Master of Science in Nursing Program

Family Nurse Practitioner

The UW Oshkosh program has been preparing FNPs since 1974. The program was one of the first master's level FNP programs in the United States. Its faculty is clinically active in a variety of settings. Faculty and graduates are at the forefront of NP leadership at the local, regional, and national level. Our network is unparalleled.

The FNP program has several entrances and timetables. Classes are usually given on two consecutive days. Part-time and full-time courses of study are available. Masters prepared nurses may access our program through the Graduate Achievement Program (call the Graduate Program Office for specific information.) Students may stay overnight at Gruenhagen Conference Center, located near the College of Nursing. Gruenhagen fees are nominal ($14 per night). Graduates may come back and take refresher courses with a minimum of paperwork involved.

There is an opportunity to take a series of courses in Health Care Informatics. So much information is gathered and stored electronically that the ability to access and interpret data is becoming a sought-after skill. The College of Nursing houses the Applied Information Technology minor for the entire campus.

Background Needed

The Family Nurse Practitioner emphasis enhances the clinical practice skills of nurses through in-depth exploration of the nursing process, the promotion of health and wellness, the diagnosis and treatment of illness, and the promotion of collaborative practice relationships. The FNP emphasis builds on scholarly, clinical, and leadership skills already in place in the students. Admission to the FNP emphasis is competitive and applicants should be prepared to give evidence of their scholarly, clinical, and leadership skills. Students from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Graduation from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC)-accredited baccalaureate nursing program is required. Previous clinical nursing experience is highly recommended. Completion of an undergraduate health assessment course within two years and statistics course within five years of being admitted to the program is required. Graduates of the program most frequently mention their surprise at how much time must be devoted to their schoolwork. Students who plan on working should make sure their priorities match their capabilities. Graduate school is an important commitment.

Description of the Program

This 48-credit masters emphasis may be completed in four semesters of full-time study and one summer practicum of hours plus with the probability of one summer session. For those who wish to attend on a part-time basis, a varying number of credits should be taken each semester but the final semester is full-time. All work must be completed within 5 years of taking the first course.

Graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam, and are eligible for Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber status (after being certified) from the State of Wisconsin, Department of Regulation and Licensing.

Students register for their chosen culminating project after: 1) completion of Nursing 701, and 2) securing proposal approval by their project chairperson (and committee if appropriate), including human subjects approval. The choices for culminating project include a clinical paper or a thesis.

Clinical Practica are designed according to course objectives and availability of practice sites. In practica, students function with guidance provided by the College of Nursing faculty in conjunction with family nurse practitioners and physicians who serve as adjunct faculty. A collaborative advanced practice nurse-physician practice is considered important in meeting a wider scope of consumer health needs than either health professional could achieve in solo practice.

Please click here to see UW-Oshkosh Course Bulletin for courses 700-796

Recommended Plan of Study
Full-time student (48 Credits)

Recommended Plan of study
Part-Time (48 credits)
3 year plan

Recommended Plan of Study
Part-time student (48 Credits)
4 year plan