BSN to Nurse Practitioner: Education Options and Program Overviews
Master's degrees leading to a career as a nurse practitioner nearly always require applicants to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Central components of a nurse practitioner Master of Science in Nursing include advanced nursing practice, diagnostics, medical practice theory and pharmacology.
Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner
Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can enroll in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program to prepare to work as nurse practitioners serving as both primary and secondary healthcare providers. Most nurse practitioner master's degree candidates specialize in a particular field, such as adult care, family practice, pediatrics, women's health or geriatrics. Many MSN Nurse Practitioner programs facilitate student research that adds to the academic body of knowledge through experimentation and publishing. A Master of Science in Nursing typically culminates in either a thesis or a comprehensive exam. A thesis is a substantial work of original research overseen by an advisory committee, while a comprehensive exam is a test over a set of classes or a medical reading list, which is selected by the student and his or her advisory committee.
Educational Prerequisites
In addition to having a BSN, applicants to nurse practitioner MSN typically must be a registered nurse and meet a GPA requirement. Most programs require applicants to have at least one year of clinical experience. Letters of recommendation, personal statements and resumes are also given significant weight by most admissions committees.
Program Coursework
Coursework in nursing practitioner master's degree programs combines rigorous academic work with hands-on, clinical learning. Pharmacology classes are often required because nurse practitioners can prescribe medication. Classes often vary according to specialty. Here are a few classes that might appear in the curriculum:
- Ethics and public policy in healthcare
- Health assessment
- Pathophysiology
- Evaluation of common health problems
- Child and adolescent development
- Family practice methods
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that the employment rate for nursing professions will increase 22% between 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov). The BLS noted that nurse practitioners will be in particularly high demand in under-served areas. Salary.com reported in June 2010 that half of nurse practitioners earned a base salary of $80,510-$94,174. Nurse practitioners in specialty care, emergency care and neonatal care reported higher salary ranges than nurse practitioners specializing in geriatric care in nursing homes.
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23 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
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Associate
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- AS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (5 campuses)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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- Master
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
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Master
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- MSN in RN-to-MSN General Nursing
- BSN in RN-to-BSN/MSN Combined Option (CCNE-accredited)
- MSN in Nurse Educator
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- MSN in RN-to-MSN Nurse Educator
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
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- Doctorate
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Bachelor
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- BS in Nursing - General
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
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- Currently not accepting applications from Texas residents
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Master
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- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Project Management
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Associate
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- AS in Medical Assisting
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- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
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Master
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- MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
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- RN to MSN in Nursing - Nursing Informatics
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must live within close proximity to school locations
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Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
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Master
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- Master of Science - Nursing
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- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
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Bachelor
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- RN to BSN
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- BS in Health Science
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