Programs

Your FNU track, and the preceptor it needs

Updated September 23, 2026 · Reviewed by the Frontier Preceptor placement team

All four FNU specialties ask for 750 clinical hours, but each counts different visits and wants a different kind of preceptor. The DNP asks for practice hours and a project site instead. Pick your track.

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Bar chart of clinical hours by FNU track: 750 for nurse-midwifery, FNP, WHNP and PMHNP (plus visit counts); 500 practice hours for the post-master's DNP. — Clinical hours by FNU track: 750 for nurse-midwifery, FNP, WHNP and PMHNP (plus visit counts); 500 practice hours for the post-master's DNP.

The tracks side by side

The per-track details and FNU's sources are in the clinical hours guide.

FNU clinical requirements by track
Track	Hours	Who precepts
Nurse-Midwifery	750 plus 40 births	Ideally a CNM or CM as primary preceptor
Family NP	750 plus visit counts by age	An NP; up to 40% of hours with an MD, DO or PA
Women's Health Care NP	750 plus visit counts	An experienced advanced-practice clinician in women's health
Psychiatric-Mental Health NP	750 plus visit counts	A PMHNP or psychiatric provider; up to 135 hours with a therapist
Post-master's DNP	500 practice hours	A project site, often your own workplace

Nurse-Midwifery preceptorWhat FNU nurse-midwifery students need: a CNM or CM preceptor, a hospital for at least 8 of 40 births, and a site accepted before NM750 Clinical Bound.FNP preceptorFNU FNP students need family practice sites that cover newborns to older adults, 750 hours, and no more than 40% of time with an MD, DO or PA. How to plan it.WHNP preceptorFNU WHNP students need 300 gynecologic and 150 prenatal visits within 750 hours, ideally with a WHNP preceptor. Which sites fit and how to line them up.PMHNP preceptorFNU PMHNP students need a preceptor with psychiatric prescribing authority, 750 hours, at most 135 therapist hours and a 450-hour telehealth cap. Plan it here.Post-graduate certificate (PGC)FNU's post-graduate certificate uses the same 750-hour clinical block as the MSN but reaches Clinical Bound sooner. Gap courses, runway and preceptor planning.MSN vs PGCFNU's MSN and post-graduate certificate share clinical courses, 750 hours and preceptor rules. What differs: timing, a New York rule, admission and credits.DNP project site and hoursFNU DNP students lead a quality improvement project at a practice site, often their workplace, with a mentor and sponsor across DNP850 to DNP853 and 500 hours.Rural and underserved clinicalsFNU was built for rural and underserved care, and it says 75% of its students live in those areas. How to find a preceptor and clinical site outside a metro.

FAQ

Questions FNU students ask

Do FNU post-graduate certificate students do the same clinicals?

Yes. In their specialty, PGC students complete the MSN's clinical courses and its 750 hours; gap courses depend on prior coursework. See the PGC guide.

Does the FNU DNP need a preceptor?

The post-master's DNP requires 500 practice hours and a quality-improvement project, and FNU encourages students to use their own workplace. See the DNP guide.

Can I take an FNU program from any state?

FNU enrolls students across the country, but clinical placement in New York is limited to a few nurse-midwifery students a year, and territories are excluded. See clinicals by state.

Last checked 2026-09-23

We check these pages against FNU's own published sources. Your Clinical Advisor, your RCF and FNU's current guidelines have the final word.

FNU programs of study

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Tell us your FNU track, your county and your Clinical Bound date. We look for a preceptor and site that fit FNU's rules for your track, and help you get the CSAF and credentialing details right.

Matched to your track: CNM/CM, NP, or the right mix FNU allows
Ready for the CSAF, the RCF and Clinical Credentialing
In person near you, or telehealth within FNU's caps

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A placement advisor replies with what an FNU-ready preceptor and site look like for you.