Nurse Practitioner Programs in Minnesota: Facts & Figures

Minnesota is a large state with over five million residents and growing. The fastest population growth is projected for the Twin Cities region with cities such as St. Paul and Minneapolis expected to grow moderately in the coming years. This comes as good news for those interested in working as a nurse practitioner in Minnesota. As the population increases, more qualified healthcare professionals will be needed to care for the sick. The state offers many online and traditional nurse practitioner programs in a variety of specialties and sub-specialties.

Nursing Licensure in Minnesota

The Minnesota Board of Nursing works to ensure the professional growth of nurses as well as to protect the health and wellbeing of the public. Currently, there are 111,686 total nurses with current Minnesota licensure (3,046 are certified nurse practitioners). The Board also determines the qualifications and competence for the practice of nursing. Nurse practitioners must submit a copy of their current APRN certification to the Board each time the certification is renewed. To work as a nurse in Minnesota, you must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

Submit the application form and fee; and
Submit at least one Verification of Licensure form; and
Submit the Confirmation of Nursing Employment form; and
Fulfill continuing education requirements which vary according to date of most recent licensure and nursing practice.

It’s important to note that each state licenses advanced practice nurses differently. Your area of specialty will determine what steps are required to maintain your eligibility.

Average Nursing Salaries in Minnesota

All salary data is as of May 2011.

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a registered nurse in the state of Minnesota is $74,250, while the U.S. average is $69,110. Salaries vary depending on area of specialty, location, and other factors. Nurse practitioners typically earn more than the state average. The table below compares the average annual wages for RNs in various metropolitan areas of Minnesota to other areas in the state:

Area	Registered Nurses	Average Salary
United States	2,724,570	$69,110
Minnesota	56,660	$74,250
Duluth, MN-WI	4,140	$70,390
Fargo, ND-MN	2,890	$60,440
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	33,270	$75,970
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	3,490	$67,210
Rochester, MN	6,980	$81,650