Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs: Choosing a School

There are lots of descriptive terms that apply to nurse practitioners. Among them are: highly-skilled, highly-respected, well-paid, and in-demand. With a projected job growth rate of 46.3%, nurse practitioners are among the most sought-after professions today. As a working registered nurse (RN), you may already realize the opportunities available, which is likely why you’re here to learn about becoming an NP yourself. Keep reading to find out how you can take that next big step in your nursing career through an online NP degree or certificate program.

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A Look Inside Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Online nurse practitioner programs are designed with working RNs in mind, often featuring didactic coursework presented entirely online. Furthermore, that coursework may be delivered in an asynchronous format, meaning that students can access and complete their studies at any time that fits their busy work and life schedules.

It’s not uncommon, however, for many NP programs to be in a hybrid format, which includes some on-campus classes, short-term residencies, or other campus-based activities. Also, with the possible exception of a few NP programs focused on specialties not requiring clinical practice, online NP students will still need to complete in-person clinical rotation requirements at program-affiliated medical facilities.

Virtually all NP specializations available from campus-based programs can be found online. There are a number of basic credential types that you’ll be considering as you decide on your nurse practitioner training. Below are three of the most common avenues to becoming an NP, along with an online program example for each.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The MSN is the most popular credential for gaining the knowledge and training to become a nurse practitioner. MSN programs are available in every NP specialization field. Most require between two and three years to complete, depending on your chosen specialization and study pace. As mentioned above, most MSN programs include extensive clinical hours requirements.

There are two types of nurse practitioner MSN programs: the RN to MSN bridge program (for RNs with associate degrees in nursing) and the BSN to MSN (for RNs with nursing bachelor’s degrees). Some MSN programs also admit students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees.

University of Missouri: Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Duration: Two to three years
  • Mode: Hybrid
  • Cost: $630 per credit hour (residency dependent)
  • Admissions Requirements: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on your last 60 credit hours of undergraduate nursing coursework or evidence of outstanding professional leadership, practice, and/or scholarship
  • Curriculum:
    • Advanced Nursing Roles and Professional Communication
    • Scientific Foundations for Health Sciences
    • Translational Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
    • Public Health, Sociocultural Issues, and Health Policy
    • Practice Inquiry
    • Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics
  • Advanced Health Assessment and Promotion
  • Family Dynamics and Intervention
  • Adult and Geriatric Primary Care I & II
  • Newborn Through Adolescence Primary Care
  • Reproductive and Sexual Health Primary Care
  • Advanced Diagnostics and Reasoning I
  • Advanced Clinical Nursing Practicum

Best For: Registered nurses with a BSN degree seeking to become NPs for the first time

FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:

Post-Master’s Certificate

Nurse practitioner post-master’s certificates allow nurses with MSN degrees to train for a specific NP specialized practice without having to take on an additional entire graduate degree program. Most certificate programs require between one and two years to complete, depending on specialization, school, and the student’s study pace. Like with MSN programs, you’ll find online certificate programs available in all NP specialized areas of practice. Also, as with MSN programs, you’ll likely be completing substantial in-person clinical internships/practicums as part of your course of study.

University of Michigan – Flint: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate

  • Duration: 12 to 16 months
  • Mode: Online with in-person clinicals
  • Cost: $834 per credit hour (residency dependent)
  • Admissions Requirements: an MSN from a regionally accredited institution with an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher, a current unencumbered NP license in a specialty other than the discipline you want to study, and a current unencumbered RN license in the United States
  • Curriculum
    • Care of Persons Across the Life Span Psychiatric Mental Health Concerns for Advanced Practice Professionals — Theory I, II, & III
    • Advanced Practice Nursing Care Across the Life Span of Persons with Mental Health Concerns — Medication Management
    • Care of Persons Across the Life Span Psychiatric Mental Health Concerns for Advanced Practice Professionals — Practicum I, II, & III

Best For: MSN degree holders seeking to expand their nursing practices to include an additional NP specialization

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Doctor of Nursing Practice programs provide students with the ability to expand their nursing practices with an NP specialization while also preparing for top-level healthcare leadership roles. Most NP specializations are available in fully-online or partially-online formats. Many programs offer both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP options, each with its own total credit and clinical hours requirements. Program lengths also vary, with MSN to DNP programs typically requiring two to three years and BSN to DNP programs taking three to five years to complete.

Ohio State University: BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Duration: three to four years
  • Mode: online with in-person clinicals
  • Cost: $1,159.95 per credit hour
  • Admissions Requirements: an active RN license, a BSN degree, a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in your last degree earned (relevant to program of study), and completed prerequisite statistics course with a grade of B- or higher
  • Curriculum:
  • Pathophysiology
  • Evidence Based Practice
  • Health Promotion, Theory, and Population Health
  • Health Assessment
  • Pharmacology
  • Implementation of Evidence Based Practice
  • Health Informatics
  • Leadership
  • Healthcare Economics and Finance
  • System Application I, II, III, & IV
  • Final Seminar

Best For: RNs seeking to gain an advantage in the competition for top-level advanced nursing practice and leadership roles

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Applying. . .

Pursuing NP training can be a great move for RNs seeking to advance their careers into specialized practice. This path can also come with bigger paychecks and greater job growth potential, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re unsure if taking on an NP program is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Am I ready to make the major commitment of time, effort, and money required to pursue a nurse practitioner education?
  2. What area of specialized practice am I interested in, and what career opportunities are open to me in my specialization choice?
  3. Which program type (MSN, DNP, post-master’s certificate, or bridge program) offers the right education path for me?
  4. Which content delivery format (online or campus-based) best fits my study style and work and life schedules?
  5. Can I afford the cost of an NP program, and is financial aid available to help me pay for it?

Student Support: FAQs About NP Programs

What is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse?

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is an umbrella title for a variety of advanced specialized roles for registered nurses. Included under this umbrella are nurse practitioners in all specializations, certified registered nurse anesthesiologists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, and others.

If you’re interested in becoming an APRN, you’ll find online programs available in all of these APRN occupations. You can also expect to complete substantial in-person clinical internships or practicums as part of your APRN online program requirements, no matter which occupation you pursue.

What is the easiest NP program to get into?

“Easy” can be a relative term. When it comes to NP programs, it can be applied to several program elements. In terms of credential type, RN to MSN programs often offer the easiest path for registered nurses advancing into NP roles.

In regard to specializations, those often featuring the most generous admissions and curriculum requirements include family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology care NP programs. In practical terms, however, the easiest NP program for you will be the one that best suits your professional practice interests and goals.

What is the quickest way to become a nurse practitioner?

RN to MSN programs are not only among the easiest paths to becoming an NP, they’re often the quickest as well, at least for students without a previously earned master’s degree. RN to MSN programs allow a registered nurse with an associate degree in nursing to, in essence, combine coursework that would normally have been part of a BSN program with MSN coursework into a single curriculum that can be completed in a little as two years full-time and three years part-time.

How long does an online NP program take?

We’ve touched on the many online academic paths you can take to becoming a nurse practitioner, each geared toward a particular student type and background, and each with its own range of program lengths. Here’s a brief recap:

  • RN to MSN: two to three years
  • BSN to MSN: two to three years
  • Post-master’s certificate: one to two years
  • BSN to DNP: three to five years
  • MSN to DNP: two to three years

Remember that these are general program lengths. Your particular program may take more or less time, especially when you consider study pace (full-time, part-time, or self-paced).

Can you become an NP without being an RN?

No, you cannot become an NP without being an RN first. Regardless of which of the many paths available you choose to get your NP education, you need to qualify for advanced nursing licensure and practice as a nurse practitioner. Before you can get to this step, you must obtain licensure as an RN. Many NP programs will also require you to have a set number of clinical-professional experience hours as an RN before you can enroll.

Tuition & Fees of Online NP Degrees: Cost Comparison

Regardless of the chosen degree or certificate path, cost is a major concern for many nurse practitioner students. If you’re ready to get started on your online NP education but are worried about affording it, there are plenty of affordable online NP programs you can consider.

Below, we’ve provided cost figures for five online NP programs currently offered. Along with the ones listed in the programs profiled earlier, these figures will provide you with a general idea of what you can expect to find during your NP program search. Bear in mind that some of these figures do not include additional costs for various program fees, such as books and materials and travel expenses for attending in-person clinicals, all of which will add to your total program price tag.

While total fees may initially feel overwhelming, you should keep in mind that you’re likely eligible for a number of financial aid resources for NP students that can help you lower that price tag as well.

School NameProgram TypeTuition & Fees
Ball State UniversityMaster of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN)$464/credit hour; $250 course fees
Sacred Heart UniversityPost-Master’s FNP Certificate$955/credit hour; $150 course fees
University of ArkansasBSN to DNP$594.77/credit hour; $50,910.45 total tuition and fees
University of South AlabamaDNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner$594/credit hour plus additional fees
University of Texas-ArlingtonRN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner$654/credit hour; $38,308 total tuition and fees

Salary & Employment Outlook for Nurse Practitioners

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Area 10th Percentile Median 90th Percentile
U.S. $94,530 $126,260 $168,030
Alabama $82,340 $103,830 $136,190
Alaska $70,100 $133,930 $179,040
Arizona $99,220 $130,960 $165,930
Arkansas $93,880 $109,330 $136,280
California $86,190 $164,050 $227,310
Colorado $81,110 $124,280 $161,450
Connecticut $101,380 $135,390 $174,240
Delaware $106,420 $130,260 $164,600
Florida $93,380 $120,370 $153,470
Georgia $91,770 $119,490 $165,140
Hawaii $100,880 $129,160 $165,240
Idaho $97,920 $122,660 $155,210
Illinois $98,650 $126,950 $160,930
Indiana $100,500 $124,470 $147,490
Iowa $104,930 $126,620 $164,250
Kansas $98,480 $119,930 $141,690
Kentucky $77,530 $109,530 $134,220
Louisiana $86,380 $118,830 $153,360
Maine $102,490 $123,140 $149,150
Maryland $87,810 $127,990 $163,650
Massachusetts $107,200 $138,570 $185,850
Michigan $98,290 $122,040 $140,400
Minnesota $105,490 $131,000 $160,060
Mississippi $85,990 $110,540 $157,050
Missouri $86,580 $117,910 $140,210
Montana $99,890 $127,570 $151,560
Nebraska $86,830 $122,410 $157,950
Nevada $109,530 $138,780 $204,510
New Hampshire $104,400 $128,490 $159,650
New Jersey $100,110 $142,950 $178,300
New Mexico $95,210 $133,090 $170,730
New York $100,510 $137,630 $180,690
North Carolina $96,630 $121,450 $145,600
North Dakota $105,040 $124,040 $159,740
Ohio $101,400 $123,690 $152,040
Oklahoma $78,870 $124,070 $161,100
Oregon $110,000 $137,440 $182,650
Pennsylvania $99,530 $126,140 $162,820
Rhode Island $109,300 $128,720 $166,460
South Carolina $95,660 $112,510 $140,160
South Dakota $96,260 $119,410 $149,650
Tennessee $53,450 $105,420 $132,190
Texas $98,160 $126,580 $165,340
Utah $83,070 $123,200 $171,000
Vermont $103,940 $123,920 $158,020
Virginia $84,740 $123,950 $153,400
Washington $113,460 $141,040 $181,720
West Virginia $82,540 $108,830 $147,250
Wisconsin $105,880 $126,910 $156,930
Wyoming $80,220 $122,950 $159,970

Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

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Area Curr. Jobs Proj. Jobs New Jobs Growth % Avg. Ann. Openings
United States 266,300 384,900 118,600 44.50% 26,300
Alabama 4,540 6,770 2,230 49.10% 470
Alaska 500 550 50 10.00% 30
Arizona 6,540 11,200 4,660 71.30% 860
Arkansas 3,000 4,840 1,840 61.30% 360
California 21,500 34,100 12,600 58.60% 2,500
Colorado 3,700 5,780 2,080 56.20% 420
Connecticut 3,150 4,560 1,410 44.80% 310
Delaware 1,000 1,550 550 55.00% 110
District of Columbia 600 850 250 41.70% 60
Florida 18,910 29,980 11,070 58.50% 2,190
Georgia 7,900 12,500 4,600 58.20% 910
Idaho 900 1,440 540 60.00% 110
Illinois 8,970 12,660 3,690 41.10% 850
Indiana 6,550 9,550 3,000 45.80% 660
Iowa 2,400 3,670 1,270 52.90% 260
Kansas 3,240 4,630 1,390 42.90% 310
Kentucky 4,730 6,870 2,140 45.20% 470
Louisiana 4,470 6,420 1,950 43.60% 440
Maine 1,330 1,800 470 35.30% 120
Maryland 5,240 7,450 2,210 42.20% 500
Massachusetts 2,730 4,010 1,280 46.90% 280
Michigan 7,370 10,410 3,040 41.20% 700
Minnesota 5,570 8,010 2,440 43.80% 550
Mississippi 4,110 5,860 1,750 42.60% 400
Missouri 7,520 10,670 3,150 41.90% 720
Montana 880 1,330 450 51.10% 90
Nebraska 1,790 2,430 640 35.80% 160
Nevada 1,840 2,780 940 51.10% 200
New Hampshire 1,520 2,290 770 50.70% 160
New Jersey 6,790 10,230 3,440 50.70% 720
New Mexico 1,590 2,620 1,030 64.80% 200
New York 16,600 20,970 4,370 26.30% 440
North Carolina 8,200 12,750 4,550 55.50% 920
North Dakota 580 860 280 48.30% 60
Ohio 11,020 15,710 4,690 42.60% 1,060
Oklahoma 3,030 4,200 1,170 38.60% 280
Oregon 2,240 3,420 1,180 52.70% 240
Pennsylvania 8,010 11,430 3,420 42.70% 770
Rhode Island 1,440 2,090 650 45.10% 140
South Carolina 4,120 6,620 2,500 60.70% 490
South Dakota 820 1,280 460 56.10% 90
Tennessee 13,620 21,500 7,880 57.90% 1,570
Texas 19,060 30,490 11,430 60.00% 2,240
Utah 3,680 5,900 2,220 60.30% 430
Vermont 810 1,100 290 35.80% 70
Virginia 7,170 11,160 3,990 55.60% 800
Washington 4,150 6,020 1,870 45.10% 600
West Virginia 1,700 2,590 890 52.40% 180
Wisconsin 4,950 7,480 2,530 51.10% 530
Wyoming 480 710 230 47.90% 50

Source: Projections Central

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

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