Nurse Practitioner Schools

Top Online Nurse Practitioner Schools Reviewed

Compare the accredited nurse practitioner schools reviewed below to find the right nurse practitioner program / MSN degree for you. Then request free enrollment and financial aid information directly from the nurse practitioner schools you're interested in by using the program links or "Click Here" buttons below:

(MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) Gerontology/Acute Care Practitioner (MSN) Women's Health Nurse Practitioner	Georgetown University – Georgetown University offers popular specialities in nurse practitioning to help registered nurses advance into management and supervisory roles. Their programs allow individuals to continue working while obtaining their master's degree online.
(MSN) Nurse Practitioner – General (MSN) Nurse Practitioner in Health Admin (MSN) Nurse Practitioner in Health Education (MSN) Nurse Practitioner in Informatics	University of Phoenix – The University of Phoenix offers a general Nurse Practitioner degree which gives students a well rounded nurse practitioner education as well as specific nurse practitioner (MSN) degrees for those who wish to specialize their education.
(BSN to MSN) Nurse Practitioner in Education (BSN to MSN) Nurse Practitioner in Infomatics (BSN to MSN) Nurse Practitioner – General (RN to MSN) Nurse Practitioner – General (RN to MSN) Nurse Practitioner in Informatics (RN to MSN) Nurse Practitioner in Education (RN to MSN) Nurse Practitioner in Leadership	Walden University – Walden provides a separate track of nurse practitioner degrees for students who are RN's and those who have their BSN. All degrees are fully online and offer both flexibility in classes and affordable tuition and generous financial aid to those who qualify.
(MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner – General (MSN) Adult Gerontology Practitioner – General	Kaplan University – This general MSN (Family Nurse Practitioner) program is one of the most affordable fully online accredited degrees available. Perfect for working adults, graduates also have excellent job placement stats.

Welcome to Nurse Practitioner Schools With the need for medical care growing as the number of primary care physicians shrink, the demand for nurse practitioners is climbing. Read below to see the different types of degrees, what is required of each, the pro’s and cons, and information on salaries. Below you will find information on:

• Nurse Practitioner Schools
• Nurse Practitioner Degrees
• Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Nurse Practitioner Colleges
• Nurse Practitioner Universities
• Online Nurse Practitioner Schools
• Nurse Practitioner Careers
• Nurse Practitioner Salaries

1) What Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs and Degrees Are Available? Below you will find a listing of the many types of programs and focuses that exist within the larger umbrella of nurse practitioner school degrees:

• FNP : Family Nurse Practitioner – The most common degree among NP’s, they work with adults, teens, children, and can often take the place of a family doctor for those who cannot afford one. They can also work in a variety of medical settings from a hospital to a clinic and even certain specialty practices.
• ANP : Adult Nurse Practitioner – Generally taking on teenagers and older, these NP’s can even see patients as young as twelve. They are often asked to diagnose and manage the medical cases of adults and their families.
• WHNP : Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner : These NP’s focus mainly on the health of female patients. They learn skills in gynecology, OB/GYN, and related fields.
• GNP : Gerontological Nurse Practitioner – This nurse practitioner specializes in working with the elderly. Centering on geriatric medicine will require the NP to know about the effects of aging along with the diseases that can afflict seniors.
• PNP : Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – These NP’s primarily work with infants, toddlers, and children. They will often be asked to work in delivery rooms, children’s wards, or clinics that specify in medicine for kids. The ability to speak a second language is also important as many of the parents may not speak English.
• ACPNP : Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner : Similar to the above, this nurse practitioner focuses on pediatric patients with complex and demanding health care needs. They will often encounter children with serious and acute medical conditions and may be called on to treat or diagnose.
• NNP : Neonatal Nurse Practitioner : Children who are born or delivered early will make up the bulk of this nurse practitioner’s patient list. They work at all levels of the NICU and remain with the patient as he or she grows.
• PMHNP : Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner : This NP focuses on the mental and psychiatric health of their patients. They can assign medications, therapies, and there is even a special subset for those who want to focus on the mental health of children or seniors.

2) What are the Degree / Experience Requirements to Obtain a Nurse Practitioner? The National Council Licensure Examination is a test that is required in all 50 states to obtain a nursing license. There are also 23 states that participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact Agreement, which allows nurses to move to member states without recertifying. Nurse practitioners must earn a master’s degree in nursing, regardless of the specialty they pursue. All specialties require passing a comprehensive exam to earn certification in a specific area. Certification is also required by the American Medical Association and/or the American Nurse’s Association. While some NP’s can find work right away, others have considerable experience as an RN or work as a physician’s assistant for a few years. All states also have renewal requirements of licenses which can call for continuing education. 3) Things to Consider When Choosing an Online Nurse Practitioner School • Demands for nurse practitioners have risen in the last couple of years and continues to grow. According to Healthcare Training Center there are twice as many NP’s practicing today in the United States than there were ten years ago. • To find the best in nursing schools, visit the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and download their 2008 Accreditation Manual to choose the best school in your area. • Certification can make a difference. Nurses who are board certified by a group such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center can earn an average of $9,000 more a year than those who are not. • Visit the National Organization for Competency Assurance to see which certification programs are accredited for which degrees. They also tell you the specialty and when the certification is up for renewal. 4) What Schools Offer Nurse Practitioner Degrees? University of Phoenix : Master of Science in Nursing for Nurse Practitioners Students can complete their graduate degree in nursing without leaving their current employment or home community by taking this degree. Twenty five graduate credits and a bachelor’s degree are required to obtain the MSN. University of Cincinnati – College of Nursing : Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program This program requires 78 credit hours and 540 clinical hours. It can be taken online or on campus if you live in the area. Students are prepared for their role as an NP in a psychiatric setting and are eligible for certification through two exams. University of Cincinnati – College of Nursing : Doctoral Program After completing a master’s degree, nurse practitioners can undertake this program for specialties in Acute Care, Adult Health, Family Health, Gerontological Health, Neonatal, and Pediatric nursing. It requires 135 quarter-hours and the final 45 must be completed at the university. Western Governors University : Master’s Degree Programs Although they don’t offer one specifically for nurse practitioners, any nurse or student can take advantage of the many online nursing degree programs they have. M.S. degrees in nursing include specialties in education, leadership and management, an RN to MSN option in education, along with leadership and management, and even an M.B.A. in healthcare management. You can also get three different bachelor’s degrees for nursing online with this accredited college. 5) What Salary and Careers are Available to Students with a Nurse Practitioner Degree? According to Salary.com, nurse practitioners in the 50th percentile make an average of $82,590 per year in salary based on a certified compensation professional’s analysis from thousands of employers in various sizes, industries, and areas. The base salary can be in the $75,000 range with top paying jobs in the $90,000 range. Salaries for specialty nurse practitioners also vary. Family practice is the most common and they make a median salary of $74,054 according to payscale.com. The highest paying specialty is acute care at $77,252, while the lowest is women’s health at $68,453 and pediatrics at $69,072. 6) Resources For Nurse Practitioner Students

1. Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education: Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective nurses. Visit here to find an accredited school in your area.
2. The American Medical Association: This organization has tons of resources for the medical professional, including nurse practitioners. You can visit the ePrescribing Learning Center, get information on continuing medical education, and the latest on health system reform.
3. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission: Visit here for information on accredited nursing programs. You can also get a quarterly newsletter, a self study forum, standards and criteria, and more.
4. American Nurse’s Association: Get a ton of useful information for all aspects of the nursing field. Get links for nurses, students, patients, and much more. You can even join the ANA nurse space, an online social network just for nurses.
5. Internet Provider .net: If you're considering attending an online nurse practitioner school you're going to need an excellent high speed connection. Use the tools on this site to find the right one for you.
6. National Student Nurses’ Association: With 50,000 members all over the country, the NSNA mentors future nurses and provides educational resources, leadership opportunities, and career guidance. Visit here to learn more about membership benefits, scholarships, financial aid, and more.