In addition to UC's overall institutional accreditation statement, the family nurse practitioner - online nursing master's program at University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education , 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. 

Before you can legally practice as an FNP, you must meet certain requirements. Requirements and licensing differ depending on the state you're wanting to practice in, but the following steps are typically standard in every state: 

1. Earn a BSN
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain RN status
3. Gain clinical experience 
4. Earn an MSN
5. Obtain certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center
6. Acquire a nurse practitioner state license

At University of the Cumberlands, we developed our Master of Science in Nursing programs, including our online MSN FNP programs, to help registered nurses take the next step on the path toward becoming an FNP. As a student in this online master’s in nursing program, you’ll gain the skills you need to be successful as an FNP with coursework that covers everything from epidemiology, advanced pharmacology, and healthcare technologies to issues involved in advanced practice.

A master's in nursing degree allows nursing professionals to further their knowledge and expertise in the medical field. Additionally, a master's degree makes you more hireable and increases your earning potential throughout your career. Two popular job options for someone with a master's in nursing include: 

• Nurse Practitioner: From acute care to women’s health, the demand for nurses at this educational level is up – this profession is projected to add more than 121,000 new FNP positions in the workforce by 2021. Additionally, in 2021, this career path offered a salary that averaged over $123,780 annually. 
• Nursing Instructor: Use your online MSN-FNP degree to lead others to a better healthcare career as a Nursing Instructor. The need for qualified postsecondary instructors is also projected to see double-digit growth – up 12 percent by 2021.

One of the primary benefits of University of the Cumberlands' online family nurse practitioner program is that throughout the degree program, students have the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors and provide feedback for future MSN students. This knowledge-sharing aspect of our online nursing master’s program is what lead to UC students receiving a 91% pass rate on their board exams, well above the national average of 85%. Most state boards of nursing do not regulate post-licensure degrees in which no new license is granted upon completion, however, there may be the occasional exception. Students should verify the master's program offering within their own state.

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse, one with the additional healthcare training and credentials needed to provide primary healthcare services to the whole family. A family nurse practitioner's scope of practice is serving the healthcare needs of adults and children, treating each individual family member to maintain health and wellness for the long haul.

Family nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have furthered their educations, typically with a master’s in nursing, to earn the certifications and gain the expertise necessary to diagnose and treat patient families as the primary care provider. Like the family doctor, FNPs develop long-term, trusted relationships with families and provide preventative care and annual checkups. These skilled healthcare practitioners step up to fill a critical need in our healthcare system.

Cohort 2019 - 83%

Cohort 2020 - 91%

Cohort 2021 - 83%

Cohort 2022 - 83% 

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.