Nurse Practitioner Programs

Nurse Practitioner Career Overview

Employment for nurse practitioners is projected to grow 46% between 2023 and 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is the fastest projected growth of any advanced practice nursing role. Median annual wage was $128,490 in 2024, with roughly 328,000 nurse practitioners working in primary care, hospitals, and specialty clinics nationwide.

Two graduate pathways lead to NP licensure. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) remains the entry-level standard, but the American Association of Colleges of Nursing has been pushing programs toward the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as the terminal degree. RNs with a BSN can enter through a traditional MSN track, a BSN-to-DNP program, or an RN-to-NP bridge if they do not yet hold a bachelor’s. Timing depends on the path: post-master’s certificates run 18 months, while direct-entry doctoral programs take up to four years. See how long it takes to become an NP for a full breakdown.

Specialty choice shapes both the curriculum and the career. Family nurse practitioners make up the largest population by far, working in primary care across all age groups. Psychiatric mental health NPs have the fastest-growing demand of any specialty, tied to the ongoing mental health workforce shortage. Other tracks include adult-gerontology, pediatric, acute care, and women’s health. To compare programs by specialty, state, or degree path, use our NP program search.