What an Average NP Program Looks Like

What an Average NP Program Looks Like

When I first decided to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner, I wanted to find out what an average NP program was like. I wanted to know how long it was going to take and what kind of classes are required.

How Long Will I Be in School?

Most Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs require typically 2 years of full-time school. Part-time MSN programs can take 2-4 years of school.

Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are usually another 1-2 years of full-time study in addition to the MSN degree. For those going part-time, it can be 3-4 years of school. 

I found the length of school and the classes required depend on a few factors:

  • School accreditation
  • Full-time vs. Part-time
  • NP specialty
  • Master’s degree vs. Doctorate degree
  • School’s preference

School Accreditation

The NP school’s accreditation affects how long you will be in school and what kind of classes you will be required to take. You will want to make sure the schools you are applying to are accredited by a reliable organization, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). They make sure schools meet certain quality standards. By doing this, they require each nursing program to teach classes about particular topics and also require so many classes or credits to be taken by each student. CCNE provides a directory list that you can search for accredited NP programs.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time

As mentioned earlier, the speed at which you can attend school makes a big impact on how long you will be in school. Going to NP school full-time lets you finish school much quicker, sometimes twice as quick. Most full-time BSN to MSN programs take around 2 years to complete. Going part-time can extend school another 2 years. DNP programs are similar. MSN-DNP full-time programs are 1-2 years, and going part-time can extend that another 2 years.

However, keep in mind a lot of NP schools do not let students work full-time or even part-time while going to school full-time. Make sure you have enough in savings to support you through NP school.

While going to school part-time may take longer, this option offers smaller course loads that can be easier to handle. This is a great option if you have a family, job, or other important things going on in your life. 

Weigh out the pros and cons of each and decide which option is best for you.

NP Specialty

Depending on your nurse practitioner specialty, additional specialty-specific classes and clinical hours may be required. For example, the degree of a neonatal nurse practitioner may require more clinical hours than a family nurse practitioner specialty. The number of clinical hours can differ by 50-300 hours between NP specialties.

It is important to remember, the number of clinical hours or classes can lengthen the amount of time in school and/or increase your workload in your semester. So depending on your school, more classes and required clinical hours can mean busier semesters rather than additional semesters. 

Master’s Degree vs. Doctorate Degree

Most MSN programs require typically 2 years of full-time school. Part-time MSN programs can take 2-4 years of school. DNP programs are an additional 1-2 years of full-time study in addition to the MSN degree. For those going part-time, it can be 3-4 years of school for a DNP.  

Both of these degrees require a capstone project. This scholarly project is used to display the student’s cumulative knowledge gained from their classes. The master’s project is different than the DNP project, but the primary purpose of the two is to display expertise in the clinical nursing practice. It is presented in written material or as an oral presentation. While most projects are done individually, a project can be done as a group with the program’s permission. This project can be very time consuming and prolong the time spent in school.

Nurse Practitioner ProgramTypes of Classes

The required classes depend on your NP specialty. First, there are common core classes required, and then as you progress, the classes will further specialize for most NP programs.

In general, you can expect to take courses like these:

  • Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Health Policy & Systems
  • Health Promotion
  • Health Economics
  • Health Assessment
  • Diagnostics & Procedures
  • Statistic Literacy
  • Leadership & Quality Improvement
  • Research & Evidence-Based Practice
  • Health Management of specialty population (neonate, pediatric, geriatric, etc.)

You will also need to participate in clinical. The number of hours required for clinical vary per school and specialty. Be sure to ask the program’s admission counselor what their requirements are.

Nurse Practitioner ResearchOnline vs. In-Person Classes

A lot of nurse practitioner programs are offering online classes. Some students find virtual classes as the ideal school setting, whereas others struggle to study and learn in this environment. Be sure to ask the school admission counselors what to expect from their NP program and how many classes are online. 

Online Classes:

Pros:

  • Flexible scheduling. Study, listen to lecture, and take tests according to your schedule, night or day. This can let some keep working while in school.
  • Attend school at home. No more traffic. No commuting back and forth from school. Live and travel wherever you want during school. 
  • Virtual Access. You can log in from anywhere for school. Class, presentations, lectures, and discussion boards are all accessed online.  

Cons:

  • No face-to-face interaction. Any questions or thoughts must be communicated virtually, such as by e-mail. Not many opportunities to meet professors or even other students in your class.
  • Requires self-discipline. You are in charge of setting up a schedule to meet class requirements. Professors and classmates are not there to help remind when assignments are due.
  • Reading, reading, reading!. Textbooks, links to website articles, discussion boards, and the list goes on. A majority of the education material is presented online, requiring you to read about a topic and then write about it as a paper or on a discussion board. 

In-Person Classes:

Pros:

  • Face-to-face interaction. You can ask professors or even other classmates questions and receive answers in the moment. 
  • More hands-on training. In-person allows you to experience and learn certain skills with the observation and instruction of a professor at your side.
  • Expand your network. You get to meet professors and classmates, allowing you to network with people in the same field and specialty. 

Cons:

  • Set Schedule. You must attend class at a specific time, which can conflict with work or family events. 
  • On-campus. This requires you to travel and commute to the school location.

Hybrid Programs

Some schools are now offering hybrid programs. This option is when you may have one day a week required on campus for a class, but the rest of the time is spent on other classes provided online. The small amount of time spent on campus allows many to work around their job and family schedules. 

Before applying to NP school, take the time to think about what would be your ideal class setting. Would online classes let you keep working or save money on traveling? Or would the traditional in-person setting be a better option to enhance your learning? As always, talk with school admissions counselors for details regarding their program and what would work best for you.

Nurse Practitioner Class Size

The size of your class varies between schools. Some schools limit their class size to only 20 students, whereas other schools have hundreds of students per semester. As more NP schools provide classes online, they can accept more students each semester. 

Small class sizes typically mean you get more one-on-one attention from your professors. It can enhance your learning by giving you more opportunities to participate in school and receive personalized feedback from your professors. 

However, don’t let big class sizes intimidate you. Most schools with large class sizes require multiple professors to teach within the same course. Each professor is given a section of students to be responsible for. As with any other small class size, that professor answers questions, provides feedback, and ensures that their section of students are receiving the attention they need for that course. 

Summary

While there are a lot of similarities between nurse practitioner programs, no nurse practitioner program is the same. Every NP program is a little different depending on the degree, specialty, and school. It is essential to talk to school admission counselors to learn which degree (MSN vs. DNP) and what kind of school setting is the best fit for you. The school you choose to go to can make a big difference in how well you learn and perform in your program. Ask questions and be informed before applying to any NP school.

We want to hear from you!

Do you prefer online, in-person, or hybrid programs? Are you going to school for your MSN or DNP? Comment below!

Check out these other articles on How to Prepare for NP School and How to Prepare for NP School While Still in College. If you are preparing for admission interviews, then you will want to read A Detailed Guide to the NP School Interview and NP School Interview Questions and Answers.