Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Admits only in fall
Our Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program has ranked #8 in the U.S. News and World Report 2017 Rankings of Top Nursing Programs.
Maximizing the health of children within the context of their families, communities, and environmental settings, the Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specialty is designed to prepare graduates to care for children from birth through young adulthood in pediatric primary healthcare including well child care and prevention/management of common pediatric acute illnesses and chronic conditions.
Graduates of this specialty track are eligible to apply for national certification by examination. You will learn more about the certification organizations appropriate for this specialty during the completion of your program. Upon successful completion of the certification examination, Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners are eligible for licensure in all 50 states, including Colorado , where licensure is granted as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and is required for practice.
Choosing A Nurse Practitioner Program
- Accreditation- It is important to know the school you select has a MSN or DNP program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education . This accreditation ensures the program meets requirements to ensure the quality and integrity of nursing programs.
- Program Length- MSN program length is approximately 2 years. Many programs offer full-time or part-time student status that affects the length of time for completion. DNP program length averages 1.5-2 years for MSN-DNP and approximately 3-4 years for BSN-DNP
- Program Cost and Credits- The average cost for MSN/DNP program is $600-$700 per credit. The tuition is higher for those students from out of state though many programs offer some sort of financial assistance for qualified applicants
- MSN total credits: 40-50 credits with 500+ clinical hours
- DNP total credits: 30 credit hours after Master’s degree completion with 1000+ clinical hours
To enter a MSN program in the state of Colorado, the requirements are as follows:
- BSN from accredited nursing program with GPA of 2.75 or better
- Active RN license in the state of Colorado
- Minimum one-year RN experience
- In general, the GRE is not required
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Master Of Science In Nursing
Bridging Your Practice for the Future
No Campus Visits Required
The graduate nursing program builds upon and expands the knowledge, values and skills of the baccalaureate prepared nurse. The College offers three options of advanced study leading to a Master of Science in Nursing degree.
- Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
In addition to specialty courses which prepare for expanded clinical roles in adult/gero health, family health, or psychiatric-mental health the student gains experience with research, health care policy, nursing theory, clinical problem solving/critical thinking and creativity.
We also offer a Post-Master’s Certificate program. The post-graduate certificate program builds upon and expands the knowledge, values, and skills of the Master’s prepared nurse. The College offers the option of advanced study for Primary Care Nurse Practitioner leading to a Post-Master’s Certificate. Learn more about the certificate program.
Upon completion of the MSN program, the graduate will be able to:
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What Is The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Fellowship
If you are a recent graduate of a neonatal nurse practitioner program looking to transition into practice, you could do so under the guidance of some of the most accomplished NNPs in the country. The Childrens Hospital Colorado NNP Fellowship was the first NNP fellowship in the country accredited with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accreditation Program.
Our NNP fellowship is a one-year program that helps NNPs transition to practice in . The fellowship is designed to facilitate the transition of a recent NNP graduate from a masters or doctoral student to a competent and confident NNP. After successful completion of the fellowship, graduates may then be invited to join the Childrens Colorado NNP Program, which supports neonatal intensive care units and special care nurseries throughout Colorados Front Range region.
The NNP fellowship incorporates precepted clinical practice, educational content, clinical lab and simulation instruction, scholarly project guidance, peer-support and mentorship. We hope to promote life-long learning in NNP practice and aim to recruit and retain top NNPs to the Childrens Colorado NNP Program.
The fellowship allows new NNP graduates to work and learn in a clinical setting while obtaining their requisite licenses and credentials. It also creates a more consistent and formal process to prepare NNPs to confidently lead care autonomously in a NICU or another nursery.
Why Pursue An Online Nurse Practitioner Program In Colorado

Many experienced RNs in Colorado eventually wish to advance their careers by going back to school to become Nurse Practitioners . In addition to being able to enter a rewarding specialty area, NPs in the state help to offset MD shortages and provide care both broad and specific in scope to a wide variety of residents. Simply put, NPs are a valuable asset to the healthcare team.
Online NP programs have grown in popularity in recent years. Many students are able to continue working through their NP programs, and/or keep up with familial obligations and busy schedules. Many online NP programs in Colorado allow for full or part-time attendance, and eliminate the need for lengthy commutes. In addition to this, many specializations are available so that students can enter advanced practice in the care area that they love. Whether you wish to pursue an MSN degree, a post-graduate certificate, or even a doctoral program like the DNP, becoming a nurse practitioner in Colorado is within reach thanks to distance learning.
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Paying For University Of Colorado Colorado Springs Online Np Programs
The online MSN, BSN to DNP, and certificate programs cost $816.75 per credit plus fees. Interested students should contact the College of Nursing and Health Sciences for current tuition and fees.
UCCS graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal student loans by applying through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid . Alternate options for funding may include employer tuition reimbursement programs or tuition discounts, private loans, and organizational and community scholarships and grants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Ready to Start Your Healthcare Journey?
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Beth-El College of Nursing offers a traditional BSN program, an RN to BSN option and an Allied Health Completion Program, which allows those who hold a degree in an Allied Health to enroll for a BSN degree.
The nursing school at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – Traditional is a public institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its nursing programs are accredited by ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA.
Degree types you can earn at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – Traditional include Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing, and the school provides it offerings to students via campus and online formats. The level of nursing programs offered to nursing students include Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, Master, MSN to DNP, Post Master’s NP Certificate and RN to BSN level degrees.
For nursing students in Colorado, the state average NCLEX passing rate for ADN programs is 85.13% and for BSN programs is 87.31%. The average national NCLEX passing rate for ADN programs is 85.48% and for BSN programs is 87.22%.
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Why You Should Care About The Nursing Programs Accreditation
Nursing students who complete their studies at a non-accredited university will not be able to sit for the NCLEX. Therefore, they will face immense challenges in securing stable, well-paying jobs. Why? Because students who do not take the NCLEX are not eligible to work as Registered Nurses.
The two nursing program accrediting organizations are,
These accrediting bodies ensure that all accredited nursing programs adhere to the same standard and criteria.
Every school on this list is accredited by one of these institutions, but other nursing schools may not be. Always double check.
Welcome To The University Of Colorado College Of Nursing
At the University of Colorado College of Nursing, students learn in an environment that is steeped in history and driven by the future. With 17 programs,4 nurse-led practices in 9 locations and two major Colorado hospitals on the Rocky Mountain Regions largest academic medical campus, the college offers career paths that fit diverse goals. CU Nursing baccalaureate,masters and doctoral students learn with state-of-the art technology and advanced learning methods on the world-class Anschutz Medical Campus. The offerings include traditional, online and accelerated programs and continuing education. The birthplace of the nurse practitioner program, CU Nursing boasts a reputation as a leader and pioneer in nursing education. Come join us.
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The University Of Colorado Colorado Springs Online Msn Programs
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers three fully online MSN programs in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The FNP and AGPCNP MSN tracks require the completion of 47 course credits, while the PMHNP MSN program requires the completion of 48 credits. All three specializations contain the same 22-23 credit MSN Core, which includes Philosophical Foundations in Nursing Practice, Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics, Advanced Health Assessment, Research Analysis and Application, and Advanced Nursing Practice and Health Care Policy. After students complete the core classes, they progress to specialization courses.
The Family Nurse Practitioner program is comprised of classes such as Primary Care of Pediatric Patients, Primary Care of Acute Health Conditions, and Primary Care of Chronic Health Conditions. The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program includes classes such as Primary Care of Geriatric Patients and Families, Primary Care of Chronic Health Conditions, and Primary Care of Acute Health Conditions. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program includes classes such as Mental Health Assessment and Interventions Across the Lifespan, Adult Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP.
Top Colorado Dnp Programs
To find the best DNP programs in CO, we analyzed independent rankings for nursing graduate degrees, prioritizing any Colorado school with a high DNP placement in U.S. News & World Report. In the final reckoning, we also considered factors such as resources, clinical affiliations, and independent reviews.
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Salary And Job Outlook For Msn Degree Holders In Colorado
The median annual salary for an RN in Colorado was set at $77,860 in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 research. This is slightly higher than the national average of $75,330. However, the cost of living is around 8% higher than the national average. This means that RNs have a lower comfort score in Colorado than in other states.
However, it must also be said that there is a huge variation in the salaries of RNs depending on where they are in the state. The top 10% earn $104,070 and above, with the bottom 10% earning $55,820. The bottom 10% in particular is far lower than the national average.
Most RNs in Colorado work in Denver and Aurora. Indeed, more than half of the nurses work there. This is because the salaries there are higher than the state average. Additionally, the cost of living in Aurora in particular is not too high either. The highest salaries are enjoyed in Boulder, where the annual mean wage for RNs is $82,780.
It has been shown across the state the those with the highest levels of education also earn the highest salaries. This is a very good reason to study towards an MSN, or even a doctorate degree. Those who are in the bottom 10% generally only hold an associates degree.
University Of Colorado Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs : Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers online Family Nurse Practitioner , Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner , and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. The FNP and AGPCNP programs are offered at the MSN, post-MSN, and DNP level, while the PMHNP program is offered at the MSN and post-MSN level. All programs include asynchronous instruction, which allows students to complete the modules according to their own schedule. No campus visits are required for this program. Students interact with course faculty and classmates through the Canvas online learning management system.
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Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
The traditional pathway is a full-time Bachelor of Science option for those who have never been to college or those who have a degree. It is a 24-month program that includes classroom, clinical simulation, and clinical practice. This program is offered at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and the CU South Denver location in Parker. Students must have 60 semester hours of transferable coursework before admission into the program including specific courses from 16 prerequisite areas. Previous courses must be less than 10 years old. There is no waitlist for the program.
Excellence In Nursing Education
As one of the top nursing schools in Colorado, the Loretto Heights School of Nursing has been training generations of nursing professionals since 1948. Our graduates are recognized for their knowledge, competence, compassion, ethics and leadership abilities, as well as their commitment to social justice and community service.
Preparation for national certification is incorporated into the curriculum, with Regis University FNP graduates having one of the highest pass rates in the U.S. The work throughout the family nurse practitioner program is ambitious and the learning is intensive, but the rewards will be evident throughout your career.
To apply directly to the Family Nurse Practitioner program, you will need:
- Completed online application through NursingCAS
- Official degree bearing transcript sent directly to NursingCAS
- Three professional letters of recommendation
- Resume and Essay
- Admissions interview may be required
Eligibility:
- Nursing bachelor’s degree from a NLN or AACN-CCNE accredited program
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher, with a grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses
- Completion of a statistics course with a grade of C or better
- Active RN license
- Current AHA Basic Life Support certification
- Two years of clinical practice as an RN
Tuition and Fees
Program tuition: $910 per credit hourTotal program credits: 48 credit hours
Additional fees may include background check and drug screen costs, application fees and clinical fees, among others.
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Overview: University Of Colorado Colorado Springs: Helen And Arthur E Johnson Beth
Program Overview Program Specialty: Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Type: MSN Program Structure: Online instruction with clinical hours requirements Website: www.uccs.edu/bethel/
Program Requirements Clinical Hours Requirements: 630 clinical hours required Number of Credits Required: 47 credits needed to graduate Number of Campus Visits Required: 0
Program Options Curriculum Options: Part-time only Program Length: Program can be completed in 32 months when enrolled full-time and 44 months when enrolled part-time Program Start Date: Fall and Spring start dates Number of Terms: Full-Time: 8 semesters Part-Time 11 semesters
Requirements and Tuition Application Requirements: BSN required current RN GPA: Minimum GPA 2.75 Standardized Testing: Not required Tuition: ~$36,213.50 + fees Cost Per Credit Hour: $770.50 per credit hour
Eligibility Restrictions: Programs currently accept students from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming
University Of Northern Colorado
UNCs flexible DNP program is run by the UNC Extended Campus and the UNC School of Nursing. Over the years, the School has earned respectable national rankings and strong NCLEX pass rates. Nursing faculty are experienced and alumni are switched-on. Its also fairly affordable. The Extended Campus flat tuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and there are no student fees.
UNC may be a good pick if you want a School of Nursing with a small, supportive feel. One reviewer of the BSN program was quick to point out that the School had great clinical sites & internship opportunities and a reputation for thoroughness. To ensure students are ready for the real world, the BSN to DNP pathway contains a minimum of 1,245 clinical/simulation/lab hours and plenty of practical work.
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The University Of Colorado Colorado Springs Online Dnp Programs
UCCS also offers a 70-credit BSN to DNP program. This program includes the same FNP and AGPCNP specializations that the MSN and post-MSN certificate programs offer however, the PMHNP specialization is not currently offered at the DNP level. Students in the BSN to DNP programs can complete their curriculum in three years of full-time study or five years of part-time study.
Students in the BSN to DNP programs typically take the same MSN core and specialization classes with additional coursework at the DNP level. This includes courses like: Organizational Leadership and Quality Improvement Inferential Statistics Advanced Health Care Policy, Ethics and Law and Clinical Nursing Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice. Students in the DNP program must also complete a capstone DNP project, which is a scholarly manuscript for publication. Students are required to fulfill 1,170 clinical practicum hours at a local medical facility under the supervision of a preceptor and program faculty member.
Nursing Msn Family Nurse Practitioner
Family nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who implement a holistic approach to the primary care of patients and their families. Keiser Universitys College of Nursing online Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program helps provide registered nurses with the advanced knowledge and clinical skills they will need to serve the health care needs of clients across the age spectrum. As an MSN-FNP student, you will receive a strong foundation in health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and the management of acute and chronic diseases. During clinical practicums, you will have the opportunity to apply the skills you have learned in the classroom to real-world health care environments.
Graduates are required to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Examination in order to be licensed and to work as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Graduates of the MSN and MSN-FNP programs are also eligible to apply for Keiser Universitys College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
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