Launch your FNP career with Duke University School of Nursing
Duke University School of Nursing’s Family Nurse Practitioner MSN degree prepares you to deliver exceptional primary care to individuals and families. Our FNP program goes beyond traditional health care. You’ll explore policy, leadership and social contributors of health, developing the knowledge and skills to create a more equitable health care system.
Ranked the #1 Best Master’s Nurse Practitioner Family Program by U.S. News & World Report, our family nurse practitioner degree is distance- based. Most coursework is online, with a few virtual synchronous sessions and course-focused on-campus intensives. Gain clinical experience close to home and graduate in under three years, ready to make a lasting impact on patients of all ages.
Duke also offers optional specializations in cardiology, endocrinology, HIV, oncology, orthopedics, palliative care, pediatric behavioral and mental health or veterans’ health care, allowing you to tailor your expertise to a specific area of interest.
#1
Master's Nurse Practitioner Family
Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver leading comprehensive primary care to persons of all ages. Duke graduates play integral roles in advancing health care and health policy transformation, promoting nurse-led models of care, increasing racial and social equity.
Family NP Post-Graduate Certificate
For students who already have a master’s from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing school or in another approved discipline, we also offer a Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate. This program allows you to build on your expertise with specialized skills and knowledge, advancing your career potential.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Highlights
Our priority is delivering top-tier nursing education. We’re proud of our high rankings, but we maintain our focus on the distinct experiences that distinguish Duke, including:
A global clinical network:
Family nurse practitioner students can complete clinicals near home with help from our clinical placement team, utilizing a network of more than 2,000 worldwide partner facilities and practices.
Advanced clinical skills and knowledge:
Our FNP program emphasizes comprehensive primary care across the lifespan. Gain in-depth knowledge and clinical skills to diagnose, treat and manage various health conditions for individuals and families.
High-fidelity simulation experiences:
Engage in cutting-edge simulation training to prepare for diverse clinical settings like family practice, internal medicine and community health centers. Through FNP intensives, receive live or virtual hands-on experience, enhancing your understanding of NP roles and responsibilities.
What Can You Do With a Family Nurse Practitioner Degree?
Nurse practitioner ranks among the fastest-growing health care professions. Our FNP MSN program positions you at the forefront of this exciting field, opening doors to diverse career opportunities, leadership roles and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives:
- Advanced practice and leadership: Deliver comprehensive primary care to individuals and families across all age groups. Duke’s FNP degree prepares you to diagnose and treat illnesses, manage chronic conditions, prescribe medications, perform preventive care and provide patient education. Study current health care issues like policy and nurse-led models of care to influence policy decisions, advocate for patient care access or even manage a clinic setting.
- Increased autonomy: As an FNP, you can practice with a higher degree of independence compared to registered nurses. Our nurse practitioner degree prepares you to order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans and manage patient care without direct physician oversight, according to state regulations.
- Diverse practice settings: Meet various societal needs and reinforce a nurse-led model of care to increase health equity. Impact multiple health care settings such as primary care clinics, urgent care centers, community health centers or facilities for long-term care.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job opportunities for advanced practice registered nurses to grow up to 38% by 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country. While exact figures vary depending on location, experience, practice specialty and other factors, the BLS reports a median annual salary of $129,480 for APRNs, with the highest 10% earning more than $211,820.
Program Director
Alison Edie
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Alison Edie, a seasoned family nurse practitioner, specializes in primary care for underserved populations. Dr. Edie is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and contributes to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Curriculum Leadership Committee. Her interests include understanding challenges faced by vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on self-efficacy and health promotion among women and adolescents. She is currently an associate professor in the Women and Children’s Division, teaching in the MSN program and director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program.
Learn more about Alison Edie: Scholars@Duke
Meet Our MSN Faculty
Our internationally renowned AGACNP faculty foster a supportive learning environment that prioritizes your academic and professional success. They bring their real-world experience as nurse practitioners into the classroom, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your field.
The Duke Difference
Earn your Duke nursing degree or certificate while you continue to work.
Discover our unwavering focus on creating innovative, nurse-led models of care.
Learn from experts in distance-based and hybrid education for over 20 years.
Learn & practice at one of the most advanced health systems in the world.
Our faculty are leaders in their field, with real world clinical experience.
We have exceptional students, learning alongside talented & dedicated classmates.
MSN Admissions
The MSN program employs a holistic admissions strategy. We consider each candidate’s unique life experiences alongside their academic performance, grades and test scores. This ensures that our nurse practitioner students represent the diversity of patients you will care for in your career.
If you need additional assistance, contact our admissions team by email or phone: 877-415-3853.
We offer DROP-iN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.
Student Testimonials
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The School of Nursing has prepared me to take on a position in any specialty. I can say with certainty that I feel I could contribute to any unit, in a hospital or community setting because of the experiences and training that the school has afforded me. I want to give myself to others and be a servant to those in need. It’s hard to explain the call to be a nurse, but when you know, you know. I want to be a source of comfort and security for those in my care.
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Attending an institution dedicated to addressing and bridging health disparities was at the forefront of my decision and aligned with my aspirations as a future healthcare leader.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for MSN Students
As part of our mission to meet the needs of nurse practitioners nationwide, Duke School of Nursing offers a variety of financial aid options for MSN students. These include merit- and need-based scholarships up to full tuition for select MSN students. There are also federal student loan options to fully fund your MSN degree.
Learn More About Financial Aid & Scholarships