some online FNP programs have other in-person requirements, such as onboarding or labs. Most programs schedule on-campus components far in advance to make it as easy as possible for remote students to attend. Schools may also require proctored exams, but they usually monitor you using software at home.

Attending an FNP program online can make some aspects of the program more convenient, but can also make other aspects more challenging. For example, clinical placement can be more challenging if there are not a lot of healthcare facilities near you, particularly if the school is not equipped to help you find and select the right site.

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and submit your application. Contact your references ahead of time, ensure you still have their permission to give their name to program officials, and talk with them about any particular attributes or examples you would like them to emphasize.

At the end of the process, have somebody you trust review your application to make sure it is accurate and reflects your strengths.

Many factors affect how you finance your degree program, including tuition and other costs, financial aid, program length, work hours, and travel or relocation.

While graduate school is often expensive, there are many ways to pay for it. Nurses are eligible for loans, scholarships, and grants from many different sources.

Some government programs offer scholarships or loan forgiveness in exchange for working in an underserved area or for the military once you graduate. Your employer may offer tuition assistance to help you advance your education.

FNPs work in hospitals and health systems, independent medical offices, urgent care centers, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Other career options include military bases, community health organizations, research facilities, public health departments, schools and universities, correctional facilities, and telehealth.

While licensed NPs assess patients, order tests, and prescribe medications, their scope of practice varies from state to state, as does NP practice authority (i.e., whether NPs can work independently, or under a physician’s supervision, or in collaboration with a physician). A growing number of states now give NPs full practice authority, which allows them to work as independent healthcare providers.

In states with full practice authority, FNPs can evaluate patients, order diagnostic tests, manage treatments, and prescribe medications, all without physician oversight. Because of their autonomy, FNPs can provide primary and preventative healthcare in rural and underserved areas where there are few healthcare providers.

Page last reviewed October 25, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.