Best Indiana Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Program Overview
- What Can You Do With a Nurse Practitioner Degree?
- What To Look For
- Applying to NP Programs
- Program Accreditation
- Top NP Programs in Indiana
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Smartshots International | Moment | Getty ImagesNurse practitioners (NPs) are in demand and enjoy lucrative salaries and high levels of professional autonomy. If you are looking at the many NP programs Indiana offers, it can be hard to choose the right one for you.
This guide explores the best NP schools in Indiana, how to apply and pay for your degree, and answers to frequently asked questions about these programs.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nurse practitioner programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Keep reading to learn more about nurse practitioner programs, or go straight to our list of the best NP programs in Indiana.
What Can You Do With a Nurse Practitioner Degree?
Nurse practitioners are licensed to assess patients, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatments. Most NPs become family nurse practitioners (FNPs), but there are a variety of specialties and career options. Unlike physicians, NPs focus on a particular population during their schooling, such as family, pediatric, psychiatric mental health, or adult care.
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Family Nurse Practitioner
This is the most common specialty for NPs. Family NPs are primary care providers for patients of all ages. The median salary for this specialty, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), is $107,000.
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Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Acute care NPs treat acute conditions, that is, short-term immediate health needs such as injuries or illnesses. They often work in hospitals and urgent care centers. According to Payscale data from May 2022, the median salary for acute care NPs is $105,450.
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Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric NPs specialize in treating children and younger adolescents. They focus on either psychiatric mental health, acute, or primary care. Payscale data from May 2022 shows a median pediatric NP salary of $93,360.
What To Look For in an Indiana Nurse Practitioner Program
When looking at NP school in Indiana options, decide whether you want to attend a larger or smaller institution or if you want a secular or faith-based program. Also consider if you prefer to take classes online or on campus.
Other factors, such as program quality and reputation, curriculum, and cost are easier to measure objectively.
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Admission Requirements
Admission requirements tell you how likely you are to be admitted. They also indicate a school’s culture and values and what it considers the most important backgrounds for successful students.
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Program Curriculum
Unlike medical school, NP programs require students to select a specialty upon admission. After completing a core curriculum, you focus on this specialty. If you think you might change your specialty preferences, it is easier to transfer programs within the same school.
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Clinical Experience
If attending an online NP program, consider clinical requirements and logistics and how to get clinical placement in your community. Some schools provide placement or extensive placement assistance, while others leave it up to students.
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Accreditation
Accreditation is vital to getting your state license and board certification. This is why this guide only lists the nurse practitioner schools in Indiana that are accredited.
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Program Length
Consider the program length and structure and how it works with your schedule and existing responsibilities. Some programs expect or require full-time attendance, while others design the program for working students. Many schools offer part-time enrollment options.
- 6
School NCLEX Pass Rate
Even for graduate schools, NCLEX-RN pass rates indicate a nursing school’s overall quality and reputation. Be aware that this is most meaningful for medium and larger schools, as just one or two students can skew a smaller program’s rates.
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School Graduation Rate
The graduation rate, especially combined with the board pass rate, is an excellent indicator of program quality and whether students succeed in the program once admitted.
Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Indiana
Now that you have selected some NP school in Indiana options, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare your application. Talk to a recent graduate. Have a trusted mentor review your application, both for errors and to make sure it reflects your potential. Let your references know to expect a request and if there is anything you would like them to emphasize.
Admission Materials
Current and unencumbered RN license valid where you will be performing clinical experiences, college transcripts, a resume or CV, at least two references, and a completed application with an essay or personal statement
GPA Requirement
Most schools require a 3.0 GPA, but if your score is borderline, talk to an admissions counselor. Some schools admit students on a probationary basis, or you may have other qualifications that offset your lower GPA.
Other Requirements
Most schools require or strongly prefer at least one year of full-time experience (or equivalent part-time experience) as an RN. If you have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) but not a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), some schools offer a registered nurse-to-master of science in nursing (RN-to-MSN) bridge program.
Why Is Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?
During accreditation, an objective board reviews every facet of a program that affects its quality and the ability of its graduates to safely practice nursing. The review includes student outcomes (graduation rate, exam pass rates), faculty and staff background and qualifications, policies and procedures, curriculum and teaching approaches, and the technology and equipment in use.
- States require a degree from an accredited school for licensing.
- Boards do not certify graduates of non- accredited programs.
- Employers almost never even consider graduates of non-accredited programs.
- Accredited programs almost never accept transfer credits from non-accredited schools.
- With so many accredited Indiana NP schools, why risk your time and money on an non-accredited program?
Paying for a Nurse Practitioner Program in Indiana
Especially if you still have undergraduate loans, paying for your nursing degree can be expensive. Factors to consider include direct costs, such as tuition, fees, books, travel expenses for on-campus requirements, whether you qualify for in-state tuition, and whether you plan to work while studying.
Financial aid can make your dream school a reality. Nonprofits, such as foundations and associations, corporations, local government, and even your school, offer scholarships and grants. You may be eligible for loan forgiveness if you work in an under-served area, for the military, or for other government agencies after graduation.
Learn More About the Top NP Programs in Indiana
Goshen College
Goshen, IN- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$34,540
- Out-of-state$34,540
- In-State$28,858
- Out-of-state$28,858
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled907
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment7%
- AccreditationYes
University of Indianapolis
- Indianapolis, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,844
- Out-of-state$29,844
- In-State$37,514
- Out-of-state$37,514
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled5,801
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana University South Bend
- South Bend, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,895
- Out-of-state$19,346
- In-State$7,264
- Out-of-state$17,113
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled5,092
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
University of Saint Francis
- Fort Wayne, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,380
- Out-of-state$30,380
- In-State$9,450
- Out-of-state$9,450
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled2,249
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Common Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs
How much do nurse practitioners make in Indiana?
In Indiana, the average NP salary is $113,490. This is considerably higher than the average registered nurse salary of $82,750 and more than twice the average $58,260 for all workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Are nurse practitioners in high demand in Indiana?
While it is not one of the highest demand states, Indiana has a shortage of primary care providers. NPs can help to fill this need.
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Indiana?
For students with a BSN, it typically takes two years of full-time study to earn an MSN in Indiana. Students with an ADN, or those attending on a part-time basis, may take three years or longer.
Can nurse practitioners practice independently in Indiana?
Indiana is a reduced practice state for NPs, and they must work in collaboration with a physician. NPs need an explicit written agreement with the physician that outlines the details of their collaboration and the physician’s supervision.
