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BSN to MSN (Family Nursing)
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BSN to MSN educational programs allow students to earn their master’s degree in nursing as quickly as possible, since they do not have to repeat classes that they already took as part of your BSN education. With an MSN, students can become a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nursing midwife, and at this level of education, they have the opportunity to specialize in a single area of medicine. Family nursing is one of the most popular specialties for nurses in BSN to MSN degree programs.
BSN to MSN in Family Nursing: What You Need to Know
The courses students take as part of a BSN to MSN program focuses primarily on advanced nursing skills. Since students already have a BSN, they skip the basic nursing classes and move right to MSN classes. MSN programs prepare students for testing in their state, so they can begin working in family nursing as soon as they graduate.
Required Steps
Once you have found a school that offers a BSN to MSN degree program in family nursing, the following requirements will likely be required for graduation:
- Complete all core nursing courses that comprise the BSN-to-MSN curriculum.
- Register for specialization courses in family nursing.
- Complete any required elective courses.
- Finalize clinical rotations and/or nursing capstone project.
Advanced Nursing Licensure: What’s the Purpose?
Once you have completed the steps listed above, it’s time to prepare for your licensing examination. Most states require additional licensure to work as an advanced practice nurse. Two organizations offer credentialing exams in family nursing:
Family Nursing Careers: What You Can Do
Family nurses with MSNs are eligible to work in a number of different types of facilities, but most commonly work in private practices. In some states, an MSN actually qualifies family nurses to open their own private practice independent from physicians. While family nursing is a niche profession, graduates can work in diverse settings including:
- Hospitals
- Private Practices
- Armed Services
- Social Service Agencies
- Rehabilitation Centers
Salaries vary depending on location, type of facility, years of experience, and other factors. Payscale.com reports that the national average for family nurse practitioners is $59,462 – $96,682. When researching salary data, make sure to consider the position level and your experience. If you have worked as an RN for several years, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate a higher wage.
Typical Job Duties
As a family nurse, they provide a wide range of care to patients, and education/prevention is as important as diagnosis and treatment. A family nurses day-to-day tasks vary depending on the patients they see, but some of the tasks they can expect to do regularly include:
- Recording vital signs and performing standard annual check-ups
- Administering immunizations
- Diagnosing common illness and prescribing medication
- Helping patients maintain a high quality of life
- Scheduling appointments with specialists or physicians
Family Nursing Degrees Online
- Georgetown University — MSN: Family Nursing
Other Online Nursing Degree Programs
RN to MSN Degrees in Family Nursing
- American Sentinel University — RN to MSN
- Capella University — RN to MSN – Nurse Education
- Gonzaga University — RN to MSN – Nurse Educator
- Grand Canyon University — RN to MSN – Nurse Education
- Grand Canyon University — RN to MSN – Nurse Leadership
- Kaplan University — RN to MSN
- Loyola University New Orleans — RN to MSN
- Sacred Heart University — RN to MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
- Sacred Heart University — RN to MSN: Patient Care Services Administration
- Sacred Heart University — RN to MSN: Nursing Education
- South University — RN to MSN (Accelerated)
- South University — RN to MSN (Accelerated): Adult Health Nurse Practitioner
- South University — RN to MSN (Accelerated): Nurse Education
- Westerns Governors University — RN to MSN: Education
- Westerns Governors University — RN to MSN: Leadership and Management
MSN in Midwifery Degrees
- Philadelphia University — MS in Midwifery
BSN to MSN in Midwifery Degrees
- Georgetown University — MSN: Nurse Midwifery/Women’s Health
- University of Cincinnati — MSN: Nurse Midwifery
- University of Cincinnati — MSN: Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
BSN to MSN in Women’s Health Degrees
- Georgetown University — MSN: Nurse Midwifery/Women’s Health
- Philadelphia University — M.S – Midwifery
- University of Cincinnati — MSN: Nurse Midwifery
- University of Cincinnati — MSN: Women’s Health Practitioner
Top Online FNP Degree Programs
It was not always possible to earn a family nurse practitioner degree online, but shifts in education have allowed more accredited schools these programs entirely online. While online FNP programs are still relatively new, dozens of master and doctoral nurse programs are available. To see if a school offers the right program for you, use the links below to contact a school to learn more.
 MSN in FNP Specialization |
Georgetown University — Georgetown University is one of the few schools offering an online program for student pursuing a career as a family nurse practitioner. Established in 1789, Georgetown is one of America's oldest institutions for higher education and now offers over 100 programs through its eight schools from business to medicine and healthcare. |
Other Related Degrees
 MSN in Nurse Practitioner |
Kaplan University — In addition to its several online nursing programs, Kaplan University has a Master of Science in nursing practice. Originally the American Institute of Commerce founded in 1937, Kaplan is one of the largest online schools with 70 campuses across the country and offers almost 200 online programs at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. |
 MSN in Women's Health Nurse Practitioner MSN in Nurse Midwifery |
University of Cincinnati — If you want to advance your career in nursing, the University of Cincinnati offers online degrees for nursing professionals including an MSN in Women's Health or Nursing Midwifery. UC was founded in 1819 and while the school now has over 42,000 students, the student to faculty ratio is only 15 to one, so you get the support and attention you need as you pursue your degree. |
 MS in Nursing MSN in Health Education MSN in Health Informatics |
University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix offers more than 200 online programs with dozens available in the nursing field such as an MSN in Health Informatics program. Founded in 1976, Phoenix has become a massive higher-learning institution with over 200 campus locations worldwide. |
 MSN in Nurse Educator MSN in Educator Bridge |
Capella University — Capella University is an accredited school based in Minneapolis offering 46 undergraduate and graduate degrees in 146 areas of study online. This includes several nursing degrees like the MSN in Nurse Education (bridge option also available). Capella was founded in 1991, but has already amassed over 37,000 students from almost 60 countries. |
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Looking for a nurse practitioner degree?
Fill out this short form below, and we'll help match you to an accredited college program that suits your interests, whether online- or campus-based.
