Nursing is one of the fastest growing professions. As the population ages, more and more people are turning to nurses for help managing acute and chronic health issues.
But the good news doesn't stop there: Nurse Practitioners have some of the best jobs out there right now. According to the US bureau of labor statistics, nurse Practitioners can expect an average salary of $ 118,040 per year, which is higher than most other occupations. They also enjoy incredible benefits like paid medical leave and retirement plans.
So what does this mean for you? You should consider becoming a Nurse Practitioner! And if you want to start getting your education today, online nurse practitioner programs might be just what you need.
Nurse Practitioner programs online will help you earn your degree while keeping up with your current registered nurse (RN) job. If you are looking for an online Nurse Practitioner program, we've got just what you need!
Find out more about them here!
What Is a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary care to patients in various settings. They're also known as advanced practice nurse practitioners or APNPs.
NPs help people of all ages manage their health through preventive care, chronic disease management, and treatment for acute illness. They can treat everyday ailments like viruses, colds, ear infections, sore throat, and urinary tract infections. NPs also can diagnose and treat serious illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Reasons for the Popularity of Online NP Programs
Nurse Practitioner online programs are growing as more and more people realize that this is their best option for getting the education they need without having to leave their home state or commute long distances each day.
Want a FREE Editable Resume Template?
Stand out from crowd and get the college or job of your dreams with this minimalistic google docs resume template designed for the modern professional. Simply edit it with your information and you are good to go!
There are several reasons why students choose online programs over traditional classroom settings, some of these reasons are:
1. Costs
Online programs are much less expensive than traditional ones because there are no travel costs or rent expenses involved
2. Schedule
You can complete your courses at your own pace without worrying about missing classes due to work or family obligations.
3. Socialization
Many people find it challenging to meet new people when they relocate; however, with an online program, you can interact with classmates from all over the country who share similar interests and goals!
Different Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
1. Family Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
These programs provide general family health care for children and adults. Graduates will be knowledgeable about managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease and delivering preventative care for healthy people through screenings and immunizations.
A family nurse practitioner promotes wellness and prevents diseases through advocacy, education, and promotion. They also provide health promotion and disease prevention services for patients at risk for illness or injury.
2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
These programs focus on premature babies born with health issues or who are born too early and need extra care during their stay in the hospital.
Neonatal nurses work closely with doctors and other medical professionals to ensure that these fragile infants receive proper treatment to go home healthy and happy once they reach full-term age.
Neonatal nurse practitioners must have a strong background in pediatrics because they’re working with newborns with minimal immune systems due to their premature birth
3. Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
These programs prepare students to provide mental health services for patients. A mental health nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides mental health treatment for children, adolescents, and adults.
Mental health nurse practitioners perform many of the same functions as psychiatrists. Still, they also have training in psychotherapy techniques that allow them to provide a wide range of patient services.
They can diagnose mental disorders and prescribe medications, but they also use therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy to treat their patients. Mental health nurse practitioners may work in private practice or hospitals or clinics.
9 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
There are many hybrid NP programs. Still, the top 9 are here:
1. Southeastern Louisiana University
Cost per credit hour
Offers
Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program with a minimum GPA of 2.7 or higher
- GRE scores
- Current resume or CV
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for certificate applicants
Southeastern Louisiana University's online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in nurse practitioner provides students with the opportunity to build upon their current nursing knowledge and skills.
The program is designed for nurses who have already completed their Bachelor of Science in Nursing or another Master's degree and want to advance in their careers by becoming certified nurse practitioners (CNPs). This program is offered online and can be completed in as little as two years.
Students will learn how to care for patients with complex health needs, including those suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. They'll also learn how to assess a patient's risk of developing severe complications, such as amputation or stroke, and how to develop treatment plans to minimize this risk.
2. The University of Alabama
Cost per credit hour
$440.
Offers
Three tracks offered are Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
The University of Alabama is one of the top nursing schools in the United States. The school offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program for nurse practitioners that can be completed entirely online. This program allows students to complete their coursework entirely online, or they can choose to combine some on-campus sessions with their online classes.
The University of Alabama's MSN program for nurse practitioners is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). It consists of 48 credit hours and includes two semesters of didactic coursework and two semesters of clinical rotations at various locations around the state.
Students must complete 33 credit hours at UA during the first year; this does not include any clinical rotations that may be required as part of the program, so students should plan accordingly when choosing courses. Students must also complete nine months of full-time employment under supervision before graduating from this program.
This program prepares students with advanced skills to provide quality patient care across various settings. Upon successful completion, graduates will receive a Master's degree from The University of Alabama and certification from the National Board for Certification.
Currently, only residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia are eligible for the Nurse Practitioner concentrations.
3. Briar Cliff University
Cost per credit hour
$525.
Offers
Three tracks Family Nurse Practitioner, an Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Care Practitioner.
Requirements
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) from the undergraduate program
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN accredited program
- Minimum of 2000 hours of clinical nursing practice as a registered nurse within the two years before enrollment
Briar Cliff University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Midwife. This program is designed for students with an RN license who have completed at least two years of an RN program or hold an associate degree in nursing (ADN).
The program includes online and campus courses and can be completed in as little as 18 months. The curriculum promotes collaboration between patients and nurses while exploring health promotion, disease prevention, care management, and patient advocacy through evidence-based practice.
You'll also learn how to provide primary care services using evidence-based research methods.
4. The University of Mississippi
Cost per credit hour:
$525
Offers
Tracks include: Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Requirements
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Hold a BSN from a nationally accredited program.
The University of Mississippi School of Nursing is a Graduate Professional Program that offers a Master of Science in Nursing with a Nurse Practitioner concentration.
This program prepares nurses to provide advanced nursing care by developing clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional leadership skills. Students who wish to pursue this program must have completed a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution before admission into the program.
The curriculum for this program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop their leadership abilities, clinical skills, and knowledge base to become competent nurse practitioner professionals who can provide high-quality care for individuals, families, and communities in both traditional and non-traditional settings.
5. Stony Brook University
Cost per credit hour
$471.
Offers
Tracks include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Health, Women’s Health, Neonatal Health, Pediatric Primary Care, Pediatric Acute Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
The online nurse practitioner program at Stony Brook University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The university offers a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and an online doctor of nursing practice (DNP). The programs are designed for students with an undergraduate degree in nursing or a related field.
The MSN program is a traditional, full-time program that takes two years to complete. Students spend most of their time on campus but also have online classes and assignments. Graduates of this program are prepared to work as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in various clinical settings.
The DNP program requires three years to complete, but it can be done entirely online. Students study advanced skills such as research methods, health policy analysis, and clinical topics like palliative care and chronic disease management. Graduates are prepared for careers as clinical experts who provide direct patient care under the supervision of physicians or other medical professionals
6. The University of Texas at Arlington
Cost per credit hour:
$654.
Offers
Tracks including Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- GRE for applicants with a GPA less than 3.0.
The University of Texas at Arlington is the most popular among nursing students. The University of Texas at Arlington offers a Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Practitioner Program. This program is designed for nurses who want to advance their careers by providing primary care services to patients.
The coursework consists of four core courses and four specialty courses. Core courses include Advanced Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Diagnostics. Specialty courses include Chronic Care Management, Community Health Nursing, Complex Care Management, and Gerontological Care Management.
The University of Texas at Arlington has been named a Best College by U.S. News & World Report for many years, including 2019 rankings as one of the top 100 Best National Universities in the country
7. Mercer University
Cost per credit hour:
$725
Offers
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track at Mercer University requires students to complete 48-course and 660 clinical hours.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Mercer University is located in Macon, Georgia, and offers an online Master of Science in Nursing-Nurse Practitioner program through its College of Nursing and Health Professions. This program is designed for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree, possibly with a major in nursing or healthcare-related field. Students will complete their coursework online through the university's e-learning technology platform called MyMercerWeb.
The Mercer University master's degree for nurse practitioners focuses on clinical practice preparation, including advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics, health promotion/disease prevention strategies, and evidence-based practice concepts necessary for professional practice as a nurse practitioner. Students will also learn to use medical decision-making tools such as clinical pathways and guidelines based on evidence-based research findings that support quality patient care decisions.
This program has been approved by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which means that once you complete
8. The University of West Florida
Cost per credit hour
$500
Offers
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner; Family Nurse Practitioner; Neonatal/Perinatal Nurse Practitioner; Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner.
FNP students must attend an on-campus summer immersion orientation before starting their clinical.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
The University of West Florida is an excellent option for students interested in becoming nurse practitioners. The school offers a bachelor's degree in nursing that prepares students to work as generalist nurse practitioners.
The program is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills to work with patients at all stages of their lives. The curriculum includes anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychology, and more classes. Students also take courses in leadership, communication, and team building.
The University of West Florida also offers an online master's degree program for students with a bachelor's degree in nursing or a related field. This program prepares students for leadership roles within their profession and teaches them how to provide exceptional care to their patients. Students learn about advanced concepts such as legal issues and ethics, as well as how to become an advocate for their patient's health needs by working with other healthcare professionals.
9. Cedarville University
Cost per credit hour
$623.
Offers
Track includes Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Cedarville University is a private, Christian university located in Cedarville, Ohio. It is one of the best online FNP programs in Ohio; the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Cedarville University is designed to prepare graduates for nursing roles in hospital and community settings. Students will complete general education courses before taking courses specific to nursing. Students may also choose between two tracks: nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.
The nurse practitioner track includes courses such as advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, community health nursing, and medical-surgical nursing. The clinical nurse specialist track includes courses such as mental health nursing, advanced leadership concepts, and gerontological nursing.
The BSN program at Cedarville University takes four years to complete full-time on campus or five years part-time off campus.
Other Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
1. Online Nurse Practitioner Programs Illinois
Cost per credit hour
Average around $700
Requirements
- BSN from accredited school
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- GRE for <3.0
Names of schools
- Loyola University of Chicago
- Rush University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of St. Francis
- Illinois State University
2. Online Nurse Practitioner Programs Missouri
Cost per credit hour
Average around $600.87
Requirements
- BSN from accredited school
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Validation of current Missouri RN certification
Names of schools
- Saint Louis University
- University of Missouri–Kansas City
- Maryville University
- Graceland University
3. Online Nurse Practitioner Programs NY
Cost per credit hour
Average around $1200
Requirements
- Holding a BSN degree from an accredited school of nursing
- Current RN license
- Completion of the GRE
- Submit a resume/ CV
- Validation of current Missouri RN certification
Names of schools
- Daemen College
- Binghamton University
- St. Joseph's College New York
- Suny Downstate Medical School
- Long Island University
- NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
4. Online Nurse Practitioner Programs Oklahoma
Cost per credit hour
Average around $450
Requirements
- Holding a BSN degree from an accredited school of nursing
- Current RN license
- Completion of the GRE
- Submit a resume/ CV
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
Names of schools
- Oklahoma City University
- The University of Oklahoma
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
- The University of Tulsa
Conclusion
The world of medicine is changing, and so are the education models. As a nurse, you dream of working alongside doctors. From your first day in school until your whole career, you've worked on building your resume and getting the necessary experience.
However, now that you've obtained the experience you're looking for—even more than you'd hoped for—the next step is to master all advanced practice nursing (APN) roles.
FAQ
What type of nurse practitioner is in highest demand?
PMHNPs (physician's assistants) and FNPs (family nurse practitioners) are in the highest demand. This is because they can perform all of the duties of a physician. The only difference between PMHNPs and FNPs is that PMHNPs can prescribe medication, while FNPs cannot.
What is the most difficult nurse practitioner specialty?
The most challenging nurse practitioner specialty is the critical care nurse practitioner.
The critical care nurse practitioner has to work with patients in the intensive care unit, which can be very stressful. They have to make decisions quickly and accurately, and they have to be able to work well under pressure.
Which NP specialty is best?
I would say that the highest paying profession for an NP is that of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs who specialize in administering anesthesia make an average salary of $ 202,470 per year. That's double what they make as an RN in any other specialty!
What is the most accessible nurse practitioner?
The most straightforward nurse practitioner is the pediatric nurse practitioner.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners specialize in treating children. They provide care for babies, toddlers, and older children, often working alongside a physician or other medical professionals in a primary care setting.
