Many professionals who want an exciting healthcare career with good pay and great job demand are choosing to come primary care nurse practitioners.
A primary care nurse practitioner is often the primary point of contact for many people’s major health needs today. As a primary care NP, you will perform many of the same roles as a physician: take and record the medical histories of patients; perform physical exams; and create plans for patient care.
The demand for primary care NPs is being driven by several factors: the increase in longevity among Americans, the wider availability of health insurance, and the focus on cutting health care costs and increasing efficiency.
Even better, many of these primary care nurse practitioner programs (which provide you with a Master’s of Science in Nursing upon graduation), are now available online.
Below are 10 of them which we believe are the best online programs available:
#1 Duke University
At Duke University School of Nursing, you can earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice online. All of the MSN classes are offered online at least once per year, while some of the curriculum is offered only on campus on a few occasions during the two year program.
- Campus: Durham NC, online
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tuition: $15,844 per semester
- Minimum time commitment: Two years
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0, references, resume, GRE scores
- Programs: MSN, DNP
- Request Information Direct: Duke University
#2 Georgetown University
This highly rated online MSN program prepares RNs with primary care and acute care experience to provide direct patient management and to integrate evidence-based practice and alleviate patient suffering. Online courses include Health Care Ethics, Advanced Concepts in Pharmacology, and Anatomy for Health Care Professionals.
- Campus: Washington, DC, online
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $1928 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 23 months
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.2, personal statement, GRE scores, references, resume
- Programs: MSN, DNP
- Request Information Direct: Georgetown University
#3 Johns Hopkins University
The advanced nursing practice specialty available online at JHU will prepare you for primary care and acute care nurse practitioner settings. You will be able to use this university’s resources online to learn how to conduct best practice research and learn the latest standards of care.
- Campus: Baltimore MD, online
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $1544 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 24 months
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, GRE scores, minimum GPA of 3.0, personal statement, essays, references, resume
- Programs: MSN, DNP, RN to MSN, RN to BSN/MSN
- Request Information Direct: Johns Hopkins University
#4 University of South Alabama
This online MSN program prepares graduates for advanced nursing practice as a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Graduates will be able to synthesize and apply advanced nursing care knowledge, theories and research. Students who participate in the online track must attend an orientation session on campus during the initial Fall term.
- Campus: Mobile, AL, online
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tuition: $547 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: Two years
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 2.75, references, resume
- Programs: MSN, DNP, RN to MSN, RN to BSN/MSN
- Request Information Direct: University of South Alabama
#5 Catholic University of America
This online MSN program will build upon your bachelor’s degree to help you to become an advanced practice nurse. You will learn the latest concepts of nursing science and advanced nursing practice, as well as theories of health care management. Core coursework is in research, advanced health assessment, population health, pathophysiology and pharmacology.
- Campus: Washington, DC, online
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $905 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: Two years
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 2.75, references, personal statement, GRE scores, resume
- Programs: MSN, DNP, RN to MSN, RN to BSN/MSN
- Request Information Direct: University of South Alabama
#6 Ball State University
If you want to take the next step in an exciting nursing career, this MSN program online will prepare you for an advanced nursing professional position. This online MSN program was named as the 11th largest in 2010 in US News and World Report. You will study how information technology is used in nursing practice, administration, education, and research.
- Campus: Muncie IN
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $386 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 23 months
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 2.75, references, personal statement, resume
- Programs: RN to BSN, BSN to MSN, RN to BSN/MSN, DNP
- Request Information Direct: Ball State University
#7 Maryville University
This online university takes a holistic approach to stress the expert care and career importance of becoming a family nurse practitioner. This advanced NP program will help highly experienced RNs to achieve excellent health care results in primary care settings and for patients of all ages. Learning is 100% online and no GRE scores are required.
- Campus: Louis, MO, online
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $585 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 23 months
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 2.75, references, personal statement, resume
- Programs: RN to BSN, BSN to MSN, RN to BSN/MSN, DNP
- Request Information Direct: Maryville University
#8 Chamberlain College
In as few as eight semesters, you can earn your online MSN degree and become a nurse practitioner. All of the coursework is online, and the program integrates theory and practical application. This program is well suited for professionals with a busy schedule as you have no mandatory check ins or chat times, and there are no GRE requirements or group work.
- Campus: Downer’s Grove IL, online
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $650 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 24 months
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 2.5, references, personal statement, resume
- Programs: RN to BSN, BSN to MSN, RN to BSN/MSN
- Request Information Direct: Chamberlain College
#9 Benedictine University
The online MSN degree from this online university with help you to become an effective and ethical nurse practitioner. It emphasizes organizational and systems leadership, health care technologies, evidence based practice and quality improvement.
- Campus: Lisle, IL, online
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $525 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 24 months
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 2.5, references, personal statement, updated CV
- Programs: MSN FNP, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator
- Request Information Direct: Benedictine University
#10 Samford University
This online, public university offers an MSN with a terminal option to become a nurse practitioner. You also may continue to earn your doctor of nursing practice degree, if you want to pursue an academic or research career. You can earn your MSN degree without having to relocate or visit the campus, unless you choose to do so. You will be required to complete 720 clinical hours in your area.
- Campus: Birmingham AL, online
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tuition: $375 per credit hour
- Minimum time commitment: 5 semesters
- Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0, references, personal statement, resume
- Programs: MSN, MSN to DNP
- Request Information Direct: Samford University
