[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are considering a career as a nurse practitioner (NP), now is an excellent time to explore programs. By earning a graduate degree and completing a national board certification exam, you can specialize in a specific area of care and gain more responsibility on the job. This can, typically, lead to more pay.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many nurse practitioners complete a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree to meet the advanced degree requirement for state licensure. Others who already have this training may choose a postmaster’s certificate or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many of these degrees can be completed almost entirely online, with the exception of required clinical hours that need to be completed at a healthcare site or sites for labs for the assessment of health skills.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because nurse practitioners typically earn six-figure incomes, enrolling in a nurse practitioner program can be a great investment in your future career. Read on for more about becoming a nurse practitioner.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Nurse Practitioner Program?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A nurse practitioner program prepares nursing students to become eligible to pass national board certification in a [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-specialties-guide/”]nursing specialty[/hen-ui-link]. Once completed, nurses can get state licensure to practice as nurse practitioners.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioner programs can award either an MSN or a DNP degree. Most nurse practitioners earn their MSN in two years of full-time study.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioner schooling includes advanced courses in topics covered in the bachelor’s curriculum, such as anatomy and evidence-based care. They also offer courses in clinical assessment and pharmacology. This prepares NPs to order tests, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medication.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioner schools focus on a particular population, such as family care or pediatrics. Your NP license only allows you to treat that population. Once you graduate from your nurse practitioner school, you must take the national board certification examination in your population specialty.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A growing number of [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/best-online-nurse-practitioner-programs/”]nurse practitioner programs are available online[/hen-ui-link] and on campus. Many are available on a part-time or full-time basis. Students receive the same diploma regardless of which option they pick for their nurse practitioner schooling.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Types of NP Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The most common nurse practitioner program is bachelor’s to MSN, but there are other pathways. Many schools offer [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-adn-to-msn-bridge-programs/”]registered nurse (RN) to MSN bridge programs[/hen-ui-link] for students with an associate degree in nursing (ADN). Others offer [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-direct-entry-masters-in-nursing-programs/”]direct-entry master’s programs[/hen-ui-link] for students who have a non-nursing degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To be eligible for a direct-entry program, you must still have coursework in anatomy, microbiology, and related courses. The requirements vary by program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurse Practitioner Program Prerequisites[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All nurse practitioner programs require some familiarity with nursing or medicine, either from a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree, an ADN degree, or another degree or college credit that includes the same topics. Most MSN students, though, have a BSN degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Common NP school prerequisites include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A current and unencumbered RN license[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At least two years of RN experience[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At least two references[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An application that includes an essay or personal statement[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A criminal background check[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For candidates without a nursing school degree, college-level courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, or similar topics (specifics vary by program)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurse Practitioner Program Specializations[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioner schools require students to specialize in a particular population. Family practice is the most common, with 69.7% of all nurse practitioners certified in family practice, followed by adult (10.8%) and adult-gerontology primary care at 7.0%.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other available nurse practitioner program specializations include :[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/gerontology/”]Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neonatal nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pediatric nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/psychiatric-nurse/”]Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/womens-health/”]Women’s health nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Common Nurse Practitioner Program Courses and Curriculum[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Much of the core coursework in NP programs is similar no matter what specialty area an RN chooses. This core training enables them to advance their skills and to be more on par with other trained healthcare professionals, many who may spend extensive time in medical school. NPs in the various specialty areas often take core classes, such as:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advanced health assessment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advanced pathophysiology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advanced pharmacology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Evidence-based research in nursing practice[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professionalism in advanced practice nursing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Capstone research project[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As students move past their first semester or year, they will begin to take classes specifically in their specialty area. For example, those in NP programs to become a FNP might take classes such as women’s health, pharmacology across the lifespan, and family therapy. Those in neonatal nurse practitioner programs would take classes such as pediatrics advanced practice primary care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No matter what program students are in, they need to complete clinical hours as part of their degree. Typically, a minimum of 500 clinical hours is needed. This provides students with experience in their clinical setting and environment.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical hours often occur under the guidance of a mentor or more trained professional, directing them in their decision-making and assessment and treatment skills. In some NP programs, students may need to do a research project or thesis to complete their degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Can I Do With a Degree From a Nurse Practitioner Program?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When you graduate from nurse practitioner school and pass your board certification, you can practice primary care or work in a specialty department, such as neonatal or acute care. As an NP, you can order tests, make diagnoses, prescribe medications, and assist with or complete procedures such as suturing, casting, and wound care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While all states give nurse practitioners some level of prescription authority, some states have additional requirements, such as recent education in pharmacology.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/np-practice-authority-by-state//”]states give nurse practitioners full-practice authority[/hen-ui-link], meaning they can practice independently. In other states, nurse practitioners must work under the supervision of or in collaboration with a physician. This is more of a reporting relationship than day-to-day close supervision.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioners work in all healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, independent practices, clinics, and residential care facilities. They also provide healthcare in other settings, such as military bases, schools, correctional facilities, and business workplaces. NPs also have the option to teach.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are two primary organizations offering accreditation for NP programs. These include the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). These organizations ensure that specific standards in nursing education are being met and that students receive a quality education when enrolling in an accredited program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The ACEN accredits diploma, certificate, and degree-level nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The CCNE accredits bachelor’s, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the ACEN, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]nursing accreditation is important[/hen-ui-link] because it assists in the “further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4”]The CCNE reports its accreditation process as important because “it supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and postbaccalaureate nurse residency programs.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students will want to be sure to enroll in an accredited nursing program. Only students who complete an accredited program will be eligible to receive advanced practice nursing licensure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How much can you earn with a degree from a nurse practitioner program?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4”]According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, half of all nurse practitioners make between $94,890 and $130,240. The median salary is $111,680.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The highest-paid specialties are acute care (median salary of $120,000), psychiatric mental health ($120,000), psychiatric mental health adult ($125,000), neonatal ($122,500), and pediatric primary care mental health ($124,000), [hen-ui-link href=”https://storage.aanp.org/www/documents/no-index/research/2019-NP-Sample-Survey-Report.pdf” target=”_blank”]according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-link] (AANP).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What is the most common degree for nurse practitioners?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the AANP, the most common degree for nurse practitioners is an MSN. Most nurse practitioner schools require or strongly prefer a DNP for tenured faculty positions. An MSN typically takes two years to complete.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How many nurse practitioners are there?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are more than 325,000 nurse practitioners in the United States, according to the AANP. The BLS projects that between 2020 and 2030, the number of nurse practitioners will grow by 52%, or 114,900 new NPs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is completing a nurse practitioner program worth it?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioners earn six-figure salaries, have a high level of professional autonomy, and are in demand across the country. This makes nurse practitioner school an excellent investment if you are interested in nursing or healthcare.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Resources[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34346,34351,34159″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page last reviewed March 6, 2022[/hen-ui-text]