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.

A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides comprehensive, patient-centered primary care for individuals and families across the lifespan, from infancy through older adulthood. FNPs blend nursing’s holistic perspective with advanced clinical expertise to promote health, prevent illness, and diagnose and manage a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. FNPs practice in a variety of clinical settings, including primary care and family practices, outpatient clinics, community health centers, hospital-based specialty clinics, managed care organizations, and government or public health agencies. Their broad scope of practice positions them to deliver high-quality, continuous care that meets the needs of diverse populations and communities.

Our FNP specialty track is ranked #5 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and #1 among public institutions for our BSN to DNP program. At Ohio State, you’ll be part of one of the nation’s most comprehensive health sciences centers—where innovation, research and collaboration thrive. Guided by world-class faculty and dedicated mentors, you’ll gain clinically rigorous, evidence-based training that prepares you to lead in today’s healthcare environment. You will build skills across diverse settings—from community-based primary care agencies to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s renowned teaching hospitals. Along the way, you’ll benefit from hands-on experiences, interdisciplinary collaboration with healthcare professionals, and the support of expert preceptors committed to your growth.