The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York 2023

If you are considering nurse practitioner (NP) programs in New York, you may have questions about the admissions process, what to expect during your clinicals, or how to find accredited nurse practitioner programs. Another important factor for many prospective NP students is how to pay for a graduate degree.

Learn more about potential careers as a nurse practitioner, applying to NP programs, and paying for your graduate-level education. Once you know which data points you want to research, get access to the Top 5 NP programs in New York in this guide.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nurse practitioner programs in NY, 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.

Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an NP Program

There are several important factors to consider when searching for the New York nurse practitioner program that best meets your expectations and qualifications. The data points below contribute to our overall best NP programs in New York rankings; they represent key indicators to tune into when comparing programs.

1. Admission Requirements

Reviewing the admission requirements for each prospective program helps you know if you qualify to apply for the program. Common admission requirements include a minimum GPA, registered nurse (RN) licensure status, and years of RN experience.

2. Specializations

The type of specialization offered will be a primary consideration when comparing programs. Before enrolling in a specific master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program, you must choose which career path you want to pursue because each specialty requires different graduation and time requirements.

3. Program Curriculum

The nurse practitioner curriculum emphasizes professional expertise needed for specialty care practice in various healthcare settings. Examples of NP courses include pharmacology, health promotion, and disease prevention. But each program has a unique course curriculum, so it's essential to explore which classes each program requires.

4. Clinical Experience

All NP programs have clinical requirements but many differ in format. For example, although all schools require specific practicum hours, the number of hours an NP program mandates per week varies by institution. It's important to determine the requirements, including how many hours and where clinical practicums are held, to ensure the required hours align with your work, family, and personal obligations.

If students can set up their clinical practicums, explore whether the school assists with clinical placements.

5. Accreditation

Finding out if a program is accredited may be one of the most important considerations when searching for the right NP program. Accredited nursing programs ensure quality because a review process checks most aspects of the program, including professors, curriculum, required clinical hours, course materials, and more.

Many employers prefer graduates from accredited programs; state mandates for certified NPs usually require that nurses attend accredited programs.

6. Program Length

It usually takes 6-8 years to become an NP; this includes earning a bachelor's in nursing, gaining clinical RN experience, and earning a graduate degree. Direct-entry MSN specialty programs usually take 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis and up to 48 months part time.

Many students consider the program length and number of credits required before applying to an NP program. Finishing the program as soon as possible may be advantageous if you work full time and juggle responsibilities like parenting, family demands, and other obligations.

7. School NCLEX Pass Rate

Although RNs accepted into NP programs have already taken the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a school's NCLEX pass rate is a good indicator of the quality of the nursing school and how well it prepares students for a career in nursing.

8. School Graduation Rate

Graduation rates are important factors when considering the right NP program in New York. The number of students who completed the program in the past is one indicator of how achievable it is.

9. Online Learning Format and Requirements

Deciding whether you want to attend an in-person or online nursing program is another factor to consider. Attending a program online can be convenient, particularly for working students. But it's essential to check out the format of the program. For example, some programs have all synchronous courses that are live, while others combine synchronous with asynchronous (the ability to do coursework on your schedule) courses.

If you must go online and attend classes at specific times of day, it's important to ensure the online schedule is compatible with your work and family obligations.

Why Is NP Program Accreditation Important?

Accreditation is an evaluation process performed by a third party; it ensures academic programs and clinicals meet industry standards. The accreditation process informs prospective students about the quality of programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is the accrediting body for MSN programs.

Every program listed in our top-ranked nurse practitioner programs in New York is accredited. Why is this important? There are many reasons you should only consider an accredited NP program, including:

• The accreditation process ensures the quality of nurse practitioner programs.
• Credits from unaccredited schools often cannot be transferred to NP programs.
• Graduates of accredited nursing programs meet the national standards for nursing practice.
• Accreditation assures that nursing programs provide the curriculum and clinical experience required to pass NP certification tests in their respective fields of study, such as family practice nurse practitioners.
• MSN programs may not accept unaccredited undergraduate degrees.
• The federal government may not provide financial aid to students attending unaccredited NP programs.
• It is possible to secure a better job with an accredited MSN degree.

Learn More About the Best New York Nurse Practitioner Programs and Schools

Applying to a New York Nurse Practitioner Program

Once you find the right nurse practitioner program, it is important to understand the admission requirements to ensure a smooth enrollment. Generally, you will need to have earned your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and possess an unencumbered RN license.

1. Admission Requirements

The admission requirements depend on the school and the type of program. For example, prerequisites for an RN-to-MSN degree nurse practitioner program include an associate degree in nursing (ADN), an unencumbered RN license, a 3.0 or higher GPA, and at least one year of nursing experience.

A BSN-to-MSN program is more common and usually requires a BSN in nursing, an unencumbered RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and at least one year of clinical experience.

2. Admission Materials

Common course requirements for nurse practitioner programs in New York include anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and microbiology prerequisite courses. Other requirements often include an online application and application fee, one or more letters of recommendation, and an in-person or online face-to-face interview.

Many schools do criminal background checks. Some schools require graduate-level test scores, such as GRE or GMAT test scores, but some have waived this requirement.

3. GPA Requirement

The requirement for many nurse practitioner programs is a 3.0 or higher GPA.

Paying for Nurse Practitioner Programs

There are many factors involved in attending nurse practitioner programs in New York that impact a student's finances and ability to pay out-of-pocket for tuition, including:

• A flexible schedule that allows students to work while continuing their education
• The overall length of the program
• Private vs. state colleges and universities (private schools are usually more expensive)
• In-state vs. out-of-state tuition
• Living on campus vs. off campus
• Cost of living expenses in the school's geographic area

For students who are unable to pay out-of-pocket for graduate school, there are many financial aid resources for nurses. This includes nursing scholarships and grants. Federal loans and grants are available to nurses enrolled in accredited nurse practitioner programs in New York to help them finance their nursing degree.

What Can You Do With a Degree from a Nurse Practitioner Program?

There are a variety of specialty tracks and concentrations, each with unique opportunities and salary potentials. Most specializations prepare nurses for certification in their respective fields of study.

Many MSN-level nurse practitioner programs prepare students to become certified NPs in various practice areas. For example, one in-demand area is family nurse practitioner (FNP). An FNP certification prepares graduates to work in primary care, a critically underserved area for skilled advanced practice RNs.

On average, completing a nurse practitioner program can take between 20 months to six years. The length of the program depends on many factors, such as whether you attend an RN-to-MSN degree program or if you already have a BSN when you enroll in a nurse practitioner program in New York. Another significant factor is whether you are pursuing an MSN or a DNP degree. The type of specialty program you pursue can also impact the program length.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2019, potential earnings by specialty for a few popular specialties include:

• Adult gerontology nurse practitioner: $53.00 per hour/$107,000 annual salary
• Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner: $64.50 per hour/$119,000 annual salary
• Family nurse practitioner: $57.00 per hour/$107,000 annual salary

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Nurse Practitioner Programs

How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in New York?

Typically, a BSN program takes four years to complete. However, applicable transfer credits may reduce this time. Bridge or accelerated programs may be available to students with non-nursing bachelor's degrees or RNs with ADNs. Once a student earns an BSN, the average time to complete an MSN nurse practitioner program is 1-2 years; a DNP program takes 3-6 years.

How do I become a nurse practitioner in New York?

To become a nurse practitioner in New York, you must earn a BSN degree, take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, and gain at least a year of work experience as an RN.

Next, you must graduate from an MSN or a DNP program and get NP state licensure and national board certification.

What is the salary range for nurse practitioners in New York?

The salary for an NP in New York can vary depending on many factors, such as the area of practice, whether you are certified, what type of degree you have ( MSN or DNP), and the geographic location within the state.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for NPs is $120,680 annually; the 10th percentile earns $79,470 annually, and the 90th percentile has a yearly salary of $163,350.

What are the educational requirements for NP certification in New York?

Students must graduate from an accredited MSN or an accredited doctoral nursing program. The program must offer a specialty track/concentration for specific types of nurse practitioner certifications.

Page last reviewed October 10, 2022

Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.