3 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Kansas City, MO (Online & Campus) – 2024


Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH

True, there are two “Kansas Cities.” But when people talk about Kansas City, they usually mean the one in Missouri, a major healthcare nexus where nurse practitioners are in very high demand. Kansas City NPs earn $112,710 annually on average, and their employment opportunities are projected to soar by nearly 50 percent over the next decade. The current shortage of nurse practitioners in Kansas City is a serious threat to the well-being of the city’s residents. If you’ve been wondering, “What are the best NP programs in Kansas City, Missouri?” we’ve compiled information below about the 3 best nurse practitioner programs in Kansas City.



TOP 5 REASONS WHY KANSAS CITY IS A GREAT PLACE TO PURSUE NP PROGRAMS


The presence of major hospitals and research centers, like the University of Kansas Hospital, Children's Mercy Hospital, Truman Medical Center, and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, make Kansas City an ideal place for a nurse to pursue career development opportunities like an NP program. But the strength of its healthcare sector isn’t the only reason why Kansas City is a great place to attend nurse practitioner school. Here are five others.

1. Kansas City offers bang for the buck:

The cost of living in Kansas City is a full 5 percent lower than the national average. Basic necessities like food, clothing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare are priced 9 percent lower. As a student nurse practitioner struggling to make ends meet on a budget, you’ll find you can stretch your dollars in Kansas City without affecting your quality of life.

2. Kansas City is tax-friendly:

Kansas City’s sales tax is considerably less than the average sales tax in most American communities. And while Missouri does have a state income tax, it’s significantly lower than the tax on income other states impose. More of the money you earn if you’re working part-time while you’re pursuing your nurse practitioner education will stay in your pocket.

3. Kansas City’s economy is thriving:

Kansas City is an economic boomtown. A diverse range of industries, including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, has hoisted the median income of the average Kansas City household to well above the national average. The city’s unemployment rate is below the national average, too. People who don’t have to struggle economically spend more on wellness promotion and illness prevention—which are exactly the types of services that you, as a nurse practitioner, are being trained to provide. If you stay in Kansas City after you graduate, you’ll likely have your choice of plum employment opportunities.

4. You’ll find job security in Kansas City:

As noted, the demand for nurse practitioners in Kansas City is soaring. Drivers include the aging of the city’s population and the urgency to bring healthcare costs down. If you decide to stay in Kansas City after you complete your NP certification, you’ll find competitive salaries and plenty of job opportunities.

5. Kansas City is a recreational smorgasbord:

Even the brightest nurse practitioner student has to put the books down sometime to recharge those batteries. Kansas City has a wealth of recreational activities. Do you like sports? KC is home to three major professional teams and numerous college teams. Is music your thing? Live music venues host every imaginable music genre, from blues and rock to country and hip-hop. Love spending time outside? Hike or bike KC’s many parks and trails. And don’t get us started on Kansas City barbecue! The list goes on and on.



HOW LONG ARE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN KANSAS CITY?


Completing your nurse practitioner studies in Kansas City will take anywhere between one and five years. The deciding factor will be the length of the academic program your NP program is associated with.

Increasingly, universities with nurse practitioner programs are aligning with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s campaign to make the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) rather than the Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) the terminal clinical nursing degree. That means that the length of time it takes to complete an NP program—in Kansas City and elsewhere—is growing longer.

DNP degrees can take full-time students three to five years to complete if they enroll in the program with a nursing baccalaureate. It will take you four years to complete a BSN-to-DNP/NP program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, but five years to complete a BSN-to-DNP/NP program at the University of Kansas.

There’s a similar amount of variation from school to school in the length of MSN programs. UMKC’s MSN/NP program will take you 32 months to complete as a full-time student; Rockhurst University’s MSN/NP program will only take you two years.

Post-master’s NP certificates distill the clinical parts of nurse practitioner training, so they can usually be completed in one year to one and a half years if you take a full-time class load.



HOW MUCH DO NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN KANSAS CITY COST?


There are no two ways around it: Nurse practitioner programs in Kansas City carry a hefty price tag. In Kansas City, the cost of NP tuition can range from roughly $6,500 to approximately $92,000, depending upon the academic degree you’re pursuing and whether or not you’re a Missouri resident. Remember, too, that tuition is not the only cost of your education. Schools impose additional fees that can add up to thousands of extra dollars.

But the investment you’re making in your education will begin paying off as soon as you’re hired into your first nurse practitioner position. In Kansas City, nurse practitioners earn salaries that are 57 percent higher on average than the salaries of registered nurses.

The most affordable NP programs are those taught by public universities—though there’s a caveat here: They are the “most affordable” if you’re a resident of the state that public university is in. Out-of-state residents may pay twice as much as state residents for the same program. Thus, BSN-to-DNP/NP program tuition at the University of Missouri-Kansas City is $48,322 for Missouri and metro-KC residents and $92,056 for students who live outside Missouri.

The popularity of NP distance learning programs added another piece to the puzzle: Was it fair to charge out-of-state students higher tuition than resident students if both were accessing the program online? The University of Kansas solved this dilemma by giving resident tuition and online tuition the same price tag. You’ll spend $33,281 in tuition pursuing KU’s MSN/NP program whether you live in Missouri or out of state because KU’s MSN/NP program is offered online.

Tuition at private universities is typically higher than tuition at public universities because private universities are not partially subsidized by taxpayer dollars. Private Rockhurst University’s MSN/NP program will set you back $47,726—which is significantly higher than the cost of an MSN/NP at the University of Kansas, a public university. However, Rockhurst does not impose a tuition differential on in-state and out-of-state students.

Post-master’s NP certificate programs are the least expensive means of pursuing nurse practitioner certification. This avenue, though, is only open to nurses who’ve already earned a graduate nursing degree.



WHAT ARE THE BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN KANSAS CITY, MO (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 3 Best NP programs in Kansas City, Missouri (Online & Campus) for the year 2024.)


1. University Of Missouri-Kansas City


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, Post MSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Post MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master Certificate Specialties Offered: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)


About the School: The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Nursing and Health Studies is more than an institution for educating future nursing professionals; it’s also an active participant in Kansas City’s local healthcare environment, involved in the operation of community clinics that provide much-needed services to medically underserved populations. The range of its graduate nursing degree and NP specialty options make the University of Missouri-Kansas City one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Kansas City.

Three UMKC academic pathways offer nurse practitioner training: an MSN degree, a BSN-to-DNP degree, and a post-MSN-to-DNP degree. The university also offers a post-master’s NP certificate for APRNs who want to branch out into new fields of clinical expertise.

The MSN and post-MSN-to-DNP programs and post-master’s NP certificates provide seven NP options: a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) track, a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) track, a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) track, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). track, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track, and an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) track.

The PNP, PACNP, AGNP, FNP, and WHNP tracks are also available as part of the BSN-to-DNP degree.


MSN Program Details: MSN-Nurse practitioner education at UMKC uses a hybrid model. You’ll do the majority of your classwork online, alternating between synchronous and asynchronous technologies depending on the course. You’ll have to visit UMKC’s campus in Kansas City, however, at several points throughout your NP program for skills intensives and clinical competency testing.

The MSN curriculum is divided into three components: coursework that highlights the APRN role, NP specialty-specific classes, and clinical practicums. APRN core coursework includes classes like “Theoretical Foundations in Nursing,” “Health Promotion Across the Lifespan,” and “Ethics in Advanced Practice and Research.” The AGNP, FNP, WHNP, PPCNP, and PMHNP tracks all require 46 credits and 660 clinical hours. The NNP track entails 45 credits and 742.5 clinical hours, while the PACNP track consists of 52 credits and 660 clinical hours. Clinical practicums will be arranged at healthcare facilities close to where you live.


MSN Program Length: The University of Missouri-Kansas City staggers admissions into its MSN/NP programs. The AGNP, FNP, and WHNP tracks have start dates in the spring and summer, while the NNP, PPCNP, PACNP, and PMHNP tracks just have summer start dates.

Full-time students should be able to finish this program in seven semesters (32 months.) UMKC also offers a part-time eight-semester (36 months) completion option to accommodate the needs of working students.

MSN Admission Requirements: This nurse practitioner program in Kansas City is open to applicants who hold a BSN from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.2. You must have an active, unrestricted license in the state where you’ll be doing your clinical practicums. UMKC interviews all competitive applicants. Note that UMKC’s NP curriculum may not meet APRN certification requirements in all states, so it’s wise to check with your own state board of nursing before you apply.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: UMKC’s BSN-to-DNP curriculum builds upon the MSN course of study with the addition of DNP-specific classes that focus on clinical leadership, evidence-based practice, and population wellness. DNP-specific coursework includes classes like “Health Promotion Across the Lifespan,” “Healthcare Systems & Leadership,” and “Healthcare Outcomes and Epidemiology.” All five NP specialties offered as part of this degree track consist of 74 credits and 1,237.5 clinical hours.

Coursework is primarily offered online, but students will be required to attend at least one residency each semester at UMKC’s campus in Kansas City during their clinical course requirements. Online classes employ both synchronous and asynchronous technologies. Synchronous classes are taught on Thursdays and Fridays. Clinical rotations will be arranged close to your home or place of employment.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: You can enroll in the BSN-to-DNP program as either a full-time or part-time student. The full-time curriculum takes 11 semesters (48 months) to complete. The part-time curriculum takes 14 semesters (60 months) to complete. Classes begin in the spring semester.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: You must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and current unrestricted licensure in the state where you’ll be doing your clinical practicums. PMHNP, NNP, and WHNP applicants must have at least two years of professional nursing experience in a field related to their NP specialty; PNP applicants are only required to have one year of related experience.

Post MSN-to-DNP Program Details: UMKC’s MSN-to-DNP/NP tracks are designed for MSN-prepared nurses who want to complement their existing certifications with a new or additional NP specialty. Your study plan will be individualized because the University of Missouri-Kansas City performs gap analyses on all students accepted into this program to determine which credits are transferable from previous graduate nursing classes. The MSN-to-DNP curriculum consists of core DNP coursework, classes focusing on the nurse practitioner specialization you’ve chosen, and clinical practicums.

You’ll need to visit UMKC’s campus in Kansas City several times throughout the MSN-to-DNP program to learn and be tested on clinical skills. For the most part, though, your courses will be taught online using a blend of synchronous and asynchronous technology. You’ll be able to schedule your clinical rotations at a healthcare facility in your own geographic area.


Post MSN-to-DNP Program Length: The post-MSN-to-DNP curriculum is equivalent to the BSN-to-DNP curriculum—minus the APRN core coursework (because you’ve already taken it.) UMKC’s catalog doesn’t give a set length of time for the completion of this degree, but it’s reasonable to surmise that full-time students will be able to finish in eight semesters (32 months), while part-time students will be able to finish in 11 semesters (44 months.)

Post MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: A master’s degree from an accredited nursing program with a minimum grade point average of 3.2 is a prerequisite for entry into this program. You’ll also need an active, unrestricted nursing license in the state where you’ll be completing your clinical rotations.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: UMKC’s post-master’s NP certificate program gives nurses with graduate degrees the opportunity to expand their professional horizons by learning new clinical skills. All six NP specialties require the completion of 660 clinical hours. The AGNP, PMHNP, FNP, PNP, and WHNP curricula consist of 18 credits, while the PACNP curriculum entails 21 credits, and the NNP curriculum involves 24 credits. Your specific plan of study, however, may require fewer credits if you’re able to transfer credits from previous coursework.

Though the post-master’s certificate program is taught primarily online, NP specialties have clinical residency requirements. PMHNP and NNP students must visit UMKC’s campus in Memphis once every semester. You’ll be able to schedule your clinical hours at a healthcare facility convenient to your home or employment.


Post-Master’s Certificate Program Length: You should be able to complete a post-master’s NP certificate at UMKC in three semesters (12 months.)

Post-Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: Applicants must have an MSN or a DNP from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. You must hold a nursing license in the state where you’ll be completing your practicums.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for University Of Missouri-Kansas City NP Students: UMKC’s School of Nursing and Health Studies administers a range of nursing scholarships. You may also qualify for federal and state financial aid on the basis of the information you enter in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.


Interesting Highlights About University Of Missouri-Kansas City NP School

• The University of Missouri-Kansas City conferred 168 MSN degrees and 52 DNP degrees during the 2020-2021 academic year.
• UMKC’s online MSN program is the 46th best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
• UMKC’s School of Nursing and Health Studies helps provide administration and staffing for a number of Kansas City area community clinics, including the Sojourner Health Free Clinic, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Midtown Community Health Center, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Northeast Community Health Center, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City South Community Health Center.
• The School of Nursing and Health Studies is a national HIV-prevention resource center, thanks to a $7 million grant the school received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)


2. University Of Kansas


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


About the School: The University of Kansas's School of Nursing campus is on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metropolitan area. KU’s nursing school is the only nursing school in the region to have been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (NLN) in recognition of the high quality and innovative nature of its nursing programs.

This NP program in Kansas City provides two avenues for NP certification: a BSN-to-DNP degree and a post-graduate NP certificate. Both programs offer an FNP track and a PMHNP track.


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The FNP track requires 75 credits, while the PMHNP track entails 79 credits. As with other DNP nurse practitioner programs in Kansas City, KU’s FNP and PMHNP tracks require a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. The curriculum focuses on four components: DNP core courses, APRN-related classwork, coursework specific to the nurse practitioner specialty, and clinical practicums.

DNP core coursework includes classes like “Interpreting Research for Applied Science,” “Methods for Assessing Organizations and Clinical Practice Outcomes,” and “Introduction to Health Informatics.” APRN-related coursework includes classes like, “Professionalism in Advanced Nursing Practice”, “Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning”, and “Advanced Pathophysiology.”

You’ll devote a significant portion of your final year of DNP studies to the completion of a DNP project designed to allow you to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve learned in classes to a challenge you’ve encountered during the course of your clinical practicums.

While many classes are available in a distance learning format, three required courses are taught at the School of Nursing’s campus in Kansas City, Kansas. Additionally, FNP students will be required to visit the University of Kansas Medical Center three times each semester during designated practicum rotations to demonstrate their ability to conduct standardized patient exams and other clinical skills workshops.

A variety of practice settings throughout the state of Kansas, as well as the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, are utilized for clinical practicums. These practice settings include hospitals, schools, private physicians’ practices, home health services, and rural clinics.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: Both BSN-to-DNP NP programs start in the summer semester and take five years to complete. The BSN-to-DNP/PMHNP track is only offered every other year.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: You must have a nursing baccalaureate from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0. You must have RN licensure prior to the first semester of enrollment. Preference is given to applicants with a GPA of 3.2 and at least one year of professional nursing experience.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: KU’s post-graduate NP certificates allow APRNs to expand their professional roles into new clinical dimensions. The FNP post-graduate certificate requires 16 credits and 640 clinical hours, while the PMHNP post-graduate certificate entails 24 credits. (KU’s catalog does not give the requisite number of PMHNP clinical hours.)

The didactic portions of the curriculum are delivered online, but FNP students will have to make three visits to the campus of the University of Kansas Medical Center for skills intensives and competency testing. The PMHNP certificate is only offered every other year.


Post-Graduate Certificate Program Length: KU’s post-graduate certificate programs can be completed in a single year. Classes start in the fall semester.

Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: This program is only open to APRNs who’ve graduated from accredited nursing programs.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for University Of Kansas NP Students: KU’s School of Nursing offers two types of scholarships that students pursuing NP training may be eligible for: School of Nursing Endowment scholarships and the Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholarship Program. Students may also qualify for federal and state financial aid based on the contents of the FAFSA form they submit.


Interesting Highlights About University Of Kansas NP School

• In 2021, the University of Kansas handed out 80 DNP degrees.
• The University of Kansas’s School of Nursing occasionally offers two additional post-graduate NP certificates: a 16-credit AGPCNP track and a 19-credit AGACNP track.
• KU’s School of Nursing is ranked #21 on the list of National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded public nursing schools.


3. Rockhurst University


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master's Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), And Family Nurse Practitioner & Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Dual

Post-Master's Certificate Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: As a Jesuit University, Rockhurst University esteems community service almost as highly as it values academic achievement. That’s why nurse practitioner programs at Rockhurst University’s Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences make experiential education the highlight of their curricula.

This nurse practitioner program in Kansas City offers FNP and AGACNP tracks as well as a dual FNP/AGACNP in conjunction with an MSN degree. If you already have a graduate nursing degree, you can add an FNP or AGACNP specialization by pursuing a post-master’s NP certificate.


MSN Program Details: Rockhurst’s MSN/NP program is an online sequence of classes for the most part, but it includes one campus immersion and one virtual immersion. The two-day campus immersion will focus on hands-on skills training and the demonstration of clinical competencies and will take place at Rockhurst University’s state-of-the-art simulation center on its Kansas City campus.

The MSN/FNP and MSN/AGACNP tracks both comprise 49 credits and 600 clinical hours, while the dual MSN/FNP-AGACNP track consists of 62 credits and 1,000 clinical hours. Like other online NP programs in Kansas City, Rockhurst’s MSN curriculum has three components: APRN-related coursework, NP specialty-related coursework, and clinical practicums. APRN core coursework includes classes like “Professional Roles, Quality and Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice,” “Advanced Health Care Research,” and “Policy, Organization and Leadership.”

You’ll work closely with one of Rockhurst’s clinical placement coordinators to identify and secure practicum placements that reflect your professional goals and are within driving distance of your location.


MSN Program Length: Students can enroll in Rockhurst University’s MSN/NP program on either a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time track can be completed in six semesters (24 months), while the part-time track can be completed in eight semesters (32 months.) The MSN/NP program has three starts every year.

MSN Admission Requirements: Rockhurst’s MSN/NP program is open to BSN-prepared students who earned their degrees from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must have a current, unrestricted RN license. You’ll need to submit a personal statement and two letters of recommendation with your application.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Want to add a clinical specialization to complement the clinical or programmatic skills you learned as an MSN? Rockhurst University’s post-master’s NP certificate programs will let you do just that. Both the post-master’s NP and AGACNP certificate curricula involve 20 credits and 600 clinical hours. Your actual study plan may be different, though, if it reflects credits you were able to transfer over from previous graduate nursing work.

You’ll access most of your coursework online, but you will have to attend a two-day clinical skills intensive at Rockhurst’s campus in Kansas City as well as a two-day virtual immersion. Rockhurst University’s clinical placement personnel will work closely with you to identify and secure sites and preceptors that fulfill your career goals and are close to where you work and live.


Post-Master’s Certificate Program Length: There are three class start dates per year. It should take you no longer than four semesters (16 months) to complete this curriculum.

Post-Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: Applicants must have an MSN from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Your RN license must be active and unencumbered. Two professional references and a statement of purpose must be handed in with your application.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for Rockhurst University NP Students: The Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences offers some scholarship opportunities for graduate students. Additionally, students may qualify for federal and state financial aid; eligibility is determined on the basis of information contained in the FAFSA form.


Interesting Highlights About Rockhurst University NP School

• Forty-five MSN degrees were conferred by Rockhurst University throughout the 2020-2021 academic year.
• Rockhurst also offers an RN-BSN to MSN Bridge program designed for nurses whose original bachelor’s degrees were earned in a field other than nursing.
• The Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences was originally a three-year nursing diploma program associated with Kansas City’s Saint Luke’s Hospital. It became a part of Rockhurst University in 2020.
• Although Rockhurst is a Catholic school, it accepts students from every belief system. Apart from the emphasis that Rockhurst places on community service, Catholic beliefs are not reflected in its educational offerings.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



CAREER INFORMATION FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI


HOW MANY NURSE PRACTITIONERS ARE THERE IN KANSAS CITY?


Some 2,620 nurse practitioners are employed throughout the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

Employment
2,620
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


WHERE DO NURSE PRACTITIONERS WORK IN KANSAS CITY?


Nurse practitioners work in a variety of practice settings throughout Kansas City, including emergency rooms, urgent care centers, community healthcare agencies, schools, home health agencies, hospitals, medical centers, and private physician practices.

Work Setting
Offices of Physicians
General Medical & Surgical Hospitals
Outpatient Care Centers
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
Home Health Care Services


WHAT IS THE JOB OUTLOOK FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN KANSAS CITY?


Within the next 10 years, employment opportunities for nurse practitioners in Kansas City will increase by 47 percent.

10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030)
+47.49%
(Source: Careeronestop.org)



HOW MUCH DO NURSE PRACTITIONERS MAKE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI?


WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF NP PROGRAMS IN KANSAS CITY EXPECT?


As a new graduate of one of the NP programs in Kansas City, you can expect to earn $37.73 an hour. That works out to $1,509 a week, $6,540 a month, or $78,480 a year.

Hourly$37.73
Weekly$1,509
Monthly$6,540
Annual$78,480
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF NP PROGRAMS IN KANSAS CITY EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?


Experienced nurse practitioners in Kansas City earn higher salaries than entry-level NPs because they’re more efficient, and that efficiency translates into greater productivity. Thus, an NP with one to four years of experience makes 27 percent more than an NP who’s just graduated from one of the nurse practitioner programs in Kansas City, while an NP with five to nine years of experience makes 36 percent more. And by the time a nurse practitioner has accumulated 20 or more years of experience, he or she will be making 72 percent more than an NP who’s just starting out.

Level of Experience HourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Entry-Level $37.73$1,509$6,540$78,480
1-4 Years of Experience $48.08$1,923$8,330$100,000
5-9 Years of Experience $51.22$2,049$8,880$106,530
10-19 Years of Experience $61.53$2,461$10,670$127,980
20 Years or More Experience $64.76$2,591$11,230$134,710
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN KANSAS CITY?


On average, Kansas City-based nurse practitioners earn $54.19 an hour. This is equivalent to $2,168 a week, $9,390 a month, or $112,710 annually. Most NPs reach this benchmark in their tenth year of practice.

Hourly$54.19
Weekly$2,168
Monthly$9,390
Annual$112,710
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN KANSAS CITY VS. OTHER SALARIES


NP SALARY IN KANSAS CITY VS. NP SALARY IN THE NATION


Kansas City nurse practitioners make approximately 5 percent less than NPs make on average throughout the U.S. However, the purchasing power of their salary is approximately the same because the cost of living in Kansas City is 5 percent less than it is throughout the nation as a whole.

Average Kansas City
NP Annual Salary
Average National NP
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
$112,710$118,040-$5,330-4.52%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN KANSAS CITY VS. NP SALARY IN MISSOURI


On average, Kansas City nurse practitioners earn salaries that are 9 percent higher than NP salaries throughout the state of Missouri.

Average Kansas City
NP Annual Salary
Average Missouri
NP Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
$112,710$103,490+$9,220+8.91%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN KANSAS CITY VS. NP SALARIES IN OTHER MISSOURI CITIES


Nurse practitioners based in Kansas City are the highest-paid NPs in Missouri. They make 7 percent more than NPs in St. Louis, 13 percent more than NPs in Jefferson City, and 16 percent more than NPs in Columbia.

Metro Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Kansas City $112,710 $0 0.00%
Cape Girardeau $105,620 +$7,090 +6.71%
St. Louis $105,390 +$7,320 +6.95%
St. Joseph $105,280 +$7,430 +7.06%
Joplin $101,600 +$11,110 +10.94%
Jefferson City $100,010 +$12,700 +12.70%
Springfield $99,820 +$12,890 +12.91%
Columbia $97,270 +$15,440 +15.87%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN KANSAS CITY VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN KANSAS CITY


Nurse practitioners are the most highly compensated healthcare professionals in Kansas City’s nursing sector. They make 57 percent more than registered nurses, more than twice as much as LPNs earn, and more than two and a half times the salary of nursing assistants.

Type of Nurse Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Nurse Practitioner $112,710 $0 0.00%
Registered Nurse $71,800 +$40,910 +56.98%
Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary $65,110 +$47,600 +73.11%
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse $49,150 +$63,560 +129.32%
Nursing Assistant $31,960 +$80,750 +252.66%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN KANSAS CITY VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN KANSAS CITY


Nurse practitioners don’t earn as much in Kansas City as other healthcare providers with expertise in diagnosis and treatment. NP salaries are 44 percent lower than physician salaries, 32 percent lower than podiatrist salaries, and 8 percent lower than optometrist salaries.

On the other hand, NPs in Kansas City earn more than healthcare professionals who specialize in rehabilitative services. They make 27 percent more than physical therapists, 33 percent more than occupational therapists, and 38 percent more than chiropractors.

Kansas City-based NPs also make 4 percent more than physician assistants, the healthcare occupation with which they share the greatest overlap in training and professional responsibilities.

Job Title Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Physician $201,300 -$88,590 -44.01%
Dentist $194,190 -$81,480 -41.96%
Podiatrist $166,780 -$54,070 -32.42%
Pharmacist $125,220 -$12,510 -9.99%
Optometrist $122,020 -$9,310 -7.63%
Nurse Practitioner $112,710 $0 0.00%
Physician Assistant $108,650 +$4,060 +3.74%
Veterinarian $92,350 +$20,360 +22.05%
Physical Therapist $88,910 +$23,800 +26.77%
Occupational Therapist $85,020 +$27,690 +32.57%
Chiropractor $81,780 +$30,930 +37.82%
Audiologist $81,500 +$31,210 +38.29%
Speech-Language Pathologist $77,930 +$34,780 +44.63%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT


1. Who Accredits Nurse Practitioner Programs In Kansas City?

Nurse practitioner programs in Kansas City are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE.)

S.No.Accrediting Agency
1Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
2Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)


2. How Many Accredited Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In Kansas City?

There are three NP programs in Kansas City: The University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Kansas, and Rockhurst University.

3


3. On Average, How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Practitioner In Kansas City?

Depending upon the academic program that your nurse practitioner program is part of, it will take you between one and five years to become a nurse practitioner in Kansas City.


4. On Average, How Much Do NP Programs Cost In Kansas City?

There really isn’t an average cost for NP programs in Kansas City. Depending upon the affiliated academic pathway, your nurse practitioner education in Kansas City can set you back between $6,500 and $92,000.


5. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Hour In Kansas City?

On average, nurse practitioners in Kansas City make $54.19.

$54.19


6. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Month In Kansas City?

Nurse practitioners in Kansas City earn $9,390 in a single month.

$9,390


7. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Year In Kansas City?

Nurse practitioners in Kansas City earn $112,710 annually on average.

$112,710


8. Are Nurse Practitioners In Demand In Kansas City?

Yes, nurse practitioners are in high demand in Kansas City due to the aging of the city’s population, the rising costs of healthcare, and a serious shortage of primary healthcare providers in KC and other parts of Missouri. Employment opportunities for NPs are projected to rise by 47 percent within the next decade.


9. Can Nurse Practitioners Practice Independently In Kansas City?

Nurse practitioner scope of practice in Kansas City is dictated by Missouri state law, which mandates that NPs must work under the terms of a collaborative agreement they have in place with a supervising physician.

In most areas, NPs must practice within a 30-mile radius of their supervising physician’s office, and NP charts must be submitted for their supervising physician’s review at least once every two weeks.

Furthermore, any patient seen by a nurse practitioner whose diagnosis is not confined to a “self-limited or well-defined condition” must be evaluated by a supervising physician within two weeks.

Restricted Practice


10. Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medications In Kansas City?

Nurse practitioners in Kansas City can prescribe certain medications under the terms of their collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, but they cannot prescribe Schedule II drugs, and all prescriptions must contain the name and contact information of the supervising MD as well as of the nurse practitioner.


Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.




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