How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner: Step by Step

With the United States shortage of family physicians, the opportunity for family nurse practitioners (FNPs) to help fill the gap is growing. Family nurse practitioners provide care for patients of all ages by ordering diagnostic tests, diagnosing illness, prescribing medication, and managing care plans and education. They have a unique set of skills and authority to impact healthcare in hospitals, primary care clinics and private practices in both rural and urban environments. 

Whether you’re just starting out in nursing or already working as an RN, here’s a step-by-step look at how to expand your impact as a family nurse practitioner with education designed for your world. 

Step 1: Learn what FNPs do and whether the role fits your goals.  

Primary care supports patients across the lifespan and can involve both disease prevention and chronic disease management. The main distinctions between registered nurse (RN) and FNP roles are: 

• Level of education and clinical hours completed 
• Practice authority and clinical duties 
• Work environment and schedule 

Consider what patients, specialties and work environments interest you. FNPs typically work in a clinic, urgent care, telehealth or a community health setting, which may offer a more traditional outpatient care schedule as compared to a typical 12-hour shift that most RNs have. For some FNPs, this shift from RN to FNP could offer more balance and a chance to work with a variety of patients.  

Step 2: Become a registered nurse (RN) and gain relevant experience as a working RN.  

You’ll want to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program and ensure that your program is also state-approved. You can also pursue RN licensure with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and later pursue an RN to BSN program to meet the remaining qualifications for a master’s program. After completing your program, you will be eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) RN exam.  

The Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program through ODUGlobal requires applicants have a current license as a registered nurse plus one year of recent clinical nursing experience after earning their bachelor’s degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program. 

Step 3: Choose an accredited FNP graduate program.  

Two accrediting bodies matter for high-quality nursing programs: 

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 

As you compare programs, consider flexibility, clinical placement support, learning outcomes and cost. Some questions to ask might be: 

• Is this program offered in-person or online? 
• What are the graduation and pass rates for students in the program? 
• Does the program assist with finding approved sites for clinical experience? 
• Are there any financial aid opportunities?  
• How will this program help me meet my goals for licensure in my state?  

Pursuing Your FNP Program through ODUGlobal 

ODU’s online Family Nurse Practitioner program takes a holistic approach to healthcare and nursing. 

• Academic Leadership: FNP courses are taught by experienced faculty with diverse backgrounds.  
• Momentum: Courses follow an accelerated eight-week format, requiring limited travel to the Virginia Beach campus for training and testing so you can fit class into your schedule.  
• Credibility and Alignment: ODU has designed the program to prepare you for the FNP certification exam offered by either ANCC or AANP.   
• Empowerment: ODU’s Ellmer School of Nursing also has a student clinical services coordinator who assists with locating appropriate clinical sites and ensuring that the appropriate agreements are in place.  

Step 4: Prepare a strong application for graduate school. 

Every program will have different requirements, but generally ask for proof of RN licensure, completion of specific undergraduate courses like statistics and/or health assessment, a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field, multiple letters of recommendation, and a personal essay about your reasons for applying. Your school’s enrollment team can help you with any questions you have about applying.  

Step 5: Complete your graduate program and take the ANCC or AANP exam.  

Your graduate program will likely be aligned with the exam you plan to take, but you can supplement your preparation with certification test prep materials. When you apply for the exam, you’ll be asked to submit education verification documents and schedule your exam.  

After you pass your exam, it’s time to revisit your state’s Board of Nursing licensure requirements (note: not all states have the same requirements) and apply. For example, your requirements may look like: 

• holding a current, active RN license  
• earning a graduate degree in nursing 
• earning professional certification in a specialty area (like family nurse practitioner) 
• filing an application for licensure and paying an application fee 

Once you’ve completed these steps, it’s time to start polishing your job application materials and preparing for interviews. You’re almost there! 

Step 6: Land your first family nurse practitioner job.   

Explore your employment options and start applying for jobs. New graduates often start in family practice groups, community health centers and urgent care, depending on your training. Tap into any professional connections you may have developed throughout your program, clinical experiences and past employment. Your degree is designed to prepare you to meet an immediate need in healthcare.  

Step 7: Maintain your certification through continued competency and continuing education. 

Check your state board’s certification renewal cycles and requirements. For example, your state might require at least 40 hours of continuing education in an area of specialty practice and require you to submit evidence of completion every other year.  

The ODUGlobal Difference 

We understand what it takes to invest in yourself and build a lifelong career in healthcare. ODUGlobal is built for nurses balancing real life and big goals. We meet you where you are with flexible learning options that help you make progress without pausing your life. You’ll learn from faculty members with wide-ranging clinical experience, from telehealth to rural healthcare. If you’re ready to expand your impact, explore ODU’s family nurse practitioner program offered online through ODUGlobal.