Top 25 Online Nurse Practitioner Master's Degrees for 2019
While registered nurses are qualified to carry out a variety of patient care plans, nurses with advanced training are often needed to help patients manage more acute and chronic health issues. If you are a current nursing professional who wants to take your career to the next level, then consider enrolling in one of the many online nurse practitioner programs. Earning this degree prepares you to diagnose illnesses, coordinate patient care plans, and act as an advocate for patients and healthcare providers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there will be phenomenal growth for nurse practitioners over the next several years. A 31% surge in this occupation is projected by 2026, which amounts to 64,000 jobs. This is nearly five times more than the projected growth rate for all other occupations. The upswing is due largely to an aging population and a greater demand for preventive care.
What are the Best Online Nurse Practitioner Master's Degree Programs?
Top 25 Online Nurse Practitioner Masters Degrees for 2019
Admissions Rate
46%
Graduation Rate
83%
Online Enrollment
14%
Retention Rate
94%
Default Rate
1%
Through its online family nurse practitioner programs , George Washington University in Washington, D.C. prepares registered nurses for careers in primary care for all ages. Students are required to attend an on-campus course to learn how to perform a complete history and physical examination. Near the end of the final semester, students come to campus to complete their exams. The 48-credit curriculum includes courses on several topics including nursing leadership, genetics for healthcare providers, and concepts in population health.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation, nursing licensure, a personal statement, and their current resume. Tuition is charged per credit hour and rates vary by program. Students must finish 700 clinical hours with an approved preceptor to graduate.
Visit SiteSponsored
How to Choose an Online Nurse Practitioner Master's Degree Program
If you are investigating nurse practitioner programs online, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind. For instance, you should know if you require a fully online program or if you can enroll in a hybrid program that involves both online and on-campus classes. Some programs may offer only synchronous classes, meaning all students must participate in class at a scheduled time. However, your own busy schedule may mean you need an asynchronous program that permits greater flexibility.
Another factor affecting the length of a program is part- or full-time status. You should also think about what specialty you wish to pursue in your studies, as many programs offer concentrations in areas like pediatrics, adult-gerontology, or neonatal care. Perhaps most importantly, pick only schools that are regionally or nationally accredited, and determine what financial aid options are available to you and how the cost of various programs aligns with your budget.
Careers for Graduates of Nurse Practitioner Master's Programs
Because nurses make such a difference in people's lives, students who finish nurse practitioner programs online enter exciting careers that are personally and professionally rewarding. The knowledge you gain after completing your degree also opens up a variety of lucrative career options. Below are several nursing occupations that are commonly pursued by graduates of accredited online nurse practitioner programs.
An acute nurse practitioner works with acutely ill patients. This may involve administering medications, checking vital signs, and monitoring symptoms that indicate a possible change in health status. This expert also works closely with physicians and helps families understand necessary treatment protocols to achieve intended health outcomes.
Median Salary: $98,328
Job Outlook and Salary for Graduates of Nurse Practitioner Master's Degrees
According to BLS, the nurse practitioner occupation will grow 31% by 2026, a much faster growth rate than the 7% average for all occupations. This means the number of professionals in this field will soar from 155,500 in 2016 to 211,500. What you earn depends not only on your area of specialty, but also where in the country you work. Still, the expected number of openings in this field — combined with what is certain to be an increased demand for nurse practitioners — means salaries will remain competitive.
| Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 155,500 | 211,500 |
Salary Growth by Experience for Graduates of Nurse Practitioner Master's Programs
Salary and years of experience are closely linked for graduates of online nurse practitioner programs. Compensation depends heavily on how many years you have on the job, and also on the kinds of responsibilities you must fulfill. While your earnings will surely increase as you acquire more experience, entry-level incomes are nonetheless competitive. This is because nurse practitioners are expected to enter the field with a high level of competence in how they manage patient care.
To determine the best online nurse practitioner master's degrees, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online nurse practitioner master's degrees. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.