Family Nurse Practitioner
Use your expertise to care for patients throughout the lifespan in a primary care setting ranging from wellness to complex acute and chronic illnesses while focusing on relationship-based support.
Program overview
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) provides patient-centered primary care across the lifespan, combining nursing’s holistic perspective with advanced clinical skills to manage acute and chronic conditions. FNPs work in diverse settings, including primary care offices, outpatient clinics, community health centers, hospitals, and public health agencies.
Ohio State’s FNP program is nationally ranked — No. 3 overall and No. 1 among public institutions by U.S. News & World Report. Students gain evidence-based, clinically rigorous training under expert faculty and preceptors, with hands-on experiences in community and hospital settings, preparing graduates to lead in today’s healthcare environment.
Take the next step
Join an information session to learn more about your program of interest, hosted by our recruitment coordinator.
Complete this specialty online or on campus through one of the following programs:
On campus or online
On campus only
Build advanced clinical knowledge through focused coursework and supervised practicum experiences.
As a student, you will:
- Apply skills in real-world clinical settings
- Train under the guidance of expert preceptors
- Complete clinical experiences at approved sites across Ohio and other authorized states (as applicable)
- Spend 16-20 hours per week in precepted clinical practice
Graduates are eligible for national board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner through:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board
The curriculum aligns with national standards:
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, NP Role Core Competencies
- Nursing 7410 Advanced Health Assessment
- Nursing 7415 Clinical Reasoning with Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice
- Nursing 7450 Pathophysiology of Altered Health States
- Nursing 7470 Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing
- Nursing 7268.01 Advanced Nursing Practice FNP Clinical Practicum I
- Nursing 7268.02 Advanced Nursing Practice FNP Clinical Practicum II
- Nursing 7268.03 Advanced Nursing Practice FNP Clinical Practicum III
- Nursing 8895 Advanced Practice Nursing: Final Professional Seminar
- Provide health promotion and primary care for individuals and families across the lifespan.
- Apply theory and evidence to care for diverse populations.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate strategies that ensure quality primary care.
- Use leadership skills to create positive change in health policy and care delivery.
- Advocate for patients and families within a constantly evolving healthcare environment.
- Advance the profession through lifelong learning, innovation, and professional engagement.