5 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Maryland – 2024
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
In 2015, Maryland became the 21st state in the U.S.to allow NPs to practice freely without physician oversight. Nurse practitioners do need to have an agreement with a licensed physician in place, however, in order to prescribe medications. Not only can Maryland NPs sign death certificates, they can also sign worker’s compensation claims. The demand for graduates from accredited nurse practitioner schools in Maryland is projected to increase by more than 36 percent within the next 10 years. Nurse practitioners in The Old Line State are handsomely compensated, too; the average nurse practitioner salary is nearly $119,650 a year. You can learn about the best nurse practitioner programs in Maryland for 2024 by reading the following information.
WHAT ARE THE BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024?
(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 5 Best NP programs in Maryland for the year 2024.)1) Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore
Counted among the best nurse practitioner programs in Maryland, John Hopkins University has been a leader in innovation and research, both locally and globally. If you are keen on gaining exceptional clinical skills, then you must check out the DNP and post-masters certificate programs it offers. NP education here is grounded in evidence-based practice, analytical principles, and robust leadership skills. Furthermore, advanced nursing skills are mastered at its state-of-art simulation center, after which you apply them during the clinical rotations at Johns Hopkins Hospitals and various other healthcare settings throughout Baltimore.
DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Wouldn’t it be great if you can take your BSN straight to the doctoral level, seamlessly? Well if you are aspiring to reach the pinnacle of your nursing education, then you can consider enrolling in this DNP program, either after earning a BSN or an MSN degree. Offered with specialization options in adult-gerontology acute & primary care, family health, pediatrics, and a dual certification in pediatrics primary & acute care, you earn the NP credential in your preferred specialty. Regardless of the track you enter, you complete the entire coursework online, while visiting the campus only for immersions. Typically, to graduate after your BSN you require to complete 78 credits and 1008 hours in clinical practice, except for the dual tracks that require an additional 10-credit coursework.
Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
These post-masters certificate nurse practitioner programs in Maryland build up on your previous nursing degree by teaching you specialized skills in the management of illness within your chosen population focus. Depending on the track you enroll, you must complete a minimum of 14 to 17 credits and around 448 to 500 hours of clinical practice at a healthcare site near you. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the certification exam in your chosen specialty, after which you can work as a certified nurse practitioner in Maryland.
2) University of Maryland - Baltimore
Is enrolling in one of the top-ranking nurse practitioner programs in Maryland a top priority on your mind? If so, University of Maryland, which has been listed among the US News & world Report’s most respected graduate nursing schools can be a great choice. Here, you will be prepared for nursing leadership, equipped with clinical, organizational, and economic skills. By producing clinical leaders and building collaborative partnerships, the college has played a critical role in improving health outcomes for a global population. These collaborations which include leading nursing institutions in Brazil, Liberia, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Haiti not only promote global health but also provide meaningful learning opportunities for NP students.
DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Whether you have a BSN, a masters in nursing or a non-nursing field, or an NP looking at earning a DNP while retaining your current specialization, or someone seeking to add another specialty to your advanced nursing practice, with four paths, you can enter this program the way it suits you. Depending on your interests, you can choose to specialize in either adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, family health, neonatal care, pediatric acute or primary care, or mental health nursing. While most students complete this program in three years, if you opt for part-time classes you can stretch the duration to five years. To graduate, depending on the track you take, you must complete 56 credits in didactic courses and 24 credits in clinical courses. Also included are 1080 hours of clinical practice.
Post-Doctoral Certificate Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Family
This post-doctoral certificate is meant for active RNs who have already completed a doctoral degree and are now keen on adding an NP specialty to their advanced nursing practice. You can choose from any of the six specializations and become a nurse practitioner in Maryland by completing coursework tailored to your individual needs. The adult-gerontology acute care track, in particular, prepares you for a dual certification as you will be eligible to take both, the AGACNP and adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist exam, whereas the other tracks prepare you for the certification within the chosen population focus.
3) Uniformed Services University - Bethesda
Out of all the well-known nurse practitioner schools in Maryland, Uniformed Services University clearly stands out for preparing nurse leaders beyond the traditional practice role, getting them ready to face the challenges of military medicine. Here, not only will you graduate with advanced clinical and leadership skills, but during your academic tenure, you will receive pay & allowance, in addition to free medicare, tuition & books. Upon graduation, you will be obliged to return these benefits you enjoyed by offering your services to the military for a stipulated duration of time. To train you for this unique blend of military and civilian service, the college’s faculty which comes from both theses spheres of life designs a curriculum that effectively meets the special requirements of military nursing care.
DNP Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
To qualify for this DNP program, you must be either a commissioned officer or a service sponsored civilian in either the army, navy, air force, or the United States Public Health Service. Also, you must have completed either a BSN or an MSN and hold an active RN license. The program is available in three specializations, including family health, psychiatric mental health, and women’s health. Unlike other nurse practitioner programs in Maryland that usually comprise of around 75 to 80 credits for a BSN to DNP pathway, with this program you must complete around 94 to 103 credits, depending on the specialty you choose. The extra credits are because of the signature curriculum which encompasses three focus areas of operational readiness in changing environments, clinical decision making in the federal health care delivery systems, and global, environmental, cultural & political factors that influence health. Typically, your coursework comprises of MSN/DNP core, specialty-specific and operational electives. The operational electives are an opportunity provided to you where you can enhance skills to be able to provide patient care in austere settings. Some of the electives offered by the college include Dive Medicine, Military Mountain Medicine, and Cold Weather Medicine.
4) Salisbury University - Salisbury
Salisbury University is one of the leading nurse practitioner schools in Maryland that boasts of an impressive pass rate on the FNP certification exam consistently over the past few years. This is a sure marker of a result-oriented curriculum and teaching pedagogy effectively delivered by its experienced faculty, who bring in their years of practice experience to the classroom. Also, small-sized classes facilitate close interaction with faculty and peers, making way for bonds that often last a lifetime. If you are seeking affordable education to become a leader in primary care then depending on your educational background you can enroll in either the BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP, or post DNP certificate program.
Post-BSN to DNP Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
This program is ideal if you seamlessly want to earn the terminal nursing degree after a BSN. The 80-credit coursework spans across four years of full-time study. Along with 1000 hours of clinical practice, you must complete courses in epidemiology, advanced health assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, health care systems, finance, health promotion, evidence-based practice, genetics & genomics, and family health care management.
Post-MSN to DNP Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
This MSN to DNP coursework builds upon the master’s degree in nursing and is typically meant for working nurses looking out for online nurse practitioner programs in Maryland offering courses through the distance format. You can complete this program in three to four years by taking about six credits each semester. The 68-credit coursework comprises core DNP, FNP courses, and a three-credit elective course. Also, to fulfill the total clinical requirement of 1000 hours, you must complete a minimum of 400 hours while enrolled in this program, while the remaining hours may be transferred from your MSN.
Post-DNP Certificate Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
If you are seeking to get certified as an FNP after completing your doctoral education, you can consider enrolling in this post-DNP certificate and gain the eligibility to take the FNP certification exam. Graduation requirements are individualized and based on your previously completed coursework.
5) Coppin State University - Baltimore
Do you find a calling in serving the underserved urban areas? If you are exploring nurse practitioner programs in Maryland that can prepare you for advanced primary care of the underserved urban regions, then you may want to learn about Coppin State University. To improve health care delivery, here, you will closely understand the cultural factors, values, and practices of the underserved and vulnerable populations. The nursing school managed CSU Community Health Center and Coppin Clinic can provide umpteen learning opportunities for NP students who offer low-cost quality patient care to the residents of neighboring areas.
MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner
Primary care of the urban sections is the main focus of this MSN-FNP program. To qualify for this program, you must have completed your BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and carry an unencumbered RN license in the U.S. To graduate, you must complete 48 to 51 credits in courses that teach you health promotion and disease prevention for a culturally diverse patient population of all ages. On a full-time basis, you complete the program in two years after which you can take the FNP certification exam. Also, depending on your interests, you can choose from electives in global health issues, curriculum development, or nursing education.
Post-Master Certification Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner
If you are keen on playing the role of an advanced primary care provider, you can complete this 31-credit NP program in Maryland and earn the status of a certified FNP. Your coursework includes advanced pathophysiology, health assessment & promotion, pharmacology, and primary health care management of individuals & families ranging from infancy to geriatrics.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the Total Number of Accredited NP Programs in Maryland?
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners reports that currently there are Eleven accredited nurse practitioner programs in Maryland.| Program Type | # |
| BSN to MSN | 3 |
| BSN to DNP | 4 |
| MSN to DNP | 1 |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 3 |
| Total | 11 |
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