What Are The Requirements To Enroll In A Nurse Practitioner Program
To pursue a Nurse Practitioner program at the Masters level, you should have a registered nursing license and a background in science. Many programs require a Bachelors in Nursing. Some programs also specify a certain amount of recent clinical practice.
Dont have a BSN? You may be able to pursue a bridge program. These are designed for RNs who hold an Associates degree or nursing diploma. As the name suggests, they bridge the gap between your prior education and what a Bachelors degree covers. Then, youll pursue Masters-level coursework.
Requirements may be different for Doctor of Nursing Practice or PhD programs. Some doctoral programs let you enter with either a BSN or an MSN. You may also have to complete prerequisite courses, like statistics.
Other requirements for both Masters and doctorate programs may include:
- Minimum GPA
- Letters of recommendation from faculty or employers
- A personal statement about your interests and goals in nursing
- An interview
Choosing an Accredited Nurse Practitioner Program
Graduating from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program is required to become a certified NP. Accreditation helps ensure your program meets industry standards for nursing. Organizations that accredit nursing programs, including NP programs, are:
Rush University: Online Master Of Science In Nursing
Executive Summary:With more than 175 years of experience, Rush University was founded when Chicago was just a small village. Its MSN Nursing Leadership Program: Clinical Nurse Leader for RNs can be completed in two years part-time. Students are able to draw on a wealth of knowledge from faculty who are international experts in their fields, attracted to teach at one of the top medical campuses in the nation.
Tuition: Tuition for the Rush University online MSN program is $1,110 per credit hour.
Unique Features: Rush University holds the distinction of being ranked the number one best graduate school for Clinical Nurse Leaders in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Its continuously expanding into the field of healthcare and education its among the top-20 largest private employers in Chicago including through its eponymous preeminent medical center with a patient capacity of 664.
Advance Your Nursing Career With Herzing’s Online Msn
Achieve the pinnacle of skill and specialization in nursing in as little as 20 months.
- CCNE-accredited*
- 46 credits, 585 clinical hours
- 100% online coursework
Meet the national need for highly trained nurse practitioners.
Ranging from newborn to geriatric, Herzings online FNP program is a population-focused curriculum completed in the primary care setting. Our program is designed for busy professionals with flexible online scheduling to be completed over 20 months when attending full-time.
Through Herzing’s MSN-FNP program you will:
- Benefit from regional clinical coordinators who serve as a resource in helping you find and secure appropriate clinical sites
- Have the opportunity to collaborate with nurses from around the country through online coursework
- Gain assistance from Masters-prepared academic coaches who offer one-on-one assistance and coaching to enhance study skills, build confidence, and provide support in helping you achieve academic success.
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Fast & Affordable Online Msn Programs
To help guide your decision, here are 5 accredited online MSN programs that can get you your degree as quickly and affordably as possible. The MSN programs selected vary in on-campus requirements and degree tracks. Again, check with the school prior to applying to determine your states eligibility requirements for online completion.
- Cost per credit hour: $298.55 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Committee on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Application Deadline: February 1 for the summer, July 1 for the fall semester, and September 1 for the spring semester
- Length of program: 2 years
- Total approximate cost of the program: $10,747.80
- Contact Information: 785-628-4256
Fort Hays State University offers two MSN degrees: Nurse Administration and Nursing Education. Fort Hays works with clinical sites across the country to accommodate out-of-state students and notes that if an acceptable site can not be found in your area, a site will be made available to you on their campus. However, its recommended that you work with a preceptor well in advance to ensure that you can find acceptable clinical site approval before enrolling.
Additionally, the program does not accept students from Tennessee, Utah, Alabama, or Washington based on licensing restrictions.
- Cost per credit hour: $440 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Committee on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Length of program: 1-3 years
- Total tuition cost of a 40 credit program: $17,600
- Contact Information: 205-348-6639 or 800-313-3591
National Student Nursing Association & Texas Nursing Student Association

The National Student Nurses Association was founded in 1952. It is a nonprofit organization for students who are enrolled in associate, baccalaureate, diploma, and generic graduate nursing programs. The NSNA is committed to nurturing the professional development of nursing students.
Membership in the Texas Nursing Student Association :Schreiner University will establish a chapter of the Texas Nursing Students Association following the 10th student who joins NSNA/TNSA.
As a member of TNSA and NSNA you are entitled to may benefits :
- Delegate representation in the annual House of Delegates at both the TNSA and NSNA convention.
- Eligible to submit resolutions to the TNSA and NSNA House of Delegates.
- Eligible for contests, awards, and scholarships at the local, state and national level.
- Affiliated with the largest nursing student association in the United States and the largest state association.
- Networking opportunities with students across the state and country along with nursing leaders and specialty nurses.
- A years subscription to Imprint, the only magazine published by nursing students for nursing students.
- Eligible to attend Council of Schools and State Convention.
Membership is open to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Schreiner University. Meetings are held twice per semester and one service project is completed each semester. For additional information, please contact Dr. Ruth Grubesic, Associate Professor/Nursing and Public Health, .
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The Modern Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Adult gerontology nurse practitioners, known in nursing circles as AGNPs, are advanced practice registered nurses who take special care of adults. In this case, adult can mean any patient including young adults confronted with the challenges of aging. You may sometimes see AGNPs referred to as GNPs, or geriatric nurse practitioners. Nurses holding this title tend to deal directly with the elderly.
Working under the supervision of a physician, AGNPs are responsible for diagnosing illnesses, conducting exams and screenings, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications and physical therapy, managing a patients pain, and educating families on preventative care. Since aging also includes dying, modern AGNPs are renowned for being compassionate caregivers and counselors.
AGNPs work in two major arenas: acute care and primary care. Acute care AGNPs specialize in the care of acutely ill adults and can be found in hospitals and outpatient specialty clinics. Primary care AGNPs tend to work in places such as hospices, home healthcare, and nursing homes. Some AGNPs even choose to run their own private practices. Regardless of their specialty, AGNPs must be able to collaborate with families, social workers, nursing staff, therapist, pharmacists, and physicians in order to provide adult patients with the very best advice.
Duke University: Online Master Of Science In Nursing
Executive Summary: Duke University, another of the most respected medical schools in the world, has recently embraced the medium of online education. The Master of Science in Nursing program at Duke is one of the best, as expected of a world class university.
Tuition: Tuition for Dukes Online Master of Science in Nursing program is $1,838 per credit.
Unique Features: Duke University is the eighth most highly rated university in the National Universities overall ranking by U.S. News and World Report. Dukes online MSN program is ranked #7 in Faculty Credentials and Training. The opportunity to earn an online graduate nursing degree from one of the worlds best universities is rare, and expensive, but few degrees carry as much weight.
Executive Summary: Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its nursing department is accredited by the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education. It strives to provide exceptional education to the adult learner, equipping them to be the best in their professional field. Capella offers four MSN specializations, each of which has RN-to-MSN or BSN-to-MSN paths: Care Coordination, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, and Nursing Leadership and Administration.
Tuition: Graduate program tuition at Capella University is $435 per credit hour toward an Online Master of Science in Nursing degree.
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What Will I Learn In Herzing’s Msn
Candidates for Herzing’s online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner degree must complete 48 semester hours, 30 of which are in the FNP concentration, and 585 clinical hours.
Required core courses include:
- Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice
- Organizational Systems and Behaviors
- Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice
Required direct care core courses include:
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Management of Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice
Required courses in FNP concentration include:
- Health Promotion Across the Life Span
- Adult Healthcare
- Healthcare of Women across the Lifespan
- Healthcare of Infants, Children and Adolescents
- Roles for Nurse Practitioners
Capella University Accreditation Details
Though Capella University offers classes on its main campus and satellite campuses, most of its students take classes over the Internet. You might hear some stories about scam online schools that make you think twice before enrolling, but Capella has the type of accreditation you might associate with larger and more traditional colleges. The Higher Learning Commission, one of the largest accrediting organizations in the country, granted the university primary accreditation, which allows Capella to hand out degrees to students who complete all their requirements. The American Counseling Association’s Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs gave Capella accreditation for its graduate programs in marriage and family counseling. Other organizations that granted Capella University accreditation include:
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Accreditation Board of Engineering & Technology, Inc.
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
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Dnpdoctor Of Nursing Practice
With a passion for helping others and an MSN in hand, youâre ready for the next level. A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Capella can enhance your leadership, administrative, and organizational skills to help improve patient care and outcomes.* This CCNE-accredited** online program offers a professionally relevant curriculum that explores health care delivery, patient advocacy, health care policy development, implementation, and reform.* The DNP is not designed to prepare advanced practice registered nurses for roles as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, or certified nurse anesthetists. **The BSN, MSN, and DNP degree programs at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education .
Industry-inspired curriculum
This program incorporates principles from our School of Nursing and Health Sciences Advisory Board and the American Association of Colleges Nursing Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice.
Integrated capstone & practicum
Work with inspiring mentors within an organization as part of your program this integrated approach allows you to solve real-world challenges.
Support
Start and advance through your doctoral journey with support from faculty and academic coaches.
- FlexPath available
- CCNE accredited
Nacole Riccaboni Mba Student
Nacole Riccaboni* was inspired to become a nurse because of the thoughtful attention she got decades ago from a compassionate caregiver.
She eventually earned a degree and became a full-time nurse. But having an impact on patients, while satisfying, wasnt quite enough. Riccaboni, a critical-care nurse in Orlando, Florida, recently enrolled in Capellas MBA program via FlexPath, with the aim of developing her business background and managerial skills. Her goal? Make significant changes in the world of health care.
*Actual Capella learner whos compensated for appearing in Capella promotional materials.
Here, Riccaboni talks about her nursing start, her decision to pursue and MBA, and her experience with FlexPath.
Q. Why did you decide to enter nursing?
A. When I was 12 years old, my mother, brother, and I were involved in a drunk-driving accident. At the emergency department, I met a nurse named Ms. Green. She was nice to me. She gave me a teddy bear. I was crying, wondering where my mother and brother were, and Ms. Green told me, Theyre not here but Im going to take care of you. I never forgot how much she cared for me and that event was a motivating factor in me wanting to become a nurse.
Q. You have a passion for exerciseindoor cycling, jiu-jitsu, and more. Why?
I too struggled with poor eating habits. I myself had gastric bypass surgery three years ago. Ive lost 160 pounds. Were both much healthier than we were in our 20s.
Q. Why did you decide to purse an MBA?
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Purdue University Global: Online Master Of Science In Nursing Program
Executive Summary: With roots dating back to the aftermath of the great depression, since its founding Purdue University Global has always believed that education should be available to all. They continue to live out that philosophy today by providing innovative educational programs which equip their diverse student body for successful and dynamic careers. The MS in Nursing program at PUG offers five tracks: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care/Acute Care NP, Family Primary Care NP, Nurse Educator, and Executive Leader.
Tuition: Tuition for the Master of Science in Nursing program is $420 per quarter credit hour.
Unique Features: Purdue University Global caters to students from all walks of life- professionals seeking to advance their career, military personnel stationed abroad, and even stay-at-home moms. PUG offers small class sizes to allow faculty to focus time on each student, providing for an exceptionally satisfied student body.
Cities In Minnesota Offering Accredited Nursing Programs

If you are not finding the right nursing program in Minneapolis or want to compare nursing schools from other cities in Minnesota? Compare average NCLEX scores, in-state and out-of-state tuition costs as well as schools with strong alumni networks. The following is a list of cities in with accredited nursing programs in Minnesota:
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How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Program Cost
The average cost of earning a graduate degree from a public institution is $11,617 per year. Of course, youll find programs both more affordable and more expensive than the average.
Take a look at graduate tuition costs for these four institutions with Nurse Practitioner Degree. We compared them to the typically most affordable and most expensive college options. All tuition costs were reported by NCES.
Master Of Science In Nursing Vs Doctor Of Nursing Practice
A Master of Science in Nursing program usually focuses on enhancing clinical skills. Students take advanced nursing courses in areas like pharmacology and physiology. They often choose a specialization, like Primary Care or Family Nurse Practitioner.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice program may cover similar areas. But, these programs tend to feature much more research and academic writing. DNP candidates could also dive into topics not usually included in an MSN program. These include biostatistics, epidemiology, and leadership.
Finally, DNP programs require a bigger time commitment. Some DNP candidates enter the program with a Bachelors degree, while others enter having already earned an MSN degree. Either way, expect to devote more total years to earning your DNP.
So, what do these programs have in common? For one, they both require students to complete clinical experience, though the number of hours may vary. And, both could help current RNs prepare for advanced practice nursing career paths like Nurse Practitioner.
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Overview Of A Dnp Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
- Students learn acute care procedures, which provide direct care to adults who are critically or acutely ill, often for brief periods.
- Students learn how to apply nursing theory and research, critical thinking, problem solving, and case assessment and management in an acute care environment.
- Courses teach students about various health conditions and the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families.
- The curriculum prepares students to make prevention, wellness, and patient education priorities and focus on educating patients about their health and encouraging them to make healthy choice.
- Students also complete clinical work at locations including: specialty clinics, emergency departments, trauma centers, hospital inpatient units, intensive care units, and rehabilitation units.
What Can You Do With A Master Of Science In Nursing
Earning a Master of Science in Nursing could help you pursue an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse career path. APRNs include Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Midwives.
There are a few reasons the APRN occupation is booming. For one, these professionals can perform some of the same services as doctors. So, they may be needed to provide both preventive and primary care. Plus, aging Baby Boomers increasingly need medical services, leading to potential demand for health professionals.
Of all the APRN roles, Nurse Practitioner jobs should increase the most. Its predicted that 114,900 NP jobs will be added by 2030, for a total of 335,200.
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College Of Health Sciences Departments + Programs
Coordinator, MS Nursing Education ProgramCoordinator, MS Transformational Leadership Program
Francia Reed, PhD, MS RN, FNP-C, CME, CNEUniversity at Albany SUNY
Lynne Longtin, RN, DNP, ANP-BCDirector, MS Family Nurse Practitioner ProgramCase Western Reserve University
Coordinator, Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health NursePractitioner and Certificate of Advanced Study in PMHNP programs.
Programs BS Nursing Programs Options: * Dual Degree Nursing Partnership with St. Elizabeth College of Nursing
Accelerated BS/MS Program Options: * BS/MS Family Nurse Practitioner * BS/MS Nursing Education * BS/MS Transformational Leadership in Nursing
Graduate Program Options: * MS Family Nurse Practitioner * MS Health Informatics * MS Nursing Education * MS Transformational Leadership in Nursing
Advanced Certificate Options * CAS Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner * CAS Nursing Education * CAS Transformational Leadership in Nursing
Doctoral Program Options: Nurse Practitioner