Online NP programs must be accredited to ensure the curriculum adheres to national standards, guaranteeing quality education. Financial aid, such as grants and loans, may also be available to help with the cost of a nurse practitioner program.
NPs, CRNAs, CNMs, and CNSs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Identifying a patient population focus early on allows graduate NP education to match knowledge with patients’ needs.
Accreditation
If you hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and are a registered nurse, you can take your nursing career to the next level. Enrolling in a Master of Science in Nursing program focusing on nurse practitioner studies is a courageous decision that can significantly enhance your abilities and knowledge and provide you with many exciting career prospects.
This program is designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel as a nurse practitioner, allowing them to impact the healthcare industry significantly. By taking this step, you are investing in your future and setting yourself up for success in a gratifying and fulfilling career. These programs prepare nurses to hone their research, diagnosis, and clinical skills to manage patients across the lifespan.
When evaluating NP online programs, students should pay particular attention to accreditation. Outside agencies vet accredited schools to ensure students receive an adequate education and the best chance of passing their national certification exams.
Likewise, NP students should consider tuition costs and other associated fees when comparing online options. These may include technology fees, textbooks, and computer software. The commuting cost can also increase, especially for students living far from campus.
Specializations
Nurse practitioners (NPs) opt to specialize in a particular area of healthcare. For example, some want to work with newborns and children, while others may want to focus on psychiatric mental health. Choosing an accredited program that supports your specific interest will allow your university’s workforce sooner.
Some programs also provide students with options to expand their scope of practice. A dual-track MSN FNP – AGACNP program of 62 credits and 1,000 clinical hours prepares graduates to be certified as family nurse practitioners and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners.
For instance, Youngstown State University’s online family nurse practitioner program focuses on providing primary healthcare services for patients across the lifespan. Its interdisciplinary curriculum includes a simulation lab replicating a healthcare facility where students work alongside peers from seven other disciplines.
Licensing
Many NPs choose to specialize, offering care to specific patient populations such as children, women, or psychiatric patients. They work in various clinical settings, including private clinics and hospitals.
Nurse practitioners can also serve remote communities that might otherwise be underserved because they can provide primary care without needing a physician to oversee their practice.
Students who plan to specialize may consider a dual-track MSN program that allows them to earn certification as both family and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners. This option can help them expand their scope of practice and increase their employment opportunities. In addition, pursuing dual certification can reduce their time to completion and expense.
Certification
NPs diagnose and treat medical conditions, order and interpret tests, prescribe medication, and collaborate in patient care across multiple healthcare settings. They provide high-quality, cost-effective, individualized care comparable to physicians and medical practitioners. The master’s most common pathway to becoming an NP is earning a master of science in nursing degree (MSN). Full-time students can complete their MSN in two to three years.
Nurses with an MSN can become certified as NPs by taking national certification exams in their specialty areas. The NP post-master’s certificate is an excellent option for nurses who want to specialize formally but wish to commit to something other than another full degree program. Typically, this program takes four to six semesters of full-time study and requires clinical hours.
Job search
Millions of Americans turn to NPs to provide them with personalized health care. Patients trust them because of their strong relationships with them, and they help patients navigate challenges like finding transportation to the grocery store or getting a meal delivery service for homebound seniors.
There are several paths available for nurses to advance their careers. For example, nurses interested in working with women across their lifespan can enroll in a program that prepares them to be women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNP).
Students who did not study nursing in college can also find direct-entry MSN programs that let them earn their RN license and MSN degree in just three years. Then, they can complete a DNP program to obtain advanced practice certification in their chosen specialty area.
