3 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Nevada – 2024


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Nurse practitioners in Nevada have full practice autonomy, which means they play an essential role in the provision of healthcare across The Silver State, particularly in rural regions that have a difficult time recruiting primary care physicians. There are 1,800 nurse practitioners in Nevada, and that number is expected to increase by an additional 61 percent over the next decade. Salaries for graduates of accredited nurse practitioner schools in Nevada hover around $136,230 on average. Listed below is information about the best nurse practitioner programs in Nevada for 2024.


WHAT ARE THE BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN NEVADA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 3 Best NP programs in Nevada for the year 2024.)


1) University of Nevada-Reno Orvis School Of Nursing - Reno


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN to DNP, and Post-Master's certificate

Graduating from one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Nevada will not only equip you with exceptional skills in advanced practice nursing but also help elbow out the competition in the job market. University of Nevada-Reno Orvis School of Nursing, the oldest nursing school in the state offers several NP tracks to prepare you for career advancement in your chosen population focus. Throughout its long history, the college has built strong relationships with industry leaders. As a student, these healthcare partnerships can prove to be beneficial in exploring diverse interprofessional learning opportunities. The college’s expert faculty that boasts more than 100 years of combined experience emphasizes evidence-based knowledge to prepare you with enhanced skills in critical thinking and decision making. To become a nurse practitioner in Nevada, here, depending on your educational background, you can enroll in either the MSN, BSN to DNP, or post-master’s certificate program.

MSN Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

One of the sought-after nurse practitioner programs in Nevada, this MSN is ranked among the nation’s best nursing graduate programs as per the US News & World Report. With five tracks in adult-gerontology care, pediatrics, family health, and psychiatric mental health, you can choose an area of specialization based on your calling. Regardless of the track you choose, credit requirements for graduation range between 48 to 50 credits. Each track first starts with courses in diagnosis, illness management, advanced health assessment, health care policy & social justice, knowledge development & scientific inquiry, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Furthermore, each track takes you through specialization courses that train you in the healthcare management of your chosen population foci. Additionally, towards the end of the program, you must complete either a capstone or a thesis.

BSN to DNP Concentrations: Adult Gerontology & Acute Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult Gerontology Primary Care, and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

This nurse practitioner program in Nevada can take your BSN straight to the doctoral level. By earning the terminal nursing degree in your chosen area of focus, you can impact health delivery by assuming leadership roles. You can choose from five NP tracks, upon enrolling of which you require earning 68 to 72 credits in graduate core and specialization specific courses. Most students complete this program within 3 to 5 years. To be eligible for this pathway, you must have a BSN with a minimum grade of 3.0. Also, you must have completed undergraduate courses in statistics, growth & development, basic research, and health assessment. Besides, you must have an active RN license in Nevada.

Post-Master's Certificate Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

This post-master’s track is open to both, MSN-prepared RNs and APRNs. Now, if you enter after an MSN, you require earning around 26 credits, whereas, if are already certified as an APRN and seeking a second specialty, you must earn 17 credits in the specialty-specific courses.


2) University Of Nevada-Las Vegas - Las Vegas


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN to DNP and Advanced Graduate Certificate

To advance your nursing career in Nevada, there is no better position than that of a nurse practitioner. Whether you are looking at a higher salary or career fulfillment, as a certified NP, you can achieve both these goals. The University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a nurse practitioner school in Nevada that offers three pathways to take you close to your dream career. As a graduate of this college, you will be able to explore your advanced practice role in diverse types of healthcare settings. Through a well-designed curriculum and extensive clinical training, the college ensures you leave with exceptional skills in evidence-based knowledge and analytical skills. Regardless of the NP specialization you choose, the coursework is delivered mainly through online classes. However, before starting, you must attend an on-campus two-day orientation where you can interact with faculty and peers.

MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

If you are searching for online nurse practitioner programs in Nevada through which you can become either an FNP or PMHNP, then you are in the right place as this MSN offers two online NP tracks in family health and psychiatric mental health. You can enroll either full-time or part-time, depending on your preference. To be considered for either of the tracks, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 2000 hours of work experience as an RN. To graduate, you will require earning 46 credits in core and specialty-specific courses. The core courses lay a solid foundation in advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing theory & research, informatics & quality improvement, health & public policy, pharmacology, and diagnostic reasoning. Thereafter, you complete the specialty-specific courses in your chosen population focus, after which, you will be eligible to take the national certification exam.

BSN to DNP Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This BSN to DNP-Nurse Practitioner program in Nevada is ideal for those registered nurses who are keen on reaching the highest level of clinical excellence either in family health or psychiatric mental health. Whether you enroll in the FNP or the PMHNP, you will require to complete 62 credits in graduate core and specialization-specific courses. Towards the end of the program, you are required to complete a DNP project as the final culminating experience. The core courses educate you on diagnostic reasoning, health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing theory & research, analysis & economics of healthcare systems & delivery, business management, advanced pharmacology & genetics, and collaboration & communication for nursing leadership. Whereas, the specialty-specific courses make you a clinical expert in direct patient care within your chosen population focus.

Advanced Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for the FNP, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner

This 28-credit curriculum builds up on your graduate education and is open to RNs prepared either with an MSN or a DNP. The program makes you a leader in your chosen area of advanced practice nursing.


3) Touro University Nevada - Henderson


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-MSN Graduate Certificate

To become a nurse practitioner in Nevada or anywhere across the nation, you must be skilled in evidence-based knowledge, clinical practice, and decision making. Well, you can achieve this by enrolling in one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Nevada. Touro University Nevada’s FNP program is one such option you may want to consider to enter the promising field of primary care. Whether you already have a graduate degree or want to obtain one, the college offers two pathways for aspiring nurse practitioners. Touro offers NP education that is high quality and in tune with the latest industry standards. Besides, the college’s competent NP graduates have significantly contributed to improving health outcomes, emphasizing the underserved and vulnerable populations.

MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

Counted among the most affordable nurse practitioner programs in Nevada, to be eligible for this MSN, you must have an active RN license and a BSN degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The program starts three times a year and is offered mainly online, with only three on-campus intensives. The 53-credit coursework mainly entails courses in nursing leadership, research & ethics, theoretical applications in advanced nursing, systems & health policy, population health, pathophysiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, and primary care of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. Finally, the culminating experience, a capstone requires you to apply the newly acquired skills to practice. But before you start with the program, you go through an online orientation that briefs you about the coursework and the nuances of online learning.

Post-MSN Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

This online FNP program in Nevada expands on your graduate nursing education and prepares you for the national NP certification. To qualify for admission, you must have an MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an active RN license. The 38-credit coursework combines online didactic courses with limited campus visits.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


What are the Total Number of Accredited NP Programs in Nevada?

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners reports that currently there are Ten accredited nurse practitioner programs in Nevada.

Program Type #
BSN to MSN3
BSN to DNP2
MSN to DNP2
Post-Master's Certificate 3
Total10



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