MSN-FNP
Take the Next Step with USM's Online MSN-FNP
Take charge of your nursing career with a Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track from the 花椒直播. Learn online while you broaden your horizon!
More so than many other programs, 花椒直播 provides extensive assistance in securing practicum placements for MSN-FNP students
Our curriculum fully prepares you for advanced practice nursing focused on primary care 鈥 integrating both theory and application in a mixed learning approach. Classes are offered online.
In as little as two years, you can be prepared to sit for national certification as an FNP. USM also offers an:
- Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration (PMHNP),
- Online MSN with specializations in education and administration
- Plus an MSN + MBA track
Post-Master's Certificate Info
Finish in as Little as 2 Years
50 Credits
Online Classes
Designed with Working Nurses in Mind
Clinical Coordinator
USM's Staff Will Help You
Secure Practicum Placements
Why Choose USM?
- Convenient online classes
- With more than 700 clinical hours, USM graduates gain more practicum experience than students in many other programs 鈥 making sure you are well prepared for your next career step
- On-campus Human Anatomy Lab: Benefit from experiential learning opportunities during Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Classes
- Gain experience in growing fields, including telehealth
- Commitment to excellence: USM focuses on preparedness through Margaret Fitzgerald FNP certification review, standardized patient experiences, and simulations
- Innovative curriculum that is relevant to the interests of students and health care professionals
- Learn from advanced practice faculty with vast clinical knowledge
A Glance at the NP Profession
- Licensed for all ages (family)
- Differential diagnosis and treatment of patients
- Care for own panel of patients
- Prescribe medications independently, including controlled substances (as determined by state)
- Co-manage patients with specialists
"The nursing professors at USM are absolutely the best! They are fully invested in helping you find your true potential while building in the knowledge and skill you will need to succeed.鈥
鈥 Sylvia Gillis, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Curriculum
The MSN-FNP program consists of 12 terms, 50 total credit hours. Courses must be taken in order, given the cohort progression structure of the program. Classes are offered online. Students must attend two required on-ground intensives throughout their program. Each will be three days in length, and they will typically be in the Summer term. These intensives will include things like skills check-off and practice, standardized patients, oral boards, and poster presentations.
Total Program Credits: 50 Hours (700+ Clinical Hours)
HCMGT 720 Healthcare Informatics and Technologies (3)
NUFP 701 Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing (3)
NUFP 703 Analysis & Utilization of Research (3)
NUFP 705 Healthcare Policy & Ethics (3)
NUFP 712 Quality & Safety (3)
NUFP 770 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
NUFP 772 Pharmacotherapeutics for the APRN Prescriber (3)
NUFP 773 Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning for the FNP Provider (3+1+1)
NUFP 781 Primary Care I: Management of the Adult and Geriatric Populations (4 + 4=
8)
NUFP 783 Primary Care II: Management of Pediatric and Childbearing Families (4 + 4=
8)
NUFP 785 Primary Care III: Clinical Capstone and Practicum (3 + 1 + 4= 8)
NU 760 Evidence Based Project I (1)
NU 761 Evidenced Based Project II (1)
NU 762 Evidenced Based Project III (1)
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the FNP program is completed through the system, is competitive, and is based upon:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA accredited nursing program
- Verification of current unrestricted RN license in the state of intended clinical practicum
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate nursing study
- Official transcript(s) from undergraduate/professional school
- Two professional or academic letters of recommendation. The letter should attest to your potential to successfully complete a graduate program of study, with emphasis on professional nursing competency, relationship with team members, leadership skills, and personal responsibility/accountability.
- Current curriculum vitae
- Written response to three questions (300 words or less each) demonstrating your commitment to nursing and your reasons for seeking graduate education
- At least one year of clinical experience as a registered nurse. You may seek admission prior to the completion of this requirement but must have completed the full year of RN clinical practice prior to enrollment in FNP practicum courses.
- Personal interview with FNP Program Admissions Committee. Interviews are conducted remotely.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact Health Care Admissions Recruiter Randoulph Castor at randoulph.castor@stmary.edu or 913-758-6100.
Tuition
The 花椒直播 Master of Science in Nursing-FNP program is competitively priced. Financial aid packages are designed to help you easily manage your education expenses, based on need determined by the .
The MSN-FNP cost is $775 a credit hour. Some additional fees may apply depending on your term/course load.
*Note: Year to year, cost per credit hour subject to change.
Questions? Contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@stmary.edu or 913-758-4303.
Career & Salary
Demand for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) 鈥 including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists 鈥 is expected to with an estimated 40 percent increase between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The BLS reports the for nurse practitioners is $123,780 鈥 a significant increase compared to the $77,600 of a registered nurse as reported by the BLS.
Meet the Faculty
Michelle Krakar, DNP, MS, RN
Assistant Professor & Post Licensure and Graduate Program Director
michelle.krakar@stmary.edu
706-615-7355
Highlights:
Dr. Krakar received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Columbus State University and her Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy State University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from the 花椒直播. She then received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She is currently pursuing a post-master certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Dr. Krakar has experience teaching in undergraduate and master鈥檚 programs. Her favorite courses are medical surgical. Clinically, Dr. Krakar has experience in emergency, medical-surgical, telemetry, and forensic nursing. She extensively volunteers with the American Red Cross by providing medical services.
Ginger Vaughn-Pullin, DNP, NE, FNP-BC
Associate Professor of Nursing
Ginger.Vaughn-Pullin@stmary.edu
913-758-6295
Berchmans 315
Highlights:
Dr. Ginger Vaughn-Pullin received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of
Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing (FNP focus) from the University
of Kansas. She then completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Organizational Leadership
from Graceland University. Her research focus is on stress reduction in caregivers
of individuals with special needs. She maintains certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner
through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Dr. Vaughn-Pullin has experience teaching in graduate and doctoral programs. Some
of her favorite courses to teach have been advanced health assessment, diagnostic
reasoning, pediatrics, and epidemiology.
Clinically, Dr. Vaughn-Pullin has experience in emergency medicine, intensive care,
functional medicine, pediatrics, and family practice. She currently maintains clinical
practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner working with the uninsured and underserved
in the Kansas City metro area.
Have Questions? Contact Us.
Nancy Hernandez, MBA
Division of Nursing
nancy.hernandez@stmary.edu
913-758-6166

The Pre- Licensure Baccalaureate of Nursing program and Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN).
Graduation from a USM nursing program and passage of the NCLEX exam does not guarantee licensure. Learn more.
Have Questions? Contact Us.
Nancy Hernandez, MBA
Division of Nursing
nancy.hernandez@stmary.edu
913-758-6166

The Pre- Licensure Baccalaureate of Nursing program and Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN).
Graduation from a USM nursing program and passage of the NCLEX exam does not guarantee licensure. Learn more.