10 Best New Jersey FNP Programs (Online & Campus) – 2023
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Are you an RN in the Garden State looking for a way to advance your career, increase your salary, and gain more job satisfaction? Consider enrolling in one of the FNP programs in New Jersey. As a family nurse practitioner, you’ll provide primary care to individuals of all ages, from infants to senior citizens. The job market for family nurse practitioners is rising steadily; within the next 10 years, employment opportunities are projected to increase by 61 percent. FNPs earn comfortable salaries, too: You can expect to average $142,890 a year. For more information, review this list of the 10 best FNP programs in New Jersey for 2023.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 10 BEST FNP PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2023
1. Rutgers School of Nursing - Newark
About the School: If you’re searching for one of the best FNP programs in New Jersey, Rutgers School of Nursing is certainly worth considering. Rutgers offers opportunities for baccalaureate and master’s prepared nurses to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform as Family Nurse Practitioners with its BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master's Certificate programs.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP track features a 75-credit hour curriculum. In this program, you will take classes, including Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Clinical Pharmacology, Epidemiology & Population Health, Quality & Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice, and Healthcare Economics & Business Practices for Advanced Practice Nurses. The BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program at Rutgers School of features in-person classes and offers four- and five-year study plans.
The program includes ten specialty courses through which you will earn 810 hours of clinical experience. However, you will earn a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours throughout the entirety of the program. These hours are earned through hands-on patient care and a DNP scholarly project. Some students may be required to complete more than the 1,000 minimum DNP clinical hours to meet the requirements for graduation.
For admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, candidates must have a minimum Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program. Your application for admission should include submission of a Personal Statement, current resume, two letters of professional recommendation from a nurse or faculty advisor with at least a master's degree, and two scholarly papers. College transcripts should reflect a minimum 3.2-grade point average on a 4.0 scale from your BSN program. Applicants must have proof of current R.N. licensure in New Jersey or a Compact State.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master's Certificate with Family Nurse Practitioner specialty is designed to prepare MSN registered nurses to deliver and direct person-centered, population-focused, and evidence-based practice relevant to patients and families across the lifespan. The PMC-Family Nurse Practitioner program is offered through a blend of remote, in-person, and hybrid learning models.
This certificate program offers a 30-credit hour plan of study and includes 810 clinical hours. A gap analysis is used to determine if additional classes are needed to meet certification criteria. If you have not yet taken Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Physical Assessment during your previous graduate program, those classes will be added to your study plan to earn the FNP Post-Master's Certificate. Depending on the total number of credits you need, you can complete this program in as few as five semesters.
Applicants seeking admission to the Post-Master's FNP program must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree conferred from an accredited nursing school with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale. You must have a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in New Jersey.
2. Stockton University - Galloway
About the School: Stockton University offers another one of the best online FNP programs in New Jersey. The university offers a BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner option and a Post-Master's FNP Certificate option.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse desiring to earn a doctorate in nursing practice and specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Stockton University has one of the top BSN-to- DNP FNP programs in New Jersey worth considering. This BSN-to-DNP program provides students with the education needed to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate care for patients of all ages across the lifespan.
Students in the Stockton University BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program complete all Master’s-level coursework before matriculating into the DNP component of the program. As a student in this program, you have the option to obtain the Master of Science in Nursing degree and seek certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse while completing the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and FNP-specialty coursework.
The BSN-to-DNP program is offered in a synchronous online format with minimal campus visits to participate in laboratory clinical intensives. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 30 months.
This pathway consists of a 77.5-credit hour curriculum. Students earn 43.5 credits from the master's-level courses, 27 DNP-level credits, and seven credits relevant to Family Nurse Practitioner coursework.
In the BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program, you will complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. Approximately 300 hours of the required clinical hours will be earned through the Proposal, Implementation, and Dissemination of the DNP Scholarly Project. All clinical practicum courses and internships require in-person attendance at clinical sites. In clinicals, you will provide hands-on patient care under the guidance of a preceptor with faculty oversite.
Admission to the BSN-to-DNP program requires a candidate to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited nursing school and a current license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of New Jersey. You must have a 3.2 or higher cumulative GPA from your BSN program OR take two graduate nursing courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master's Certificate FNP program at Stockton University is designed for Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners or AGPCNP students and other certified Nurse Practitioners who wish to add a family practice specialty or transition their practice to the role of a Family Nurse Practitioner.
The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program is delivered in a hybrid format with minimal on-campus intensives. The program can be completed in two to seven semesters, depending on your current degree and/or certification level.
Students who pursue the Post-Master's FNP Certificate at Stockton University must take all Adult-Gerontology primary care coursework plus seven credit hours relevant to advanced family practice nursing. You will earn a total of 50.5 credits, 43.5 from the Adult-Gerontology PCNP track and seven credits from the Family Nurse Practitioner Primary Care curriculum. Credit hours specific to the FNP track include the class Assessment & Care of the Family and a 200-hour pediatric practicum.
3. Rutgers The State University of New Jersey - Camden
About the School: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is home to one of the best FNP programs in New Jersey. The university offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program with the option to choose a plan of study with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus.
Rutgers DNP students have access to a 100,000-square-foot teaching and research facility with state-of-the-art, high-touch, high-tech simulation labs, mock patient rooms, and case-study rooms. As a student in the Rutgers Doctor of Nursing Practice FNP program, you will learn from world-class, renowned faculty who are dedicated to student, organizational, and professional success.
DNP Program Details: The DNP-family nurse practitioner program in New Jersey at Rutgers offers flexible scheduling, with both part-time and full-time options. This means you can choose a path that fits your personal and career obligations and goals. The program is available to bachelor's-prepared registered nurses.
This Family Nurse Practitioner-DNP program features a hybrid blend of online and in-person classes and can be completed in three or four years. The curriculum consists of 74 credits. Coursework includes three advanced core classes, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Clinical Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment. Students also take DNP-core classes and Specialty Courses, including Evidence Translation & Implementation Science, Social Determinants of Health, and Clinical Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice.
In addition to the required coursework, you will earn a minimum of 1,175 clinical practice hours. Clinical hours are earned as follows: 675 hours of hands-on clinical practice and 500 hours of clinical practicum devoted to developing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating a DNP project.
Prospective students must submit an online application, provide two letters of recommendation (one professional and one academic), prepare a personal statement, and send official transcripts from any post-secondary school they attended. Transcripts should reflect a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
4. Monmouth University - West Long Branch
About the School: Are you searching for FNP programs in New Jersey that will help you grow your knowledge and skills and build confidence in clinical proficiency as a Family Nurse Practitioner? If so, Monmouth University may be the school you've been searching for.
The university offers MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner and Post-Master's FNP Certificate programs. The programs feature small class sizes, making individualized faculty attention possible. At Monmouth University, you will receive one-on-one attention from dedicated faculty who desire to help you succeed.
MSN Program Details: The MSN-FNP program in New Jersey at Monmouth University is offered in hybrid and online formats, making it easier for working nurses to earn a degree without disrupting their careers. Depending on your preference and personal needs, you can enroll part-time or full-time. Full-time students can graduate in as few as 24 months.
The MSN Family Nurse practitioner program is a 42-credit post-bachelor's program. Students in this pathway take graduate nursing core classes, advanced practice nursing courses, and clinical family specialty classes. The curriculum includes courses such as Factors Affecting Healthcare, Research for Advanced Nursing Practice, Advanced Practice Pediatric Nursing, and Primary Care for the Advanced Practice Nurse. Students in this program complete at least 500 clinical hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you have a Master of Science in Nursing degree and wish to specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner, the Post-Master's FNP Certificate could be an excellent option for you. The Post-Master's Certificate program features a 30-credit hour curriculum consisting of advanced practice core classes, advanced practice concentration courses, and clinical specialty classes and practicum. A few classes you will take include Pathophysiology & Histology, Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice, and Advanced Health Assessment.
Eligible candidates for both the MSN and Post-Master's Certificate programs will possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program and have a minimum 3.0 GPA for the BSN program. Applicants must submit a one-to-two-page personal statement explaining professional goals, two letters of recommendation, and complete a college-level health assessment course. New nurses pursuing the MSN pathway should remember that you must have one year of work experience as a registered professional nurse and one year of experience in the specialty track before enrolling in FNP practicum.
5. Fairleigh Dickinson University - Teaneck
About the School: Fairleigh Dickinson University is ranked among the Best Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, which means it is no surprise it offers some of the best FNP programs in New Jersey. The university offers four pathways for students to gain the education needed to be eligible for certification as a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner.
RN-to-MSN Program Details: The RN-to-MSN program is designed for licensed registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). The program comprises 64 credit hours of coursework and 650 preceptor-supervised clinical hours. In this program, students take classes, including Healthcare Economics, Professional Nurse in the 21st Century, Healthcare Management, and introduction to Advanced Nursing Practice: Philosophy & Theories. Full-time students typically complete this program in two to three years.
MSN Program Details: The MSN family nurse practitioner programs in New Jersey at Fairleigh Dickson can be completed in three years of full-time study or five years of part-time study. This MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner pathway is available to eligible applicants who have graduated from an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (with a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA) and have at least one year of clinical nursing experience.
The program features online didactic coursework and in-person clinical practicum experiences. The MSN curriculum includes 37 credit hours of coursework and 650 clinical practice hours. Nursing courses include Advanced Nursing: Family Primary Care, Family Systems, Theory Development & Advanced Research, and Advanced Nursing Philosophies, Theories, Roles, & Issues.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program features a 58-credit hour curriculum. In this pathway, you will earn credits from required MSN courses, Core courses, and Specialty courses. Classes in the BSN-to-DNP program include Health Disparities: Social, Ethical, & Legal issues, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Quality Assessment & Outcomes, and Leadership/Organizational Analysis.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Registered nurses holding an MSN degree may earn a Post-Master's Certificate with FNP specialization. The Post-Master's FNP Certification program is a 24-credit hour pathway that includes 650 hours of clinical preparation. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the Advanced Practice Nurse Certification Examination for Family Nurse Practitioners.
6. Rowan University - Glassboro
About the School: Rowan University offers a family nurse practitioner program in New Jersey with two entry options for prospective students. Both the MSN and Certificate Advanced Graduate Study-Family Nurse Practitioner pathways are offered as part-time programs and delivered in a hybrid format. The MSN and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study FNP programs are taught by experienced faculty dedicated to your success.
MSN Program Details: This Master of Science-FNP pathway is one of the top FNP programs in New Jersey, offering registered nurses the opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to assume leadership roles in advanced family practice roles. You can complete this program in five semesters of full-time study.
It includes a combination of online courses, in-person classes, and clinical practicum experiences. The curriculum consists of 44 to 53 semester hours earned through classes, including Adult Acute & Chronic Disease Management, Across the Lifespan Primary Care, Theories of Women's Health & Pediatric Care, and Epidemiology Health Promotion & Disease Management. Students in this program complete a minimum of 600 hours of hands-on clinical practice.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Program Details: The Rowan University Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program offers graduate-prepared registered nurses or non-FNP nurse practitioners the opportunity to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. This post-master's certificate option can be completed in as little as two semesters. The program offers an 18-semester hour curriculum with classes including Women's Health & Pediatrics, Across the Lifespan Primary Care, and Adult Acute & Chronic Disease Management. Students in this program complete 400 clinical hours.
7. Ramapo College of New Jersey - Mahwah
About the School: The Ramapo College of New Jersey is home to one of the best FNP programs in New Jersey. The program features affordability, accessibility, and individualized attention for each student. The Family Nurse Practitioner program is offered in a hybrid format with approximately 90% of coursework completed online.
The university offers this program designed to prepare students to sit for Family Nurse Practitioner certification examinations administered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or American Nurse Credentialing Center.
MSN Program Details: The MSN- family nurse practitioner program in New Jersey at Ramapo College is designed for part-time study, making it easy to choose a schedule that suits your personal preferences and needs. Most students complete the program in three years. However, you can extend the amount of time you study by taking lighter course loads.
This MSN program is a 49-credit hour program. Students in this program take classes such as Context of Healthcare for Advanced Practice, Primary Care of Adults, Family Centered Primary Care, and Science & Research. The program also includes 720 practicum hours.
8. Felician University - Rutherford
About the School: Felician University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs, making it one of the best places to pursue an FNP program in New Jersey. The university offers options for students to choose a Master of Science in Nursing or Post-Master's Certificate pathway to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
The university prepares students in both pathways to apply advanced nursing knowledge to design, implement and evaluate patient-centered care and utilize interprofessional collaboration to improve patient outcomes.
MSN Program Details: The MSN program with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, which is one of the best FNP programs in New Jersey, will prepare you for eligibility to apply for APRN licensure and certification as an FNP through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
The MSN pathway features a 40-credit curriculum, including classes such as Pharmacology & Prescriptive Practice, Policy, Advocacy, & Ethical Legal Issues in Healthcare, Theory & Research in Advanced Nursing Practice, and Advanced Health Assessment. All students in this pathway complete a minimum of 650 clinical practice hours to meet graduation requirements.
Candidates seeking to enroll in the MSN pathway must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree earned from a nationally accredited nursing program and have an unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in New Jersey. Undergraduate transcripts should reflect a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master's Certificate option offers an excellent opportunity for master’s-prepared registered nurses to pursue a specialty as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The Post-Master's Certificate program is a top FNP program in New Jersey, where you will earn at least 33 credits and complete a minimum of 650 clinical practicum hours. Some of the classes you will take in this program include Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology, Primary Care: Prevention & Education, Primary Care: Diagnosis & Management, and Primary Care of Subacute and Long-Term Care Populations.
Applicants must have a Master of Science in Nursing conferred by a nationally accredited nursing program with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must have completed courses in Statistics, Nursing Research, and Health Assessment.
9. The College of New Jersey - Ewing
About the School: If you're searching for a college to help prepare you for success in the role of a Family Nurse Practitioner, the College of New Jersey, is a great option! The college offers a Master of Science in Nursing and a Post-Master's Certificate with an FNP specialty concentration. The programs are offered in online, in-person and blended formats, with part-time and full-time schedules available.
MSN Program Details: The MSN pathway, which is tailored for baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses, ranks as a top FNP program in New Jersey, building upon the knowledge, training, and skills you earned in a BSN program. In this program, you will learn to critically assess individuals' and families' health, wellness, and illness levels across the lifespan.
This MSN-FNP program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study, including two summer semesters. The program includes a curriculum consisting of 47 credits earned in classes, including theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice & Research, Advanced Human Pathophysiology, Advanced Holistic Health Assessment, and Individual, Family, & Community Systems. This pathway features practicum experiences where you will earn at least 715 hours of direct patient care contact and 35 hours of a health assessment clinical.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you've earned a master's degree in nursing and possess a valid, unencumbered R.N. license in New Jersey, the Post-Master's FNP Certificate program may interest you. The program is a 33-credit program that includes 715 practicum hours and 35 hours of health assessment clinicals.
10. William Paterson University - Wayne
About the School: William Paterson University offers four options for prospective students seeking FNP programs in New Jersey. Whether you are a registered nurse with an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree, there is a program designed to help you meet your academic and professional goals and become a Family Nurse Practitioner. With options for online and hybrid learning and hands-on, collaborative learning in the clinical setting, you can turn your dreams of becoming an FNP into a reality at William Paterson.
RN-to-MSN Program Details: The William Paterson University RN-to-MSN program will prepare you to promote the health and well-being of infants, children, and adults across the lifespan as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program is unique in that it allows you to earn a BSN and transition seamlessly into MSN studies. You can complete this 100% online program in as few as 28 months if you choose to study full-time.
The RN-to-MSN program is available to registered nurses with a valid, unrestricted license to practice in New Jersey who possess an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited nursing school and whose undergraduate nursing GPA is at least a 2.5.
This RN-to-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program features a 65-credit hour curriculum made up of RN-to-BSN core and elective courses, master’s-level core courses and nurse practitioner concentration courses. In addition to online coursework, you will complete 830 clinical practicum hours, where you will provide hands-on care in a variety of healthcare settings under the direction of an approved preceptor or faculty mentor.
MSN Program Details: The MSN pathway offers another of the best online family nurse practitioner programs in New Jersey. The MSN-FNP program is an option for registered nurses who possess a BSN from an accredited school of nursing with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher and whose R.N. license is active and unencumbered.
This MSN-Family Nurse practitioner option features a 47-credit hour curriculum and 680 clinical hours and can be completed in 20 months. Students in this pathway take classes including Advanced Health Assessment for the Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Research Strategies: Translational Science, Population Health, Legislation & Social Policy, and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse.
BSN-to-MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-MSN-to-DNP program offers baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses the opportunity to earn both a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree while pursuing a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration.
This pathway includes 79 credits of coursework, 47 master's- level credits and 32 doctoral-level nursing credits. The program offers a flexible format tailored for working nurses, allowing students to take two courses per semester, one online and the other in a hybrid format. All students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. However, some students may complete additional clinical hours, as needed.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Post Master’s Certificate pathway offers another option for an excellent family nurse practitioner program in New Jersey. The program consists of a 35-credit hour curriculum, which includes advanced practice nursing classes such as Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment. In the PMC program, students complete at least 680 clinical hours. The Post-Master's FNP Certificate program takes as little as 16 months to complete.
Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
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