Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs: A Comprehensive Guide
With a projected job growth rate of 46.3%, nurse practitioners are among the most sought-after professionals in healthcare today. As a working registered nurse (RN), you may already realize the opportunities available, which is likely why you’re here to learn about becoming an NP yourself. But are you ready to earn another degree and take on more responsibility? Learn how you can take the next big step in your nursing career with an online NP program.
Before Your NP Program
Becoming a nurse practitioner is a major commitment. It means earning an advanced degree (MSN or DNP) and taking on more responsibility when it comes to patients and supporting physicians. Before you begin, make sure you’re ready. Ask yourself a few important questions first. Here are five big ones to get you started:
- Am I ready for the level of education required? Becoming a nurse practitioner means earning a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
- Do I enjoy managing and diagnosing patient care independently? Working as an NP means a new level of independence you haven’t experienced as a registered nurse.
- Do I have a patient population you’re passionate about? Family practice? Pediatrics? It’s always good to have direction in your career so you can have direction in your NP studies.
- Am I comfortable making tough decisions under pressure?
- Am I prepared to study for and pass all licensing requirements in the state where I practice?
Inside Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
What is a nurse practitioner program? When you hear that term, it means a degree program such as an MSN or a DNP that allows you to work as a NP. Online nurse practitioner programs are designed with working RNs in mind, often featuring didactic coursework presented entirely online. Coursework may be delivered in an asynchronous format, meaning that students can access and complete their studies at any time that fits their busy work and life schedules.
It’s not uncommon, however, for many “online NP programs” to be in a hybrid format, which includes some on-campus classes, short-term residencies, or other campus-based activities. Also, with the possible exception of a few NP programs focused on specialties not requiring clinical practice, online NP students still need to complete in-person clinical rotation requirements at program-affiliated medical facilities.
Let’s take a closer look at three schools with online degree pathways to becoming a nurse practitioner. See if one of these formats could be right for you.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
The MSN is the most popular credential for gaining the knowledge and training to become a nurse practitioner. MSN programs are available in every NP specialization field. Most require between two and three years to complete, depending on your chosen specialization and study pace. As mentioned above, most MSN programs include extensive clinical hours requirements.
There are two types of nurse practitioner MSN programs: the RN to MSN bridge program (for RNs with associate degrees in nursing) and the BSN to MSN (for RNs with nursing bachelor’s degrees). Some MSN programs also admit students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees.
University of Missouri: Family Nurse Practitioner
Duration: Two to three years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $630 per credit hour (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on your last 60 credit hours of undergraduate nursing coursework or evidence of outstanding professional leadership, practice, and/or scholarship
Curriculum:
- Advanced Nursing Roles and Professional Communication
- Scientific Foundations for Health Sciences
- Translational Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- Public Health, Sociocultural Issues, and Health Policy
- Practice Inquiry
- Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics
- Advanced Health Assessment and Promotion
- Family Dynamics and Intervention
- Adult and Geriatric Primary Care I & II
- Newborn Through Adolescence Primary Care
- Reproductive and Sexual Health Primary Care
- Advanced Diagnostics and Reasoning I
- Advanced Clinical Nursing Practicum
Best for: Registered nurses with a BSN degree seeking to become NPs for the first time
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Post-Master’s Certificate
Nurse practitioner post-master’s certificates allow nurses with MSN degrees to train for a specific NP specialized practice without having to take on an additional entire graduate degree program. Most certificate programs require between one and two years to complete, depending on specialization, school, and the student’s study pace. Like with MSN programs, you’ll find online certificate programs available in all NP specialized areas of practice. Also, as with MSN programs, you’ll likely be completing substantial in-person clinical internships/practicums as part of your course of study.
Duration: 12 to 16 months
Mode: Online with in-person clinicals
Cost: $834 per credit hour (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements: an MSN from a regionally accredited institution with an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher, a current unencumbered NP license in a specialty other than the discipline you want to study, and a current unencumbered RN license in the United States
Curriculum
- Care of Persons Across the Life Span Psychiatric Mental Health Concerns for Advanced Practice Professionals — Theory I, II, & III
- Advanced Practice Nursing Care Across the Life Span of Persons with Mental Health Concerns — Medication Management
- Care of Persons Across the Life Span Psychiatric Mental Health Concerns for Advanced Practice Professionals — Practicum I, II, & III
Best for: MSN degree holders seeking to expand their nursing practices to include an additional NP specialization
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Doctor of Nursing Practice programs provide students with the ability to expand their nursing practices with an NP specialization while also preparing for top-level healthcare leadership roles. Most NP specializations are available in fully-online or partially-online formats. Many programs offer both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP options, each with its own total credit and clinical hours requirements. Program lengths also vary, with MSN to DNP programs typically requiring two to three years and BSN to DNP programs taking three to five years to complete.
Ohio State University: BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Duration: three to four years
Mode: Online with in-person clinicals
Cost: $1,159.95 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements: an active RN license, a BSN degree, a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in your last degree earned (relevant to program of study), and completed prerequisite statistics course with a grade of B- or higher
Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology
- Evidence Based Practice
- Health Promotion, Theory, and Population Health
- Health Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Implementation of Evidence Based Practice
- Health Informatics
- Leadership
- Healthcare Economics and Finance
- System Application I, II, III, & IV
- Final Seminar
Best for: RNs seeking to gain an advantage in the competition for top-level advanced nursing practice and leadership roles
Student Support: FAQs About NP Programs
What is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse?
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is an umbrella title for a variety of advanced specialized roles for registered nurses. Included under this umbrella are nurse practitioners in all specializations, certified registered nurse anesthesiologists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, and others.
If you’re interested in becoming an APRN, you’ll find online programs available in all of these APRN occupations. You can also expect to complete substantial in-person clinical internships or practicums as part of your APRN online program requirements, no matter which occupation you pursue.
What is the easiest NP program to get into?
“Easy” can be a relative term. When it comes to NP programs, it can be applied to several program elements. In terms of credential type, RN to MSN programs often provide the most convenient path for registered nurses advancing into NP roles.
In regard to specializations, those often featuring the most generous admissions and curriculum requirements include family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology care NP programs. In practical terms, however, the easiest NP program for you will be the one that best suits your professional practice interests and goals.
What is the quickest way to become a nurse practitioner?
RN to MSN programs are not only among the easiest paths to becoming an NP, they’re often the quickest as well, at least for students without a previously earned master’s degree. RN to MSN programs allow a registered nurse with an associate degree in nursing to, in essence, combine coursework that would normally have been part of a BSN program with MSN coursework into a single curriculum that can be completed in a little as two years full-time and three years part-time.
How long does an online NP program take?
We’ve touched on the many online academic paths you can take to becoming a nurse practitioner, each geared toward a particular student type and background, and each with its own range of program lengths. Here’s a brief recap:
- RN to MSN: two to three years
- BSN to MSN: two to three years
- Post-master’s certificate: one to two years
- BSN to DNP: three to five years
- MSN to DNP: two to three years
Remember that these are general program lengths. Your particular program may take more or less time, especially when you consider study pace (full-time, part-time, or self-paced).
Can you become an NP without being an RN?
No, you cannot become an NP without being an RN first. Regardless of which of the many paths available you choose to get your NP education, you need to qualify for advanced nursing licensure and practice as a nurse practitioner. Before you can get to this step, you must obtain licensure as an RN. Many NP programs will also require you to have a set number of clinical-professional experience hours as an RN before you can enroll.
Tuition & Fees for Online NP Degrees
Regardless of the chosen degree or certificate path, cost is a major concern for many nurse practitioner students. If you’re ready to get started on your online NP education but are worried about affording it, there are plenty of affordable online NP programs you can consider.
Below, we’ve provided cost figures for five online NP programs currently offered. Along with the ones listed in the programs profiled earlier, these figures will provide you with a general idea of what you can expect to find during your NP program search. Bear in mind that some of these figures do not include additional costs for various program fees, such as books and materials and travel expenses for attending in-person clinicals, all of which will add to your total program price tag.
While total fees may initially feel overwhelming, you should keep in mind that you’re likely eligible for a number of financial aid resources for NP students that can help you lower that price tag as well.
| School Name | Program Type | Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Ball State University | Master of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN) | $464/credit hour; $250 course fees |
| Sacred Heart University | Post-Master’s FNP Certificate | $955/credit hour; $150 course fees |
| University of Arkansas | BSN to DNP | $594.77/credit hour; $50,910.45 total tuition and fees |
| University of South Alabama | DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $594/credit hour plus additional fees |
| University of Texas-Arlington | RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner | $654/credit hour; $38,308 total tuition and fees |
Salary & Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $94,530 | $126,260 | $168,030 |
| Alabama | $82,340 | $103,830 | $136,190 |
| Alaska | $70,100 | $133,930 | $179,040 |
| Arizona | $99,220 | $130,960 | $165,930 |
| Arkansas | $93,880 | $109,330 | $136,280 |
| California | $86,190 | $164,050 | $227,310 |
| Colorado | $81,110 | $124,280 | $161,450 |
| Connecticut | $101,380 | $135,390 | $174,240 |
| Delaware | $106,420 | $130,260 | $164,600 |
| Florida | $93,380 | $120,370 | $153,470 |
| Georgia | $91,770 | $119,490 | $165,140 |
| Hawaii | $100,880 | $129,160 | $165,240 |
| Idaho | $97,920 | $122,660 | $155,210 |
| Illinois | $98,650 | $126,950 | $160,930 |
| Indiana | $100,500 | $124,470 | $147,490 |
| Iowa | $104,930 | $126,620 | $164,250 |
| Kansas | $98,480 | $119,930 | $141,690 |
| Kentucky | $77,530 | $109,530 | $134,220 |
| Louisiana | $86,380 | $118,830 | $153,360 |
| Maine | $102,490 | $123,140 | $149,150 |
| Maryland | $87,810 | $127,990 | $163,650 |
| Massachusetts | $107,200 | $138,570 | $185,850 |
| Michigan | $98,290 | $122,040 | $140,400 |
| Minnesota | $105,490 | $131,000 | $160,060 |
| Mississippi | $85,990 | $110,540 | $157,050 |
| Missouri | $86,580 | $117,910 | $140,210 |
| Montana | $99,890 | $127,570 | $151,560 |
| Nebraska | $86,830 | $122,410 | $157,950 |
| Nevada | $109,530 | $138,780 | $204,510 |
| New Hampshire | $104,400 | $128,490 | $159,650 |
| New Jersey | $100,110 | $142,950 | $178,300 |
| New Mexico | $95,210 | $133,090 | $170,730 |
| New York | $100,510 | $137,630 | $180,690 |
| North Carolina | $96,630 | $121,450 | $145,600 |
| North Dakota | $105,040 | $124,040 | $159,740 |
| Ohio | $101,400 | $123,690 | $152,040 |
| Oklahoma | $78,870 | $124,070 | $161,100 |
| Oregon | $110,000 | $137,440 | $182,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,530 | $126,140 | $162,820 |
| Rhode Island | $109,300 | $128,720 | $166,460 |
| South Carolina | $95,660 | $112,510 | $140,160 |
| South Dakota | $96,260 | $119,410 | $149,650 |
| Tennessee | $53,450 | $105,420 | $132,190 |
| Texas | $98,160 | $126,580 | $165,340 |
| Utah | $83,070 | $123,200 | $171,000 |
| Vermont | $103,940 | $123,920 | $158,020 |
| Virginia | $84,740 | $123,950 | $153,400 |
| Washington | $113,460 | $141,040 | $181,720 |
| West Virginia | $82,540 | $108,830 | $147,250 |
| Wisconsin | $105,880 | $126,910 | $156,930 |
| Wyoming | $80,220 | $122,950 | $159,970 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| Alabama | 4,540 | 6,770 | 2,230 | 49.10% | 470 |
| Alaska | 500 | 550 | 50 | 10.00% | 30 |
| Arizona | 6,540 | 11,200 | 4,660 | 71.30% | 860 |
| Arkansas | 3,000 | 4,840 | 1,840 | 61.30% | 360 |
| California | 21,500 | 34,100 | 12,600 | 58.60% | 2,500 |
| Colorado | 3,700 | 5,780 | 2,080 | 56.20% | 420 |
| Connecticut | 3,150 | 4,560 | 1,410 | 44.80% | 310 |
| Delaware | 1,000 | 1,550 | 550 | 55.00% | 110 |
| District of Columbia | 600 | 850 | 250 | 41.70% | 60 |
| Florida | 18,910 | 29,980 | 11,070 | 58.50% | 2,190 |
| Georgia | 7,900 | 12,500 | 4,600 | 58.20% | 910 |
| Idaho | 900 | 1,440 | 540 | 60.00% | 110 |
| Illinois | 8,970 | 12,660 | 3,690 | 41.10% | 850 |
| Indiana | 6,550 | 9,550 | 3,000 | 45.80% | 660 |
| Iowa | 2,400 | 3,670 | 1,270 | 52.90% | 260 |
| Kansas | 3,240 | 4,630 | 1,390 | 42.90% | 310 |
| Kentucky | 4,730 | 6,870 | 2,140 | 45.20% | 470 |
| Louisiana | 4,470 | 6,420 | 1,950 | 43.60% | 440 |
| Maine | 1,330 | 1,800 | 470 | 35.30% | 120 |
| Maryland | 5,240 | 7,450 | 2,210 | 42.20% | 500 |
| Massachusetts | 2,730 | 4,010 | 1,280 | 46.90% | 280 |
| Michigan | 7,370 | 10,410 | 3,040 | 41.20% | 700 |
| Minnesota | 5,570 | 8,010 | 2,440 | 43.80% | 550 |
| Mississippi | 4,110 | 5,860 | 1,750 | 42.60% | 400 |
| Missouri | 7,520 | 10,670 | 3,150 | 41.90% | 720 |
| Montana | 880 | 1,330 | 450 | 51.10% | 90 |
| Nebraska | 1,790 | 2,430 | 640 | 35.80% | 160 |
| Nevada | 1,840 | 2,780 | 940 | 51.10% | 200 |
| New Hampshire | 1,520 | 2,290 | 770 | 50.70% | 160 |
| New Jersey | 6,790 | 10,230 | 3,440 | 50.70% | 720 |
| New Mexico | 1,590 | 2,620 | 1,030 | 64.80% | 200 |
| New York | 16,600 | 20,970 | 4,370 | 26.30% | 440 |
| North Carolina | 8,200 | 12,750 | 4,550 | 55.50% | 920 |
| North Dakota | 580 | 860 | 280 | 48.30% | 60 |
| Ohio | 11,020 | 15,710 | 4,690 | 42.60% | 1,060 |
| Oklahoma | 3,030 | 4,200 | 1,170 | 38.60% | 280 |
| Oregon | 2,240 | 3,420 | 1,180 | 52.70% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,010 | 11,430 | 3,420 | 42.70% | 770 |
| Rhode Island | 1,440 | 2,090 | 650 | 45.10% | 140 |
| South Carolina | 4,120 | 6,620 | 2,500 | 60.70% | 490 |
| South Dakota | 820 | 1,280 | 460 | 56.10% | 90 |
| Tennessee | 13,620 | 21,500 | 7,880 | 57.90% | 1,570 |
| Texas | 19,060 | 30,490 | 11,430 | 60.00% | 2,240 |
| Utah | 3,680 | 5,900 | 2,220 | 60.30% | 430 |
| Vermont | 810 | 1,100 | 290 | 35.80% | 70 |
| Virginia | 7,170 | 11,160 | 3,990 | 55.60% | 800 |
| Washington | 4,150 | 6,020 | 1,870 | 45.10% | 600 |
| West Virginia | 1,700 | 2,590 | 890 | 52.40% | 180 |
| Wisconsin | 4,950 | 7,480 | 2,530 | 51.10% | 530 |
| Wyoming | 480 | 710 | 230 | 47.90% | 50 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
