Program Overview

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Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN

Overview

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at Case Western Reserve University prepares advanced practice nurses to provide comprehensive care to patients across the lifespan. FNPs offer wellness care, manage acute and chronic illnesses, and practice in various settings, including hospitals, urgent care, primary care, and private offices.

Path to the MSN

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program requires students to complete at least ten core courses in Professional Development, Scientific Inquiry, and Nursing Practice. The program typically consists of 40 credit hours, completed in three or four semesters, including summer for some majors. Students must also complete a minimum of 600 clinical hours, depending on their major.

Course Grades

Progression in the MSN program requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and passing grades in all courses. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) students must maintain an APRN GPA of 2.5 or higher in APRN core courses and clinical courses.

Majors and Sample Full-Time Curriculum

The FNP major requires 40 credit hours of coursework, plus 600 hours of clinical experience. The coursework is usually completed within 18 months (four semesters) for full-time students, and courses are offered in a distance-friendly format.

Program Requirements

As part of the MSN program, the FNP major requires:

• 40 credit hours of coursework
• 600 hours of clinical experience
• Completion of core courses in Professional Development, Scientific Inquiry, and Nursing Practice

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study for the FNP major includes:

First Year

• Fall:
  • NURS 405: Inquiry I - Theoretical Foundations (2 credits)
  • NURS 453: Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
  • NURS 459: Advanced Physical Assessment (3 credits)
  • NUNP 410: Health Promotion Across the Life Span (2 credits)
  • NURS 444A: Ethical Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice (1 credit)
• Spring:
  • NURS 425: Inquiry II - Research Process (3 credits)
  • NURS 430: Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
  • NUNP 419: Family Health Nursing: Health of Adults and Older Adults (5 credits)
  • NURS 444B: Health Care Delivery and Finance in Advanced Practice (1 credit)
• Summer:
  • NUNP 429: Reproductive Health Promotion and Common Reproductive Health Problems of Adolescents and Adults (4 credits)
  • NURS 451: Leadership for Quality Healthcare within Organizations and Systems (3 credits)

Second Year

• Fall:
  • NUNP 439: Family Health Nursing: Health of Children and Adolescents (4 credits)
  • NURS 444C: Health Policy Legislation and Legal Issues in Advanced Practice (1 credit)
  • NURS 431: Psychosocial and Spiritual Dimensions of Advanced Nursing Practice (2 credits)
  • NURS 502: Inquiry III Evidence-Based Practice (2 credits)

Total Credit Hours

The total credit hours required for the FNP major is 40.