45 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – No GRE Required [2024 Guide]

By Joy Cromwelle
Updated on April 13, 2024
Edited by Briana Sukert
Ready to start your journey?
Explore online family nurse practitioner programs no GRE required. Want to finish faster? Accelerated courses are available.

Explore 45 online nurse practitioner programs with no GRE required for admission. Want to finish faster? Accelerated nursing programs are also available.

nurse practitioner in medical office

As a nurse, you probably already understand the importance of delivering compassionate patient care of the highest quality. Now, consider taking your healthcare skills to the next level with an advanced nursing degree.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Earning a graduate degree in nursing can help prepare you for licensure as a nurse practitioner (NP) who serves as a leader in the field.

Universities Offering Nursing Practitioner Online Programs With No GRE Required

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format. In addition, the universities either do not require GRE test scores as part of the admission requirements or offer GRE waivers for qualified students.

1. Ball State University

Ball State‘s continuing institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission was reaffirmed on January 14, 2014, following a two-year self-study process. The university is now accredited through 2023–24.

  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

BSU is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.

2. Baylor University

  • Online DNP – Executive Nurse Leadership
  • Online DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Nurse-Midwifery

Baylor University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

3. Bellarmine University

  • MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Bellarmine University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

4. Bradley University

  • Online DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Leadership
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Bradley University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

5. Capella University

  • Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

6. Chamberlain University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

7. Drexel University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan)
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Women’s Health/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner

Drexel University is accredited by MSCHE (Middle States Commission on Higher Education).

8. Duke University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Program
  • Online MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

9. Duquesne University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN ‑ Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner

Duquesne University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

10. Georgetown University

  • Online DNP – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Georgetown University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

11. Georgia College & State University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Program
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Georgia College & State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.

12. Graceland University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Graceland University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

13. Indiana State University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Indiana State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

14. Indiana Wesleyan University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Primary Care – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Primary Care – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

IWU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

15. Maryville University

  • Online BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online BSN to DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Maryville University of Saint Louis is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

16. Medical University of South Carolina

  • Online DNP

MUSC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

17. Midwestern State University

  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

MSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

18. Monmouth University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Monmouth University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

19. Northern Illinois University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

NIU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

20. Ohio State University

  • Online BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online BSN to DNP – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Online BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

OSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

21. Old Dominion University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

ODU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

22. Purdue University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner, primary care
  • Online MSN to DNP

Purdue University Global is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

23. Regis College

  • Online BSN to DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN to DNP

Regis College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

24. Rivier University

  • Online DNP – Systems Leadership
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Rivier University is fully accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc (NECHE).

25. Sacred Heart University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Sacred Heart University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

26. Saint Louis University

  • Online DPN – Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DPN – Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DPN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DPN – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DPN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

SLU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

27. Seton Hall University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Seton Hall is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

28. Simmons University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Simmons University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

29. South University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

30. Spring Arbor University

  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

All degrees offered by SAU are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

31. St. Joseph’s College

  • Online MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner

Saint Joseph’s College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc.

32. Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi

  • Online DNP – Executive Leadership
  • Online DNP – Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

TAMU-Corpus Christi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

33. University of Cincinnati

  • Online DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

UC and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

34. University of Colorado – Colorado Springs

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Primary Care Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

UCCS is accredited through the North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission.

35. University of Louisiana – Lafayette

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

UL Lafayette is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

36. University of Missouri – Kansas City

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

UMKC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

37. University of San Francisco

  • Online DNP – Executive Leadership
  • Online DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online DNP – Population Health Leadership
  • Online DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

USF is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

38. University of South Alabama

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric (Family) Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

USA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

39. University of Southern California

  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

USC is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

40. University of Texas – Arlington

  • Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Online MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

UTA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

41. University of Texas – El Paso

  • Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Online MSN – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

UTEP is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

42. Walden University

  • Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

43. West Coast University

  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

WCU is a university accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

44. West Virginia University

  • Online Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

WVU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

45. Wilkes University

  • Online DNP
  • Online MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Family Nursing Practitioner
  • Online MSN – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Wilkes University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

What is the Role of a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse interviewing a mother and child before check up

Typically, when people need medical care, they go see a doctor. However, doctors aren’t the only professionals who can provide thorough exams and helpful treatment. Nurse practitioners can provide this type of care as well.

A bachelor’s degree in nursing can help prepare you to practice as a registered nurse (RN). However, a job as an NP requires further education. Like nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists, NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). Therefore, becoming licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse requires holding a master’s or doctoral degree. This additional schooling can help equip you to carry out responsibilities that are not entrusted to other nurses.

For example, an NP can:

  • Prescribe medications
  • Provide diagnoses
  • Lead health promotion programs
  • Order lab work and other tests
  • Advise patients about medical decisions
  • Help patients learn about healthy life choices
  • Serve as a patient’s main healthcare provider

In some states, NPs can carry out their duties independently. However, other states require them to work under the supervision of a doctor who can sign off on some prescriptions, treatments and other decisions.

Nurse Practitioner Specialties

Nurse Practitioner Specialties

Nurse practitioners typically focus their studies on a particular branch of medicine so that they can provide high-quality care for patients in that demographic.

Common specialties include:

  • Family practice
  • Pediatrics
  • Mental health
  • Women’s health
  • Adult medicine
  • Oncology

In addition, subspecialties are also available to advanced practice registered nurse students. Subspecialties often focus on particular systems of the body, such as:

  • Bones and muscles
  • Digestive system
  • Blood and heart
  • Skin
  • Brain and nerves
  • Lungs
  • Urinary system

Other nurse practitioners choose subspecialties like emergency medicine, sports health or immunology.

Your choice of specialty and subspecialty can help you gain in-depth knowledge about particular branches of medicine. The specialized training that you receive can help set you apart from your colleagues.

Keep in mind that switching specialties in the middle of a program can be challenging, so it’s important to make a careful choice from the outset.

Nurse Practitioner: Master’s vs. Doctorate

nurse practitioner diagnosing a patient

Currently, you can become a nurse practitioner through master’s or doctoral studies.

Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Program

A master’s degree is sufficient education for licensure in all states.

However, more and more schools are offering Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. Some nursing organizations, such as the American Association of Critical-care Nurses (AACN), support the move toward increased education beyond a master’s degree for all advanced nurses.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Many experts believe that DNP degrees are important because they provide more education and practical experience for nursing students. This, in turn, may contribute to better patient care.

As you decide whether to pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate in nursing, keep in mind that the regulations may eventually become more strict.

By going ahead and getting your DNP now, you can be prepared if your state later increases the educational requirements for all APRNs.

Otherwise, you may someday need to earn yet another degree.

Nurse Practitioner Degrees Online

nurses studying on their laptop

Earning a doctoral degree in nursing can also help prepare you to become licensed.

A growing number of universities offer accredited online nursing programs in addition to their on-campus options. During your studies, you’ll likely learn about topics like epidemiology, healthcare technology, pathophysiology, health policy and ethical practice. You may take classes with names like Health Science Statistics, Evidence-based Practice, Health Advocacy and Delivering Quality Care.

Because nurse practitioners often serve as leaders among nursing teams, your coursework may also focus on leadership and management skills.

Even in online nursing programs, though, you will likely need to complete a practicum or a clinical experience before completing your doctoral education. In some cases, a dissertation is a requirement. However, some schools don’t require a doctor dissertation, but allow you to complete a final doctoral project instead.

Keep in mind that becoming an NP is not the only thing that you can do with a DNP. You might also work in health policy, teach in higher education or lead a healthcare organization. To prepare for NP licensure, you may have to take additional classes or enroll in a specific doctoral track.

Nurse Practitioner Careers & Salary

Nurse Practitioner Careers and Salary

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses. This may be a rewarding career for those interested in working with patients in the health professions and helping them manage their health. In addition to being personally fulfilling, becoming an advanced practice nurse usually offers a comfortable salary range and promising job growth.

Duties and Responsibilities

As an advanced practice nurse, you may have a full load of patients for whose medical care you are responsible. Often, people rely on nurse practitioners instead of physicians for their primary care. Therefore, your role may include many responsibilities in a primary care setting that have traditionally belonged to doctors.

These tasks may include:

  • Prescribing medication
  • Suggesting treatment plans
  • Offering health promotion advice
  • Ordering labs, x-rays and other treatments
  • Diagnosing conditions
  • Providing overall patient care
  • Consulting with patients about health concerns

Each state sets its own rules about nurse practitioners, so your allowed responsibilities may vary. In addition, depending on where you live, you may need to practice under the supervision of a doctor.

Options may include:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cancer care
  • Gynecological health
  • Adult medicine
  • Urgent care

You will probably work in a medical office setting and focus on a particular type of care in the health professions.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, advanced practice registered nurses make an average of $117,670 annually. This category includes nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists.

Job Growth

Nurses helping the doctor during operation

Employment opportunities in advanced practice nursing are expected to grow quite quickly over the next several years. According to BLS projections, the job outlook is expected to increase 45 percent for the next 10 years, there were 263,400 positions in this field. About 117,700 jobs are expected to be added.

The growing demand for professionals in this field is, in large part, due to the increasing shortfall of doctors. Particularly among rural populations, nurse practitioners can help to provide essential healthcare in communities where there aren’t enough doctors to adequately carry the patient load.

However, the choice to see an NP isn’t always a matter of convenience alone. Other reasons that patients would make this choice may include:

  • Feeling that the NP spends more time with them
  • Wanting a healthcare provider who focuses on the whole person
  • Appreciating that the NP helps them fully understand their medical conditions

Thanks to these common advanced practice nurse characteristics, more and more people may start opting for non-physician healthcare. In that case, the job outlook will only continue to grow over the next several years.

Nurse Practitioner Admissions

nurse practitioner looking at patient's data on a tablet

The requirements for getting into a DNP program can vary among universities. However, the following list provides a general overview of the admissions requirements for many graduate nursing students.

RN License

Graduate-level nursing classes typically build upon the skills and knowledge gained during RN training. Therefore, universities typically require all applicant graduate nursing students to be licensed as RNs before beginning their advanced programs.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree

Although there are several methods of gaining the education necessary for RN certification, not all of them will prepare you for NP studies.

  • An associate’s degree alone is insufficient
  • A bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field that’s paired with an RN license may be acceptable for some schools
  • Most universities prefer applicants who hold a BSN

GPA

nurse studying on her laptop

Nursing programs can be demanding. Most universities require you to submit transcripts from your bachelor’s degree with grades at or above their minimum GPA requirements. 3.0 is a common standard for advanced nursing programs. Some schools may allow exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Personal Statement

Why do you want to earn an advanced nursing degree? Your personal essay provides an opportunity to share this information with the admissions committee. You can also include information about your:

  • Views on the practice of nursing
  • Preferred area of specialization
  • Potential doctoral project
  • Professional goals

Letters of Recommendation

You will need to submit several letters from references who believe you would be a good candidate for a graduate nursing program. Your letters should be from a mix of professional and academic sources.

Nursing Accreditation

Nursing Accreditation

For any degree program, it is essential that you select a university with regional accreditation. Acceptable regional accreditors include:

  • • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
    • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
    • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

This is not an exhaustive list, and other regional accrediting agencies are acceptable as well.

In addition, there are organizations that provide accreditation specifically for nursing programs:

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Such accreditation may be important for qualifying for board examinations, such as the nurse practitioners certification board exam, and for transferring credits to another school or finding a good job.

What is the GRE?

nurse studying a book

The GRE is a test that is used for determining students’ readiness for success at the graduate degree level. Its full name is the Graduate Record Examination. In particular, the test evaluates your math, writing and reasoning skills.

Are There Any NP Programs That Do Not Require the GRE for Admission?

nursing students studying together

Graduate nursing programs have high standards for admission. However, that does not mean that they always require GRE scores as part of the application process. Many schools base their admissions decisions on other criteria instead.

Some advanced nursing programs never ask for GRE scores. The universities just don’t require them. Instead, they consider GPA, work experience, letters of recommendation and other factors when admitting students.

There are other schools that do ask for test scores, but they frequently make exceptions. These exceptions are called waivers and may be granted for:

  • High undergraduate GPA
  • Professional certifications
  • Military experience
  • Previous graduate degrees

Is the GRE Required for Nurse Practitioner?

No, accredited universities have the right to decide whether they require applicants to submit GRE scores. Many schools base their admissions process on other criteria and do not rely on test results as a measure of readiness for grad school.

What Is the Best Online Nurse Practitioner Program?

nurse taking care of an elderly man

There is not a single program that is the best fit for every student. Instead of looking for the very best of all schools, look for the one that best aligns with your goals, learning style and schedule.

It’s important to select a school with proper accreditation. Regional accreditation is a sign that the university delivers a quality education throughout all of its programs. Nursing-specific accreditation from ACEN or CCNE can assure you that the school’s advanced nursing program meets commonly accepted standards.

Other things to look for when exploring online NP programs include:

  • Flexible scheduling
  • Specializations that interest you
  • Low student-faculty ratio

Can You Become a Nurse Practitioner Online?

nursing student studying online

Yes, if you are already licensed as an RN, there are MSN and DNP online programs available. The best candidates for admission to these online programs are nurses who already hold a BSN.

Can You Get Your Master’s in Nursing Online?

Just as you can earn a bachelor’s degree online, many universities offer online programs through which you can earn an MSN. These nursing practitioner online programs may be ideal for working professionals because they often feature flexible scheduling.

Although classes are frequently delivered in an online format, you will probably have to earn clinical hours in person. You may be able to complete these hours in a medical setting in your local area as part of your online program.

What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

family nurse checking an elderly woman's blood pressure

Nurse practitioners who specialize in family medicine are commonly known as family nurse practitioners (FNPs). As an FNP, you might work with patients across all ages, from children to senior citizens.

Graduates of an FNP program often work in family practice medical clinics and may perform their duties under the supervision of a family practice physician. Responsibilities of family nurse practitioners may include diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, performing annual checkups, and providing care to families in a primary care setting. FNPs may also treat minor injuries, suggest diagnostic procedures and provide tips for healthy living.

FNPs may serve as the point of contact for many of the patients in a medical practice.

Are You Ready for a Nurse Practitioner Program?

nurse checking on a patient in the hospital

If you’re ready to advance your nursing skills and become a leader in your field, then you may be an excellent candidate for an MSN or DNP online program. Through study in nursing practitioner online programs, you can prepare to pursue a nursing career that’s fulfilling, profitable and likely to offer many job opportunities.

Ready to start your journey?