Preparing students to be advanced practice nurses and nurse practitioners in primary and preventative care environments.

  • Guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni
  • Virginia's #1 nursing school and the nation's #7 public MSN program
  • Full- and part-time options available
  • Two years (full-time) or three years (part-time) to complete
  • Graduates are eligible for the FNP certification exam administered by ANCC or AANPBC
  • Application deadline: January 5

As the U.S. healthcare system shifts toward wellness, rather than illness care, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) occupy a critical and expanding role in primary care. Our program emphasizes community-based primary healthcare for individuals and families across the lifespan.

Who should apply?

The FNP specialty track offers BSN-prepared nurses with at least one year of full-time RN experience the opportunity to advance their practice at the top-ranked UVA School of Nursing. The FNP is offered at the MSN, certificate, and DNP levels.

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Admission Requirements

Click here to learn about the admission requirements.

Classes

Building on the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of the BSN-prepared nurse, the FNP track prepares students to provide holistic care to patients, families and communities focusing health education and coordinating services. Skills include identification of acute illnesses; nursing and medical management of commonly encountered acute and chronic illnesses in collaboration and consultation with an interdisciplinary team; development of a knowledgebase of community needs and resources available for health promotion; health teaching, guidance, and counseling of clients and their families about illness and its prevention; and health promotion, maintenance, and management.

Class schedule

Full-time students begin study in the fall, and complete the program in two years, including summer session in year 1. In the first year, the full-time student has didactic classes on Thursdays and Fridays (in the fall and spring). When the student begins  practicums, the didactic component is generally on Thursdays. Clinical practicum days will vary widely depending on the student’s clinical site and preceptor and may include hours outside the typical work week.

Clinicals

Students complete over 600 clinical hours in the FNP track, most in two semester-long preceptorships in the final two semesters of enrollment. Clinical placement sites are assigned based upon optimal learning experiences, students' requests, and availability.

All clinical/practicum activities are generally conducted within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Clinical/practice activities may be conducted outside Virginia if the University is authorized to place students in that state and pending faculty approval.

Plans of Study

Technology Requirements

All graduate nursing students are required to have a laptop; information about these requirements will be sent to enrolling students before classes begin. Please see the School of Nursing Computing Policies for more guidance on laptop ownership requirements.

State Authorization and Professional Licensure Disclosures

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).  

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).

Spring 2024 classes will be held on: January 23, February 20, March 12, April 9, and April 30

Summer 2024 classes will be held on: May 28, June 11, June 25, July 9, and July 30

The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record is the official repository for academic program requirements.