Discover Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Ohio
Learn more about the top online nurse practitioner programs in Ohio, degree types, and your job outlook after graduation.
Becoming a nurse practitioner in Ohio can be an excellent career move. According to Ohio employment trends, the projected growth for nurse practitioners in Ohio between 2020 and 2030 is higher than average at 49%.
Due to national nursing shortages caused by the pandemic and subsequent working conditions, nurses are in high demand in nearly every state. As a nurse practitioner, you’ll have a wide range of job opportunities, and make a substantial contribution as a healthcare professional.
The most important step to becoming an advanced nurse is enrolling in the right graduate degree or certificate program. With the availability of remote and hybrid programs, there are more options now than ever. Weighing your time and financial constraints against your professional aspirations and preferences will make it easier to determine which program might work best for you. Below you’ll find an overview of some of the top online nurse practitioner programs in Ohio, key features, degree paths, and more. Keep reading to take the first step toward the rest of your career.
School Spotlights: Ohio Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
Finding the best online nurse practitioner programs in Ohio can be difficult due to the wide variety of high-quality options across the state. Taking the time to research schools in your area, their curriculum details, admissions requirements, cost, and learning outcomes can help narrow your options.
Ohio University
Ohio University offers one of the top online nurse practitioner programs in Ohio. This 40-credit Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is $668 per credit and helps students build practice skills to provide patients with premium care in primary care settings.
The program takes six semesters to complete when attending full-time, and with a low student-to-teacher ratio, students can get extra help if needed. Program faculty who are practicing nurses with master’s or doctoral degrees. Studies place a high emphasis on preparing for the AANP or ANCC certification exam, with most graduates certified on their first attempt.
Courses include:
- NRSE 7230 Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NRSE 7210 Advanced Pathophysiology in Nursing Practice
- NRSE 7220 Advanced Pharmacology
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University School is an excellent option for online nurse practitioner programs in Ohio. OSU offers a Family Nurse Practitioner program for those passionate about working with families in primary care settings. This program aims to prepare graduates for advanced practice nursing in various clinical settings such as clinics, hospitals, and private practices. The program costs $10,580.94 per semester and $52,904.70 total for Ohio residents. Non-residents pay $10,780.94 and $53,904.70, respectively.
Through coursework and clinical experience, students gain the skills, values, and knowledge required for an array of advanced practice nursing roles. Ranked second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, this specialty program provides students with access to cutting-edge knowledge and research in “the nation’s most comprehensive university health sciences center.”
Courses include:
- Nursing 7410 Advanced Health Assessment
- Nursing 7450 Pathophysiology of Altered Health States
- Nursing 7470 Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is an excellent choice for those seeking a top online nurse practitioner program in Ohio. The 51-credit MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares students to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions in patients ranging from infants to the elderly. Designed specifically for BSN-prepared nurses, the program requires students to have an overall minimum BSN GPA of 3.0 and submit a goal statement and resume. Students must complete 672 clinical hours to qualify for graduation.
Courses include:
- Nursing 8004, Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice
- Nursing 8022, Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Nursing 8002, Theoretical Basis for Clinical Reasoning
Qualities of a Top Nurse Practitioner Program in Ohio
The right online nurse practitioner program in Ohio for you will depend on factors like your educational preferences and individual needs. That said, there are certain features you should prioritize as you consider your options. These are excellent benchmarks of a program’s quality and legitimacy.
Accreditation
When choosing an NP program, always consider accreditation. Choosing an unaccredited school can limit your professional prospects or prevent you from transferring your credits to another program. If you plan to continue your education beyond the NP degree, make sure that your nursing school is fully accredited by an organization such as The Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
Affordable Tuition & Fees
Another key is affordability. You may not have the money to pay for your nurse practitioner degree program, but financial aid, scholarships, and student loans can help with costs. Research and compare tuition rates and fees before applying to nursing school, and find out more about financial aid programs and assistantships at each school.
Certification Exam Pass Rates
Another essential element of an NP program is their graduates’ pass rates on national certification exams. While it is up to each student to prepare for and pass their exams, some programs go above and beyond to provide students with tools and resources to ensure they’re prepared. Check a school or program’s pass rates for a better idea of how much help the program will provide.
Comprehensive Curriculum & Clinical Options
You should also enroll in a program with a comprehensive curriculum. Becoming a nurse practitioner is an extensive process that includes several steps to receive your credentials, including clinical hours that are required and should be included in the curriculum. Some programs offer greater flexibility for completing clinical hours than others. Make sure your program has options that align with your schedule and preferences.
Flexibility in Format & Enrollment
Nursing school can be time-consuming, and most students need to balance work and studies. Flexibility in format and enrollment is essential to help you succeed. Find out if programs allow you to switch from full- to part-time or vice versa, as your schedule demands.
Specialization Options
You’ll want to learn about your specialization options and make sure you are applying for programs that align with your nursing and employment goals. For instance, if you prefer working with older adults, you should seek a specialization like Toledo University’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program.
NP Degree Types: Discover the Academic Path for You
Your path to becoming a nurse practitioner often depends on your education, experiences, finances, and professional goals. Here is an overview of three programs to consider.
MSN
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs help students prepare to take on advanced nursing roles in practice, research, education, and leadership. Over the course of the program, students develop a keen ability to serve as leaders and change agents in healthcare and healthcare-adjacent facilities. This degree also prepares graduates to become exemplary leaders in the areas of communication, collaboration, and scholarship. With the help of honed critical thinking skills, students become better capable of uncovering and assessing organizational issues while also providing the simplest, most diplomatic solutions. The intended result is someone who can create and supervise highly collaborative teams.
Featured Programs:
Certificate
Nurse practitioner certificate programs are non-degree programs created to enable nurses with master’s degrees to earn their NP certifications. Certificate programs enable students to earn their certification and choose specializations that allow them to practice as nurse practitioners. Students are required to complete a mandatory number of clinical hours, determined on a case-by-case basis, before they are eligible to receive their certification. Students can either complete clinical hours before enrolling, or under the supervision of an instructor during the program.
Featured Programs:
Kent State University: Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
The University of Akron: Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certificate
DNP
A Doctor of Nursing Practice program provides students with a post-master’s degree, also known as a terminal degree. A DNP prepares students to take roles in healthcare leadership and advanced clinical practice. This degree is similar to a PhD in nursing, but unlike a nursing PhD, it enables graduates to apply their knowledge to practice in the field rather than to research. Upon completion of a DNP program, students can assume positions in clinical education, high-level leadership, and healthcare policy.
Featured Programs:
Ohio NP Career and Salary Potential
Becoming a nurse practitioner in Ohio can be a lucrative career move. The state has an average of 1,100 job openings for nurse practitioners annually, and a growth rate of 48.6%, with 4,690 new openings between 2020 and 2030.
Your earning potential will depend on which city you live in, but on average will easily approach or exceed $100,000. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman offers the lowest median wages for NPs at $99,490. Springfield is next with a median annual income of $99,990.
Areas with higher incomes for NPs include Cleveland-Elyria with the highest median salary in the state at $127,240. The next highest is Cincinnati, at $117,730 annually.
Keep in mind that the amount you will make as an NP is also relative to your specialization and experience. The median income may also be impacted by how densely populated a city or facility is. For instance, rural areas often pay less than inner cities due to a lower cost of living.
| Area | Employment (2020) | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings (’20-’30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 9,660 | 4,690 | 48.6% | 1,100 |
| US | 220,300 | 114,900 | 52.2% | 26,000 |
Source: Projections Central
| Location | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $87,340 | $121,610 | $165,240 |
| Ohio | $96,640 | $113,040 | $135,890 |
| Akron, OH | $96,880 | $109,070 | $132,750 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $84,600 | $104,880 | $130,190 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $97,990 | $117,730 | $136,420 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | $106,420 | $127,240 | $136,180 |
| Columbus, OH | $99,490 | $113,570 | $134,160 |
| Dayton, OH | $97,310 | $110,860 | $135,580 |
| Lima, OH | $84,880 | $103,740 | $133,440 |
| Mansfield, OH | $94,190 | $102,330 | $124,450 |
| Springfield, OH | $94,500 | $99,990 | $129,410 |
| Toledo, OH | $96,550 | $108,050 | $135,050 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | $78,580 | $99,490 | $148,430 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
