Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist : Annual $183580 Or $8826/hr*
What is the highest-paid nurse? Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists! Earning $183,580 annually, CRNAs earn significantly more than any other type of nurse or nursing specialty. This highly skilled profession involves preparing and administering anesthesia to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Certifications And Licensure For Nurse Practitioners
States require NPs to meet licensure requirements as an advanced practice registered nurse . A state nursing board typically oversees the licensing process. There is no national test similar to the NCLEX-RN for APRNs. Instead, state boards require NP certification as one of the criteria for APRN licensure. Nursing associations, such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, administer NP certification programs.
Family Nurse Practitioner Certification
This entry-level, competency-based exam tests examinees’ clinical knowledge in individual and family care across the lifespan. Questions cover several FNP knowledge areas, including biopsychosocial principles, differential diagnosis, patient and family education and counseling, and diagnostic and therapeutic tests and procedures.
Certified Nurse Midwife
Administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board, this credential requires at least an MSN and a valid RN license. Applicants must also demonstrate clinical experience in women’s health, including providing reproductive care, assisting in infant delivery and newborn care, and managing sexually transmitted diseases.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Certification
Accelerated Msn Psychiatric Np Programs
Who is it right for? Those with anon-nursing bachelors degree
Many graduate nursing programs also allow you to enroll directly if you have your RN license and a bachelors in a non-nursing-related field.
Some schools may also accept non-nurses with bachelors degrees to fast-track them into a masters program by the end of the program, you will have earned your RN and be eligible to sit for the NP certifying exam as well.
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Top 10 Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
To see the details of each online program and review the rest of this years top schools, skip down to the full list of 2021s .
California State University San Bernardino

Master of Science in Nursing
WebsiteCalifornia State University San Bernardino offers a unique MSN program that allows students to pursue concentrations in either Population-Based Nursing, Advanced Public/Community Health, or Nursing Education. Students in the former programs select populations of focus and develop healthcare systems that leverage community resources to create the largest sustainable impact on a presiding health issue. In the latter program, students work to develop a curriculum that introduces nursing students to the technologies, theories, and principles of modern nursing. This hybrid-online program offers scheduling flexibility through three different degree tracks and a foundational core curriculum for all three specializations.Tuition and Fees: $13,396.00/year
WebsiteThe robust San Francisco State University nursing program is perfect for any student of any vocation who wants to become a leader in the nursing field. Registered Nurses practicing in the field and novices with no nursing experience whatsoever can achieve an MSN through SFSU’s numerous degree tracks. The entry-level Master of Science in Nursing program, for instance, prepares students for national certification in nursing while simultaneously granting them a BSN and MSN in just four years. This program allows students to choose among concentrations in Clinical Nursing Specialist, Nursing Administration, and Public Communication/Health.Tuition and Fees: $13,314.00/year
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Applicants Without A High School Diploma Or College Degree In The Us:
- If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
- If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.
This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, due to the amount of online courses.
If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs
Nurse practitioners offer primary, acute, and specialty health care services to specific patient populations. For example, pediatric NPs work with patients from infancy through early adulthood, and acute care NPs care for critically ill patients. Although the scope of practice for NPs varies by state, many NPs work as independent practitioners, diagnosing and treating patients and prescribing medications.
Earning your degree from an MSN-NP program can lead to a rewarding career with flexible hours, high pay, and plenty of job opportunities. In 2020, NPs, CRNAs, and CNMs earned a median income of $117,670. In addition, the BLS projects that jobs for NPs will increase 52% between 2020 and 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing professions in the U.S.
Many nurse practitioner master’s programs require applicants to have at least one year of nursing experience before enrolling. Some programs require prospective students to have two years of clinical nursing experience. However, applicants to direct-entry MSN programs do not need to be licensed RNs.
Research suggests that NPs provide the same quality of care as physicians. However, in some states, nurse practitioners’ scope of practice is reduced or restricted. In reduced practice states, NPs can diagnose and treat patients but can only prescribe medication under a doctor’s supervision. In restricted practice states, NPs require physician oversight to diagnose, prescribe, and treat patients.
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Northwesterns Online Nurse Practitioner Program Ranked No 1 In Us
Northwestern Oklahoma State Universitys online nurse practitioner program has been named the best in the country out of 203 accredited colleges and universities in the nation evaluated by Intelligent.com. Criteria used for the ranking included flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost and reputation.
Intelligent.com created a Top 35 Nurse Practitioner Programs list from their evaluations. Northwestern is the top-ranked nursing school in this listing.
We are extremely proud of our faculty and staff members who work hard to give our students the best experiences to maximize learning, Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said. Receiving affirmation from outside sources shows that our students learn from the best through an affordable program, and gain employment after graduation.
Other factors Intelligent.com used to evaluate each program included program strength, student readiness, return on investment, cost and student engagement. According to their website, they looked at how easy it would be to earn back the cost of each degree program. They calculated the average weekly wages of the occupations that a particular degree leads to versus the cost of the program.
This recognition validates the hard work of our faculty as they prepare students for advanced clinical practice. This achievement also confirms the competency and readiness for practice of our graduates.
-NW-
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program Ranked No 2 Nationally
Thursday, Jun 10, 2021
The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovations Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs have been ranked the second best in the country according to RegisteredNursing.org.
The College offers Primary Care and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs in both campus-based and accelerated online formats. UTA is also one of only about 20 Pediatric Nursing Certification Board recognized Dual Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs across the county.
The pediatric programs in our College are incredibly strong, producing highly-qualified nurse practitioners who go on to provide exceptional care in their communities. The importance of this discipline is paramount as the country faces multiple health crises, and children our one of our most vulnerable populations, said Dr. John Gonzalez, Clinical Assistant Professor and Chair, Department of Graduate Nursing. Our faculty and staff exemplify excellence, and it is an honor for them to be acknowledged for the first-rate education they provide.
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs at CONHI prepare graduates as entry-level nurse practitioners in their specialty of choice, primary care or acute care. Many students go on to work full-time in private outpatient pediatric clinics, intensive care units, and emergency rooms depending on their program.
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How Much Do Online Np Programs Cost
Online nurse practitioner programs, like any other degree, range in cost depending on the institution, number of credits required, and whether the student plans to transfer any existing hours when they matriculate. The following list gives prospective degree seekers a sense of what to expect, but they should check with individual schools to get exact numbers. In general, online degrees tend to cost less, both in terms of per-credit fees and savings on transportation, housing, and other costs related to studying on campus.
1 |
$1,385 per credit |
How Do I Become A Womens Health Nurse
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How To Become An Advanced Practice Nurse
Becoming anadvanced practice registered nurse such as a nursepractitioner, certified nurse midwife, or clinical nursespecialistinvolves a combination of accredited graduate education,work experience, and credentialing.
Here is abasic step-by-step guide to joining one of these growing healthcareprofessions:
Accreditation For Nursing Degrees

Prospective nurse practitioner students should always choose an accredited school and program. Accredited NP degrees meet the educational requirement for professional licenses and certifications. Choosing an unaccredited program can thus affect a nurses job prospects after earning a nurse practitioner degree.
The best nurse practitioner programs hold accreditation from either the Accreditation Commission For Education In Nursing or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education . Learn more about why accreditation matters in our accreditation guide.
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How Much Do Nurse Practitioner Programs Cost
The costs of Nurse Practitioner programs vary depending on numerous variables, including whether you choose to attend an in-state public program or a private university, whether you will need to relocate to attend a full-time program where you will need room and board, and whether you are taking the program on a part-time, per-credit basis or a full-time tuition basis.
The costs for MSN nursing programs can easily reach $60,000 to $100,000, with DNP programs costing almost twice that as a result of the additional coursework required.
Fortunately, there are numerous opportunities for full-time students to take advantage of financial aid such as the FAFSA program and nursing scholarships, and for those who are studying part-time or online while working to seek tuition reimbursement from their employers.
What About Clinical Hours
All nursepractitioner, nurse-midwife, and clinical nurse specialist programsrequire a specific number of clinical hours. These hands-onexperiences help give advanced practice nurses employment-readyskills through the guidance of experts.
For online programs, preceptorships can be completed near a students home at an approved facility, and are a required component of the program. Please note that some distance-based APRN programs put limitations on where a student can complete a preceptorship. NPSchools.com includes this information in all school profiles.
For workingnurses, the hours may be completed at their place of employment withpermission from their program supervisor or director. Other sourcesfor finding approved facilities and mentors include preceptor listsavailable from the American Nurses Credentialing Center , theENP Network, State Boards of Nursing, professional associations,LinkedIn, and local healthcare facilities. In all cases, aspiringNPs, CNMs, and CNSs should ensure they have preceptor approval fromtheir graduate program prior to completing any hours.
The numberof required clinical hours depends on a students priorpreceptorships, completed education, and specialization. Typically,MSN-NP programs will require the student to complete a minimum of 500clinical hours, while DNP-NP programs will require the student tocomplete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours.
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What Is An Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program Like
With many schools now offering Family Nurse Practitioner programs online, you may be curious about what it might be like to enroll in one especially if you haven’t experienced much distance-learning before. The first thing to know is that an online FNP program is educationally equivalent to a traditional, campus-based program. As long as the online program you choose is properly accredited by a respected agency such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing , and approved by your state’s Board of Nursing, you can rest assured that you will be getting the same great education as your in-class peers.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentration trains students to serve children within the context of their families and provide individualized and culturally competent care. You will complete your clinical experiences in a wide variety of settings with expert pediatric care providers.
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Nursing Jobs And Salaries
Depending on your certification, nursing careers may include fields like:
- Acute care
- Long-term care institutions
- Hospitals
Licensed nurses may also serve as practitioners, educators and managers in the health field. Nurses also have options in the travel & tourism industry, as travel nurses are often in high demand.
Salaries in the field increase with experience. Registered nurses can expect starting salaries from $45,000 to $50,000 per year, and those that have a specialty like critical care, could start at $60,000 or more. Practical nurses have lower starting salaries, at around $43,000 per year.
Online Np Program Specializations
Interested in a more specialized online nurse practitioner program? Nurse practitioners have a wide range of education and career tracks from which to choose. Get the details on these popular specializations, or read on to learn how todays online nurse practitioner programs work.
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How We Ranked The Nurse Practitioner Programs On This List
As you can see, there may be some surprises in the rankings here if youve done any research elsewhere. However, we stand by our rankings because we grade each school based on what we believe are the most important criteria how much you pay, the student-to-faculty ratio, and the graduation rate. Other factors that we consider included the number of programs each school offered and what students said about each school.
In cases where there was no available information on a point, we tried to rank the school accordingly based on what information we possessed. For example, some schools did not share their graduation rates, making them fall a little lower than they may have done otherwise.
We prefer the three main criteria that we included because it gives you an idea of how much debt youll have when you finish, your chances of success, and how much interaction youll get with professors during your training a factor that is critical when finding nurse practitioner programs that you can trust for your needs. The graduation rates are based on the average between full-time and part-time students, with the latter usually graduating at a lower rate, bringing down the overall average.
Informatics Nurse: Annual $80265 Or $3859/hr*

Nursing, meet technology. This is one of the most in-demand nursing fields with unlimited growth thanks to the ongoing implementation of electronic medical records. According to the American Medical Informatics Association, informatics nursing integrates nursing with the management of information and communication technologies to promote public health.
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The Best Texas Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Take the first step to becoming a nurse practitioner in Texas by exploring the top-ranked NP programs and schools in the state.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Texas offers numerous advantages for advanced practice nurses, and many of the state’s top universities feature online nurse practitioner programs. The average annual salary of $115,440 for Texas NPs outpaces the $111,840 national average. In addition, Texas ranks 10th in the U.S. for NP job growth, with a 31.9% projected increase from 2018-28.
Nurse practitioner programs in Texas prepare nurses for state licensure as advanced practice registered nurses and for national certification in their specialty areas. One of the most popular specializations trains family nurse practitioners . Many nurse practitioner schools in Texas offer online FNP programs.
NPs earn their graduate degrees in 2-4 years, completing coursework, capstones, and clinical practicums. While core courses include advanced pathophysiology, health assessment, and population health, the bulk of the curriculum focuses on students’ concentration areas. Distance learning combines online classes with on site clinical experience.
University Of California San Francisco
Tuition: $60,482 per year in-state, $72,727 per year non-resident
While the focus of the psychiatric nurse practitioner program at UCSF is on all demographics, students have the option to complete their residency while focusing on a specific age group. This program is ideal for nurses who want to work exclusively with adults or children.
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What To Look For In An Online Nurse Practitioner Program
Be wary when NP programs offer a fast track to a six-figure salary. While NPs enjoy high pay, they earn their role through rigorous study. Classwork and clinical rotations prepare them to administer effective care, shape healthcare policies, and maintain professional standards. Candidates searching for a quality NP program should prioritize the following factors.
Do Students Have To Find Their Own Preceptor Or Clinical Site Can They Do Their Clinical Rotations Where They Work
Students are not required to find their own preceptor or clinical site. UMSON faculty members are committed to assigning students to clinical sites that are appropriate for course and program objectives. We are fortunate to have contacts with many nurse practitioner alumni and other providers who serve as preceptors. UMSON has clinical contracts with agencies in a variety of settings across the state of Maryland and in Washington, D.C. Students with a particular clinical site/preceptor of interest may forward the contact information to the course faculty member so the faculty member can determine whether the site is appropriate to meet the course objectives. Students should not complete their clinical rotations in the specific environments where they are employed due to a potential conflict of interest. Final approval of clinical site placement is at the faculty members discretion.
Clinical practicum settings are outpatient and community-based, such as in a family practice, primary care office, public and private clinics, and urgent care centers. Students will practice with nurse practitioners and physicians and will complete clinical practicum hours in womens health, adult, geriatric, and pediatric populations. Clinical hours are generally obtained Monday through Friday during routine office hours. It is not uncommon for students to commute 1-2 hours one way to clinical sites.
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