MSN: Nurse Practitioner (NP) Degree Programs
A nurse practitioner (NP) is one of four types of advanced practice registered nurses, the others being clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. A Master of Science degree in nursing (MSN) along with status as a registered nurse are required before becoming a nurse practitioner. NPs serve as primary and specialty care providers in a number of areas, including general practice, acute care, adult health, family health, psychiatric and mental health, and women’s health, to name a few. For adult, gerontological, and family nurse practitioners, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) offers a certification program.
How to Become a NP
To become a nurse practitioner, students typically complete the following steps:
- Complete an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program
- Earn a Registered Nurse Certification
- Meet the professional experience conditions
- Choose an area of specialization such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or women’s health
- Enroll and complete an MSN degree with a nurse practitioner concentration
- Obtain NP certification and proper licensure (requirements vary by state)
NP Salary and Career Information
The expected salary, career growth, and work environment for a nurse practitioner might include:
- Median Expected Salary: $89,787, according to Salary.com’s most recent report
- Job Prospects: Very good to excellent
- Job Setting: Private practices, nursing homes, hospitals, public health organizations, boards of health and education, educational institutions, home health care agencies
NP Qualifications
To become a nurse practitioner, students are typically required to meet the following job qualifications:
- NP Advanced Practice Certification
- Experience and possibly additional certification in a specialty area including: neurology, oncology, rehabilitation, trauma nursing, adolescent health, neonatal, pediatric oncology, pediatric pulmonary, school health nursing, anesthesiology, community health, home health care, hospice nursing, occupational health, women’s health
NP Job Description
A nurse practitioner is typically responsible for the following job duties:
- Examine patients to evaluate their medical and physical conditions and develop specific care plans based on health assessment
- Work closely with physicians and other medical professionals to aid in patient diagnosis
- Act at point of contact for patients when physician is not on site or unable to unavailable for consultation
- Develop a plan of care that address patients’ unique conditions and prescribe proper medication (prescriptive authority varies by state)
- Provide educational and therapeutic support to patients on how best to manage symptoms
- Consult with other nurses and medical professionals to improve patient outcomes
General MSN Degree Programs & MSN Bridge Programs for Aspiring Nurse Practitioners
- RN to Master of Science in Nursing from American Sentinel University

- Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing

- MSN: Contemporary Nursing from Drexel University Online

- MS in Nursing from Kaplan University

- MSN Bridge Program from Loyola University New Orleans Online

- MS in Nursing from Spring Arbor University

- Master of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix

MSN: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs
There are currently no MSN Acute Care programs available.
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs
MSN: Infection Control Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs
MSN: Nurse-Midwife & Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs
- MSN: Midwifery/Women’s Health from Georgetown University

- MS in Midwifery from Philadelphia University

- MSN: Nurse Midwifery from University of Cincinnati

- MSN: Women’s Health Practition from University of Cincinnati

MSN: Nursing Informatics Degree Programs
- MSN: Nursing Informatics from American Sentinel University

- MSN: Nurse Informatics from Kaplan University

- MSN: Informatics from University of Phoenix

MSN: Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs
There are currently no MSN Psychiatric & Mental Health Care programs available.
Top Masters in Nursing Schools
A master’s degree in nursing can be the first step to becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or clinical nurse leader (CNL). Several accredited online MSN programs are listed below. Fill out any school’s form to quickly receive additional information and application materials.
| MS in Family Nursing MS in Women’s Health |
Georgetown University – Georgetown University has been educating nurses and helping improve healthcare since 1903. The programs are designed to help the next generation of nursing leaders with majors available in: Family Nurse Practitioner and Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. |
| MSN: Nurse Educator |
Capella University – This masters in nursing program is designed specifically for nurses who wish to enter the teaching profession as nurse educators. With practical applications and engaging assignments, student can accomplish the assets required to be successful in leadership and educational positions with in the nursing industry. The Nurse Educator degree curriculum is centered around the industry’s best practices and standards and is constantly updated to reflect the latest developments. |
| RN to MS in Nursing MSN: Informatics MSN: Health Education |
Kaplan University – Kaplan University offers a number of RN to MSN degrees for those seeking career advancement. Each program allows students to focus their curriculum on their particular career interest. In addition to the general program, specializations are also offered in informatics and health education. |
| MSN: Clinical Leader MSN: Nursing Education MSN: Patient Services Admin RN to MSN: Clinical Leader RN to MSN: Nursing Edu. RN to MSN: Patient Services |
Sacred Heart University – Sacred Heart University offers accredited BSN to MSN and RN to MSN programs that prepare students for leadership or specialized positions, including clinical nurse leadership (RN to MSN option), nursing education (RN to MSN option), and patient care services administration (RN to MSN option). |
| MSN: Mgmt & Org Leadership MSN: Infection Prevention MSN: Case Management MSN: Informatics |
American Sentinel University – American Sentinel University offers a wide variety of accredited online masters in nursing degrees, each with a specific focus designed to teach MSN students the exact skills they need for their particular career focus. By specializing in Management and Organizational Leadership, Infection Prevention, Case Management, or Nurse Informatics through online courses as opposed to campus programs, students can complete assignments at a time and place that is convenient. |
| Master’s In Nursing MSN Health Administration MSN Health Education MSN Informatics |
University of Phoenix – University of Phoenix offers a number of online master’s in nursing programs. Their general MSN degree program gives students a well-rounded master’s in nursing education, while more specific degrees are available in health administration, health education, and nursing informatics. |
| MSN: Leadership |
Drexel University – The Masters in Nursing Leadership program from Drexel is designed for students who want to take leadership positions in the health community, and involves leadership training and learning the skills needed to manage other nurses. Drexel University provides an affordable option through online courses which can cut down on many of the cost associated with on-ground programs. DU offers a Masters of Science in Nurse Leadership. |
| Masters in Nursing Education |
Grand Canyon University – Grand Canyon University’s online masters in nursing programs focus on becoming a leader and an educator respectively. These accredited degrees are offered via a fully online curriculum. The Masters in Nursing Leadership prepares RNs for roles as leaders in a variety healthcare settings; the Masters in Nursing Education prepares RNs for teaching positions within the nursing profession. |
| RN to MSN: Educator MSN: Nurse Educator MSN: Health Leadership |
Gonzaga University – Gonzaga University offers a wide range of Masters in Nursing degrees, allowing students to fulfill high level roles and leadership roles in Nursing. These MSN degrees, whose options include nursing education (MSN), nursing education (RN to MSN) and health systems leadership, can be completed at a relatively fast pace and provide more convenience to students with busy or inconsistent schedules. |
| MSN: Nurse Educator |
Benedictine University – Benedictine University offers a fully online masters in nursing degree. This accredited program includes focuses on leadership, education, administration, global healthcare among other topics. With this versatile degree, students can choose from several opportunities as they present themselves. BU has campus and online courses available for their MSN program. The online course can be completed at a pace that is comfortable to you. |









