Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are at the top of the nursing profession and are in great demand within all healthcare settings. This career offers challenging work, leadership opportunities, and high earnings potential.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
An Advanced nurse practitioner (APRN) possesses some of the most advanced education available within the nursing field. Nurse practitioners provide direct patient care for both chronic and acute medical conditions with a primary focus on health prevention and promotion. In some states, nurse practitioners are provided with prescriptive authority allowing them to provide a full range of patient care services.
Areas of advanced Practice Nursing include: Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner Clinical Nurse Specialist Nurse Midwife Each specialty area noted above requires advanced graduate education, along with extensive clinical training. The advanced education and training of nurse practitioners prepares them provide direct care to a broad spectrum of the patient population, as well as promote health prevention and wellness activities.
Graduates of Nurse Specialist Programs are in Demand
The health care industry is growing at a pace that far outstrips the number of new physicians graduating from medical school, thereby creating a severe shortage of trained professionals At the same time, there are fewer students electing to pursue a nursing career. This combined with the large number of nurses who are leaving the profession due to retirement or a change of career, is creating a serious nursing shortage as well.
As a result, there has never been a better time to become an advanced nurse practitioner! The shortage of doctors and nurses means that advanced nurse practitioners are in great demand and are well compensated for their knowledge and skills. To become an advanced nurse practitioner you must be a registered nurse (RN) and obtain a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program.
Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements – How Long Does it take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?
Arising from the degree of responsibility they hold, the complexity of patient care they provide and the degree of autonomy they are able to assume with regard to patient care, it is essential that nurse practitioners participate in a rigorous education with extensive clinical training of 500 hours or more. Nursing candidates will also need to pass the National Council Licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
These exams are administered several times per year in every state, with many specialty area examinations available online. Current national specialty certification is required for continued approval to practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse APN) in many states. In order to obtain full licensure, graduates are required to submit official transcripts directly from the institution to their State Board of Nursing. On-going educational and professional development is required for continued practice and for renewal of the APRN license.
Nurse Practitioner Specialties
There are several areas in which advanced practice nurse may specialize. When you specialize, the majority of your coursework will focus on the area of practice you choose and you will be required to pass a specialty examination as the capstone experience of your graduate study.
Family Nurse Practitioner Program
A nurse specialist program as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) prepares nurses to provide care to families in various types of healthcare facilities (e.g. hospitals, private offices, community clinics). During this program, the nursing student will study such subjects as reproductive health, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, geriatric care, and adult health. Students will develop competencies in diagnostics and primary patient care. Family nurse practitioner programs teach the following skills:
- Physical examination and assessment
- Management and coordination of medical services
- Educational and therapeutic treatment planning
- Referral to appropriate health care providers
- Documentation of family health and medical history
Graduates of FNP master’s programs are eligible to sit for a certification exam administered by the American Nurses Association/American Nurses Credentialing Center. (ANA/ANCC). Graduates may find employment in medical centers, rehabilitation hospitals, private physician offices, community clinics, nursing homes, among other settings.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
Graduate programs in pediatric nursing provide students with the skills and knowledge to care for infants, children and adolescents up to age 12. The PNP program of study has an emphasis on assessment and evaluation, treatment planning, preventative health, and diagnosis.
Graduates of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs are eligible to pursue certification by passing an specialty examination administered by the ANCC. A graduate may also be eligible for prescriptive authority based on the state in which s/he will practice. Places of employment include medical centers, rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies, and private physician offices.
Adult Nurse Practitioner Program (ANP)
The Adult Nurse Practitioner program teaches advanced practice nurses to care for individuals and families ages 12 years and older in a variety of healthcare settings. The focus of this program is on assessment, diagnosis, and management of chronic and acute medical conditions, health prevention, and wellness promotion. Students are taught how to tap into resources to provide a high standard of care and how to collaborate with other members of the healthcare team.
Oncology Nurse Practitioner Program (ONP)
An oncology nurse practitioner program provides education in disease management, medical ethics and cancer research. Many programs also include courses in palliative care and community-based nursing. Courses in an oncology nurse practitioner program typically include:
- Assessment and treatment planning
- Symptom management and cancer care
- Cellular Pathophysiology
- Genetic Influences of cancer
- Epidemiology (incidence of cancer in the population)
- Clinical pharmacology
- Health care policy and issues
Clinical Nurse Specialist Program
The primary purpose of a master’s program with a focus in the area of Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist is to build the knowledge and skill necessary to perform as a professional clinical and patient advocate within the adult patient population. Upon graduation, clinical nurse specialists will be able to work with adult patients in such areas as assessment and evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning, health promotion and prevention and, in some states, prescribing needed medications. Check with your State Board of Nursing (BON) to determine whether your state provides prescriptive authority for nurses.
You may find contact information for your State BON on the Web site of the NCSNB (NCSBN.org). Students are also taught the roles of educator (to nursing and healthcare staff, as well as students), researchers, consultants, and are expected to become leaders in the field able to develop and implement systems to enhance the overall standards of patient care. The primary emphasis of this master’s program is to educate students with regard to advanced nursing theory and practice, as well as leadership and management of complex healthcare systems.
Nurse Midwifery Program
A master’s degree in midwifery will require between 500 and 900 hours of clinical midwifery training. Most master’s programs focus provide a clinical rotation that focus on developing student’s competency in the areas of gynecology, and postpartum, intrapartum, and prenatal care. Although students may complete a number of clinical hours as part of their masters program, the bylaws of many hospitals mandate that 20 to 50 deliveries be performed under the supervision of a physician within a hospital setting.
Neonatal Nurse Schooling
If you are a registered nurse who has decided to pursue working in neonatal medicine you need to first find available neonatal nurse schools that meet your needs and prepare you for working with babies that are both healthy and sick. Before you can purse your neonatal education you must first have your BSN. This allows you to move into a Master’s program to become a nurse practitioner with a focus on neonatal nursing.
The information contained herein below presents you with some of the suggested schools for neonatal education.
Universities and Colleges with Neonatal Classes
Before plunging into the application process for neonatal nurse schooling it is a good idea to know what schools have the program so you can review their guidelines and overall school and make an educated decision. To help you on this quest, some of the top schools that offer neonatal nursing programs are described here. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive and if you have a particular school in mind that you would like to attend, you should contact them and find out if they offer neonatal programs.
Regis University: Located in Denver, Colorado, Regis University offers nurses the opportunity to study for the Master of Science: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Upon graduation you will be skilled in the care of newborns and infants with high risk medical conditions. Regis University is a Jesuit Catholic school and is accredited for the nursing programs it offers.
Rush University College of Nursing: Although the college campus is located in Chicago, classes are held on online. The school offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice –Nurse Practitioner –Neonatal degree and a Post Graduate Neonatal Certificate. The certificate course is for nurses who already have the education required to become certified or are certified in another specialty area to add neonatal nursing to their repertoire.
University of Missouri – Kansas City: The School of Nursing at University of Missouri offers a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner degree that is online but also has at least two periods of four-day sit in classes that must be attended. Classes are held through an online program called Blackboard. The school works with the student to find a local neonatal intensive care unit to complete their coursework with a preceptor that the school has selected and approved.
Creighton University: Located in Nebraska, Creighton University offers nurses seeking an advanced degree an NNNP, the nurse practitioner degree that specializes in neonatal care. The school offers some distance based classes but is overall a campus-based class. The program is a five semester program with a 300-hour residency that is part of the 675 hours of clinical practice.
Rochester University School of Nursing: The Rochester University School of Nursing in New York offers two neonatal options for nurses wishing to advance into neonatal nursing: a Masters of Science in Nursing with a focus on neonatal nursing (NNNP) a dual degree, the Care of Children and Families with Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MS/PhD. Students are able to complete clinical work in the University Of Rochester Medical Center.
University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia: This program has been ranked as one of the top in the nation. It is a one-year program for registered nurses who have been working in the neonatal intensive care unit for at least two years and wish to become certified in neonatal care. Nurses can stretch the program for two or three years if they want to attend part time. Students attend clinical trials at the world class Penn State Hershey Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Vanderbilt University: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt requires students to have two years of neonatal experience before admissions into the program. Students can earn their MS degree with a focus on neonatal nursing from the comfort of their own home through the distance learning program. Students study Level I Newborn Nursery, Level II Intermediate Care Nursery and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery in order to be ready to sit for the certification exam.
Neonatal nurse schooling options are varied and offered both online and in traditional, campus based classes in universities and colleges around the nation. You can choose either one or even a mixed-curriculum in order to get you degree and start your career as a higher paid, neonatal nurse practitioner.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), may also be known as a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and is an advanced practice nurse who holds a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN). Additionally, having extensive clinical training in psychiatric nursing is what sets them apart from other nursing professionals.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners provide a range of mental health services to patients of all ages. Their work includes assessment, diagnosis, prevention and management of psychiatric disorders and symptoms.
Admission Requirements for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
While specific admission criteria may vary among specific programs, typical entrance requirements include the possession of a bachelor in nursing degree (BSN) from an undergraduate program that has received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
Most schools will require that you graduated the BSN program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants must also possess a valid and unrestricted state RN license. Some program may also require that applicants submit scores from the Graduate Record examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies test (MAT), especially if your overall GPA is less than 3.0, along with official undergraduate college transcripts, letters of recommendation and essay regarding your career goals.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
Those students who attend on a full time basis can expect to complete the degree in eighteen to twenty four months. There are also accelerated programs that will enable you to complete the program at a faster pace by taking a heavier course load each semester and participating in summer study. Employed nurses may also attend on a part time basis fitting classes into their work and family responsibilities. This will extend the time necessary to complete the degree to three years or more.
Most psychiatric nurse practitioner programs will include a core course component which every student, regardless of specialty, will take. These courses include research and statistics, healthcare ethics, nurse informatics (electronic recording of patient data), health policy planning, health economics, public health nursing, as well as leadership for nurses.
At the completion of core coursework, students will take courses within their specialty track. A sample Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program curriculum is provided below.
Core and Specialty Coursework:
|
Course Name
|
| Advanced Pharmacology |
Core
|
| Advanced Clinical Assessment Across the Lifespan |
Core
|
| Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan |
Core
|
| Behavioral Development Across the Life Span: A Risk/Vulnerability Perspective |
Specialty
|
| Advanced Health Assessment in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing I |
Specialty
|
| Advanced Health Assessment in Psychiatric-Mental Health in Nursing II: Clinical Practicum |
Specialty
|
| Psychopathology |
Specialty
|
| Foundations of Research |
Core
|
| Health and Social Policy: The Context for Practice and Research |
Core
|
| Family Theory in Context |
Specialty
|
| Theory and Practice of Individual Psychotherapy I |
Specialty
|
| Management and Advanced Practice Nursing |
Core
|
| Seminar on Family Therapy and Technique |
Specialty
|
| Theory and Practice of Individual Psychotherapy II |
Specialty
|
| Evaluation and Application of Research |
Core
|
| Practice of Family Therapy |
Specialty
|
| Theory of Group Psychotherapy |
Specialty
|
| Clinical Practice and Supervision with Groups |
Specialty
|
| Incorporating Genetics into Advanced Nursing Practice |
Core
|
| Advanced Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I |
Specialty
|
| Psychopharmacology in Psychiatric and Mental Health |
Specialty
|
| Advanced Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing II |
|
Accreditation of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
As you research master’s programs be sure to confirm that the school has received accreditation from the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Both agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as official accreditation bodies for nursing education in the United States. Accreditation is important as it signifies that you will receive a quality education as determined by program offerings, faculty experience and background, clinical opportunities, as well as student resources.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition costs will vary among type of school. Students who attend an in-state school will pay less than those who attend an out-of-state school or private university. For example, in-state tuition is about $12,000 with out-of-state tuition about $15,000. Tuition at private colleges and universities will cost approximately $60,000. Online schools, having reduced overhead costs, also tend to offer lower tuition costs than many private institutions. Related expenses include textbooks, supplies (e.g. uniforms), lab fees, commuting expenses, as well as Internet usage (especially for those attending an online program).
There are various types of financial aid available in the form of scholarships, grants, and student loans. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for each type of aid. Working nurses may also be eligible for tuition assistance from their employer. Graduate nursing students may be eligible for additional assistance through a variety of federally-based programs. Below is a sampling of assistance offered through the Bureau of Health Professions:*
Requirements for Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs are for advanced practice registered nurses. Psychiatric mental health nursing is a specialty that APRNs can enter by pursuing a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing. In order to be eligible for these programs, nurses must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and have passed their NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse. APRNs who already have a master’s degree may be able to enter a certificate program that will give them the same background as a full master’s degree in psychiatric nursing, without requiring some classes that are redundant from one nursing master’s program to the next.
After graduating from this program, some psychiatric nurses may wish to further specialize into areas like forensic psychology, or child psychology. There are plenty of continuing education and certification programs available for psychiatric nurse practitioners looking for a way to further advance their education.
Finding an Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program
Online education programs often come under some scrutiny, since their popularity has led to a lot of online “schools” that essentially churn out diplomas to anyone willing to pay for them. As a result, nurses can’t assume that every online psychiatric nurse practitioner program is worth pursuing. Even if a program claims to be Board of Nursing-approved in the student’s home state, they may not always be telling the whole truth. Unfortunately, graduates of these programs aren’t allowed to sit for their state’s licensure examinations, and can have a hard time finding work in their specialization.
The good thing is, this problem can be easily avoided if nurses go to their state Board of Nursing for help. The Board is responsible for maintaining lists of approved nursing programs, and can give students a list of which programs the state recognizes as being worthwhile. If students choose an online psychiatric nurse practitioner program from the Board of Nursing’s list of approved programs, they shouldn’t have any trouble going on to pass any required nursing licensing examinations, and finding a job in a mental health facility.
Reasons to Get a Degree in Psychiatric Nursing
Psychiatric nursing offers nurses an innovative way to approach mental healthcare. Nurses have an approach to medicine that sets them apart from doctors and psychiatrists- much more of an emphasis is placed on things like preventative measures, and many nurse practitioners end up becoming holistic healthcare providers. So, if you are fascinated by psychiatry, but prefer nursing’s approach to medicine, then getting a degree in psychiatric nursing may be an excellent career move for you.
The nursing industry is also suffering from a lack of nurses with advanced degrees. Many schools don’t have enough educators to teach advanced nursing programs, and a lot of states have chosen to emphasize graduating RNs and LPNs over advanced practice registered nurses. Therefore, as an APRN, you’ll have a lot of job opportunities available to you. With an advanced degree in psychiatric nursing, you can have your own office, work for a hospital, work for a mental health clinic, function as a counselor for prisons or detention centers, or become an educator.
Online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs give nurses a means to further their education in a convenient, inexpensive way. Considering how badly most states’ medical facilities need nurses with advanced degrees, these online programs may be the wave of the future when it comes to turning out qualified advanced practice registered nurses.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Job Description & Scope of Practice
A psychiatric nurse practitioner is a nursing position that often practices in conjunction with a psychiatrist. The PNP is an advanced nurse who has specific training in the area of psychiatry. The PNP position combines nursing with mental health care and requires a high level of education and compassion. Nurses with a high degree of training and experience are necessary in many areas of psychiatrics.
A PNP is sometimes known as a psychiatric mental health nurse. The nurse practitioner specializes in treating patients with psychiatric disorders. This nursing position may work with a doctor, or the NP may have his or her own practice. The nurse is able to deal with many types of potential patient problems including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This is a challenging career with many potential roles, but also a rewarding one. The PNP attends to patients, educates patients about mental health issues, works with families of patients to assist them in learning how to care for their family member, administers and monitors medication, and assists with the diagnosis of mental illness.
How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Nurses working in the area of psychiatry require advanced degrees. The path to take may be a very personal one. For instance, some may start out as nurses and decide to increase their education to become a nurse practitioner, while others may start out as a therapist and decide to go into the nursing side. The path usually begins with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited school. Upon graduation, you will need to begin gathering work experience. It is advisable to get at least three years of working experience in the psychiatric area before entering an advanced program. The nurse practitioner position requires that you obtain a Master’s Degree in Nursing with a specialty in psychiatric nursing.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements, Certification, and Schooling Programs
The PNP must start by attaining an undergraduate degree in nursing (Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, BSN) from an accredited school. After graduation, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become certified and achieve the status of registered nurse (RN). Additionally, nurses who are interested or who specialize in psychiatric-mental health may want to help advance their networking, leadership potential and continuing education training opportunities by joining the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). To become a member of APNA, you will have to apply online.
Nurse practitioners who wish to become certified may do so by obtaining the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification (PMHNP-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Successful applicants must have a master’s or post-graduate degree from a mental health practitioner program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) plus clinical training in two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities. Those who meet the qualifications and pass the exam receive the Registered Nurse-Board Certified (RN-BC) credential.
Applicants must have two years experience working as a registered nurse, 2,000 hours clinical practice and 30 continuing education hours in psychiatric and mental health to be eligible. The certification exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions. The ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), offers study materials and resources for applicants waiting to take the examination. Although certification is voluntary, most employers seek to hire certified individuals. Therefore, certification is not required, but it is highly preferred.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary and Career Outlook
Psychiatrics, as with other medical areas, is expected to continue to grow over the next two decades. The demand for specialized nursing support in this field will increase because of a growing need for advanced psychiatric care. Much of this care will be handled by nurse practitioners rather than by doctors. As the baby boomers reach old age, there will be an even greater need for nurses to care for this large group of people who will be living longer than ever.
The salary for this position varies based on experience and education. In general the PNP can expect to receive an annual salary of between $52.000 and $64,000.
Top Accredited Programs for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Training in the USA
University of California-San Francisco
Yale University
University of Pennsylvania
Rush University
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
University of Pittsburgh
University of Maryland-Baltimore
University of Virginia
University of Washington
Vanderbilt University
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
A Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) is advanced practice nurse who has obtained a master’s degree and advanced clinical training in pediatric care. Pediatric nurse practitioners perform many of the same tasks as pediatricians providing preventive and emergency care to children, as well as educating families with regard to nutrition and wellness.
Admission Requirements for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Admission requirements vary greatly among specific programs. In general, a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing education or by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission with a minimum GPA of 3.0, along with a current and unrestricted RN license is required. Some schools may also require scores from the Graduate Record examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies test (MAT), along with official college transcripts, and letters of recommendation from former instructors or current supervisors, along with an essay of career goals.
Accreditation of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
One of the most important factors when selecting a master’s program is that the school be accredited by one of two agencies: the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Both agencies have been recognized by the U.S. Department as the official accreditation bodies for nursing education in the United States. Accreditation attests to the quality of education you will receive in terms of program offerings, faculty background, student resources, and clinical experiences.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
Full time master’s degree programs will entail eighteen to twenty four months of study. However, many master level students are working nurses who fit class work into their work schedules, which then extends the time necessary to complete the degree.
Most pediatric nurse programs include core coursework in statistics, research methodology, health assessment and treatment planning, community health and public nursing, health policy, health economics, medical ethics, health education, nursing informatics, extended clinical practice, as well as leadership and management in nursing.
Sample Curriculum Pediatric Nursing*
| Course name |
| Physical and Psychological Assessment of the Child |
Specialty
|
| Advanced Physiology |
Core
|
| Pediatric Primary Care Nursing I |
Specialty
|
| Pediatric Primary Care Nursing I: Clinical |
Specialty
|
| Clinical Seminar in Pediatric Primary Care I |
Specialty
|
| Advanced Pediatric and Neonatal Pharmacology |
Specialty
|
| Clinical Seminar in Pediatric Primary Care II |
Specialty
|
| Pediatric Primary Care Nursing II |
Specialty
|
| Clinical Practicum: Pediatric Primary Care Nursing II |
Specialty
|
| Foundations of Research |
Core
|
| Incorporating Genetics into Advanced Nursing Practice |
Core
|
| Emergency Pediatric Nursing |
Specialty
|
| Evaluation and Application of Research |
Core
|
| Interpersonal Violence and Abuse: Prevention, Assessment and Intervention for Health Care Professionals |
Specialty
|
| Management and Advanced Practice Nursing |
Specialty
|
| Pediatric Primary Care Nursing III: Clinical |
Specialty
|
| Clinical Seminar in Pediatric Primary Care III |
Specialty
|
| Health and Social Policy: The Context for Practice and Research |
Core
|
| Pediatric Primary Care Nursing III |
Specialty
|
| Pediatric Primary Care Nursing III |
|
**Source: http://sklad.cumc.columbia.edu/nursing/programs/pnp.php
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition costs vary among schools and depend on whether you attend an in-state or out-of-state school or private college. Online schools also tend to have lower tuition costs due to reduced overhead.
If you attend a state school, tuition will be about $12,000 for in-state residents and approximately $15,000 for out-of-state students. In contrast, private colleges and universities will cost about $60,000. However various financial aid programs in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans are available to all students. In addition, working nurses may be eligible for tuition assistance from their employers. When calculating full costs of attendance, remember to account for books, supplies (e.g. uniforms), lab fees, commuting expenses, as well as Internet usage.
Requirements for Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
All nurse practitioners are registered nurses, first and foremost. To become a registered nurse and enter a master’s program specializing in pediatric nursing, nurses must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and have passed their NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse. At that point, they can enroll in a master’s program intended to graduate advanced practice registered nurses, and specialize in pediatrics.
Education, licensure, and continuing education requirements are all handled by a state’s Board of Nursing. All Boards of Nursing are slightly different, depending on a state’s needs, so the exact requirements and scope of practice for a pediatric nurse practitioner may vary from state to state. Some may require a master’s degree, some may require a doctorate, and some may not allow an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) to act as primary caregiver without the assistance of a physician.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Certifications
Graduates of classroom-based or online pediatric nurse practitioner programs can become certified pediatric nurses. Generally, this requires that they have a few years’ worth of experience in the field, so recent graduates may not be eligible for certification. Though Boards of Nursing handle all things nursing related, certification for pediatric nurses is actually performed through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. In some states, the Board of Nursing may have determined that this certification is a requirement for practice. In others, it may be optional. Even in areas where pediatric nursing certification isn’t a necessity, it usually still pays to become certified through the PNCB- nurses with this certification are usually more marketable to prospective employers than nurses without it.
Obtaining certification requires pediatric nurse practitioners to have graduated from a Masters, Post-Master’s or Doctorate level pediatric nurse practitioner degree program and pass the PNP certification exam. This exam is based entirely on education (i.e., graduation from an accredited PNP program) and not on any field experience. In most states, a PNP graduate could not work (and therefore get any PNP experience) without certification first. Maintaining certification usually requires renewal fees, continuing education programs, and occasionally renewal exams.
Choosing the Right Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Not all online pediatric nurse practitioner programs are created equal. Many of them may come from schools that are not approved by your state’s Board of Nursing, and thus won’t make you eligible to practice in your state. Online education is dicey, since there are a lot of programs that attempt to represent themselves as Board-approved, when they aren’t. In situations like that, the attitude of the Board of Nursing is generally that it’s the student’s responsibility to research nursing programs before enrollment. To avoid graduating from a program with a useless degree, you need to take several precautions when it comes to choosing which one to enroll in.
To begin with, make sure that your chosen program is not international. Most states don’t recognize international nursing degree programs. Secondly, don’t take the program’s word for it if they say that they are Board-approved. Your Board of Nursing will be able to give you a list of approved nursing programs in your state, so you can pick from institutions that will definitely allow you to take your licensure examinations and practice after graduation. If you aren’t sure if certain online pediatric nurse practitioner programs are approved, ask them. The Board of Nursing is a nurse’s best resource when it comes to dealing with educational issues.
Online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs may be convenient for nursing students, but it can be hard to find one that’s actually Board-approved. Nonetheless, these programs are worth seeking out for nurses that want to specialize in working with children, since they can give you the opportunity to handle your own pediatrics practice as an APRN.
Top Accredited Programs for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Training in the U.S.A
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
University of Washington
University of Pittsburgh
Duke University
University of Colorado
Rush University
University of Colorado – Denver
Columbia University
University of California-San Francisco
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Emory University
Johns Hopkins University
University of Iowa
University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
University of Chicago – Illinois
University of Maryland-Baltimore
Vanderbilt University
Ohio State University
Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Online nurse practitioner programs provide a highly flexible method for working nurses to pursue a master’s degree in order to advance their career. Nurse practitioners (NP) are registered nurses (RN) who have been trained to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions. The focus of most NPs is on health promotion and education, as well as disease prevention.
Benefits of Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Online nurse practitioner programs were developed with the working nurse in mind. Many working nurses are juggling several responsibilities and find it difficult to commute back and forth to campus so value the opportunity to study online. The growing popularity of online nursing programs at all degree levels has prompted many nursing schools to expand their formats to include this study option.
A second benefit of online programs is that they typically sot lest to attend than do traditional campus based programs. This is because online program have reduced overhead costs in terms of building space and materials.
Selecting an Online Nurse Practitioner Program
While online nursing programs offer several benefits in terms of cost and convenience, you should select a program only after performing some due diligence. The following are some suggested steps to take when researching different programs.
Ensure that the program is accredited
It is very important that you attend a school that has received accreditation by either the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). These agencies have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education as official accreditation agencies of nursing education programs. Attending an accredited school validates the quality of education you will receive and ensures that your degree will be accepted by your State Board of Nursing. You will also need to attend an accredited school in order to be eligible for federally-based financial aid.
Know your Learning Style
Not all distance learning programs are the same. Some program stress student independence while others offer a good deal of support and offered in a quasi-campus format with scheduled class times and faculty advising. In general, the greater level of independence a school offer, the greater levels of motivation and self-discipline students must possess.
Online study does involve teacher and student interaction
Even the more independent programs do include some measure of interaction among faculty and students, as well as student-to-student. There are several ways that this interaction occurs, from message boards to virtually-based advising sessions, discussion groups, live chats, and topic forums. Building relationships with faculty and other students will increase your motivation and focus while also providing a method to get help with challenging material Discussion groups provide a forum to raise opinions and question regarding specific issues brought up “in class.” Connection fosters relationships and sense of community and lifts the sense of isolation that can experience during the course of the program.
Utilize Online Resources
There are many online resources to assist nursing students with coursework, such as medical dictionaries and thesauruses. Students may also utilize search engines such as Google, Ask.com or Yahoo by typing a search term for nearly any medical topic into the browser. In addition, such Web sites as WebMD.com and MayoClinic.com offer a plethora of information regarding a wide variety of medical conditions..
Online Nurse Practitioner Program Admission
For the most part, admission requirements will include graduation form an undergraduate institution that has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education with a minimum GPA of 3.0; .a valid and unrestricted RN license. Two or three letters of recommendation from instructors or supervisors, résumé or curriculum vita, along with an essay of career goals. Some schools may also require students to submit scores from the Graduate Record examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
Online Nurse Practitioner Program Curriculum
Full time students can expect to complete the program in eighteen to twenty four months. Programs may also be completed on a part time basis which will extend the time to completion to about three or four years.
Core coursework in most online nurse practitioner programs includes medical ethics, health policy planning, health economics, nursing informatics, public health nursing, research and statistics, as well as leadership in nursing. Once core coursework is completed students will then take classes in their specialty area, whether that be Generalist Nurse practitioner (NP); Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP); Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP, or Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP). Specialty coursework will also include advanced clinical practice with targeted patient populations.
Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Georgetown University
Brandman University
Kaplan University
University of Phoenix
American Sentinel University
Drexel University
Grand Canyon University
Capella University
Vanderbilt University
Top Nurse Practitioner Programs in the United States of America – Campus Based
University of California-San Francisco
University of Washington
University of Pennsylvania
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Columbia University
Oregon Health and Science University
Johns Hopkins University
Yale University
University of Maryland-Baltimore
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
University of Alabama – Birmingham
Duke University
Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing
University of Pittsburgh
University of Colorado – Denver
University of Chicago – Illinois
University of Kentucky
Georgia Southern University
Rush University
Emory University
Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
A Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) is an advanced practice nurse who has obtained a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree, along with advanced clinical training in family care. Family Nurse Practitioners focus on preventative care and health promotion. They perform many of the same duties as family physicians and are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of acute and chronic health conditions in patients of all ages.
Admission Requirements for Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Although specific admission criteria may vary among different schools, for the most part admission requirements include the possession of a bachelor’s degree from a school that has received accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. In most cases a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 will be required. Applicants must also hold a current and unrestricted RN license in the state where they practice. Specific programs may also require applicants to submit scores from the Graduate Record examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies test (MAT), along with official undergraduate college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Accreditation of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
When researching master’s programs be sure the program has received accreditation by one of two agencies: the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Each of these agencies has been recognized by the U.S. Department as the official accreditation bodies for nursing education in the United States. Accreditation is important as it signifies that you will receive a quality education as determined by program curriculum, faculty experience and publishing background, and clinical opportunities.
Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
Students who attend on a full time basis can expect to complete the program in about eighteen to twenty four months. There are also accelerated programs that will allow you to complete the program sooner by taking a heavier course load each semester and attending during the summer session. Programs may also be taken on a part time basis for working nurses which extends the time necessary to finish by one or two years.
Most family nurse programs will include core coursework in such subjects as research methodology and statistics, health policy planning, medical ethics, community health and public nursing, nursing informatics, as well as management principles in nursing.
Once core coursework is completed students will then take classes in their specialty area. A sample Family Nurse Program curriculum is provided below.
Core Coursework:
§ URS501 Perspectives in Advanced Nursing Practice
§ NURS504 Advanced Human Pathophysiology
§ NURS506 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice
§ NURS603 Individual, Family and Community Systems
§ NURS604 Evidence Based Nursing Practice
§ NURS633 Advanced Holistic Health Assessment
FNP Track Coursework:
§ NURS503 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice
§ NURS643 Primary Care of the Child Bearing Family
§ NURS636 Primary Care I
§ NURS637 Primary Care III
§ NURS690 Practicum in the Nurse Practitioner Role
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition costs will vary depending on type of school you attend. Those who enroll an in-state school will pay less than those who attend an out-of-state school or private university. For example, the cost to attend an in-state tuition is about $12,000 with out-of-state tuition about $15,000. Tuition at private colleges and universities will cost approximately $60,000. Online schools, having reduced overhead costs, also tend to offer lower tuition costs than many private institutions.. Related expenses include textbooks, supplies (e.g. uniforms), lab fees, commuting expenses, as well as Internet usage (especially for those attending an online program).
There are various types of financial aid available in the form of scholarships, grants, and student loans. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for each type of aid. Working nurses may also be eligible for tuition assistance from their employer. Graduate nursing students may be eligible for additional assistance through a variety of federally-based programs. Below is a sampling of assistance offered through the Bureau of Health Professions:*
❚ Nurse Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs support current students and new graduates. These programs include:
● Loan Repayment: This program will repay up to 85% of loans taken during nursing study. In return you will need to work in a healthcare facility or geographic location which is experiencing a critical shortage of nurses for a minimum, or serve as a faculty member for at least three years.
● Scholarship: Scholarships are available to full time nursing students. Upon graduation, recipients are required to work in a healthcare facility facing a critical shortage area for a minimum of two years.
❚ The Faculty Loan Repayment Program provides loan forgiveness for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who agree to work as faculty at eligible health professions schools for no less than two years.
Top Accredited Family Nurse Practitioner Training Programs for in the United States
University of California-San Francisco
University of Washington
University of Pennsylvania
University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
Columbia University
Oregon Health and Science University
Johns Hopkins University
Yale University
University of Maryland-Baltimore
Vanderbilt University
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
University of Alabama—Birmingham
Duke University
Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing
University of Pittsburgh
University of Colorado – Denver
University of Chicago-Illinois
University of Kentucky
Georgia Southern University
Rush University
Emory University
Ohio State University
University of Virginia
