Top Online RN to FNP Programs of 2025
Online RN to FNP bridge programs are ideal for nurses interested in becoming family nurse practitioners (FNPs). The strategic design of these programs allows students to move through the BSN portion of their education quickly. Ultimately, you'll graduate from an RN to FNP bridge with an MSN degree.
Nurse.org compiled a comprehensive list to help you discover the best RN to FNP online programs. Read on to discover which programs suit your needs, including tuition, program length, accreditation, and more.
Popular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, MN, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Top Online RN to FNP Programs
Every online RN-to-FNP program has its benefits and features, and the best program for one potential attendee may not be the right choice for another. Our ranking criteria is based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation and uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.
|
School |
Tuition |
Program Length |
Accreditation |
|
University of South Alabama |
$594 per credit hour |
4 years |
CCNE |
|
Regis College |
$995 per credit hour |
28-36 months |
ACEN |
|
William Paterson University |
$38,128.75 (total cost) |
28 months |
CCNE |
|
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences |
$1,160 per credit hour |
36 months |
CCNE |
|
Herzing University |
$755 per credit hour |
24 months |
CCNE |
|
Carlow University |
$918 per credit hour |
28 months |
CCNE |
The University of South Alabama offers its RN to MSN bridge program to students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The four-year program prepares students for several nurse practitioner specializations the university offers, including family nurse practitioner.
- Application Deadline:
- Spring: November 1st
- Summer: February 1st
- Fall: March 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (251) 445-9400
- Email Address: congradapp@southalabama.edu
Established in 1927, Regis College is one of the top Catholic universities in the Boston area. The school's online RN-to-FNP program is among the top 20 nationwide and boasts a 92% pass rate on the national certification exam. Students can also benefit from the low tuition and generous discounts offered to alumni, government, and military employees.
Additionally, Regis College offers flexible entry choices, including a non-nursing bachelor's, BSN, and ADN to FNP option. Regardless of their prior education, RN-FNP students will learn about holistic, patient-centered care and leadership throughout the program.
- Application Deadline: December 2nd
- Contact Info: (866) 411-2159
William Patterson University tailors its ADN to FNP bridge program to the needs of working nurses. Not only does it offer 100% online coursework, but it also has six flexible start dates throughout the year.
Students learn from experienced faculty and gain real-world clinical experience throughout the program. Once they complete it, they can sit for the national certification exam and FNP boards, for which WPU boasts a 100% pass rate.
- Application Deadline:
- Fall 1 - August 17th
- Fall 2 - October 12th
- Spring 1 - January 5th
- Spring 2 - March 2nd
- Summer 1 - April 27th
- Summer 2 - June 22nd
- Contact Info: (833) 960-0139
Popular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, MN, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Over 3 years, students learn how to become a successful FNP through a carefully curated curriculum. Federal restrictions prevent MCPHS from accepting students from every state. So, potential students should check their eligibility before applying.
While entirely online, the program requires students to attend four in-person residencies throughout the program. Each of these residencies generally last 1-3 days.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (774) 243-3459
- Email Address: christian.dupervil@mcphs.edu
Herzing’s program is unique to others because it guarantees clinical placement. If a student cannot find their preceptor on their own, Herzing's team will find one for them. The university requires 630 clinical hours with 500 total patient encounters for graduation. Students can earn dual credit towards a terminal DNP degree throughout the program.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info: (800) 596-0724
Carlow University offers an online and hybrid RN-to-FNP program. The hybrid program requires students to attend classes in person twice a month. Regardless of their selected program, students must complete 600 clinical hours and 49 credit hours.
Unlike other programs, Carlow does not require a GRE for admission. Students also need only one year of direct-care clinical nursing experience before starting clinical rotation.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (412) 578-6059
- Email Address: admissions@carlow.edu
What to Expect in an Online RN to FNP Program
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for RN to MSN programs vary depending on the school, but they generally include:
- Registered nursing license
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 on all previous coursework
- Personal statement
- Relevant clinical experience
Classes & Coursework
Specific classes will vary from program to program, but all FNP programs will require the same fundamental courses. These include:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Health and Physical Assessment
- Ethics
- Research
- Health Policy
- Advanced Nursing Roles in Health Care
- Primary Care of Women
- Primary Care of Pediatric Patients
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Advanced Nursing Practice for Population-Based Care
How to Choose an RN to FNP Program
You should consider several factors when selecting an RN to FNP program, many of which are personal to your situation. Some elements to weigh include the following:
- Accreditation
- FNP board pass rate
- Attrition rate
- Tuition
- Reputation
- Private vs. public
- Online vs. in-person
- Full-time vs. part-time
Popular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, MN, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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