Nurse Practitioner Programs

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Nurse Practitioner Degrees

Nurse practitioner degree programs aim to provide students the ability to pursue work in a higher position in medical practice. Many work full time. Students must complete a certification exam. They may then earn licensure They may then provide care directly to patients. Many take this program after earning a bachelor of science in nursing.

What Is a Nurse Practitioner Program?

Nurse practitioner programs aim to teach the skills to pursue work as a nurse practitioner. This is a high level position in the health care industry. These professionals may often focus their education. They may evaluate patients and create treatment options for them. Many times, NPs can might operate their own clinical practice. Nurse practitioner programs could teach them how to do this.

Some may complete a disease prevention program. Others could complete a family nurse practitioner program. Acute care could be an option. Adult gerontology is another.

What Nurse Practitioner Degree Levels Are There?

Students may need to earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree to pursue a career as an NP. This program comes after a bachelor’s degree. This is a BSN degree. There may be a few ways to reach this goal.

• BSN – a 4 year program
• LPN to BSN – A licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse may take this route
• RN to BSN – This program is often available to those who are a registered nurse (RN)
• Second Degree BSN – This program is for those who have a 4 year degree in another field
• Accelerated Degree BSN – This program could allow students to earn their degree faster

Students may then complete their master’s degree program. They may focus in areas such as health care ethics or clinical practicum. Other options include health care policy and pharmacology. Students may continue after earning an MS. They could  complete a doctoral program as well. This earns a student a DNP.

What Could I Do with a Nurse Practitioner Degree?

With an NP degree, a student may have more responsibility in their daily work. They may make decisions about diagnosis and treatment plans for patients. They may prescribe medications in many states. This is obtained at the MSN level. Doctoral students could often run their own practice.

Is a Nurse Practitioner Program Worth It?

Those working as a Nurse Practitioner may earn more overall. They may also have more freedom to manage patient care.

Online Nurse Practitioner Degree Jobs & Median Annual Salary

State Salary information for Jobs as a Nurse Practitioner

What Classes Could I Take in an Online Nurse Practitioner Program?

Courses for an online NP program may differ from one to the next. That is because students may focus their education in many areas. And, many programs have a hands on section. This allows students to practice their new skills beyond course work.

Master’s degree courses may include classes and clinical hours like these.

Doctorate degree courses may include:

Popular Nurse Practitioner Areas

Many nursing schools offer focal areas to prepare NPs for certain nursing roles. Apart from online learning, you are likely to take part in a practicum. This training aims to grow decision making skills suitable for a certain patient group or issue. Once you graduate, you may be ready to take the exams required to practice a nurse practitioner specialty. 

1. Adult Gerontology Acute Care

An acute care nurse practitioner takes care of very ill patients. With a focus on geriatrics, you focus these skills on the elderly who are sick or in hospice care.

2.  Adult Gerontology Primary Care 

An adult gerontology nurse practitioner treats elderly patients as they age. Classes for this area tend to cover health assessment and diagnosis. You also tend to study the aging process and common medications for the older adult. 

3. Psychiatric Mental Health 

A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner treats patients with mental illness. You may learn about these conditions (e.g. depression). Plus ways to test for them and suitable drugs or therapies. 

4. Women’s Health

A women’s health nurse practitioner cares for female patients during their lifespan. From puberty to childbearing. So you often study things like family planning and fertility. 

5. Family Nursing

A family nurse practitioner (FNP program) focus is about providing primary care to patients of all ages. You are likely to learn how to perform physical exams. And, assess, diagnose and treat common diseases and injuries.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Nurse Practitioner Degree Online?

Many factors play a role in this. Here is a look at some of the options available and what you can expect.

What Accreditations Are There for My Program?

Nursing practitioner programs are accredited by several agencies. The common accrediting bodies include:

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Additional accreditations exist as well. This includes the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).

Scholarships for Nurse Practitioner Programs

To offset the cost of an online NP program, you may qualify for financial aid. Scholarships are one type that nursing schools and other sources offer. They tend to go to students who show financial need or academic merit. If you meet the criteria, apply before the deadline.

Lighting the Way for Nursing Scholarship

From the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN). This LPN/LVN scholarship is for $5,000. There is one nurse selected. Applicant must have an interest in long term care obtain a BSN or higher nursing degree.

Deadline: December 18, 2020

AfterCollege Nursing Student Scholarship

Open to students working toward a certificate or associate’s degree. Applicants must attend an accredited school. The recipient receives a $2,000 award in 4 payments of $500. 

Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31

District of Columbia Nursing Scholarship

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) offers this award. There are two recipients, each of $2,500. To qualify you must have a 3.25 GPA. And, attend or plan to attend a nursing program at the University of the District of Columbia. 

Deadline: January 31, 2021

National Black Nurses Association Scholarship Program

If an NBNA member you may qualify for one of 14 annual awards. Applicants must be current nursing program students with at least a year of studies ahead. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 and each has slightly different criteria. 

Deadline: April 15, 2021

NLN Foundation for Nursing Education Scholarship Awards

National League for Nursing scholarships award up to $8,000 each. These are for nurses going for an advanced degree (MSN/DNP) in nurse education. Applicants must have at least one year of studies under their belt. 

Deadline: May 31, 2021

15 Nurse Practitioner Programs

We have ranked our top 15 schools based on the number of graduates from the program in 2019. Our process looks at 2019 data from the NCES. And, it may help you narrow your search down.

1. Chamberlain University Illinois
2. South University Savannah Online
3. University of Texas At Arlington
4. Maryville University of Saint Louis
5. Simmons University 
6. Purdue University Global
7. University of Cincinnati 
8. Frontier Nursing University 
9. Indiana Wesleyan University
10. Olivet Nazarene University 
11. Texas Woman’s University 
12. Graceland University 
13. Grand Canyon University 
14. Nova Southeastern University
15. George Washington University

FIND A NURSE PRACTITIONER DEGREE PROGRAM

Here is a closer look at these 15 schools and the online NP programs they offer.