is there a such thing as an online nurse practitioners program?

Question

I know that there are many schools now that allow you to get a BSN online. Are there any schools that allow you to get an NP online?( legitimate schools)? How do they handle the clinical requirements for the NP. Thanks

Answer 1

I have worked with students who were enrolled in accredited distance education programs for an MSN with a nurse practitioner focus. I was assigned as adjuct faculty for the school and worked to arrange clinical opportunities for the students.

Even in my university-based MSN program the students in the nurse practitioner programs were expected to arrange their own clinical training sites. For students who had moved to the area for the program this presented a problem as they did not have the contacts in the area. The school provided some input.

Clinical training for nurse practitioners is very important, and I feel there needs to be some level of organization to the training sites. But with the current shortage, it is difficult for all programs to arrange adequate sites for all students.

Look into distance programs affiliated with schools which also have ongoing university-based programs. These have the strongest support, and your degree will have more value and be more respected.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Actually, many of the courses for master's degree programs in nursing (including NP) are offered online. Clinical components are arranged with assistance from the school and also by you doing your own legwork to find clinical sites and preceptors.

You're always better off going to a locally based college or university that has an online program, because they will have the contacts in the community to better assist you in setting up your clinical experiences than if it is a school located out of your state.

Good luck!

Answer 3

You can get an MSN online, as per Vanderbilt U, however, they seem targeted towards admin, NOT APN work.
While they don't advertise as "online degrees," I suspect quite a few legit nursing schools will allow a good percentage of their coursework to be completed online. Clearly clinicals are needed, as you noted, so as no one could be accepted to the MSN without the BSN and RN licensure, they MUST have their programs designed so you can work, do the clinicals, and fit the coursework in somehow.
I'd suggest contacting whatever MSN offering universities you'd consider and see how they manage to do that.
Alternatively, a hospital HR department should have such info as it's in their interest to get MSNs and keep their BSNs happy and well-educated.
For strictly online, everyone's speciality appeared to be paperwork though.