As with most US states, Minnesota is facing a staffing shortage. According to the Cicero Institute, the state is projected to have a shortage of 2,260 doctors by 2030. Primary care practitioners alone are projected to be short by 1,187 providers. Furthermore, the availability of obstetricians in the state is ranked 27th.
Nurse practitioners can cater to this shortage by offering primary and specialized care to Minnesotans. Here are several schools that offer NP programs for aspiring advanced practice nurses:
Program Overview:
Augsburg’s Department of Nursing started in 1973 when the university began to offer a BSN program. In 1999, it started offering an MA in Transcultural Nursing, which was then followed by the launch of the DNP program in 2010. Four years later, it launched its DNP-FNP track, which was named the fourth-best DNP program by Study.com in 2019. Graduates of the program have garnered a 94%-100% pass rate in the AANP/ANCC exams for the last five years.
Program Overview:
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Capella University offers innovative undergraduate and graduate level Nursing degrees with a supportive online environment. The CCNE-accredited school has a flexible pacing format that allows nurses to earn their MSN in as little as 14 months. With over 20,000 graduates, 87% of Capella nursing alumni agree that their degrees have helped them achieve their career aspirations.
Program Overview:
Grounded in Catholic and Benedictine values, the graduate nursing program of CSB and SJU was established to educate post-baccalaureate nurses who demonstrate ethical leadership. The program offers flexible, hybrid learning, guaranteed clinical placements, and one-to-one project and thesis mentorship for DNP students. The institution also hosts a Nursing Education Suite that is modeled after a clinic and hospital ward. In 2023, RNcareers.org ranked CSB-SJU as the tenth-best nursing school in Minnesota.
Program Overview:
For 100 years, the College of St. Scholastica has offered various programs that have made it a leader in innovative healthcare education. College Factual ranks the college as the fifth-best Nursing school in Minnesota, and the 129th out of 1,774 nationwide. The website also ranks it as the top 19 value school for graduate Nursing degrees and the top 41 for graduate Nursing certificate programs. In 2021, College of St. Scholastica FNP and PMHNP graduates had a board certification passing rate of 92.3% and 100% respectively.
Program Overview:
The MSU Department of Nursing is committed to providing scholarly excellence while forming partnerships with nearby communities. It also intends to deliver flexible, accessible education, especially to students from marginalized communities. Furthermore, it aims to address the holistic nursing needs of various populations. The department offers online, hybrid, and on-campus nursing programs at the baccalaureate and graduate levels.
Program Overview:
MSU-Mankato’s School of Nursing was established to help create entry-level and advanced practice nurses who demonstrate strong nursing knowledge and skills. Committed to excellence and innovation, the school hosts the Maverick Family Nursing Simulation Center, which is a state-of-the-art facility that helps nurses improve their clinical skills in a realistic environment. In 2003, MSU-Mankato was ranked by Incredible Health as the top six nursing school in the state.
Program Overview:
Established in 1900, Rasmussen University has campuses in various states but is primarily headquartered in Minnesota. Its Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited nursing programs cater to all levels, from students who want to become RNs to nurses who wish to obtain a terminal DNP degree. College Factual ranks it as the 63rd best value school for Master’s in Nursing degrees and the 71st best value school for graduate Nursing degrees.
Program Overview:
St. Kate’s College of Nursing provides students with the skills and experience they need to become successful entry-level and graduate-level nurses. Dedicated to holistic healing, the school promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential learning through its Institute of Simulation and Interprofessional Learning. US News & World Rankings places its MSN program at the 147th spot while its DNP program is ranked 141st in the nation.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1909, UM-Twin Cities goes down in history as offering the first nursing program within a university. Its commitment to innovation is reflected in its 11,000-square-foot Bentson Center and Laboratory of Clinical Exercise Physiology, both of which support further nursing education and research. With its DNP program clinching the eighth spot in the US News & World Report ranking, UM-Twin Cities is considered one of the best nursing schools in the state.
- BSN to DNP: AGPCNP
- BSN to DNP: FNP
- BSN to DNP: PNP Primary Care
- BSN to DNP: PMHNP
- BSN to DNP: WHNP
- MSN to DNP: AGPCNP
- MSN to DNP: FNP
- MSN to DNP: PNP Primary Care
- MSN to DNP: PMHNP
- MSN to DNP: WHNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to AGACNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to AGPCNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to PNP Primary Care
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to PNP Acute Care
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to PMHNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to WHNP
Program Overview:
Founded in 1970, Walden University is a private institution based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is categorized as a high-volume granter of healthcare degrees, as evidenced by the high number of MSN students. In fact, Better Nursing has recognized Walden’s online MSN program as the seventh best in the country. All of Walden’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are accredited by CCNE.
- BSN to MSN: AGACNP
- BSN to MSN: AGPCNP
- BSN to MSN: FNP
- BSN to MSN: PMHNP
- BSN to MSN: PNP Primary Care
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGACNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGPCNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PMHNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Primary Care
Program Overview:
WSU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers comprehensive, cutting-edge education to aspiring nurses and advanced practice RNs. The college offers a variety of immersive learning experiences in the form of semesters abroad and faculty-led programs. In 2023, Incredible Health named WSU the best nursing school in Minnesota.
NP Programs in Other States
Michigan
Indiana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Iowa
Nebraska