Hospital Simulation Lab

Family Nurse Practitioner

Master of Science
  • 42 Credits
  • School of Nursing
  • Westchester
Nursing Fast Facts

Family Nurse Practitioner Overview

The Family Nurse Practitioner program educates advanced practice nurses to practice primary care. 

This includes: health promotion, health maintenance, disease prevention and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness, in a variety of settings (e.g., community clinics, private offices, urban areas, rural areas, school-based clinics, prisons) throughout the patient’s lifecycle. 

The program is designed for professional nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a M.S. in Nursing.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Career Opportunities

Our graduates are educated to become family nurse practitioners who provide primary care and research. Our graduates become family nurse practitioners who provide primary care in a variety of health care settings.

  • Community Health Centers 
  • Homeless Shelters 
  • Hospital Ambulatory Centers 
  • School-Based Clinics 
  • Prison Health 
  • Rural Health 
  • Indian Health Services 
  • Private Practice 

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31% Growth

Career Outcomes

Job growth expected to rise 31% through 2026*


*Bureau of Labor Statistics
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$120K Salary

Average Pay

For registered nurses in the New York region*
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42 Credits

Total Credits to Earn Your Degree

Classes in health care delivery, genetics & health assessment labs

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The Mercy Advantage

  • State-of-the-art clinical facilities
  • 12,000 ft simulation labs
  • Alumni network of 64,000+ 
  • Nationally accredited by CCNE, AANP & ANCC
  • Online courses available

Frequently Asked Questions

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 credits are limited to six credits taken within the last five years in which the student has received a grade of B or above. Transfer courses taken prior to admission will not be computed in the quality point average. 

Program Details & Curriculum

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.

Fall 2024 Application Deadline: April 1, 2024

  • 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.
  • 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

  • The essay should reflect your understanding of the role of the advanced practice nurse (FNP), the role of education in obtaining this degree, and your interest in a particular patient population after obtaining your degree.
  • 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):
    • Why do you want to become a family nurse practitioner?  Please keep in mind, you are already a nurse – do not discuss why you want to be nurse
    • What is the role of a family nurse practitioner?
    • How will obtaining a MS in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree, assist you in meeting your career/professional goals?
    • Where do you intend to practice after obtaining your FNP degree?
  • 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.
  • Please contact admissions@mercy.edu for the essay rubric

The master's degree 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]

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