Online Nurse Practitioner Programs, Degrees & Schools
As more and more professional nurses working in the health care industry look to expand their horizons, increase their salary as a nurse practitioner, and broaden their nurse practitioner career opportunities, online nursing programs have become a convenient and advantageous way to earn an Masters in Nursing. Alternatively some are selecting the path of the RN to MSN Program.
The flexibility of an online nurse practitioner program is the ideal fit for the schedule of someone currently working as a nurse. Enrolling in an online nurse practitioner degree program will not only allow you to continue working in your current position as you further your education, but also synthesize the information that you learn in class and apply it to your everyday tasks.
Part of what makes the experience of becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) so unique – whether it’s through a traditional brick-and-mortar nurse practitioner school or online – is the wide variety of specialty programs available to you as you pursue your education.
Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Nurse practitioners have several specialty areas to choose from when considering Nurse Practitioner Schools and programs. Although Family Nursing remains the most popular according to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, NPs can choose from a variety of specialty and sub-specialty areas.
Adult Nurse Practitioner Program
An Adult Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed an advanced nursing education including training in the diagnosis and management of common and complex medical conditions in patients over the age of 12.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Program
Clinical Nurse Specialists specialize in a particular discipline such as diseases, medical environments, or procedures, and commonly engage in clinical practice, research, consulting, management, and teaching.
Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Family Nurse Practitioners pay special attention to the family dynamic and study how illness affects the family as a whole, dealing with the management and diagnosis of common and complex medical conditions in a range of patients including children and adults.
Midwifery Program
A Nurse Midwife’s primary focus is to advise women throughout pregnancy, assist in the delivery of the child, and provide continuing medical care to the woman and infant after delivery.
Nursing Administration Degree
Nurse Administrators facilitate and deliver quality patient care while coordinating actions in the workplace and managing a team of nurses.
Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program
A Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse is an advanced practice nurse who specializes in caring for and treating people with various forms of mental illness.
Womens Health Program
A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed an advanced nursing education including training in the diagnosis and management of common and some complex medical conditions in female patients.
Nurse Practitioner Schools
There are many things to consider when picking out the Online Nurse Practitioner School that’s best for you. Rankings can often provide a good amount of insight as to how a school and its online degree program stands up to its competitors. The Nursing Online Education Database offers a list of top online degree programs. Similarly, it’s also important to consider a school’s history and affiliations when choosing a school. Look for programs that have a longstanding history, or have an affiliation with hospitals and other professional healthcare organizations and facilities, as these are usually more likely to provide you with the best educational experience that you can get online.
Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation
When selecting a Nurse Practitioner School that can provide you with an education and degree you can put towards becoming a Nurse Practitioner, it’s very important to make sure that the Online Nurse Practitioner Program and the school in question is accredited. Accredited online masters programs can offer an educational experience that rivals the more traditional, on-campus programs. Schools with accreditation are evaluated by accrediting institutions that verify that they are providing top-notch curricula, instructors, and learning assets.
What it all boils down to is that completing a program from an accredited school can help to ensure other educational institutions and employers will recognize your degree as one of good quality, and therefore help to further your Nurse Practitioner Career.
Nurse Practitioner Tuition & Cost
The cost of earning your Online Master of Science in Nursing through a nurse practitioner program can range anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000. It’s important to note that investing now in your nursing education can put you on the path towards exceptional Nurse Practitioner Career with strong earning potential after you graduate.
The Nursing Shortage has also led to a number of financial aid incentive programs aimed specifically at nursing students. Take the time to investigate your financial aid options; you may qualify for grants and scholarships that you’ll never have to repay.
Admissions Requirements for Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Nurse Practitioners hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, with a specialty in a particular area. Most advanced practice nurses have the following prerequisites before beginning their programs:
BSN Degree
A registered nursing (RN) license
Minimum GPA and minimum GRE scores
Clinical experience
If you don’t already have your BSN you may consider a RN to BSN program.
Nursing Resources
If you are looking for more information about the field of Nursing, including, salaries, careers, and degree programs then you may want to review our resource guides below.
- Nursing Degree Programs
- Why Nursing School Accreditation is Important
- Finding the Right Nursing School
- Selecting the Right RN Nursing School
- Starting a Second Career in Nursing
- Careers in Nursing
- How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
- Registered Nursing (RN) Careers
- Traveling Nurse Career – How to Become a Traveling Nurse
- Registered Nurse (RN) Salaries
- Resource Guide to Registered Nursing (RN)
- Job Opportunities for Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Demand for Nurse Practitioners
- Healthcare Careers, Jobs and Outlook
- Best Healthcare Management & Administration Salaries
- Laboratory Technician Career
- Health Informatics Professional
- Career as a Nurse Midwife
- Registered Nurse Career (RN)

