As the medical field continues to evolve, greater numbers of patients are turning to nurse practitioners (NPs) as their primary healthcare providers. These professionals have in-depth experience working directly with patients, blending the services that physicians and nurses typically deliver.
If you are a nursing professional and would like to explore your options for becoming an NP, there are numerous affordable online nurse practitioner programs available that allow you to earn an advanced degree while you continue working in your field. Only existing registered nurses are eligible for admission to these programs.
Most NP programs focus on providing students with advanced skills in educating, counseling, managing, and advocating for patients. Graduates are prepared to take the national nurse practitioner certification exam.
There are few professional fields with higher growth potential than nurse practitioners. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this field to grow by 31% between 2014 and 2014, and the current median annual salary is $107,460. The numbers indicate that nursing is one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States, and NPs will be increasingly important to the delivery of quality healthcare nationwide.
Below is a comprehensive ranking of affordable nurse practitioner programs from fully accredited colleges and universities. Most of these programs allow you to achieve your degree completely online, giving you the flexibility you need as you continue your work as a registered nurse. The rankings feature programs that will provide you with the greatest return on your investment.
Rank | School | Score | Toggle | Content |
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1 |
Angelo State University |
Value Score 8.59 |
Angelo State University, located in San Angelo, Texas, offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) family nurse practitioner program with minimal residency requirements. The 49-semester-credit-hour affordable online nurse practitioner program, offered through the university's College of Graduate Studies and Research, is designed for baccalaureate nurses looking to pursue an advanced practice role. Online courses are delivered through Blackboard. Students can usually complete clinical requirements within their community of residence in the state of Texas. Preceptors and sites for clinicals must be approved by program administrators. The Angelo State family nurse practitioner MSN program currently has a family nurse practitioner certification pass rate of 100%. The program has national accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing with at least a 3.0 GPA from a program with accreditation by the ACEN or CCNE. Applicants must also have a current, unencumbered license to practice registered nursing in Texas. Visit School Website |
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2 |
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi |
Value Score 8.21 |
TAMU - Corpus Christi offers a 49-credit-program online MS family nurse practitioner program that prepares registered nurses to be advanced practice registered nurses. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner National Certification Exam. The affordable nurse practitioner degree online program is structured for students to complete their studies on a part-time basis, while continuing to work full-time. Students can complete the flexible program in three years of part-time study, including summer terms. The program uses a cohort structure and only admits students in the fall semester. The curriculum includes a total of 630 clinical hours. Clinical hours can be completed in the communities where the students reside, in most cases, but students will be required to travel if appropriate sites aren't available. The program culminates with a seven-credit-hour integrated clinical experience that includes 270 clinical lab hours. Visit School Website |
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3 |
University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center |
Value Score 8.11 |
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, located in Oklahoma City, offers an MSN family nurse practitioner degree program that is taught primarily online. Many of the courses in the 47-semester-hour program are offered online through web conferencing and all courses offer web-based activities, reducing time spent in the classroom. Students can complete the majority of learning activities online in their homes. The program's application deadline is December 15, and the start date is in June. Students who enroll on a full-time basis can complete the program in two years, while those enrolled part-time can complete the program in three years. Due to limited enrollment availability, students who are accepted to the MSN program must also complete a specific application and interview selection process to be admitted to the family nurse practitioner track. Visit School Website |
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4 |
Midwestern State University |
Value Score 8.07 |
Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, Midwestern State offers a master of nursing family nurse practitioner degree program that is taught primarily online. Some courses include mandatory on-campus sessions, but the majority of coursework is offered in an online format. Students can complete clinical experiences in local settings, as approved by the university. The 48-credit-hour degree is offered through the Wilson School of Nursing and comprises 15 hours of courses in the nursing core curriculum, 24 clinical hours, and nine hours of evidence-based capstone experiences. The affordable online nurse practitioner program meets the Board of Nurse Examiners' advanced practice nursing requirements for Texas and holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for national certification exams. For admission, students must have a BSN degree from a nationally accredited program and a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of their program. Applicants must also have a current RN license in Texas and in their state of residence. Visit School Website |
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5 |
Georgia College and State University |
Value Score 7.81 |
GCSU, located in Milledgeville, Georgia, offers an online MSN degree program with a family nurse practitioner focus. Students can also pursue a family nurse practitioner MSN degree with a concentration in psychiatric mental health. The program is offered primarily online and has minimal on-campus requirements. Students who take the advanced assessment course must attend a 45-hour hands-on intensive clinical instruction during Lab Immersion Week on the Macon Campus. Students are also required to attend a mandatory face-to-face immersion experience at the Macon Graduate Center at the start of the program. In addition, students are required to complete all clinicals in the state of Georgia with an approved preceptor. The program offers full-time and part-time enrollment options. Students who wish to continue on to fulfill the doctor of nursing practice degree requirements can complete the MSN family nurse practitioner and DNP programs in less than four years. Visit School Website |
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6 |
The University of Texas at El Paso |
Value Score 7.60 |
The University of Texas at El Paso offers an online MSN degree program with a family with primary care focus (family nurse practitioner concentration). Nurses looking to advance their practice through affordable nurse practitioner programs online will be interested to know that the courses in the UTEP MSN FNP program are designed for working professionals and are primarily completed online on a part-time basis. Students are required to come to campus up to three times per semester while taking specialty courses, which are usually taken during the final three semesters of the program. During these specialty courses, students will use standardized patient scenarios to conduct formative evaluations. The program's curriculum is 49 credits and was designed to align with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the ANCC or AANP national certification examinations. The University of Texas at El Paso holds regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Visit School Website |
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7 |
The University of Texas Medical Branch |
Value Score 7.47 |
The University of Texas Medical Branch, located in Galveston, Texas, offers an affordable online MSN degree program with a family nurse practitioner track. UTMB, which is one of the most affordable nurse practitioner schools online, requires the completion of 49 semester-credit-hours, and includes more than 700 clinical hours. The coursework is offered online and minimal Galveston campus visits are required. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for national certification exams with the AANPCP and the ANCC. The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the University of Texas Medical Branch holds regional accreditation through the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Applicants are required to have a BSN from an accredited program and a current unencumbered registered nurse license or multistate privilege to practice in states in which students participate in clinicals. UTMB is a partner of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which requires that out-of-state applicants be from a SARA-approved state. Visit School Website |
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8 |
University of Central Missouri |
Value Score 7.01 |
Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, UCM offers an online MSN degree program with a family nurse practitioner emphasis. The nurse practitioner degree online program, offered through the university's College of Health, Science, and Technology, requires students to complete 44 credits, including 18 credits of core requirements and 26 credits in the advanced practice area. The university strongly encourages students to take the program on a part-time basis, but students can take a larger course load with permission from their faculty advisor. In order to graduate, students are required to complete a capstone clinical experience. While coursework is completed online, UCM requires that students complete their FNP clinicals in the state of Missouri or in the greater Kansas City area. UCM is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its MSN degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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9 |
Northern Arizona University |
Value Score 6.92 |
NAU, located in Flagstaff, offers an affordable online MSN -- family nurse practitioner degree program. The 48-credit program is delivered through asynchronous online classes that allow students to continue working full-time as a nurse while advancing their careers. NAU's family nurse practitioner MSN track is one of the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs, and prepares students to provide family primary care to underserved rural populations. Throughout the advanced practice nursing program, students will focus on knowledge and management of client and family care, professional relationships, and healthcare delivery systems. The program holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates are eligible to sit for family nurse practitioner certification examinations on the national and state level. Applicants must have a current license to practice as a registered nurse in Arizona, or be eligible to obtain an Arizona license or meet the Arizona Board of Nursing multi-state licensure regulations. Visit School Website |
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10 |
Saint Joseph's College of Maine |
Value Score 6.79 |
St. Joseph's College of Maine, located in Standish, offers a 46-credit online MSN -- family nurse practitioner track. The nurse practitioner specialty track has no residency requirements and is designed for nurses with a BSN from an accredited institution who hold current unrestricted licenses to practice registered nursing. The 12-week online nurse practitioner courses are cohort-based and offered four times per year. Two dual degree programs are offered with this program -- the MSN/MHA and the MSN/MBA. The MSN/MHA dual degree program is designed for nurses who are, or aspire to be, CEOs and facility administrators, and the MSN/MBA dual degree program is designed for nurses who are, or aspire to be, directors of nursing, managers, or chief nursing officers. Both of the dual degree programs are 60 credits, which is approximately 24-credits less than if the degree programs were taken separately. The MSN family nurse practitioner program holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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11 |
Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion |
Value Score 6.60 |
Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion's School of Nursing offers an online MSN degree program with a focus in primary care with onsite components. Students are required to attend five onsite workshops for clinical orientation and complete supervised lab work for the advanced and Health Status Assessment course. Students will develop clinical problem-solving skills and critical thinking at clinical sites near their homes, under the guidance of student-selected and university-approved preceptors. The 49-credit curriculum was designed to align with the competencies prescribed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing. The primary care coursework focuses on the relationship between theory, research, and evidence-based practice. Students who graduate from the program are eligible to apply for specialty certification. IWU's School of Nursing holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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12 |
Briar Cliff University |
Value Score 6.55 |
Briar Cliff University, located in Sioux City, Iowa, offers one of the top online nurse practitioner programs -- the MSN degree with family nurse practitioner and adult/gerontology nurse practitioner tracks. The family nurse practitioner track is a 51-credit-hour program, and the adult/gerontology nurse practitioner track is 49 credit hours. Both tracks can be completed in three years. With the exception of outside clinicals and practicum experiences, students in either track will complete all coursework online. However, the school works with students to find clinical preceptors near their homes in order to complete the 540-hour clinical component. The program also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience providing care in an underserved, rural, or multicultural setting. The GRE is not required for admission and students are not required to complete a thesis in order to receive their master's degree in nursing. Briar Cliff University MSN programs hold accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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13 |
Clarkson College |
Value Score 5.93 |
Clarkson College, located in Omaha, Nebraska, offers one of the cheapest online nurse practitioner programs -- the MSN degree with family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner specialty tracks. Both tracks require the completion of 47 semester hours. Although the coursework for the program is offered entirely online, students are required to come to campus each semester for evaluation of clinical skills and on-site training for specific clinical courses. During the final semester, students in the MSN program complete an evidence-based practice research project. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners national certification exam. Both tracks have three start dates per year. Applicants to this program must have a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited institution with an overall GPA of at least 3.0, as well as a valid unencumbered license to practice registered nursing. The MSN program has accreditation through the Commission for Education in Nursing. Visit School Website |
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14 |
Stony Brook University |
Value Score 5.62 |
Stony Brook University in New York offers a online MSN degree program with several nurse practitioner specialty tracks. Students in the 45-credit advanced practice nursing program (nurse practitioner) can choose from several focuses: adult-gerontological health, family health, neonatal health, pediatric, and psychiatric/mental health. Although the cheap online nurse practitioner programs are offered through the university's Distance Education program, the program has some on-site requirements. All of the nurse practitioner tracks are delivered via an executive cohort model with online coursework and on-site immersions. Each track prepares students to sit for respective national certification exams. Graduates are also eligible for nurse practitioner certification and registration by New York State Education Department. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, as well as a current professional license to practice registered nursing. While the program is designed for nurses who hold BSN degrees, applicants with bachelor's degrees in non-nursing areas of study can submit a clinical practice portfolio for baccalaureate-level nursing competency evaluation. Visit School Website |
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15 |
Graceland University - Lamoni |
Value Score 5.55 |
Located in Lamoni, Iowa, Graceland University offers an online MSN degree program with family nurse practitioner and adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner specialty tracks. The MSN degree became Graceland University's first graduate degree offering in 1995. As of 2007, the program was offered in a completely interactive online format. Courses are delivered via the eCollege Learning Management System within the university's 16-week trimesters. The cheap nurse practitioner online programs are designed to maximize flexibility for working professional nurses, allowing students to complete their MSN degree while continuing to meet their demands at work and at home. Either track can be completed in eight trimesters on a full-time basis, or in 12 trimesters on a part-time basis. Students in the U.S. can complete practicum requirements in locations near their homes. Graceland University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its School of Nursing holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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16 |
Concordia University - Wisconsin |
Value Score 5.44 |
Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin, offers an online MSN degree program with family nurse practitioner and adult/gerontology primary care nurse practitioner specialty tracks. The MSN nurse practitioner programs require students to attend a two-week residency for an advanced health assessment course. Offered through Concordia's Online School of Nursing, both nurse practitioner online programs are 41 credits. Students can complete either tracks on a full-time or part-time basis. Concordia University-Wisconsin holds accreditation through The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the MSN degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. At this time, Concordia is not accepting new students from Alabama, California, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, or South Dakota. Students who are located in Washington, D.C., must complete their clinical experiences in Virginia, and Maryland students can't complete clinicals within their home state. Visit School Website |
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17 |
Cedarville University |
Value Score 5.26 |
Cedarville University in Ohio offers an online MSN degree program with a family nurse practitioner specialty track. Cedarville recently revised its MSN program and has reduced the required hours and added several start dates throughout the year. The 45-credit family nurse practitioner specialty track is cohort-based and focuses on client and family education; health promotion; and common acute and chronic health problems and their respective assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment. In addition, students will learn how to apply evidence-based research to meet primary care and prevention needs. Students can choose from two-year or three-year completion options. As one of the top online nurse practitioner programs, admission is competitive. Graduates from the Cedarville MSN family nurse practitioner track will be prepared to sit for the AANP and/or ANCC national certification examinations. The university's School of Nursing is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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18 |
Regis University |
Value Score 5.24 |
Regis University, located in Denver, Colorado, offers an online MSN degree program with a family nurse practitioner specialization that focuses on providing care in rural and underserved communities. Online courses are synchronous, requiring students to participate in the online classroom once a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, students are required to come to the Denver campus to attend five intensives. Students complete clinical experiences in their home rural areas in cooperation with local healthcare facilities. Students begin the program in the fall semester and complete it in six semesters, or two years. During the last three semesters of the online nurse practitioner program, students will complete 630 clinical hours, spending time in situations involving pediatric, adult, family, and women's health. Graduates are eligible to sit for both the AANP and ANCC national certification examinations. The school reportedly has one of the highest national certification pass rates in the country. Visit School Website |
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19 |
University of South Carolina - Columbia |
Value Score 4.86 |
University of South Carolina offers an online MSN degree program with nurse practitioner tracks in adult gerontology acute care, family, and psychiatric mental health. Students are required to come to campus at least twice per semester for assessments, but most courses are delivered 100% online, asynchronously in order to maximize flexibility for students. The College of Nursing holds a mandatory orientation for new students at the start of the program. The interactive and collaborative program utilizes the Blackboard online course management platform. The online nurse practitioner programs are 37 to 48 credits, depending on specialty track. Students can complete any of the tracks on a full-time or part-time basis. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, students graduate from the program prepared for national certification examinations within their specialties. Admissions are competitive, and applicants must have current, unencumbered licenses to practice registered nursing in their home state. Visit School Website |
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20 |
Frontier Nursing University |
Value Score 4.77 |
Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky, offers an online MSN degree program with family nurse practitioner, women's healthcare nurse practitioner, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner specialty tracks. The online nurse practitioner tracks are offered in full-time and part-time options. Students are required to complete two brief on-campus stays. Students complete their 675 required clinical practicum hours near their homes. They also have the option to progress to the doctor of nursing practice degree, which requires an additional 19 credit hours and 360 clinical hours to complete. Frontier Nursing University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the MSN and DNP programs hold accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Visit School Website |
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21 |
Wheeling Jesuit University |
Value Score 4.39 |
Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia offers an online MSN degree program with a family nurse practitioner track. Online nurse practitioner students complete all of the coursework online, and clinical and practicum experience requirements are completed near their homes. Students will complete 728 clinical hours across a number of areas, including advanced health assessment and advanced practice nursing in primary care of infant, child and adolescent; reproductive health; adult; and aging adult. The nursing core courses explore nursing theories, research, healthcare policy and politics, and healthcare delivery systems, while the clinical core covers topics in pathophysiology and pharmacology. The family nurse practitioner track prepares nurses for national certification examinations. The nursing programs at Wheeling Jesuit University hold accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Admission requirements include a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants are also required to have a Graduate Record Exam total score of 800 on two of three sections. Visit School Website |
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22 |
University of Cincinnati |
Value Score 4.34 |
The University of Cincinnati in Ohio offers an online MSN degree program with family nurse practitioner, women's health nurse practitioner, and adult-gero primary care nurse practitioner specialty tracks. No matter the nurse practitioner specialty track, the MSN program can be completed in just two years. These affordable online nurse practitioner programs have no campus meetings or residency requirements, so there is no need for online MSN students to come to campus. This MSN distance learning program is designed for working professional nurses. The online courses are asynchronous and delivered through the Blackboard course management system. Clinical experiences are completed in a location near the student's home under the supervision and guidance of volunteer clinical faculty, or preceptor. The university accepts MSN applications throughout the year, and there are four start dates per year. The University of Cincinnati's College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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23 |
Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Value Score 3.89 |
Maryville University, located in St. Louis, Missouri, offers an online MSN degree program with nurse practitioner specialty tracks in adult-gerontology care, family, pediatric, and psychiatric mental health. Students can complete all of the coursework for the nurse practitioner programs online with no residency requirements. In addition, students can complete their required practicum experiences near their homes. Because the nurse practitioner tracks were designed for professional nurses who work full time, the program is flexible and courses are asynchronous. The online nurse practitioner program can be completed on a part-time basis in as few as 28 to 32 months, depending on specialty track. Most of the nurse practitioner specialty tracks have six entry points throughout the year. Applicants are not required to take the GRE or GMAT for admission. Maryville University's Catherine McAuley School Of Nursing holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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24 |
Loyola University New Orleans |
Value Score 3.13 |
Loyola University New Orleans offers an online MSN degree program with a family nurse practitioner specialization. The 16-course, 48-credit-hour nurse practitioner online program is designed to be completed on a part-time basis in just two years. Courses are delivered asynchronously, but nurse practitioner students are required to attend an on-campus orientation at the start of the program, in addition to attending annual on-campus practice intensives. Students in the nurse practitioner degree online program are required to complete 720 hours of clinical practicum experience with a preceptor. Course topics span pathophysiology, health assessment, clinical pharmacology, primary care, and family theory. The program prepares graduates for national certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and/or the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Loyola University School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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25 |
George Washington University |
Value Score 2.73 |
George Washington University, located in Washington, D.C., offers an online MSN degree program with adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner specialty tracks. All coursework for the nurse practitioner tracks is delivered online, and students can complete required clinical practicum rotations near their homes with faculty mentoring. However, students are required to complete several on-campus components for skills intensives and skills assessments. Depending on the track, students are required to complete 650 to 700 hours of clinical experience with an approved preceptor. Both tracks are 48 credits and prepare students for national certification examinations by AANP and ANCC. All students in the nurse practitioner tracks must complete a final skills assessment. In addition, both nurse practitioner degree online tracks can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. GW also offers an RN-MSN Bridge Option for students with an associate degree in nursing or a non-nursing bachelor's degree. GW's School of Nursing holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit School Website |
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26 |
MCPHS University |
Value Score 2.60 |
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), located in Boston, offers an online MSN degree program with family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specialty tracks. Both nurse practitioner tracks are designed for working professional nurses and can be completed on a part-time basis in two years. Both nurse practitioner degree online tracks require students to attend orientation and two residencies on campus. Aside from these three on-campus attendance requirements, the program's coursework is completely online. In addition, both tracks require 630 hours of clinical experience, which students complete within their local communities. Upon graduation, students are be eligible to sit for national certification examinations. For both nurse practitioner tracks, applicants must have earned a BSN from an accredited institution, preferably with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For admission, applicants must also have a current unencumbered nursing license. Visit School Website |
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27 |
Seton Hall University |
Value Score 2.60 |
Located in South Orange, New Jersey, Seton Hall University offers an online MSN degree program with pediatric primary/acute care nurse practitioner and adult gerontology primary/acute care nurse practitioner specialty tracks. The pediatric primary care nurse practitioner track is 42 credits and requires students to complete a minimum of 540 supervised clinical practicum hours. The pediatric acute care nurse practitioner track is 44 credits and complete a minimum of 600 hours. Graduates of the pediatric tracks are eligible to sit for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, depending on the focus. Both adult gerontology tracks, primary and acute, are 48 credits and a minimum of 600 and 675 hours, respectively. All of the online nurse practitioner tracks are designed to be completed in three years. Graduates of the adult gerontology nurse practitioner tracks are eligible to sit for primary care or acute care national certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program or the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Visit School Website |
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28 |
Duquesne University |
Value Score 2.37 |
Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for AANPCP or ANCC family nurse practitioner certification examinations. No GRE scores or application fees are required for admission. Visit School Website |
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29 |
Thomas Jefferson University |
Value Score 2.34 |
Thomas Jefferson University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers an online MSN degree program with specialty nurse practitioner tracks in women's health, adult-gerontology, neonatal, pediatric, and family/individual across the lifespan. All of the nurse practitioner tracks share a core curriculum, require a total of 36 credits, and are offered in both full-time and part-time formats. Students enrolled full-time can complete the program in just 15 months, and students who enroll part-time can take up to five years to complete the program. Recent Jefferson College of Nursing MSN graduates had a national certification pass rate of 95%. The MSN degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and Thomas Jefferson University holds regional accreditation through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the university's educational partner and the American Nurses Credentialing Center has designated it as a Magnet® for nursing excellence. Visit School Website |
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30 |
American International College |
Value Score 1.97 |
American International College, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, offers an online MSN degree program with a family nurse practitioner concentration. The family nurse practitioner track prepares RNs for advanced practice in nursing, providing a spectrum of healthcare services and diagnosing and managing health problems. The program is 46 credits and can be completed in just two years. In the final semester of the program, students complete two advanced practice capstone courses that emphasize autonomy in clinical decision-making. AIC's School of Health Sciences holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The AIC MSN online nurse practitioner program is accessible to driven RNs with undergraduate degrees in non-nursing areas. All applicants must be licensed nurses and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred. The MSN program only enrolls students in the fall semester, but accepts applications throughout the year on a rolling basis. Visit School Website |
What Will I Learn in My Nurse Practitioner Program?
Sample Courses
Though most nurse practitioner programs online devote the bulk of their curricula to areas of concentration, they begin with fundamental courses applicable to all NP specialties. A typical set of core classes might look like this:
- Advanced health assessment: Collection, interpretation, and synthesis of patient data including physical, historical, biological, genetic, cultural, and psychosocial history of the patient. Introduction to evidence-based practice.
- U.S. healthcare policy: Introduction to healthcare public policy, regulation, and advocacy. Students will analyze key issues to develop an understanding of policymaking; special topics include national expenditures, cost-limiting initiatives, and patient access disparity.
- Advanced pathophysiology: Disease states are explored from molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and systems perspectives; includes advanced concepts required of advanced practice nursing.
- Evidence-based nursing practice: An examination of the relationship between nursing theory, research, and practice. Includes literature review of research designs including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method models. Students will analyze statistical data and appraise available data to develop patient care plans.
- Advanced pharmacology: Examination of principles of pharmacology and its applications across the lifespan, including major drug classes and their physiologic effect. Therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, and clinical best practices are emphasized.
Concentrations
Online nurse practitioner programs offer specialized study through concentrations that lead to specific career roles. Though there are too many to list in their entirety, we’ve broken down a few of the most popular below.
- Family nurse practitioner: Deliver primary healthcare to patients of all ages, often serving as single practitioner to underserved rural or economically challenged populations. Community roles includes education, prevention, and outreach.
- Adult/gerontology: Adolescent and adult healthcare management, focusing on prevention, risk reduction, health promotion, and primary care delivery. Practice is independent or in collaboration with community healthcare providers.
- Women’s health: Often known as midwives, these NPs manage obstetrical and gynecological care of women during their childbearing years; care frequently extends to newborns and primary care for the mother.
- Psychiatric/mental health: Provide primary care for acute and chronic psychiatric and mental disorders to individuals and families of all ages. Care includes psychotherapy and medication management.
- Pediatric primary care: Comprehensive care delivery of children from birth through age 21, including well child care, immunizations, developmental screening, and management of acute and chronic illness. Further specialization is possible in specialty areas like pediatric cardiology or gastroenterology.
Employment Outlook for Nurse Practitioner Graduates
WHAT DOES A NURSE PRACTITIONER DO?
Graduates of online nurse practitioner programs are expected to perform tasks that would formerly have been managed by several professionals. Assuming the roles of diagnostician, pharmacologist, educator, and hardworking floor nurse is not for everyone. Top online nurse practitioner programs emphasize that success requires deep reserves of empathy, compassion, and physical stamina. Superior communications skills are a must, as NPs interact with patients, families, and professional colleagues constantly. In a clinical environment, attention to detail is crucial, as is the ability to think critically; employers also seek NPs who can confidently make decisions under pressure. Using the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and Payscale, we have identified three occupations for which graduates of nurse practitioner programs online are prepared.
Licensure and Certification
Admission to an affordable online nurse practitioner program would not be possible without state licensure as a Registered Nurse; APRNs are also subject to individual state licensure regulations. Beyond RN and APRN licensure, NPs may pursue professional credentials in their area of specialty. Some examples of these credentials are listed here.
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Valid for five years, this credential signifies that an APRN has completed an accredited MSN program, logged 500 supervised hours of clinicals, and passed a written examination.
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP-BC) NPs who hold this credential have met board-certified advanced competency standards in the delivery of primary care to pediatric patients. Eligibility for the written exam requires completion of an accredited MSN program and 500 hours of clinical supervision.
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP-C) The ENP credential indicates that an APRN has met standards established by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners. An MSN from an accredited university, current FNP certification, and highly specialized emergent care training are required to sit for this written exam.
JOB PLACEMENT
The nursing profession is enjoying explosive growth at every level, thanks to changes in our population and in the ways we deliver healthcare. According to the BLS, jobs in the industry are projected to grow by as much as 17% by 2024. Attending an affordable nurse practitioner program online is no small commitment; however, the return on investment can be significant. Holding an advanced degree brings job security, or career mobility for the nurse who aspires to bigger things. By specializing in a patient population or area of medical specialty, NPs can increase the value they bring to the workplace, and therefore their compensation. In 2016, the RNs earned a median salary of $68,450; in contrast, nurse practitioners in that same time period averaged salaries of $100,910.
HOW MUCH DO NURSE PRACTITIONERS MAKE?
Compensation varies somewhat based on field of specialty; individual states regulate NPs’ scope of practice, so salary levels also fluctuate based on location. For the remainder of their careers, NPs’ earnings increase based on longevity. The next table features data from PayScale regarding expected salaries for nurse practitioners in five specialty areas at different stages of their respective careers.
Job Title | Overall Median Salary | Median Salary for Entry-Level Employees (0-5 years) | Median Salary for Mid-Career Employees (5-10 years) | Median Salary for Late-Career Employees (>20 years) |
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Family nurse practitioner | $89,423 | $87,705 | $93,147 | $94,925 |
Psychiatric nurse practitioner | $98,424 | $94,602 | $102,500 | $108,235 |
Pediatric nurse practitioner | $85,792 | $83,784 | $88,724 | $99,665 |
Women’s health nurse practitioner | $85,730 | $80,435 | $88,771 | $90,921 |
Acute care nurse practitioner | $96,927 | $93,341 | $101,687 | $103,357 |
Accreditation for Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Accredited academic programs have allowed their curriculum and admissions processes to be scrutinized by a neutral agency. Accreditation occurs on the national, regional, or program level, or a combination of these. National accrediting bodies are focused on a type of education, such as distance education. Regional accreditation is focused on academic rigor. Regional accreditation carries more impact than national accreditation does. Program-specific accreditation is especially useful for evaluating the academic offerings in certain fields; for example, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) approves nursing education programs at all levels, representing the gold standard of the nursing industry. Other accrediting bodies that indicate excellence in nurse practitioner programs online include the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Financing Your Online Nurse Practitioner Program
Before you attend school for a nurse practitioner degree online, complete the FAFSA form so that you’re fully eligible for federal funding opportunities like scholarships, loans, grants, and work-study. At the graduate and postgraduate levels, funding is typically more scarce than for undergraduates. Aspiring NPs in campus-based programs or hybrid online nurse practitioner degree programs may be able to defray costs through a teaching assistantship on campus; some schools also offer department-funded scholarships and grants. A bit of research can often turn up externally funded scholarships that are tailor-made to your circumstances. Below, we’ve listed a few scholarships that are directly targeted to future NPs.
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