Nurse Practitioner Career Opportunities Growing
Nurse Practitioners As The Provider Of Choice
Under growing pressure to balance quality and cost, health planners are relying increasingly on nurse practitioners as the providers of choice for a range of front-line health services, such as primary and preventive care, managing chronic health conditions in older people, and teaching patients how to avoid injury and the expense of hospitalization and nursing home care. Mounting studies show that the quality of Nurse Practitioner care is equal to, and at times better than, comparable services by physicians, and often lower cost.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses (RNs) who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide preventive and acute health-care services to individuals of all ages. Today, most NPs complete graduate-level education that leads to a master’s degree. They work independently and collaboratively on the health-care team.”
Nurse practitioners can provide many of the primary care services that physicians provide, including performing physical exams; diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries; provide immunizations; manage high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic problems; order and interpret X-rays and other lab tests; and counsel patients on disease prevention and health care options.
Nurse Practitioners not only meet basic health care needs in rural areas and inner cities -- sites not adequately served by physicians -- but deliver quality primary care to other under-served populations, such as children in school settings and the elderly. Some NPs have independent practices and can be reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, or other third parties.
The U.S. could save as much as $8.75 billion annually if Nurse Practitioners were used appropriately in the place of physicians according to one study. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has obligated $200 million to address shortages of healthcare providers by plans to train more Nurse Practitioners, Physicians, and Dentists under Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act. The statement from Congress accompanying the legislation specifically identifies Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development loan repayment and scholarship programs as recipients of the stimulus funding.
Urgent Need for NP’s at Community Health Centers
For more than four decades, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has provided grant support for Health Centers that provide high-quality preventive and primary health care to medically under-served residents in cities and isolated rural areas.
Community Health Centers provide comprehensive services that include pharmacy, mental health, substance abuse and oral health treatment, as well as supportive services that promote access to health care and ensure patient well-being.
One of every 19 people living in the U.S. now relies on a HRSA-funded clinic for primary care. Nurse Practitioners are in great demand to provide primary care services in these community health clinics.
Nearly $3 billion in Recovery Act funding will support the expansion, improvement, and renovation of HRSA funded community health centers and other programs that serve patients in communities across the country to better serve the nation’s most vulnerable families. $155 million is dedicated towards establishing 126 new community health centers across the United States, and each of them will require the services of Nurse Practitioners.
Nurse Practitioner Educational Requirements
A master`s degree in nursing is the basic educational requirement that allows registered nurses to work as nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, certified clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse anesthetists.
Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs
A growing number of accredited online RN to MSN bridge programs are available to transition RNs with diplomas and associate degrees to the master’s degree level (MSN, MS or Master of Science in Nursing degree). These programs prepare nurses to assume positions requiring graduate preparation, including the advanced practice roles of Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse-Midwife and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Master’s degree-prepared nurses are in high demand as expert clinicians, nurse executives, clinical educators, health policy consultants, and research assistants.
Explore Online RN to MSN programs
Online Master of Science in Nursing Programs
Accredited online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs meet the needs of working BSN prepared nurses by offering the flexibility to learn on your own schedule wherever and whenever it’s convenient. Online MSN programs are designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge necessary to provide expert clinical care and related health care services and programs to individuals, families, and groups of people across the lifespan in a variety of acute care and community settings.
Explore online MSN Degree Programs
Become a Nurse Practitioner Online
Achieve the education you need to turn your career dreams into reality. Explore featured accredited online Nurse Practitioner programs and request additional information directly from any of our featured schools. Must be licensed as a registered nurse and be a graduate of an accredited BSN program or hold a BS with a major in Nursing to request information.
Explore Nurse Practitioner Online Programs
Olivet Nazarene University - Graduate and Continuing Studies
Campus
Advance your career with Olivet Nazarene University - Graduate and Continuing Studies. We offer continuing education certificates and master's degrees in history, counseling, religion, business, education, and nursing, plus a Doctorate of Education in Ethical Leadership.
Programs:- Certification - Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Bourbonnais
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
- BS in Nursing (RN Required)
- M.S. in Nursing
- Sacramento
- Tucson
- Los Angeles
- Ontario
- Phoenix
- Costa Mesa
- Pasadena
- Online
- Elk Grove
- Murrieta
- Las Vegas
- Henderson
- Oakland
- Westminster
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Baton Rouge
- Lone Tree
- Fresno
- Fairfax
- Saint Louis
- Diamond Bar
- Beachwood
- Aurora
- Spring
- Reston
- Littleton
- Rancho Cordova
- Southfield
- Manassas
- Livermore
- Dallas
- San Antonio
- Flint
- Lathrop
- Miami
- Fairfield
- Lancaster
- St. Louis
- Sarasota
- East Lansing
- Jacksonville
- Independence
- Temple Terrace
- Woodland Hills
- Grand Rapids
- Livonia
- Daytona Beach
- Houston
- Westlake
- Hurst
- San Diego
- Killeen
- Nashville
- Sugar Land
- Fort Lauderdale
- Gardena
- Troy
- Hollywood
- Salida
- Arlington
- Mesa
- Clinton Township
- San Jose
- Maitland
- Clearwater
- Chandler
- Irving
- Saint Paul
- St Louis Park
- Bakersfield
- Roseville
- Plantation
- Orlando
- Ann Arbor
- Tampa
- San Francisco
- Portage
- Palm Desert
Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies
Online
Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today, Georgetown is a major international research university that embodies its founding principles in the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff, our commitment to justice and the common good, our intellectual openness, and our international character.
Programs:- Nurse Midwifery/Womens Health Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Southern Nevada
Online
The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.
Programs:- Accelerated BSN
University of St. Mary
Online
Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Concorde
Campus
Get your career started with Concorde Career College. Our training programs are short, affordable, and hands-on. We offer training programs in medical assisting, dental assisting, insurance coding, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, vocational/practical nursing, patient care, and more.
Programs:- Nursing - (AS)
- Nursing - (AAS)
- Vocational Nurse
- Kansas City
- Aurora
- Tampa
- Portland
- North Hollywood
- San Diego
- Orlando
- Arlington
- San Bernardino
- Garden Grove
Independence University
Campus
You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.
From associate's and bachelor's to master's degrees in health education and business, with Independence University you can achieve greater success through distance learning programs that suit your busy schedule, with experienced, student-oriented staff to assist you throughout your distance education.
- BS - Nursing
- MS - Nursing Administration
- Salt Lake City
Walden University
Online
Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.
Programs:- M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track
- Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
- B.S. in Nursing (BSN)
Career Colleges of America
Campus
Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.
Programs:- Vocational Nurse
- Nurse Assistant
- Los Angeles
- South Gate
- San Bernardino
- Gardena
Fortis Institute
Campus
Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.
Programs:- Associate Degree in Nursing
- PN RN Associate Degree Bridge Program
- Accelerated BSN
- Pensacola
- Richmond
- Westerville
- Cuyahoga Falls
- Cincinnati
- Miami
- Salt Lake City
- Indianapolis
- Tampa
- Largo
- Nashville
- Dayton
- Ravenna
- Phoenix
- Scranton
- Erie
- Birmingham
- Smyrna
Carrington College California
Campus
Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.
Programs:- AS in Registered Nursing
- AS in Vocational Nursing
- Certificate in Vocational Nursing
- Sacramento
- San Jose
- Antioch
- San Leandro
Carrington College
Campus
Carrington College has helped over 45,000 graduates realize their dream of a career in healthcare. Now it's your turn. Choose from eleven conveniently located campuses.
Programs:- Registered Nursing
- Boise
- Albuquerque
- Phoenix
- Portland
Bryant and Stratton College
Campus
Give your career a boost with an education from Bryant and Stratton College. We offer certificate, associate degree, and bachelor's degree programs for careers in the business, criminal justice, design, finance, technology, health care, and legal fields.
For more information about Bryant and Stratton’s graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures.
Programs:- Nursing
- Richmond
- Milwaukee
Anna Maria College
Online
Start your career with an education from Anna Maria College. We are a private, not-for-profit, regionally accredited university that offers online degree programs as an alternative to our traditional campus courses.
Programs:- RN to BSN
Medtech
Campus
Start your career with an education from Medtech. We offer programs in biotechnology, health care management, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, medical lab technology, and nursing, plus several short-term career courses.
Programs:- School of Nursing
- Fort Wayne
