Online nurse practitioner programs have become increasingly popular in recent years, providing a flexible and convenient way for nurses to pursue advanced degrees and further their careers. If you’re a nurse looking to advance your career but finding it challenging to balance your studies and other commitments, this blog is for you.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the top online nurse practitioner programs for 2023. We’ll explore the factors you should consider when choosing a program. The demand for nurse practitioners is on the rise, and for good reason.
These professionals provide essential care to patients, including performing physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, and developing treatment plans. With the convenience and flexibility of online nurse practitioner programs, you can take the next step in advancing your career without sacrificing your current commitments.
Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs for 2023
Duquesne University
Duquesne University provides fully online nurse practitioner programs, with the exception of two on-campus visits to the Pittsburgh campus for lab training. The university’s master’s nurse practitioner programs include acute care, family, and mental health specializations.
The nursing curriculum at Duquesne University involves 700 hours of clinical experience. The university requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an RN license, a minimum of one year of full-time nursing experience, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Additionally, applicants must submit two reference letters to apply for the nurse practitioner programs.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,635
Out of State | $1,635
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University provides online nurse practitioner programs for acute care, pediatric, mental health, primary care, and family nurse practitioners. The university accepts applications from candidates with bachelor’s degrees in nursing, post-master students, and doctoral students who want to pursue advanced practice training.
In Maryville University’s online nurse practitioner programs, students must complete 745 supervised clinical hours over four semesters, which can be done locally. To be admitted, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, an RN license, three reference letters, and an essay.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $813
Out of State | $813
Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University offers a flexible online nurse practitioner program that provides individual attention to students to help them advance their education. The program’s faculty have professional experience in nursing and pharmacology.
The online nurse practitioner program also includes 700 hours of supervised work experience spread over four courses.
To apply for Indiana Wesleyan University’s online nurse practitioner program, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.25 or higher, an RN license, three reference letters, and one year of professional experience.
Furthermore, the family nurse practitioner program requires at least 500 hours of direct patient care before enrolling.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $685
Out of State | $685
Angelo State University
Arizona State University’s master’s nurse practitioner degree provides online, flexible learning opportunities for nurses who want to pursue advanced practice training. The curriculum includes a blend of online classes and some on-site training for diagnostic procedures and methods.
Students must fulfil clinical requirements in Texas, but the university can usually arrange placements near their homes within the state.
To be admitted to Arizona State University’s nurse practitioner program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a valid Texas RN license, and at least one year of nursing experience.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $232
Out of State | $640
Bluefield College
Bluefield College provides online nurse practitioner programs with specializations in mental healthcare and family nursing. The hybrid program involves online courses and in-person clinical practicums near the students.
Students in Bluefield College’s nurse practitioner program must complete 750 hours of clinical experience, pass a comprehensive exam, and conduct an evidence-based project. The program encourages servant leadership, including participation in medical mission work.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and hold a valid RN license to apply for Bluefield College’s nurse practitioner program.
Avg. Cost per Credit
Family Nurse Practitioner In and Out of State | $495
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner In and Out of State | $665
Samuel Merritt University
Sacramento State University’s master’s nurse practitioner degree can be completed in five semesters, and the school provides full-time and part-time enrollment options. The online program requires two short visits to the Sacramento campus, and students can complete the clinical practicums locally.
To be admitted to Sacramento State University’s nurse practitioner program, applicants must provide two reference letters, demonstrate registered nurse experience, and undergo a criminal background check.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,560
Out of State | $1,560
Frontier Nursing University
Frontier Nursing University provides an entirely online master’s nurse practitioner degree, and graduates can easily transition to a doctor of nursing practice program. Apart from the family nurse practitioner program, FNU also offers specializations in nurse-midwife, women’s health, and mental health.
FNU collaborates with healthcare providers in the students’ home areas to find clinical placements. To complete the program, students must accomplish 675 clinical hours.
To be eligible for admission to Frontier Nursing University’s nurse practitioner program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an active RN license, and have a year of nursing experience.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $646
Out of State | $646
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
MCPHS University specializes in nursing education, providing programs such as family and mental health nurse practitioners. The university also offers an RN to master’s program.
MCPHS University’s nurse practitioner program requires students to complete their clinical hours locally and attend three on-campus residencies in Worcester, Massachusetts. The residencies consist of a new student orientation, a clinical orientation, and a final visit before graduation.
To apply for MCPHS University’s nurse practitioner program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a valid RN license. Accepted students can start their classes in the summer, fall, or spring semesters.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,060
Out of State | $1,060
Cox College
Cox College provides one of the best NP programs online, specializing in family nurse practitioners and mental health. The programs’ specialty courses provide students with knowledge and skills to care for patients across their lifespans. Additionally, students must complete clinical practicums.
Cox College’s nurse practitioner program is fully online and features flexible student scheduling. The program offers a clinical placements assistance program to help students find convenient locations to complete their hands-on practicums.
To be admitted to Cox College’s nurse practitioner program, applicants must hold an active RN license and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $610
Out of State | $610
Davenport University
Davenport University’s online family nurse practitioner programs include fully online classes, primary-care clinical experience, and a capstone project. The university boasts a 6-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio in clinical placements.
Davenport University’s nurse practitioner program applicants must have an active RN license, a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, two professional recommendations, and write a professional essay. Furthermore, Michigan Health and Hospital Association members can receive a 20% tuition discount.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $959
Out of State | $959
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs
RN-to-MSN/ADN-to-MSN Programs
RN-to-MSN and ADN-to-MSN programs offer an alternative path to earning an MSN degree, allowing RNs with associate degrees in nursing to avoid reaching their BSNs. Some RN-to-MSN programs also provide a BSN degree while en route to earning the MSN degree.
The nurse practitioner programs usually entail 60 credits of coursework and clinical practice hours, with students completing the program in 2-3 years. Additionally, you should consider the cheapest online MSN programs available today.
BSN-to-MSN Programs
BSN-to-MSN programs prepare students with BSN degrees for both clinical and non-clinical roles. Nurse practitioner programs usually include 30-60 credits of coursework and 600-700 hours of clinical practice, and full-time students can earn their MSN degrees in two years.
Direct-Entry MSN/Accelerated MSN Programs
Direct-entry and accelerated MSN programs are designed for college graduates who majored in subjects other than nursing. In three years, students in these online NP programs can earn an RN license, MSN degree, and NP certification. Some direct-entry MSN programs offer BSN degrees while working towards MSN degrees, while others do not.
Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program
Nurse practitioner certificate programs allow students to earn certification in a specialty different from the one they pursued while earning their degree. These certificate programs usually require 18-35 credits of coursework and 500-700 hours of supervised clinical practice, taking about 1-2 years to complete.
Licenses and Certifications
To become an NP, you must hold an active RN license, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, pass national certification boards for your specialty, and meet your state’s requirements. Once you have completed your MSN degree and other state-specific requirements, you can apply for licensure as an APRN.
NPs must typically take national certification exams to be eligible for licensure in most states, with prospective NPs taking exams to gain certification in their areas of expertise.
Common certifications nurse practitioners can follow:
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP)
- Cardiac Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Oncology Nurse Practitioner
- Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
It’s Worth It to Have Nurse Practitioner Master’s Degree
Is obtaining a Master’s Degree in Nurse Practitioner Worthwhile?
Yes, Nurse practitioner programs can expand your career options as a nurse, allowing you to specialize and become one of the most highly-paid nursing professionals in healthcare. NPs have more autonomy and authority than registered nurses and can work as primary care providers.
As an NP, you’ll perform many of the same services as physicians, such as:
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prescribing Medication
- Counseling
- Disease Prevention
NPs usually specialize in providing care to specific patient populations, including children, older adults, and individuals needing psychiatric mental health services. Becoming an NP can allow you to provide even better care to the patient population you’re most passionate about.
Patients tend to prefer NPs, as a 2020 study in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners indicates. The study shows that NPs perform just as well as physicians regarding patient outcomes and clinical safety and often perform better than doctors in patient education and satisfaction.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Nurse Practitioner Program
If you’re considering becoming a nurse practitioner, it’s important to consider some factors when selecting where to pursue your education.
Certification Pass Rate
When evaluating nurse practitioner programs, starting with the goal of becoming a certified nurse practitioner is essential. Inquire about the program’s percentage of graduates who pass the national nurse practitioner certification exam, as this indicates the quality of education students receive.
The ideal program should have a pass rate of 90% or higher, and 95% or above is even better.
To find out the pass rate of your desired school, you can contact the program director or admissions staff. Reputable schools are usually more than happy to share this information with prospective students, so be cautious of schools that decline to disclose their statistics.
Assistance With Clinical Placement
Completing hundreds of hours of clinical training under the guidance of an MD, NP, or PA is a requirement of most nurse practitioner programs. Some programs assign students to a clinical preceptor, while others require students to find one independently.
Finding a willing preceptor can be challenging, so attending a program that assigns students to preceptors can eliminate the stress of searching for one on your own. This guarantees you will have a place to complete your required clinical hours and ensures that the lack of a preceptor won’t delay your graduation.
Job Placement Rate
If you plan to start your career as a nurse practitioner after completing the program, it’s essential to look for the job placement percentage of the program you are considering. This percentage can give you an idea of the job market in that area and the perception of the program among employers.
While not all schools keep track of job placement rates for their graduates, program directors, and career guidance counselors can give you a general idea. A quality program will have a high job placement rate, with most graduates finding NP jobs within six months of graduation.
Program Flexibility
Flexibility in coursework is crucial for your satisfaction as an NP student. Consider your learning style and scheduling constraints when choosing the best online NP schools.
- Do you prefer traditional classroom learning or online courses?
- Is your schedule open enough to attend courses on campus, or do work and family obligations limit your availability?
Various flexible education offerings exist for students seeking to become nurse practitioners, including online programs, hybrid online/on-campus programs, and block format programs.
Cost
It’s easy to overlook the costs of your NP education, but it’s essential to consider the expenses before taking out loans. While it’s necessary to acquire loans to cover the cost of your education, nurse practitioner programs can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000.
Considering the program’s cost can save you tens of thousands of dollars and years of student loan payments. So be sure to find the cheapest online nurse practitioner programs that will suit your needs.
Are You Fit to Be Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
Many nurses are motivated by their desire to assist others and create positive changes in their community. However, some are seeking to advance their profession.
Although being an NP provides numerous career opportunities, it is challenging. The job description is extensive and complicated, with educational and experiential requirements that are above average.
To succeed as a nurse practitioner, there are five vital skills that one must possess:
Strong Communication Skills
Being a successful NP requires delivering medical diagnoses and ordering tests and making patients feel understood and cared for, especially those who face language barriers. You need to be able to explain complex medical information in everyday language to patients and their family members.
Effective communication is not just about talking but also about listening. Patients will trust you more if they can communicate with you.
Great Leadership Skills
Nurse practitioners must interact with patients, their families, and colleagues with compassion and care when making decisions as a provider.
An NP must be confident in their decision-making abilities, especially in challenging situations. Being a team player is also important, and sometimes it means delegating tasks to others. Asking for opinions or help is part of being a leader while being professional and considering the best interests of patients and fellow nurses.
As a nurse practitioner, you will continue to lead a team of providers and delegate tasks to benefit patient outcomes, building on the leadership skills that nurses already possess.
Analytical Skills
A successful nurse practitioner understands the importance of being adaptable and making changes to their approach based on the patient and situation at hand. They need to have strong critical thinking skills and the ability to make quick decisions.
Even if a certain approach has worked, a successful NP must be prepared for situations when it might not work and be ready to make necessary course corrections.
Exhibit Patience Under Stress
Being an NP in a provider position means that you will be faced with difficult questions, and it is crucial that you remain composed in stressful situations. This enables you to provide clear instructions to improve patient care.
A successful NP is sympathetic and can handle stressful situations calmly and precisely. It is important to remember not to take things personally and to be aware that a person’s frustration is often due to the problem rather than an individual.
Core Competencies
There are several groups of nurse practitioner core competencies outlined by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), this includes the following:
- Scientific foundations
- Leadership
- Quality
- Practice Inquiry
- Technology and Information Literacy
- Policy
- Health Delivery Systems
- Ethics
- Independent Practice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cost of an Online Nurse Practitioner Master’s Degree?
Pursuing an online Nurse Practitioner master’s degree can be expensive, and finding the cheapest online NP programs can be daunting. But it has a high cost-to-benefit ratio compared to other advanced degrees.
- Public Institution | 2019-2020: $12,394
- Private Institution | 2019-2020: $26,621
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Nurse Practitioner Program?
Applicants need to be Registered Nurses and hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to be accepted into an online Nurse Practitioner program. However, some programs may also consider graduates of ADN programs with relevant nursing experience, but specific requirements vary by program.
Other requirements may include a minimum GPA, amount of RN work experience, or completion of specific prerequisite courses. Applicants are advised to speak with an admissions counselor to learn more about the requirements for their chosen program.
What Advantages Come With Obtaining a Nurse Practitioner Degree?
- Increase in expertise and salary potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nurse practitioners had a median annual pay of $120,680 in 2021.
- Opportunity to choose from a range of high-paying career options. For instance, nurse practitioners in accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services earned an average annual wage of $148,980 in 2021.
- The growing demand for nurse practitioners is another significant advantage of obtaining a nurse practitioner degree. The BLS projects that the nurse practitioner field will grow by 40% from 2021-2031, more than five times faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
What Are the Reasons to Pursue a Nurse Practitioner Degree Online?
- Save time: Online nurse practitioner programs allow students to complete coursework independently through asynchronous classes and accelerated courses.
- Save money: Studying online eliminates the need to move, commute, or pay on-campus fees, which can result in more affordable tuition for students depending on the school.
- Keep working: Pursuing a master’s degree online enables students to continue working and gaining valuable experience in their nursing career without putting it on hold.
What is the Duration of an Online Nurse Practitioner Program?
Online Nurse Practitioner programs have varying lengths, usually taking 2 to 4 years to complete. The courses can be taken part-time or full-time and delivered online or through in-person and virtual classes.
Nurse Practitioner students must complete a set number of clinical hours alongside their coursework, generally between 40 and 60 hours. The duration of the program may also depend on whether the student has completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- Students with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing can expect the program to take about 4 to 5 years.
- Students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree can expect the program to take 2 to 4 years to complete.
What is the Salary Outlook for Nurse Practitioner Degree Holders?
Nurse Practitioners can earn high salaries, with the top earners making over $200,000 per year. The highest-paying jobs for NPs tend to be in hospitals and outpatient care centres.
- Median Base Wage(May 2021), Nurse Practitioner: $120,680
What Career Opportunities Are Available for Those With a Nurse Practitioner Master’s Degree?
The BLS predicts that nurse practitioners will have an exceptional job outlook and be the fastest-growing occupation in the coming years. Pursuing a nurse practitioner degree can yield a high return on investment, as plenty of employment opportunities will be available throughout the country.
Common Jobs as a Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Become a Nurse Practitioner Through Online Programs
In conclusion, the top online nurse practitioner programs of 2023 offer an excellent opportunity for nurses to further their education and career without disrupting their current responsibilities.
Remember, when selecting a program, it’s essential to consider factors such as accreditation, cost, clinical requirements, and faculty experience. Take the time to research each program and determine which one aligns with your career goals and personal needs.
Take the next step in advancing your career by exploring the top online nurse practitioner programs of 2023. By doing so, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled and compassionate nurse practitioner who can provide vital patient care.
