Introduction to Nurse Practitioners

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) who has additional education and training in a specialty area such as family, pediatrics, geriatrics, adult health or acute care, among other possible specialties. NPs treat both physical and mental conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, and diagnostic tests. NPs can diagnose the disease and provide appropriate treatment for the patients, including prescribing medications. NPs can serve as patients' primary health care providers, and can work with patients of all ages. Nurse practitioner programs normally focus on one specialized field within nursing and graduates generally choose to seek certification in the same specialty.

After completing a master's degree program, graduates are qualified, and usually required, to get professional nurse practitioner certification. Through the national board exam, NPs can acquire additional credentials as certified pediatric nurse practitioners (CPNP) or certified family nurse practitioners (CFNP), or other specific types of advanced practice nurse. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Center are two credentialing organizations that offer certifications in nursing. These certifications must be renewed every five years in order to continue development within the profession.

Additional Resources on Nurse Practitioners

Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a graduate-level degree. While in most states RNs currently need only a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree to become nurse practitioners, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) be the minimum requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Listed below are the best online colleges offering accredited MSN and DNP degrees.


MS in Family Nursing

MS in Midwifery/Women's Health

 Georgetown University — The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers two online Master of Science in nursing degrees. The MS in family nurse practitioner program prepares students for careers as family nurses. The MS in midwifery / women's health nurse practitioner program perpares students for careers as nurse practitioners who specialize as midwives and caring for female patients.
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MS in Nursing

MSN/MBA Dual Degree

MSN/MHA Dual Degree

MSN in Health Education

MSN in Health Informatics

 University of Phoenix — The Master of Science in nursing for nurse practitioners from the University of Phoenix is a flexible online program from an accredited school. Students will learn advanced nursing skills, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research. Upon completion, graduates will be well prepared to advance their nursing careers. MSN specialties are offered in health education and health informatics. Dual degrees (MSN + MBA and MSN + MHA) are also available.
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MSN in Nurse Admin

MSN in Nurse Informatics

 Kaplan University — The MSN nurse administration, nurse education, and nurse informatics degree programs from Kaplan allows nurses with bachelor's degrees to take their careers to the next level. Students of these programs will learn advanced nursing theory, health policy, evidence-based decision making, financing, and more.
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MSN in Clinical Nursing

MSN in Nurse Midwifery

MSN in Psychiatric Health

MSN in Women's Health

 University of Cincinnati — The MS in nursing degree program with a specialization in women's health practice offered online by the University of Cincinnati is geared toward nursing students wanting to receive expert training on women's health issues. Cincinnati also offers many other nurse practitioner degree programs, including MSN specialties in clinical nursing, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric & mental health nursing.
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MSN for Nurse Practitioners

 South University — South University has built a reputation on class flexibility and affordability. Their MSN program for nurse practitioners is no exception. This program is ideal for registered nurses who may be too busy with work for full-time campus classes, but looking for professional advancement in their respective careers by earning an online degree.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioners

What exactly is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse practitioners are generally registered nurses (RN) who have completed advanced degrees and training in a variety of medical areas related to the management and diagnostic procedures of many illnesses and diseases. A nurse practitioner must be both skilled in individualized patient care and able to handle a plethora of medical responsibilities. Those interested in this field have many opportunities to specialize their skills including; becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner, travel nurse pratitioner, oncology nurse practitioner, women's health nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, and many more. Being able to accurately inform patients about their conditions, while providing support to better the lives of both patients and families is core to any successful nurse practitioner career.

What are the different types of degrees in this field?

If you are serious about joining this field, keep in mind that many nurse practitioner programs require prospective students to have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing, and all require that the student be a registered nurse.

Master of Science in Nursing: An MSN is the most common degree obtained by those interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Programs generally last a minimum of two years and will provide degree candidates with a solid education that will prepare them to diagnose, and treat, many different illnesses and diseases. Within an MSN program, students can often select an area of specialization. Listed below are some of the most popular MSN specializations.

MSN Bridge Programs: For RNs who have already completed some education or training, the following types of MSN bridge programs allow the student to take advantage of his/her education level or licensure and complete an MSN in less time.

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Much like an MSN, this degree will often take a minimum of two years, and will prepare students to become an NP in different specialty areas, depending on the students desired focus. These specialty areas include, but are not limited to, training for becoming a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and more.

DNP Bridge Programs:

What online schools offer Nurse Practitioner programs?

Below we have outlined the best accredited online universities for aspiring nurse practitioners.

What is the average salary of a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners are able to command highly competitive salaries in today's job market. Nurses who have specialized skill sets, such as emergency nurse practitioners, and family nurse practitioners, are in even higher demand. With healthcare demands expected to continually increase in the future, this trend should hold true. Currently, the average salary for a nurse practitioner in the United States is around $82,000 yearly with variations ranging from $75,000 to $89,000. More info.

What kinds of financial aid are available for nurse practitioning schools?

Financial aid is generally always available in the form of loans and grants for those who demonstrate need. There are also many scholarships available to those prospective students who meet the requirements for such an award. In fact, there are many nurse practitioner scholarships and grants that may be availabe to you. More info.

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