Nurse practitioners, or NPs, have similar responsibilities compared to doctors and more than registered nurses (RNs). However, while it takes 10 to 12 years to become a doctor, it only takes six to eight years to become an NP. If you’re thinking about pursuing this career field, here’s everything you need to know about nurse practitioners and some of the best schools you should consider.
What Is a Nurse Practitioner?
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A nurse practitioner (NP), also sometimes known as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), is a nurse who provides health care services similar to those of a doctor. They assess patients, perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, order tests, educate patients, analyze tests, write referrals, and design treatment plans.
NPs choose a specialization. Common options include pediatrics, women’s health, cardiology, psychiatry, and primary care. You can find them in just about every healthcare setting from physicians’ offices to emergency rooms.
Here are some quick facts about nurse practitioners:
- Median annual wage: $126,000
- Projected growth rate (between 2022 and 2032): 44.5%
- Required education level: Master’s or Doctorate
- Common majors: Nursing/Family Practice Nurse, Nursing Practice, Nursing Administration, Nursing Science
Nurse Practitioner Vs. Doctor
A nurse practitioner can act as a primary care provider (PCP) in select states without a doctor’s supervision. However, in other states they need a doctor’s supervision to provide care and prescribe medications.
It takes longer to become a doctor than an NP. Doctors need a postgraduate degree, which takes 10 to 12 years compared to the six to eight years it takes to become an NP.
Nurse Practitioner Vs. Physician Assistant
Physician assistants (PAs) are very similar to nurse practitioners, but there are some differences.
PAs have a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) through a medical master’s program. While they also perform many of the same responsibilities as doctors and NPs, they have to work with a supervising doctor. In addition, NPs choose a specialization in nursing. PAs have a more general foundation.
How Do You Become a Nurse Practitioner?
In total, it takes about six to eight years of school to become a nurse practitioner. Here’s a look at the general steps:
- Earn a nursing bachelor’s degree. Before you can apply to an NP program, you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you might be able to pursue an accelerated BSN program.
- Receive an RN license. Next, you have to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a certification test that covers nursing skills and critical thinking. Once you pass, you can apply for an RN license through your state.
- Enroll in an NP program. Future NPs can choose between a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which takes about two years, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which takes four years. You’ll have to select a specialization, also known as a population focus.
- Apply for an NP license. Once you earn your MSN or DNP, you need to take the National NP Certification Board Exam related to your population focus. If you pass, you can apply for the NP license in your state.
- Renew your license. Even after you’re working as a nurse practitioner, you’ll have to regularly renew your license and continue your education. Exact requirements depend on your state and the certification board.
MSN Vs. DNP
Future nurse practitioners choose between two graduate school degrees: a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
An MSN takes about two years to complete, though the exact time frame depends on the nurse’s population focus. The courses cover advanced nursing, including patient care management, diagnostic skills, and treatment. With an MSN, you can also pursue a career as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), nurse educator, or nurse anesthetist.
A DNP focuses on the same subjects, with additional coverage on leadership, administration, and evidence-based research. It takes about four years to complete.
Those who pursue a DNP tend to have more career opportunities than those with an MSN, but a majority of APRNs hold a MSN. However, some states and doctors now require their nurse practitioners to hold a doctorate degree, especially as many national organizations are recommending a DNP over an MSN.
Best Nurse Practitioner Schools
If you want to become a nurse practitioner, it’s important to go to the right school. Here are some of the top choices for MSN and DNPs for nurse practitioners in the United States:
1. EMORY UNIVERSITY
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Total enrollment: 14,841
- Degrees offered: MSN and DNP
- Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers four programs for future NPs, including Adult-Gerontology, Family, Pediatric, and Women’s Health/Gender-Related Studies. The program takes 15 months.
2. DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Location: Durham, NC
- Total enrollment: 18,023
- Degrees offered: MSN and DNP
- MSN students can choose from several different clinical programs including Adult-Gerontology, Family, Neonatal, Pediatric, Psychiatric, and Women’s Health. Their DNP program focuses on translation, transformation, and leadership.
3. JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Total enrollment: 31,275
- Degrees offered: DNP
- The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing has several advanced practice tracks for doctorate students, including Adult-Gerontology, Family, Pediatric, and Psychiatric. They also offer an MSN “Entry into Nursing” for students who want to become a nurse but have a bachelor’s degree in something other than nursing.
4. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Total enrollment: 60,540
- Degrees offered: MSN and DNP
- Ohio State University has distance learning and on-campus MSN programs for its future NPs, though Neonatal and Psychiatric Mental Health are only available online. Their DPN also has distance learning, with an enhanced focus on administration and health policy development.
5. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Total enrollment: 28,201
- Degrees offered: MSN and DNP
- UPenn has two MSN programs for nurse practitioners with several focuses: acute care and primary care. The school offers a state-of-the-art simulation lab and advanced nursing research. Their DNP programs require you to have your master’s.
6. VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Total enrollment: 13,710
- Degrees offered: MSN and DNP
- Full-time students can complete Vanderbilt University’s MSN in four to five semesters. Specialties include Adult-Gerontology, Emergency, Family, Neonatal, Pediatric, Psychiatric/Mental Health, and Women’s Health/Gender-Related. Their DNP tracks include advanced clinical, advanced systems, and executive leadership.
7. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
- Location: Arlington, TX
- Total enrollment: 52,384
- Degrees offered: MSN and DNP
- The University of Texas at Arlington offers both MSNs and DNP online and off, with options for accelerated programs. Students can finish the DNP program in just six semesters, but it does require a master’s degree to enter.
8. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
- Total enrollment: 16,406
- Degrees offered: DNP
- Although the University of North Florida offers an MSN, it’s for management and leadership – not for those who wish to become nurse practitioners. Instead, you’ll have to pursue their DNP, which admits on a rolling basis.
9. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS – AMHERST
- Location: Amherst, MA
- Total enrollment: 32,229
- Degrees offered: DNP
- The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst offers an online DNP program. Participating students can choose to earn their master’s in Nursing Science at the same time.
10. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
- Location: New York, NY
- Total enrollment: 34,782
- Degrees offered: DNP
- Columbia University accepts nurses with bachelor’s and master’s to their DNP program. They offer a variety of specialties including Adult-Gerontology, Midwifery, Family, Pediatric, Anesthesia, and Psychiatric/Mental Health. The program takes 2.5 years.
Regulations for nurse practitioners are changing and they vary from state to state. Universities don’t all offer the same exact program. If you’re going for your master’s or doctorate outside of the state you intend to work in, make sure their program aligns with your state’s laws. Some universities also don’t accept students from select states. If you’re ever unsure about the education you need to become a nurse practitioner, reach out to your state’s regulatory board or to the program you’d like to attend to get more information.
Want to learn more about nursing and related areas of studies for undergraduate and graduate students? Our College Major search tool covers all the bases. Learn more about healthcare-specific focuses here.
