One university in Connecticut offers an online graduate program with a family nurse practitioner (FNP) specialization. Sacred Heart University’s master’s of science (MSN) degree in this specialty area is designed for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Advanced practice nurses trained at SHU are prepared to provide primary care for individuals of all life stages.
While this program features online coursework, students in the family nurse practitioner specialization at Sacred Heart are required to complete a set number of clinical practicum hours at an approved healthcare facility. The MSN-FNP at Sacred Heart University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Graduates can sit for national certification exams administered by the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). See below for a description of this program, and information on FNP licensing requirements in the state of Connecticut.
Featured Online Programs (RN License Required)
Program Information: Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs in Connecticut
Graduates of the MSN-FNP program at Sacred Heart University serve in primary care roles to assist patients in making wellness decisions supportive of long-term health. Future family nurse practitioners are trained to work in clinical settings, diagnosing and treating illnesses and disease as well as performing physical exams. Specific skills learned in this rigorous advanced practice nursing degree are the “soft skills” of effectively educating, counseling, and communicating with a diverse patient population, in addition to the “hard skills” of analyzing data from exams and assessments, ordering diagnostic testing, interpreting medical information and using evidence-based practices and critical-thinking in decision-making.
The 42-credit course load includes instruction in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and healthcare research, as well as courses in the comprehensive primary care of the adult, advanced primary care of families in complex systems, and advanced primary care and health promotion of special populations. In addition to online coursework, three campus visits are required: one orientation visit and two competency or evaluation visits. Please note that clinical practicum hours must be fulfilled outside of the states of Connecticut and New York.
GRE scores are not necessary for admission; however, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. It is important to note that this online program is not currently able to accommodate candidates from Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, or Wisconsin.
Connecticut FNP Licensing Requirements
The Connecticut State Department of Public Health outlines the policies for APRN licensing. To be eligible for licensure as a family nurse practitioner in the state of Connecticut, applicants must have:
- A current Connecticut registered nurse license
- Current certification as a nurse practitioner, from a national organization, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- 30 hours of education in pharmacology for advanced nursing practice
- A master’s degree in nursing or a related field recognized for FNP certification by one of the national certifying bodies (except individuals who received initial certification before December 31, 1994).
Once these qualifications have been met, candidates may submit the following documentation: verification of current national certification, official graduate transcripts, a completed online application, and a $200 licensing fee. Supporting documents must be forwarded directly from the issuing bodies to the Connecticut Department of Health by post or via email.
