Rivier University MSN Program Ranked Nationally
Our MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program has received national recognition based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner—FNP
Earn a Family Nurse Practitioner degree and work to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for others.
Program Details
- Next Start Date: January 17, 2023
- Est. Program Length: 3 – 5 years
- Credit Hours: 43 – 49
- Course Length: 14 weeks (NSG517 is 7 weeks)
- Cost Per Credit: Nursing Courses – $660 / Clinical Courses – $1,030
Rivier Ranked Top Nursing School in New Hampshire!
Nursing Schools Almanac 2022 has recognized Rivier’s exceptional nursing education, ranking the University as the #1 nursing school in NH!
Why Study Nursing at Rivier?
Rivier University is ranked as the #1 nursing school in New Hampshire and a top 50 private nursing school nationally by Nursing Schools Almanac in 2022. Changes in healthcare delivery and recent reforms have combined to increase Americans’ access to healthcare, resulting in the growing need for highly skilled and competent primary care providers. As one of the most in-demand careers in the country, a family nurse practitioner (FNP) must be expertly prepared to provide care to diverse patients. Graduates of Rivier’s FNP program are well-prepared to deliver the full scope of primary care within a variety of healthcare settings.
The FNP degree program offers a combination of advanced theory and clinical education. Coursework topics include family nursing theory, pathophysiology, health assessment, quality healthcare improvement, health policy, and research design. Through hands-on clinical experiences, students gain the skills necessary to practice with autonomy.
Entry Paths and Programs of Study
This is a 43- to 49-credit program of study, dependent upon entry path:
- M.S. Nursing. For nursing baccalaureate-prepared RNs
- M.S. Nursing Bridge Option. For non-nursing baccalaureate-prepared RNs
- RN to MS Option. For experienced associate degree or diploma prepared RNs
- Completion Program. For nationally certified APRNs seeking a master’s degree
- Post-Master’s Certificate. For RNs with an M.S. Nursing degree-seeking FNP-BC or NP-C certification (requires a minimum of 19 credits)
In addition to our program offered on campus, the MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner is also offered online.
Explore Other Tracks
There are three other tracks offered in the Master of Science in Nursing program.
Learn in World-Class Facilities
Beyond classroom learning, the ASN degree curriculum includes extensive hands-on experience in clinical settings and well-equipped simulation laboratories. Rivier’s nursing labs were transformed in 2022 with a $5 million total renovation. The Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center is open and fully operational for hands-on learning and high-tech simulation for nurses and nurse practitioners. State-of-the-art skills and simulation labs offer the newest technology for clinical assessment, community nursing, and telehealth simulation.
The Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center provides students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in controlled clinical settings. Labs mirror the settings in which nurses most often provide care: medical/surgical and pediatric/neonatal hospital rooms, an obstetrics room, examination rooms, and telehealth offices.
Licensure and Accreditation
Registered nurses (RN) who complete this advanced degree coursework and clinical education are qualified to sit for the national exams to become certified in family practice (FNP-BC). As reported by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), graduates of Rivier’s MSN program who completed the certification exam for Family Nurse Practitioner in 2020 had a first-time pass rate of 91%, exceeding the 85% national average pass rate.
Rivier University is unable to accept students from some states due to the post-secondary higher-education requirements. There are also some restrictions for programs that lead to professional licensure due to the various requirements of individual state boards of nursing. See State Guide.
For further information on Professional Nursing Licensure at the state level, please use the following contact list (also available on the NC-SARA website).
Commitment to Quality
Rivier’s ASN, BSN, MSN, Post Master’s Certificates, and DNP programs located in Nashua, NH are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the master’s nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.
The holistic approach is a key facet to nursing excellence, and my mentors at Rivier were excellent role models.
Where Will Your Degree Take You?
Our Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates with the skills needed to succeed in advanced clinical practice and leadership roles in today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Careers
- Family nurse practitioners
- Adult nurse practitioners
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners
Rivier employs a ‘high tech - high touch’ methodology to graduate clinicians and nurse leaders who are medically, technologically, culturally, and emotionally adept in patient care and health team management.
Take the Next Steps
Degree Requirements
Graduates of this MSN program are well-positioned for a rewarding career as board-certified family nurse practitioners.
How to Apply
Learn about criteria, how the admissions process works, and what you will need to apply.
Introducing Our Faculty
Faculty will serve as your mentors and guides.
Contact
Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions
- Telephone (603) 897-8507
- Email admissions@rivier.edu
- Location Madeleine Hall
Start Today
Prepare to advance your career with a MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Rivier.