5 Best Arizona FNP Programs (Online & Campus) – 2023

Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN

Like much of the rest of the U.S., the Grand Canyon State is in the midst of a primary healthcare provider shortage. As a graduate of one of the FNP programs in Arizona, though, you’ll be able to do something about that. Employment opportunities for family nurse practitioners in the Grand Canyon State are projected to double within the coming decade. FNPs make excellent salaries, too, averaging $121,110 a year. Do you want to make primary healthcare accessible to all the residents of Arizona? Get started today with this list of the 5 best FNP programs in Arizona for 2023.

FOLLOWING ARE THE 5 BEST FNP PROGRAMS IN ARIZONA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2023

1. University of Arizona - Tucson

Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate

About the School: The University of Arizona is well known for its efforts to provide high-quality nursing programs. In recent years, the college has worked closely with local communities and the State of Arizona to create more innovative nursing programs to address a nationwide nursing shortage and the need for primary care providers. One way the college has accomplished this is to expand its nursing programs so licensed registered nurses can earn graduate or doctoral degrees at an accelerated pace. The school’s dedication to a strong nursing program that prepares nurses for advanced practice careers such as Family Nurse Practitioner, make it an excellent choice for anyone considering an FNP program in Arizona.

In fact, if you are a registered nurse considering advancing your career in family care, one of the best FNP programs in Arizona at the University of Arizona can help you achieve that goal. The University of Arizona at Tucson offers two pathways to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, a BSN-to-DNP, and a Post-Graduate Certificate option. The programs are offered in a hybrid format using a combination of online coursework, on-campus intensives, and in-person clinical practice opportunities.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner pathway is an excellent option available to registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The BSN-to-DNP program can be completed in two and a half to three and a half years, depending on whether you choose to go to school part-time or full-time.

This pathway features a rigorous, 68-credit-hour curriculum. You will take classes including Statistical Inference for Evidence-Based Practice, Health Policy & Economics, and Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology.

Before beginning clinicals, students participate in a Clinical Preparation Intensive. The Intensive is designed to help you develop clinical skills relevant to the family practice specialty. After completing the CPI, the clinical practicum begins.

The BSN-to-DNP program includes 720 hours of clinical practice. The clinical practicum gives you the opportunity to develop your clinical nursing skills under the supervision of clinical faculty or designated clinical preceptors. Although some travel may be necessary, clinical coordinators will work with you to find clinical placement in settings closer to your geographic location.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: Another FNP program in Arizona is the Post-Graduate Certificate program at the University of Arizona at Tucson. The post-graduate certificate option is offered online and designed for completion in four semesters. This option is available to nurses with an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license who are actively working in a clinical setting.

The curriculum includes 33 credit hours earned through classes such as Health Assessment, Pediatric Pharmacotherapeutics, and Advanced Practice Nursing Issues in the Care of Older Adults. The post-graduate certificate pathway also includes 720 hours of clinical practicum.

2. Arizona State University – Phoenix

Programs Offered: DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate

About the School: Arizona State University began its School of Nursing with 58 students. Since then, the college has graduated more than 10,000 nursing students. The school's continued efforts to offer an innovative nursing program to prepare professional nurses have led to several accolades, including having Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs ranked by U.S. News & World Report as two of the best programs in the country. This recognition speaks to the quality of their nursing programs, making it an excellent choice for individuals searching for the right Family Nurse Practitioner program in Arizona.

If you aspire to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and want to find the best FNP programs in Arizona, you may not need to look any further than Arizona State University. The university offers both a post-baccalaureate DNP option and a Post-Graduate Certificate option with the option to specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The programs are delivered in a hybrid format with online classes and in-person clinicals.

DNP Program Details: The Doctor of Nursing Practice FNP program at Arizona State University is designed to help students develop expertise in providing primary healthcare services to patients, families, and caregivers across the lifespan. Although most classes are online, you will travel to campus for orientation and have two or three campus visits per semester. This DNP program can be completed in three and a half years.

The DNP curriculum includes 84 credit hours of coursework and clinical preparation. In this program, you will engage in content-rich classes, including Biostatistics, Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice, and Management of Complex & Chronic Family Problems in Children, Adults & Families.

The program includes 1,125 clinical practical training. Clinical hours are completed in various settings, giving you the opportunity to deliver care to patients of all ages from diverse backgrounds across the health and illness spectrum.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate Certification with FNP specialization is an option under two conditions. The program is available to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses with a specialty certification other than family practice or those with a doctoral degree in nursing who wish to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. It is one of the best options for pursuing a post-graduate FNP program in Arizona.

The program features a 22-credit-hour curriculum, including 585 clinical practice hours. You will complete classes such as Family Health Promotion, Management of Common Family Problems in Children, Adults & Families, and Management of Complex & Chronic Health Problems in Children, Adults & Families.

3. Grand Canyon University - Phoenix

Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate

About the School: If you're searching for a Family Nurse Practitioner program grounded in Christian faith, Grand Canyon University could be a perfect fit for you. Grand Canyon University offers another one of the top Family Nurse Practitioner programs in Arizona with two FNP pathways: The Master of Science in Nurse with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration or the Post-Master's FNP Certificate program.

As a student at GCU, you will benefit from qualified, experienced instructors dedicated to your success. The university has options for evening or online classes for both FNP pathways. Many classes at GCU take only eight weeks to complete. However, some core FNP classes take up to 16 weeks.

MSN Program Details: The MSN with Family Nurse Practitioner focus is one of the best FNP programs in Arizona. This pathway is available to registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, reflecting a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates who possess a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field may be eligible for the MSN-to-FNP Bridge Pathway.

The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum consists of 53 credit hours of comprehensive coursework designed to guide you in advanced practice as a family practitioner. You may transfer up to 12 credits from your previous nursing degree. A few courses you will take in the MSN-FNP program include Advance Physiology & Pathophysiology, Translational Research & Population Health Management, and Organizational Leadership & Informatics.

During this FNP program in Arizona, you will complete two on-campus experiences where you will collaborate with faculty and peers while developing hands-on skills. Campus experiences provide laboratory intensive activities with patient actors and interdisciplinary faculty to help you hone your skills and prepare for the clinical practicum.

Clinicals take place in various sites under the direction of approved preceptors. Upon completion of the program, you will have earned at least 675 hours of clinical experience.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Grand Canyon University Post-Master's FNP Certificate program is designed to help you transition your practice to a new level with a family practice focus. Coursework is delivered online. However, you will attend campus four times during the program for two-to-three-day intensives.

This Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program in Arizona features a 37-credit hour curriculum. Online coursework prepares you for in-person campus-based intensives and hands-on clinicals. You will study topics such as Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning, Health Promotion, and Family Primary Care. This pathway also features a 675 clinical requirement.

4. Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff

Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master's Certificate

About the School: Northern Arizona University began its journey as a teacher's college, committed to building a strong foundation through education. The university continues that mission today, offering students instruction from experienced faculty renowned in their fields, like the excellent nursing faculty who teach in the FNP programs.

Remaining faithful to the school's dedication to high-quality education, Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff offers another top FNP program in Arizona with two options. Depending on your current level of education and licensure, you may choose from the Master of Science in Nursing-FNP or Post-Master's Certificate-FNP. Both pathways are available in an online format with in-person clinical requirements.

MSN Program Details: The MSN-FNP program is designed for licensed registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or RNs with an Associate degree in Nursing and a non-nursing baccalaureate degree. Students in the MSN-FNP program choosing to pursue a full-time course load can graduate in as few as four semesters.

As a student in this MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program, you will earn 48 credit hours, including 26 master’s nursing core credits and 22 specialty course credits. The curriculum offers instruction on nursing content from courses including Applied Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses, Advanced Principles in Evidence-Based Practice, and Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses.

After completing master’s-level core coursework, you will advance to FNP-specialty courses. Each specialty course has a corresponding clinical practicum. By the time you graduate, you will have a minimum of 780 clinical hours.

Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: If you have a Master of Science in Nursing degree and are currently licensed as a registered nurse, the Post-Master's Certificate pathway could be an excellent fit for you. Many students complete the program in only two semesters. However, it is possible to earn the certificate in one semester.

Students complete 38 units of credit to earn the certificate. Like the MSN-FNP pathway, the Post-Master's Certificate-FNP pathway includes 780 hours of hands-on clinicals.

Graduates of both the MSN and Post-Master's Certificate programs have excellent certification examination pass rates, supporting the fact that the programs are among the best options for a Family Nurse Practitioner program in Arizona.

5. University of Phoenix - Phoenix

Programs Offered: MSN

About the School: The University of Phoenix is known for flexible learning opportunities, one-on-one student guidance, and personal support throughout its programs. Students at the university have access to student support 20 hours a day, five days a week, demonstrating the school's dedication to success. When you pursue your FNP degree at the University of Phoenix, you will have a personal academic counselor to guide you through each step of the program. These qualities are why the university is considered one of the best schools for pursuing FNP programs in Arizona.

MSN Program Details: The University of Phoenix offers an MSN-FNP, a post-licensure program designed for licensed registered nurses who wish to earn an MSN specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. At the University of Phoenix, you can earn your MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner degree in as few as 30 months. With both on-campus and online class options, you can choose which option is best suited for you.

This program features a curriculum where you will earn 48 credits. You will learn skills focused on advocacy, nursing ethics, nursing practice, planning, problem-solving, and research application. Some classes you will take to earn credits include Roles of the Advanced Practice Nurse, Analysis of Research Reports, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, and Theoretical Foundations of Practice.

The MSN-FNP program at the University of Phoenix, one of the best Family Nurse Practitioner programs in Arizona, will prepare you for advanced nursing practice by teaching you leadership roles for clinical and academic settings. You will demonstrate clinical skills through a 56-hour laboratory experience and 460 hours of clinical practicum.


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