As with many other states, Indiana has a shortage of primary care physicians. This is particularly pronounced in the remote, rural areas of the state. According to the Indiana Business Journal, 87% of rural IN residents experience primary care shortage, compared to 62% of urban residents.
Nurse practitioners can help address the gap by providing care in these areas. And, given the high demand for such APRNs, nurses can take advantage of such an opportunity by enrolling in any of these NP programs:
Program Overview:
The School of Nursing at BSU in Muncie, IN focuses on promoting learning, values, and leadership. Their programs are built on sciences, humanities, and liberal arts, enabling the students to excel in nursing. As such, it is ranked as the 4th best nursing school in Indiana by RNcareers.org.
BSU was also recognized as the 28th best online graduate nursing program by US News & World Report. Its FNP students, meanwhile, have registered a 100% first-time pass rate on the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board Exam.
Program Overview:
Established in 1894, Goshen College is a private liberal arts institution located in Goshen, IN. It offers interdisciplinary learning through small class sizes, as taught by distinguished faculty.
The college offers undergraduate nursing programs, as well as online adult nursing programs. Its in-person MSN program, meanwhile, was named the second-best program in Indiana by NursingProcess.com in 2022. Graduates of the said program have registered a 96%passing rate for the certification exams.
Program Overview:
Marian University is a Franciscan institution that offers nursing programs through its Alan and Sue Leighton School of Nursing. The CCNE-accredited undergraduate and graduate offerings are designed to help students provide optimum care in a number of healthcare settings.
As per RNcareers.org, Marian University is ranked 14th out of the 38 nursing schools in Indiana. College Factual, meanwhile places the Indianapolis-based school a notch lower (15th).
Marian U’s DNP graduates have posted a 90% passing rate in the FNP certification exams.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1963, the ISU School of Nursing offers several undergraduate and graduate nursing programs that are designed to help its students excel. With its rigorous academic curricula, dedicated faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, ISU students are sure to build the competencies they need to become exceptional practitioners.
ISU graduate programs, which were first offered in 1986, are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Terre Haute, IN-based institution is currently ranked as the 13th-best nursing school in Indiana by RNcareers.org.
ISU NP students have posted a 100% passing rate for the ANCC exams.
Program Overview:
Based in Richmond, IN, IU-East’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences was launched to help create a hands-on learning environment for future healthcare leaders. Its Nursing programs are accredited by both the Indiana Board of Nursing and ACEN.
US News & World Report ranks IU-East’s Nursing program as the 228th best in the country.
Program Overview:
In 1914, the IU School of Nursing opened its doors. The first students were trained by Alice Fitzgerald, the first director of the program. The following year, Ethel Clarke served as the director of education and hospital nursing service at the affiliated Robert W. Long Hospital.
The 1950s saw the awarding of the first BSN degrees, while the first Masters degrees were conferred in 1963. In 2009, the university began awarding the DNP degree.
Recently, US News & World Report ranked IU’s graduate nursing degrees as the 50th best in the country. Its DNP program, meanwhile, is ranked 75th.
Program Overview:
IU-Kokomo’s School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions is driven by the mission of molding students who make a difference in the field of healthcare. The school is manned by expert faculty members who guide their students through various immersive clinical experiences.
Niche has ranked IU-Kokomo’s Nursing school as the 153rd best in the country.
Program Overview:
Based in Gary, IN, IU-Northwest is bound by the mission of educating nurses who foster health and human dignity. With its student-centered curriculum that focuses on evidence-based practice, its FNP students consistently garner a 100% first-time passing rate in the certification exams.
Program Overview:
IU-South Bend’s Dwyer School of Health Sciences offers transformative educational experiences through its immersive program offerings. As part of the IU consortium, it continues to live up to the system’s mission of providing high-quality and evidence-based nursing education.
US News & World Ranking places IU-South Bend’s nursing program at the 133rd spot in the list of best colleges.
Program Overview:
The IWU School of Nursing and Health Professions provides integrated education programs that combine evidence-based findings with hands-on learning. With its rigorous curriculum and expert faculty members, IWU students are expected to provide the utmost clinical care while promoting Christian values.
RNcareers.org places IWU at the 11th spot out of the 38th nursing schools in Indiana. Similar to IU-South Bend, its nursing program is ranked 133rd in the country.
IWU graduates have posted a 100% passing rate for their certification exams.
Program Overview:
The Purdue School of Nursing is driven by the mission of improving the quality of life of people, not only those living in Indiana, but that of the nation and the whole world. The school makes it possible through its rigorous nursing programs and advocacy for healthcare legislation.
The West Lafayette, IN-based university offers many programs that are highly ranked by the US News & World Report. This 2024, its traditional MSN program has been ranked 22nd while its online MSN has been ranked 125th. Purdue’s DNP program, meanwhile, is touted as the 24th-best in the country.
Purdue’s NP certification exam passing rate averages at 92.5%.
- BSN to MSN: AGPCNP
- BSN to MSN: FNP
- BSN to MSN: PMHNP
- BSN to MSN: PNP (Primary Care)
- BSN/MSN to DNP: AGPCNP
- BSN/MSN to DNP: FNP
- BSN/MSN to DNP: PMHNP
- BSN/MSN to DNP: PNP (Primary Care)
- Post-Masters Certificate: AGPCNP
- Post-Masters Certificate: FNP
- Post-Masters Certificate: PMHNP
- Post-Masters Certificate: PNP (Primary Care)
Program Overview:
As a designated NLN Center of Nursing Excellence, Purdue University-Northwest is known for its excellence in nursing research, student learning, and faculty development.
This 2024, US News & World Report has named the traditional MSN-FNP program as the 87th best in the country, up from the 100th spot in 2023. Its online MSN program is also recognized as one of the best in the nation by the same award-giving body.
Program Overview:
Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN is a private liberal arts college for women. Founded in 1843, the college offers graduate nursing programs that are open to men and women alike. To date, US News & World Report has recognized St. Mary’s as the 183rd best Nursing school in the country. In 2022, Nursing Schools Almanac listed it as a top 5% nursing school in Indiana.
Program Overview:
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is a Catholic liberal arts college that first opened its doors in 1840. Formerly an all-women’s college, the now-coed school offers nursing programs that feature a mix of scientific, liberal arts, and Catholic foundations.
The CCNE-accredited school’s MSN program has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of the best in the country. Nursing Schools Almanac and Niche have also listed it as one of the best Nursing schools in Indiana.
The school’s first FNP cohort scored a 100% passing rate in the certification exams.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1959, The UIndy School of Nursing started offering a 2-year associate’s degree. A decade later, the school started to offer a BSN degree. Its MSN-NP program was launched in 1995. To date, it is the only school in Indiana to offer an NNP program.
The UIndy School of Nursing is ranked by US News & World Report on various fronts. Its MSN program is ranked 135th while its online MSN is 54th in the nation. Its DNP program, on the other hand, is at the 138th place out of 157.
UIndy FNP students have posted a 100% first-time pass rate for the certification exams.
Program Overview:
The University of Saint Francis at Fort Wayne is a Catholic university founded in 1890. Its nursing programs are accredited by both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. and CCNE.
In 2023, Niche named USF as the second-best nursing school in Indiana. RNcareers.org, meanwhile, has named it the 4th-best nursing school in Indiana. In 2024, US News & World Report listed USF as the top 402 nursing school in the country.
USF’s DNP graduates have consistently posted a 100% first-time passing rate at the ANCC and AANP board certification exams.
Program Overview:
The USI Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions offers various nursing degrees, alongside other health-related programs. The curriculum is designed to address complex healthcare needs through lessons that focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and evidence-based practice.
RNcareers.org recognized USI as the top nursing school in Indiana. Its online MSN program, meanwhile, is ranked 32 out of 185 by the US News & World Report.
Program Overview:
At the College of Nursing and Health Professions, aspiring nurses can learn to become critical thinkers, unwavering leaders, and exceptional performers. Such is made possible by the college’s tradition of excellence, which has long been evident since its founding more than 50 years ago.
In 2023, Incredible Health named Valparaiso as the second-best nursing school in Indiana. RNcareers.org, meanwhile, places it at rank 12.
Valparaiso DNP students have posted a 100% first-time passing rate in the certification exams.
NP Programs in Other States
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Ohio
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