Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are in high demand and will continue to be, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS projects that employment of APRNs (some of whom are nurse practitioners) will grow 45% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.* These nurses must earn a master’s degree in nursing, be licensed in their state, and pass a national certification exam.
Earning an advanced nursing degree comes with a number of significant advantages, most notably:
- It prepares you to advance to the next level in your nursing career and pursue a growing number of opportunities, such as a position in leadership or management or as an educator.
- You’ll gain a deeper knowledge of a specific area of nursing, and you could help shape the future of health care in this country.
- A master’s degree in nursing is also the next step toward a doctoral degree, the highest and most prestigious level of education you can attain in nursing.
This guide explores many aspects of earning an advanced nursing degree online, including program requirements, length of study, and career outcomes.†
You’ll learn about Purdue Global’s online advanced nursing programs, including:
With the flexibility of online learning at Purdue Global, you can continue to work and meet your family obligations while going to school. Read on to learn more about your options.
Online Master of Science in Nursing Program
Purdue Global offers two paths to a master’s degree in nursing:
1. Our Master of Science in Nursing program allows you to earn a master’s degree with a concentration or population focus in one of the following six areas‡:
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGNP)
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
- Executive leader (EL)
- Nurse educator (NE)
2. Our Master of Science in Nursing-DNP Path is for nurses who want to go on to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice. As part of this path, Purdue Global MSN students are able to complete two doctoral level courses in lieu of two Master of Science in Nursing required nursing courses. This not only meets the requirements of the MSN degree, but also expedites your time to complete the DNP, while also making it more cost effective.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master’s Degree in Nursing?
The amount of time you need to earn a master’s degree depends on how many courses you take per term (up to two courses per term) and the specialized pathway you choose. You’ll take 30 quarter credit hours in core requirements and another 30–60 quarter credit hours in a specialty concentration for a total of 60–90 quarter credit hours.
Students typically complete the program in about 2 years, depending on the pathway.§
What Are the Prerequisites for the MSN Program?
Different pathways have different entrance requirements. In general, you must have a bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) and provide evidence of specific lengths of time spent as a registered nurse in a care setting that meets the School of Nursing’s requirements (more information can be found in the Academic Catalog).
If your BSN is from a school other than Purdue Global, you may need to take additional courses to meet program requirements.
You may also need to provide evidence of current advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification, which must remain current during your enrollment.
What Is the Typical Master’s in Nursing Program Curriculum?
Core requirements include courses in advanced nursing, scientific and analytic approaches to evidence-based practice, epidemiology and health promotion, and promoting optimal models and systems for health care. Additional courses are specific to the various specialized pathways; for more details on the degree plans, visit the University Catalog. Each plan also includes appropriate clinicals and practicums.
Who Should Enroll in the MSN Program?
This program is for the nurse with a BSN who has a goal of becoming a nurse practitioner or progressing into nursing management, administration, or teaching. It is also helpful for nurses who aim to practice independently.
What Should an MSN Graduate Be Able to Do Upon Graduation?
MSN-prepared nurses can continue to work as registered nurses. In addition, depending on the area of study, they may be able to work as a health care or nursing administrator, nurse practitioner, or nurse educator. They may also study for a Doctor of Nursing degree.
What Is the Difference Between the MSN Program and the MSN-to-DNP Path?
The Master of Science in Nursing-DNP Path is a bridge between a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree and plan to earn a doctorate, this is the plan to choose; completion is required to move on to the DNP degree.
Online Post-Master’s Degree Certificate Programs
Purdue Global offers six postgraduate certificate programs (nurses must also be licensed in their own state)‡:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate: A program for nurses interested in gaining expertise in the management of acutely ill medical, surgical, and critical care adult patient populations and working with an interprofessional direct care team. The program consists of 51 quarter credit hours.
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate: A program for nurses interested in working with adults of all ages, diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions, prescribing and monitoring medication, educating, and promoting general health and preventative medicine. The program consists of 60 quarter credit hours.
- Executive Leader Graduate Certificate: A program for nurses who plan to pursue positions in management and administration in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other organizations. The program consists of 30 quarter credit hours.
- Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Certificate: A program for nurses who want to work with all ages of patients, diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions, promote holistic health care, and advocate for patients. Program consists of 60 quarter credit hours and participation in clinical practice settings.
- Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate: A program for nurses who want to teach others, study nursing education in theory and practice, and learn advanced nursing concepts. Program consists of 30 quarter credit hours.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate: A program for nurses who want to learn to assess, diagnose, monitor, treat, and manage psychiatric mental health disorders, medical organic brain disorders, substance abuse problems, and complex co-occurring diseases and disorders across the lifespan. Program consists of 48 quarter credits.
Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP)
A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is the highest nursing degree one can earn.
How Long Does it Take to Earn a DNP Degree?
The DNP requires a minimum of 48 quarter credit hours, depending upon how many completed clinical practice experience hours you bring into the program. Students typically complete the program in about 1.5 years.#
What Are the Prerequisites for the DNP Program?
You must have completed the MSN program at Purdue Global or a CCNE-, ACEN-, or CNEA-accredited Master of Science in Nursing with an advanced nursing practice specialty as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Purdue Global also offers an MSN-to-DNP Path program for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree but not yet earned a master’s in nursing.
What Is the Typical Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum?
Students work to attain a minimum of 1,000 hours of postbaccalaureate nursing practice in their chosen concentration or population focus area. They also complete a practice-focused project that spans several semesters, demonstrating their ability to apply what they have learned to real-world situations.
Who Should Enroll in the DNP Program?
This program is for the nurse with a master’s degree who desires to expand their employment opportunities such as an advanced management role, an advanced educator role, or an advanced nurse practitioner role.
What Should a DNP Graduate Be Able to Do Upon Graduation?
In addition to having advanced nursing practice skills, a DNP-prepared nurse may work as a nursing instructor, postsecondary teacher, registered nurse, charge nurse, director of nursing, or nurse practitioner.†
“The DNP allows the student to function and to provide services at a larger level. These are the people who are responsible for directing systems and making changes to systems that improve the health of large numbers of people,” said Deborah Adell, nursing faculty member at Purdue Global. “Somebody who aspires to go into upper-level management, administration, writing or changing policy—perhaps at the governmental level, at the largest hospital system level—would benefit from a DNP.”
Being a Nurse Practitioner: At a Glance
Nurse practitioners are also called advanced practice registered nurses or APRNs.
- What they do: Coordinate patient care; depending on the specialty, they evaluate, diagnose and treat patients and prescribe medicine. Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners come under this BLS category.
- Where they work: Hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, public health settings
- BLS career outlook: 52% growth between 2019 and 2029 (much faster than average)
- Typical level of education: Master’s degree, licensed in their state, and national certification exam
- Qualities needed: APRNs should possess superior communication and people skills and the ability to apply their education and knowledge of medicine and regulations in real-life situations. They need good judgment and solid decision-making skills.
Earn an Advanced Nursing Degree Online With Purdue Global
Purdue Global offers advanced nursing degree programs including online master’s degree programs, post-master’s certificates, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Online programs offer busy nurses the flexibility to pursue an education while continuing to work and care for their families. The school’s advanced nursing degrees are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
For more information about a specific nursing program, request more information or read more about the Purdue Global nursing school programs online.
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Learn more about online programs at Purdue Global and download our program guide.