3 Best Online Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Emergency nurse practitioners must be at the very top of their game at all times. This fast-paced career choice requires specialized training that includes advanced assessment skills, an in-depth knowledge of pharmacology, and top-notch hands-on clinical competencies. By enrolling in an ENP online program, you’ll be able to level up your nursing skills without sacrificing your current job or personal responsibilities. As an emergency nurse practitioner, you can expect to earn a high salary and have your choice of employment opportunities. What are the best online emergency nurse practitioner programs? You’ll find the right one for you on this list of the 3 best emergency nurse practitioner online programs.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ONLINE EMERGENCY NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN THE NATION?
(Based on our
Ranking Methodology, the following are the 3 best Emergency nurse practitioner online programs. These Emergency nurse practitioner programs are for nurses who have a BSN or an MSN degree.)
1. Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN
Programs Offered: MSN and BSN-to-DNP
MSN Specialties Offered: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner/Emergency Nurse Practitioner (FNP/ENP)
Program Details: If you thrive in challenging clinical settings and desire to work in a fast-paced medical environment, then enrolling in Vanderbilt University’s emergency nurse practitioner program is an excellent idea. Counted among the best emergency nurse practitioner online programs, Vanderbilt’s emergency NP program is combined with the MSN and BSN-to-DNP pathways, so you can decide on a graduate nursing path based on your professional goals. Regardless of the path you choose, you’ll be fully prepared to work in a variety of work environments, including critical access hospitals, fast-track emergency departments, urgent clinics, etc.
Vanderbilt emergency NP coursework is built on the foundation of the family nurse practitioner coursework. So, no matter whether you choose the MSN or BSN-to-DNP pathway, you’ll be prepared for two NP roles, including that of an emergency NP and a family NP. Also, you’ll be eligible for the dual certification exam. Both MSN and BSN-to-DNP are offered online, so you need not relocate or give up on your employment.
If you opt for the MSN pathway, you’ll complete 51 credits, whereas the BSN-to-DNP coursework consists of 77 credits. Some of the classes ENP students attend include advanced health assessment, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and concepts of advanced emergency nursing. The coursework also includes the essential diagnostic & therapeutic procedures in primary, urgent & emergency care. You can complete the program full-time or part-time.
Admission Requirements: Admission into Vanderbilt University’s emergency NP online program, regardless of the path you choose, requires you to have an accredited BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0. Also, an active and unencumbered RN license is required. To complete the admission requirements, you must be prepared to submit your statement of purpose, three recommendation letters, and your official transcripts. The program also requires applicants to have at least two years of current nursing experience, out of which one year must be in emergency care.
Why Choose Vanderbilt University Online Emergency NP Program
• Vanderbilt University’s graduate nursing programs are well recognized in the nation for the high-quality education they offer and therefore they are also ranked among the best graduate nursing programs in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Vanderbilt University’s online emergency NP program is taught by faculty members who are current practitioners & experts in their respective fields of advanced nursing practice.
• Vanderbilt University’s online emergency NP program maintains a small student-to-faculty ratio. Therefore, students receive personalized attention and enjoy an engaging learning experience.
• Because Vanderbilt University is close to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, ENP students are provided with meaningful clinical learning opportunities at one of the nation’s top medical centers.
2. Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered: MSN
Specialties Offered: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan with Emergency
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Program Details: Another one of the best online emergency nurse practitioner programs is offered by Drexel University. Whether you desire to work as a primary caregiver or want to manage the emergency health conditions of your patients, Drexel’s ENP program prepares you for both, primary and emergency care healthcare settings. Combined with the MSN coursework, the ENP/FNP program comprises MSN core and courses in the ENP and FNP specialty. Therefore, upon completing the program, you’ll be eligible for both, the ENP as well as the FNP certification.
The dual certification ENP/FNP program equips you with skills in critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning. This program comprises a total of 63 credits. The program covers several topics such as issues in contemporary healthcare environments, quality & safety in healthcare, research methods & biostatistics, and evaluation & translation of health research. Students also attend classes in advanced pathophysiology, advanced clinical assessment & diagnostic reasoning, and advanced pharmacotherapeutics. In addition, the FNP-related courses teach you the primary care of individuals and families across the lifespan. Besides, the ENP courses emphasize emergency & trauma care across the lifespan.
This ENP/FNP also includes rigorous clinical training. While the entire didactic coursework is offered online, students attend on-campus intensives to build clinical skills. Further, students are also provided with real-world clinical experiences in a variety of interdisciplinary healthcare settings. Graduates are fully prepared to provide expert patient care in all types of primary, emergency, and acute care settings.
Admission Requirements: If you are interested in applying for the online emergency nurse practitioner program, you must have a BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0. The program also requires a current and active RN license in the United States. Also, applicants must have 1 to 2 years of experience in critical care. A BLS, ACLS, and PALS license is also required. The admission requirements also include the submission of documents such as transcripts, two professional references, a personal statement, a resume, and a copy of your RN license.
Why Choose Drexel University Online Emergency NP Program
• Drexel University’s online emergency NP program boasts of a 100% pass rate not only on the ENP but also on the FNP certification exam.
• Drexel University’s online graduate nursing programs are ranked among the top 10 in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Drexel University’s online classes are offered in a synchronous format, providing ENP students with an engaging learning experience.
• Drexel University’s ENP graduates stand out in the employment market. Because employers respect Drexel’s online education, ENP students find suitable placements soon after graduation.
3. University of South Alabama - Mobile, AL
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and MSN-to-DNP
RN-to-MSN Specialties Offered: Dual Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)/Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
MSN Specialties Offered: Dual Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)/Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Dual Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)/Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Dual Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)/Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
Program Details: With four pathways, the University of South Alabama provides aspiring emergency nurse practitioners an opportunity to advance their education, no matter where they are in their nursing careers. Here, depending on your previous nursing education, you can enter either the RN-to-MSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, or MSN-to-DNP pathway. All four pathways combine the FNP coursework with ENP courses to prepare graduates for dual certification in family health and emergency care.
The RN to MSN pathway is designed for registered nurses who have a non-nursing bachelor's degree. This pathway starts with 12 credits of bridge courses, including evidence-based practice & informatics, leadership & management roles, and clinical prevention & population health. The program then continues with 57 credits of MSN and ENP/FNP courses. If you enter the MSN pathway, you start straight with the MSN coursework and complete only 57 credits in MSN core and ENP/FNP-related courses. Regardless of whether you enroll in the RN-to-MSN or MSN pathway, you must complete the program within five years.
On the other hand, the BSN-to-DNP pathway which confers the terminal nursing degree requires at least 69 credits in MSN core, DNP core, ENP/FNP-related courses, and the DNP project. If you enter the doctoral program after earning your master's in nursing, you’ll complete 36 credits in doctoral courses.
The ENP/FNP courses prepare you for emergency and primary healthcare management for individuals across the lifespan. In addition, the MSN core includes courses that teach you the scientific underpinning of advanced nursing practice, evidence-based practice & quality improvement, healthcare policy & finance, and organizational & systems leadership. Further, the DNP core prepares you to play influential roles by making you adept in concepts such as clinical prevention & population health, quality improvement & outcomes assessment, and data management & decision-making in complex healthcare systems. The DNP coursework also includes a DNP project planning and a residency.
Admission Requirements: As one of the reputable emergency nurse practitioner online programs, the University of South Alabama’s ENP program follows a selective admission process. To qualify for the RN-to-MSN path, you must be a registered nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Whereas, when applying to either MSN, BSN-to-DNP, or MSN-to-DNP pathway, you must have either a BSN or an MSN with a GPA of at least 3.0. All the pathways require applicants to have a valid and unencumbered RN license. To complete the application, you must be prepared to submit your transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation, and personal statement.
Why Choose University of South Alabama Online Emergency NP Program
• University of South Alabama’s emergency nurse practitioner online program includes a 100% online coursework to allow students to continue with their employment.
• University of South Alabama’s ENP classes are small in size. Therefore, students receive individualized attention throughout their virtual learning experience.
• University of South Alabama’s online ENP/FNP program boasts an impressive pass rate on the ENP & FNP national certification exam.
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