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Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner

Our 2-year program is your path to a rewarding career as a primary care provider.

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Earn Your MSN/FNP at WesternU

Becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a challenging and rewarding career option for nurses looking to expand their role in patient care. FNPs perform a range of vital services, from treating acute and chronic conditions to ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests to prescribing medication. Millions of Americans currently rely on FNPs for their health care, and the profession is in high demand. Opportunities for licensed FNPs are expected to increase by 45% by 2029, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (August 2025).

WesternU College of Graduate Nursing—a pioneer in family nursing practitioner education and the first to offer a web-based program in this field—offers a seamless path to earning the Master of Science in Nursing degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner credential. Our curriculum qualifies you to provide primary care to patients of all ages in a variety of healthcare settings.
Application Requirements & FAQs
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Earn A Degree with many rewards

As a practicing FNP, you will have the opportunity to develop close long-term relationships with the families you treat, providing them with continuity of care and guidance on health and wellness issues. You will also be helping to address the current shortage of primary care providers, improving healthcare access for patients who might otherwise be underserved. FNPs enjoy other benefits as well, including more clinical autonomy and a better work-life balance than hospital nurses. These are among the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranked Nurse Practitioners at the top of its 100 Best Jobs of 2024.
Admissions Information

World Class Faculty

Our distinguished faculty, recognized for their leadership and professional accomplishments, are committed to your success throughout the program.

Outstanding student support services

WesternU’s Office of Learning Enhancement and Academic Development (LEAD) offers academic counseling, tutoring, stress management training, study strategies, academic writing support, and more.

Longstanding humanistic tradition

One of the university’s founding principles is a compassionate and caring approach to health care and health care education. We train our students to confront complex healthcare issues with greater insight and empathy—and to think proactively with an eye toward equitable and efficient care delivery.

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  • Our comprehensive curriculum

    Prepares You for Success

    Our two-year MSN/FNP curriculum consists of three core components:

    Self-directed hybrid/online courses include assignments, exams, and online discussions where you will collaborate with faculty to achieve learning objectives in the FNP curriculum.

    Seminars will include two synchronous/virtual or campus-based practice intensives each semester.

    Clinical experiences are an integral part of the MSN/FNP curriculum. These include clinical skill-building labs and testing, selected clinical experiences with faculty, lectures, student presentations and content assessments across the FNP curriculum.

    Explore the MSN/FNP Curriculum
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You Gain Extensive Clinical Experience

MSN/FNP-track students complete 675 clinical hours and have the opportunity to work with various patient populations—adult, geriatric, pediatric, and obstetric and gynecologic—in a healthcare setting convenient to where you live. You will work closely with medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, refining your diagnostic and treatment skills for better patient outcomes. This partnership between the academic and clinical practice environment prepares you for clinical practice as well as future employment opportunities.
See the Clinical Experience Opportunities

Our Alumni Follow Many Different Paths

Western U MSN/FNP graduates have pursued a wide range of career paths. Meet some of our recent alumni.
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First Last, Degree

WesternU Class of XXXX

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First Last, Degree

WesternU Class of XXXX

A man in scrubs smiles and looks at someone off-camera in a brightly lit room with blurred people in the background.
First Last, Degree

WesternU Class of XXXX

“My preparation as a master’s level nurse was strong. CGN prepared me well for the rigorous demands of the nursing profession. I am thankful that our faculty kept us supported, grounded and focused.”

Richard Delavan, MSN ’19, Family Nurse Practitioner, Providence Health & Services, Portland, Oregon
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WesternU Virtual Tours

Western University of Health Sciences is one of the most comprehensive graduate schools for the health professions in the nation. Immerse yourself in 360-degree views, videos and photos that showcase WesternU’s colleges, labs, and programs.
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Take the Next Step

With an MSN/FNP degree, you will have personally and professionally rewarding career opportunities available to you. And WesternU is the place to earn it—with our strong academic program and supportive faculty and peers.

Get more information today and let us guide you through the application process.