12 Best Online Dual Nurse Practitioner Programs For 2024
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Have you wondered what it would be like to earn two NP degrees? If you are considering the option but are unsure if you have the time, this article about dual nurse practitioner programs online is for you! A dual NP program online is an excellent way to pursue two nurse practitioner specialties simultaneously, with the potential to open doors to a world of opportunities. As you continue reading, you will find the best online dual nurse practitioner programs for 2024, discover some of the advantages of the programs, and learn details of the programs, including admission requirements and the classes they offer.
What Exactly Is the Goal of a Dual Nurse Practitioner Program?
Have you heard of dual NP programs before but are unsure what they are all about? Dual NP programs, like the best dual nurse practitioner programs online featured in this article, are graduate nursing programs designed to prepare nurse practitioners with two advanced practice nursing degrees. The goal of each program is to equip students with the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide specialized nursing care to patients in various settings.
7 Big Advantages of Online Dual Nurse Practitioner Programs
Do you need a little help deciding if dual nurse practitioner programs online are a good idea? If so, check out these seven advantages of the programs!
1. Become an expert in two specialties and secure your future.
Earning a professional degree is a great way to help create long-term job security. By choosing online dual nurse practitioner programs, you can say you are “doubling down” on your chances by specializing in two concentrations. Although you will likely want to work somewhere that utilizes your knowledge and skills relating to both specialties, you will have the security of knowing you can focus on one practice area if necessary.
2. Earn the respect of your peers in the nursing industry.
It takes true dedication to achieve a dual nursing degree, and your colleagues know that. When you graduate from one of these programs, your peers will clearly understand how dedicated you are to your patients and nursing career and will respect your efforts.
3. You can leverage your degrees for higher pay.
Nurse practitioners have mastered advanced nursing techniques and understand the intricacies of the healthcare system. The ability to address clinical patient issues and issues within the healthcare delivery system will make you an asset to any employer. To top it off, you will have two graduate-level degrees. Your knowledge, skills, and experience can help you be in a position where you can use those assets to your advantage, such as when negotiating salary or benefits.
4. Become a leader in nursing!
Employers in the healthcare industry are always looking for someone willing to take on responsibility and lead by example. If you are dedicated enough to earn two graduate degrees in nursing, you have the potential of becoming an effective leader in nursing.
5. Open doors for employment opportunities in various settings.
Once you enroll in and then graduate from dual online nurse practitioner programs, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to help you perform well in diverse work environments, giving you more opportunities to find the perfect job.
The curriculum for dual online nurse practitioner programs can be rigorous. Once you start the journey, it takes determination to finish it. The final two advantages of the 7 Big Advantages of Online Dual Nurse Practitioner Programs are related to time and money, two things we all want to have more of.
6. Earn two degrees concurrently in less time than it would take to earn them individually.
Pursuing two degrees at the same time can save you two to four years compared to the time it would take to earn the degrees one at a time. This is possible because, as you will find in the Coursework section of this article, core coursework in nurse practitioner programs is often similar. Therefore, regardless of your specialty, you can take the core courses and then concentration-specific courses and cut down the time you are in school.
7. Save money while earning dual degrees.
Many colleges and universities charge student fees at a per-semester or annual rate. By earning two degrees at once and reducing the amount of time you are in school, you may save money on some non-tuition expenses.
How Long Are Online Dual Nurse Practitioner Programs?
The amount of time it takes to complete a dual NP program online varies depending on your current degree level and the type of program (MSN, DNP) you choose. Some programs offer conditional admission to students with no nursing background, provided they enroll in the college and complete what is referred to as "pre-specialty" coursework. The average BSN to MSN dual NP program takes three years to complete. Students in BSN to DNP students may take four or five years to graduate. Again, these are average times; it could take you a shorter or longer amount of time, depending on your academic needs.
• For example,
Vanderbilt University
offers a
BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner/Emergency Nurse Practitioner program that students can complete in three years. The university also has a
BSN to MSN Women’s Health/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Dual NP program.
• The
University of Alabama at Birmingham
offers a post-baccalaureate to master's accredited online dual nurse practitioner program with a focus on Pediatric Acute and Primary Care. The program is designed to accommodate working nurses and is, therefore, offered in a part-time format. Students can complete the program in
nine semesters of successive attendance.
• At the
University of Iowa
, registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can choose from eight BSN to DNP online dual NP programs. Each of the dual programs takes approximately
four years to complete.
• Drexel University’s
dual Pediatric Acute Care and Pediatric Primary Care NP program prepares students to become experts in the delivery of care to infants, children, and adolescents with both acute and complex health issues or disorders. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, and the use of new and current technology in healthcare. It can be completed in
three and a half years of full-time study.
• at Pueblo features an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Family Nurse Practitioner online dual degree with post-BSN and post-master's entry options. The BSN to DNP option is an eleven-semester full-time program, and the MSN to DNP program can be taken part-time for eight semesters or full-time for five.
How Much Do Online Dual Nurse Practitioner Programs Cost?
An investment in your professional education is an investment that can give you returns for many years. However, the cost of a college degree is one factor that many would-be students say determines their decision to enroll in a program or not. Many factors determine how much a student may pay for their degrees, and costs often vary significantly. For example, online dual nurse practitioner programs can cost from $25,000 to $175,000 or more.
Here are some examples of the tuition costs at some of the featured programs from this article.
• The
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
features three pathways for students to achieve dual nurse practitioner programs online:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner,
Pediatric Acute Care/Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and
Psychiatric Mental Health/Family Nurse Practitioner. Tuition rates are calculated based on the student's state residency. Tennessee residents pay $443 per credit hour for the online programs, and out-of-state students spend $1,117. The AGAC/FNP and PMHNP/FNP programs require seventy-three credit hours with tuition costs between $32,339 and $81,541. The Pediatric Primary and Acute NP program includes sixty-four credit hours with tuition ranging from $28,352 to $71,488.
• Tuition at
Vanderbilt University
costs $1,793 per credit hour. The fifty-seven credit-hour Women’s Health/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP program costs $102,201. The BSN to DNP Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner program includes seventy-seven to eighty-one credit hours costing between $138,061 and $145,233.
• At the
University of Arizona
, students pay $875 per credit hour with an average tuition of $33,320 per year. The college offers three online dual nurse practitioner programs that require eighty-six to eighty-nine credits resulting in tuition costs ranging from $75,250 and $77,875.
• Like many other universities, the
University of Southern Alabama
charges
tuition based on the student’s state residence. In-state students pay $465 per semester hour, and out-of-state students pay $1,084. The programs, some of the best online dual nurse practitioner programs available, include fifty-seven, seventy-two, or eighty-one semester hours, depending on which program students choose. Therefore, students pay tuition costs anywhere from $26,505 up to $87,804.
Don't let these numbers deter you. With careful planning and accessing available resources, it is possible to offset some of your education-related expenses. If you want to earn a dual NP degree, but you are worried about finances, schedule a time to talk with a financial aid advisor at one of the schools you are considering attending. Also, be sure to fill out a
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information you provide on the FAFSA will be used to determine your eligibility for government-funded grants and loans. Other options for financial aid include personal loans, work-study programs, and employer-sponsored education funds.
Coursework
Once you have decided on a college and specialty concentrations and accepted an invitation for admission, it will be time to establish a study plan. Academic advisors will review your previous college credits and determine how many, if any, you can transfer and will recommend which classes you should take.
If you only research two available programs, you will still find differences in the required classes from one school to another. Generally, nurse practitioner programs include core classes (fundamental/foundation courses), concentration-specific classes, and a clinical component.
Core courses are similar regardless of the specialty concentration you choose. They include Advanced Pharmacology and Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, Statistics, and Healthcare Policy and Finance.
Concentration-specific courses are determined based on the population foci. For example, students in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner online dual nurse practitioner programs will take classes focused on treating patients and families across the lifespan and advanced courses related to the elderly. Pediatric Primary and Acute Care dual NP programs will have courses focused on Advanced Pediatric Assessment, Pediatric Pharmacology, and Care of the Pediatric Patient and Caregiver.
The following are examples of classes included in some of the accredited programs featured in this article.
• Capstone College of Nursing at the
University of Alabama at Birmingham
offers an online Master of Science in Nursing dual nurse practitioner degree with a concentration in Psychiatric-Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner. The three-year program curriculum includes sixty-six to seventy-two credit hours and 1,080 clinical practice hours.
Sample Coursework:
◦ Research and Evidence-Based Practice
◦ Advanced Pathophysiology
◦ Family Nurse Practitioner Role and Issues
◦ Family Nurse Practitioner I, II, and III (Each course has a corresponding clinical requirement.)
◦ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role and Issues
◦ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner I, II, and III (Each course has a corresponding clinical requirement.)
• The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner BSN to DNP online dual NP program with MSN exit option at
Madonna University
is formatted for part-time or full-time study. The eighty-two-semester hour program includes online and on-campus coursework, laboratory simulations, clinical practicum, and a DNP project.
Sample Coursework:
◦ Advanced Human Pathophysiology I and II
◦ Pharmacology for Advanced Practice
◦ Advanced Practice Family Nursing of Pediatrics and Childbearing Women
◦ Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I, II, and III
◦ Epidemiology for the Health Professional
◦ Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy
◦ accredited online dual nurse practitioner programs
• The
University of South Alabama
has Adult-Gerontology Acute Care/Family and Family/Emergency dual nurse practitioner programs online with BSN to MSN, BSN to DNP, and MSN to DNP plans. Students entering the BSN to MSN option must complete fifty-seven credit hours of coursework. BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP students complete eighty-one or seventy-two hours, respectively.
BSN to MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care/Family NP Sample Coursework:
◦ Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Issues for Dual Role
◦ Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner I and II (Each course has a corresponding clinical requirement.)
◦ Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I and II (Each course has a corresponding clinical requirement.)
BSN to MSN Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner Sample Coursework:
◦ Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice
◦ Physio-Pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing
◦ Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner I, II, III, and IV (Each course has a corresponding clinical requirement.)
DNP Sample Coursework:
In addition to concentration-specific classes, students in the DNP pathways also take the following courses.
◦ Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare
◦ Clinical Prevention and Population Health
◦ Quality Improvement and Outcomes Assessment
◦ Translating Evidence into Practice Systems
◦ Data Management and Decision Making in Complex Healthcare Systems
Clinical Training
Clinical training is an integral part of any nurse practitioner program. During the clinical practicum, students can experience supervised, hands-on patient care relevant to their chosen specialties. Although schools have the right to determine the number of clinical hours nursing students must achieve for graduation, accreditation standards ensure that the number is consistent among programs.
• Students in BSN to MSN programs, like those in the dual nurse practitioner program online at the
University of Alabama at Birmingham
, are typically required to complete at least 500 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. According to the
DNP Essentials, all DNP students should achieve a minimum of 1,000 supervised post-baccalaureate clinical hours.
Here are a few more examples of clinical requirements for students in some of our featured programs.
• Students at the
University of Arizona
have the option of a Family or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner concentration with a dual Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree program or a Family Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner dual degree. These programs are among the best online dual nurse practitioner programs available. Each program includes
1,440 clinical practice hours, 720 for each specialty.
• Rutgers University
is the only doctorate-level pediatric nurse practitioner program in New Jersey. The university offers one of the best online dual nurse practitioner programs with Pediatric Primary and Acute Care concentrations. Students must achieve eighty-five credit hours as well as 1,000 combined clinical practice and DNP project hours. The curriculum includes 900 clinical hours. However, students may be required to complete more than 1,000 to meet requirements for graduation and certifications.
• Nurse practitioner students in the Division of Graduate Nursing at
Drexel University
have the flexibility to find and coordinate their own clinical preceptors and locations with input from and approval of the Division of Graduate Nursing. All students complete at least 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours to meet graduation requirements.
• Students enrolled in the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner BSN to MSN dual NP program online offered at
Vanderbilt University
will complete 980 clinical hours. The BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner/Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program requires a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours.
Admission Requirements
So, you have decided you want to become a nurse practitioner with dual degrees. Now it is time to find the programs that interest you and start applying. As you continue to the different online dual nurse practitioner programs, you may find differences in the admission criteria for each one.
• For instance, if you apply to a Christian college or university, like
Madonna University
, you will find that the school's core beliefs are grounded in the Christian faith. Although proclaiming oneself as a Christian is not a condition for admission, the college does encourage people who are "grounded spiritually" to apply. Other schools may require applicants to have a designated amount of professional work experience relevant to their chosen path of study or accept students who have achieved a minimum degree.
When you find a school that interests you, verify their admission requirements by speaking with an admission counselor or reviewing the website for their programs. Then you can make a list of the schools/programs for which you meet those criteria and apply.
Despite some variation in admission essentials, the following admission requirements will likely be expected of applicants in most online dual nurse practitioner programs.
◦ Possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse
◦ Submit a professional resume/curriculum vitae
◦ CPR Certification
◦ Submit to and pass a criminal background check and drug screen
◦ Provide proof of current immunizations and maintain up-to-date immunization status for the duration of the program
Here are a few examples of admission requirements for the accredited dual nurse practitioner programs online featured in this article.
• If you hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and desire a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner, you can pursue a dual PNP degree with either the BSN to MSN or BSN to DNP option at the
University of Nebraska
. Admission is recommended for the most highly qualified applicants whose career goals align with the specialty and college resources.
Sample Admission Requirements:
◦ Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing degree from a school of nursing with accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
◦ Preferential admission is offered to applicants with at least one year of full-time work experience as registered nurses.
◦ Submit a Personal Statement that addresses the applicant’s professional and academic roles, including why the area of specialty practice was chosen
• The
University of Iowa
offers several accredited online dual nurse practitioner programs, with options for whatever specialty interests you most.
Sample Admission Requirements:
◦ Before beginning the program, applicants must complete an upper-level statistics course (should be taken within five years of the application deadline)
◦ Minimum undergraduate and/or graduate grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 grading scale
◦ Graduate from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited nursing program
• Colorado State University at Pueblo’s
online dual NP program has BSN and MSN entry options. Students earn a terminal Doctor of Nursing Practitioner with degrees as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Family NP.
Sample Admission Requirements:
◦ Possess a BSN or MSN degree
◦ Provide three letters of recommendation (1 Professional or Academic, 1 Clinical Supervisor, 1- Applicant's Choice)
◦ Submit a Letter of Intent including a brief professional history, the reason for pursuing advanced dual degrees, and an explanation of how the applicant will manage home, study, and work
4 Things to Look for When Comparing Top Dual Nurse Practitioner Programs
Choosing the right dual nurse practitioner program can feel like a daunting task if you are unsure what to look for. There are many choices of schools and programs, so taking the time to compare carefully can help you find the best program for you. Here are four things to look for when comparing the top dual nurse practitioner programs.
1. Is the program accredited?
If anything should make you mark a school off your list of potentials, it is the lack of accreditation. There is a demand for well-prepared nurses, which requires quality nursing education. Accreditation is a process that uses established quality standards and best practices to review nurse training programs. By choosing accredited dual nurse practitioner programs online, you can feel confident that you will be part of a program that meets or exceeds safety, management, compliance, and licensing standards. Also, accredited schools must demonstrate their programs offer up-to-date information and concepts to prepare students for entry-level positions in their specialties.
2. What type of support is available for online students?
With all its conveniences, there are still times when students utilizing online learning options still need help. As you compare the top dual NP programs, be sure to ask questions about student support. For example, how do students communicate with faculty? Also, if there are issues with the school website or student access, who can you contact? This is especially important as distance learners often work their study/classwork time around other obligations such as work and family.
3. What is the program’s attrition rate?
Attrition rate refers to the number of students who leave or drop out of a program without graduating. Even top-rated online dual nurse practitioner programs can expect an attrition rate of up to ten percent. There are logical reasons why some students may need to leave a program or school, such as personal or family issues, financial hardship, and health problems. However, if a program has more than ten percent of its students dropping out, that should be a warning sign. Although you may not immediately cross the program off your list, finding out what leads to the higher rate can help you determine if it's a good decision to pursue that school or program further.
4. How will you meet the requirements for the program’s clinical component?
Distance learning has grown in popularity in recent years and even more since the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged. Some people who would otherwise not go back to college can now pursue a degree because of the convenience online learning offers. If you are considering an online dual NP program, it is necessary to be mindful of the clinical requirements you must meet to graduate, including how clinicals are arranged and by whom. Many NP schools allow online students to complete their clinical practicum in areas closer to where they live, which can be convenient. In this case, you may be allowed to choose clinical sites or preceptors, but your school will need to approve both and secure a clinical contract.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 12 BEST ONLINE DUAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN THE NATION FOR 2024
(These Dual Nurse Practitioner Programs are ideal for individuals who wish to graduate with skills & knowledge in two different nurse practitioner specializations.)
1. Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN
Programs Offered:
MSN and
BSN to DNPMSN Concentrations:
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner/Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Family Nurse Practitioner/Emergency Nurse Practitioner (FNP/ENP)
2. University of Alabama at Birmingham - Birmingham, AL
Programs Offered:
MSN MSN Concentrations:
Pediatric Acute/Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
3. The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, AL
Programs Offered:
MSN and
BSN to DNPMSN Concentrations:
Family/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Family/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
4. University of Iowa - Iowa City, IA
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Adult Gerontology Acute Care/Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care/Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family/Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family/Adult Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family/Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric PC/Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
5. Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered:
MSN MSN Concentrations:
Pediatric Primary Care/Pediatric Acute Care
6. University of Nebraska Medical Center - Omaha, NE
Programs Offered:
MSN and
BSN to DNP MSN Concentrations:
Pediatric Primary/Acute Care NP
BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Pediatric Primary/Acute Care NP
7. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Newark, NJ
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
8. University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ
Programs Offered:
BSN-DNP BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Family Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
9. University of South Alabama - Mobile, AL
Programs Offered:
RN to MSN, MSN, BSN to DNP, and MSN to DNP
RN to MSN Concentrations:
Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP and
Family NP/Emergency NP MSN Concentrations:
Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP and Family NP/Emergency NP
BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP and
Family NP/Emergency NP MSN to DNP Concentrations:
Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP and Family NP/Emergency NP
10. University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis, TN
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner,
Psychiatric Mental Health/Family Nurse Practitioner, and
Pediatric Acute Care/Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
11. Colorado State University-Pueblo - Pueblo, CO
Programs Offered:
DNP (BSN to DNP & MSN to DNP)
BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN to DNP Concentrations:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Family Nurse Practitioner
12. Madonna University - Livonia, MI
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP
BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Family Nurse Practitioner
VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY
Career Opportunities for Dual NP Graduates
There are many career opportunities after graduating from one of the best dual nurse practitioner programs online. Some graduates work in hospitals, nursing homes or assisted living facilities, physicians' offices, or independently own offices, as college faculty or in administrative positions. Potential job opportunities will depend on your specialty concentrations and can include some of the following.
Correctional Facility Nurse Practitioner:
NPs with dual degrees as
Women’s Health/Family Nurse Practitioner or Family/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degrees may accept a position in a correctional facility. Job duties include assessing patients for acute illness or injury and determining if emergency care should be sought outside the facility, monitoring patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and administering medications.
School Nurse Practitioner:
Pediatric Acute/Primary and Pediatric/Family Nurse Practitioners are often employed by educational facilities. Some work in primary, Jr. High, or high schools, while others work in colleges or universities.
Home Health or Hospice:
Family/Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners may work for companies that provide in-home care to clients, such as home health or hospice agencies. This position requires the NP to perform initial admission assessments and assessments to determine if recertification for continued care is warranted.
Average Salary for Dual NP Professionals
In 2020, the annual median income for individual workers in the United States was $35,977. Registered nurses with associate and bachelor's degrees in nursing make approximately $59,540 and $79,623, respectively. Nurse practitioners who have earned dual degrees earn an average annual salary of $131,690, almost four times the individual income and more than twice the combined average income for ADN and BSN nurses.
Graduates of online dual nurse practitioner programs may also use their extensive academic and clinical training to negotiate excellent benefits packages that could be worth thousands of dollars annually. Perks of benefits packages could include employer-matched retirement plans, continuing education stipends, paid vacation or sick leave, and insurance.
Hourly | $63.31 |
Monthly | $10,970 |
Annual | $131,690 |
Job Outlook for Dual NP Graduates
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an anticipated growth of
forty-five percent between 2019 and 2029 for nurse practitioner jobs. Although the BLS does not list nurse practitioners with dual degrees separately, some factors could indicate the job outlook for NPs who are dual degree holders is promising. For example, a nationwide shortage of physicians in several specialties has created increased opportunities for nurse practitioners to step up to the plate and provide patient care. Dual NP graduates can provide care to more than one patient population making them valuable in delivering care, suggesting a favorable job outlook.
The Bottom Line
There are so many opportunities for nurses like you to broaden the scope of their practice. The best online dual nurse practitioner programs for 2024 are perfect examples of ways you can pursue two degrees concurrently and reach more patients, impacting healthcare delivery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT
Is it possible to continue working while I’m a student in an online dual NP program?
Possible, yes. Advisable? It depends. Online learning has made it possible for many people who have responsibilities, such as a job or family, to pursue their degrees while still being a provider. However, dual NP programs have heavy coursework and clinical requirements. If you are considering enrolling in one of these programs, you should weigh the pros and cons of working while in school carefully. Discuss your options with your family and employer to see if there is room for negotiation regarding household responsibilities or work schedules. At the end of the day, only you can determine if working while in school is an option.
Are there any disadvantages to a dual NP program online?
Like any other college program, there are pros and cons to online dual NP programs. One of the most common things I've heard students mention is that these programs require a great deal of time, which can take away from things you may do if you were not pursuing the degrees. People view pros and cons differently, so as an educator, I always encouraged my students to make lists and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of decisions. Things that you may feel are an inconvenience may not matter to someone else, so weigh the differences according to your own perspective, not someone else's.
Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years' experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels.