Family Nurse Practitioner

Before applying for our Family Nurse Practitioner program, you must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a M.S. in Nursing. At Mercy, we make it easy with three nursing degrees that qualify you to apply to our Family Nurse Practitioner program upon completion. We offer an Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing (ASDBS) Program, a Traditional 4-Year Nursing Program and an RN to B.S. Nursing Program so you can find a degree program that best meets your goals.

The NCLEX exam is a requirement in all states to be a licensed nurse. This exam tests your nursing knowledge and critical thinking skills. Before completing the test, you must contact your state's nursing regulatory body for authorization to test (ATT). After you pass the test, you can complete the application for an RN license. Our degree program will give you the skills and knowledge you need so you can take the exam with confidence.

Once you pass the exam and have your license, you can apply to our Family Nurse Practitioner master's program. The goal of the FNP program is to help you grow as a future family nurse practitioner and succeed in your career after graduation day. You'll be able to build on many of the skills you developed while earning your BSN or M.S. in Nursing. 

Once you earn your master's, you must pass the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam. Our FNP program is designed to give you all the knowledge you need to pass this exam — taking you one step closer to your dream career.

After you pass the exam, you will apply for a Nurse Practitioner (NP) license in your state. To keep your license, you must renew it periodically and meet requirements such as completing continuing education.

There are government programs such as the National Health Service Corps available to family nurse practitioners who agree to practice in medically underserved areas.

The program is designed to be taken in-person. However, there are several non-clinical related courses that may be taken online. All courses that are necessary for clinical placements must be taken on campus.

The FNP program does not require applicants to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) or the MAT (Miller Analogies Test) for admission consideration.

Graduate courses taken at other institutions prior to admission at Mercy University may, if pertinent to the plan of study, be credited to the graduate degree. Transfer credit is limited to 6 credits for applicants without a MS in nursing degree and 12 credits for applicants with a MS in nursing degree or an internationally trained medical graduate (physician who graduated from a medical school outside of the United States) with a BS in nursing.  The nursing program will transfer courses taken within ten years (individually assessed by the program) in which the student received a grade of B or above. Transferring courses older than 10 years ago will be at the discretion of the program director. Transfer courses taken prior to admission will not be computed in the quality point average.

We have two start terms spring (January) and fall (September). 

Core: 12 Credits
Specialization: 30 Credits

Total: 42 Credits

For a full list of courses see our catalog.

The program is designed for professional nurses who have a B.S. in Nursing degree or a M.S. in Nursing degree.

Spring 2025 Application: Priority Deadline November 15

• Only complete application files will be reviewed after this date and decisions will be released early May.
• Highly qualified students may be notified earlier.

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing  or a M.S. degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
• GPA of 3.0 or above is required.
• Applicants with international education are required to have their earned credits evaluated by NACES to be comparable to United States standards. Students requiring F1 visas are not eligible for acceptance into this program.
• Copy of currently registered and unencumbered New York State RN License
• Professional résumé
• Personal statement (500 words) - See FNP Personal Statement below for additional information
• One professional or academic reference

FNP Personal Statement Guidelines

• In 500 words (place the word count at the top of the essay under your name), respond to the following (be as specific as possible):
  • Discuss the role of FNPs in primary care delivery
  • Discuss the challenges in primary care today and how FNPs can address those challenges
  • What are the social determinants of health and how do they contribute to a patient's health status? 
  • What role do FNPs play in advocacy and health policy?
• Presentation is an important component of this essay. We consider the ability to use graduate level writing, correct grammar, correct spelling, appropriate word choices, appropriate tenses, and adherence to directions as indicators of your ability to communicate effectively and professionally.

Click here for essay guidelines and rubric.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master's degree program in nursing at Mercy University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The master’s degree in nursing at Mercy University is accredited by the New York Board of Regents, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Board of Regents, Room 110 EB, Albany, New York 12234.

Program Outcome I - Technology

• Student will synthesize knowledge and skills using patient care technologies and information management to deliver and coordinate care across multiple settings. [I, IX, V, II]
• Student will be able analyze care outcomes and communicate with individuals, groups, media, policy makers, health care professionals and the public.  [VI, VII, IV]

Program Outcome II- Research

• Student will synthesize knowledge and skills to integrate theory, evidence, clinical judgment, research, and interprofessional perspectives using evidence based practices to improve health outcomes for patient aggregates. [VII, VI, IV, VIII]

Program Outcome III - Leadership

• Student will synthesize knowledge and expertise in assessing organizations, identifying systems issues, and facilitating organization wide changes in practice delivery. [II, VII]
• Student will be able to develop leadership skills to establish and maintain effective communication and collaborative relationships with interprofessional teams. [II, VII]

Program Outcome IV - Quality

• Student will synthesize knowledge and skills to analyze and prioritize outcomes that need to be improved, promote health, shape the health delivery system, and advance values such as social justice through policy processes and advocacy. [III, VI, VIII, IX]
• Student will use quality improvement and high reliability organizational principles to measure the impact of plans of action. [III, IX, VIII]

Download a copy of the sequence map for:

ARCHIVE

• 2023 - 2024 M.S. Family Nurse Practitioner sequence map
• 2022-2023 M.S. Family Nurse Practitioner sequence map (fall)
• 2021-2022 M.S. Family Nurse Practitioner sequence map (fall)

• 2020 - 2021 M.S. Family Nurse Practitioner sequence map (fall)