Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) Programs
What is an Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)?
In the United states nurse practitioners are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). There are several NP specialty programs to choose from. Emergency Nurse Practitioners(ENP) provide care for patients of all ages in emergency and urgent care settings.
ENPs assess, diagnose, and treat acute illnesses and injuries, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and perform procedures such as suturing, splinting, or managing trauma.
ENP is often a subspecialty track of Family Nurse Practitioner programs, meaning many ENPs begin as FNPs and receive additional training to work in high-acuity emergency settings.
In many U.S. states, ENPs practice independently, which expands access to care in both urban and rural areas. However, the scope of practice can vary depending on the state. For example, some states are considered full practice, allowing ENPs to operate independently, while others are reduced or restricted practice, requiring physician supervision or collaboration.
Where do Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs) work?
A variety of settings, and this varies by state of course. Some examples include:
Emergency Departments
Urgent care centers
Trauma centers
Critical care hospitals
How do I become an Emergency Care NP (ENP)?
If you are thinking of becoming an NP in general, I highly recommend reading this post on different pathways to become an NP. After getting a BSN, you need to become a registered nurse. From there, gain as much experience as possible. If you decide to pursue an emergency NP degree, many programs will mandate you have mental health experience - so it’s important to look ahead to the future to ensure your RN experience is relevant for any future NP program. There are many different degree pathways to become an NP. Here is a visual representation of what your journey may look like:
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
Each program consists of a combination of clinical and non-clinical course work, plus clinical placements. Here is an example of Arizona state university post-masters certificate curriculum snap shot:
Principles of Advanced Emergency Nursing I
ENP Practicum I: Advanced Emergency Nursing Practice
Principles of Advanced Emergency Nursing II
ENP Practicum II: Advanced Emergency Nursing Practice
Advanced Physiology
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Becoming an Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Different Tracks to Choose: MSN, post-masters certificate, and DNP
In the United states, there are several ENP nurse practitioner programs. But first, it’s important to define some terms:
BSN: bachelor's of nursing science (undergraduate degree)
MSN: masters of nursing science (masters graduate degree)
MN-NP: combined maters + nurse practitioner degree (masters graduate degree)
DNP: doctor of nursing science (some schools offer with an NP specialty) (doctoral graduate degree)
Post-masters certification: an additional certification (like an NP speciality) someone gets after completing a masters of nursing degree
When applying for an ENP program, there are 4 tracks offered. Not all universities offer every track:
1. Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty (MN-NP or MSN)
2. Post-masters NP (sometimes referred to as post-masters certificate)
3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
4. Masters of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
Let’s break these down:
MN-NP programs: these are for students who do not have a master’s degree in nursing. Courses are a blend of masters & clinical courses, to prepare you to become an NP.
Post-masters programs: you require a master’s degree in nursing to apply for a post-masters program. Programs focus on core NP clinical courses to prepare you to become an NP.
BSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.
MSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.
The path you choose will be unique to you. Some people decide to attain an MSN-family NP degree and certificate, then go on to do a post-masters emergency nurse practitioner certificate. Some people decide to go right from a BSN degree to a doctoral level NP program (DNP), designed for hands-on clinical practice and leadership, with an emphasis on translating research and evidence into improved patient outcomes (this is different from a PhD in nursing). Now let’s get into different program offerings across key states.
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs
Lot’s to choose from! I’ll break it down by state with key details:
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs California
Western University of Health Sciences: post-masters, online, 2 semesters
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs Illinois
Loyola University Chicago: family with emergency specialty, BSN/MSN-DNP, hybrid, full/part time
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs Ohio
Ursuline College: post-masters, hybrid, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Pennsylvania
Thomas Jefferson University: post-masters, hybrid, full/part time
Drexel University: MSN, post-masters, online, part time *can also do post-masters family with emergency specialization
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Alabama
Samford University: MSN-DNP (hybrid), post-masters (online,), full time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Arizona
Arizona state university: post-masters, hybrid
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Georgia
Emory university : DNP family/emergency NP, hybrid, full/part time
Pre-Requisites for Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs
Specific pre-requisites vary across universities and programs, but commonly, here is what you will need for a successful application:
Bachelor of science in nursing degree (BScN)
A masters of science in nursing degree (MScN) if applying for a post-masters certificate program, and some DNP programs that do not offer the direct entry from BSN
RN license in the respective state
Minimum GPA of 3.0
RN experience – the more the better! For most programs, you are required to have 1-2 years relevant experience (e.g. critical care, family practice), within the last 3-5 years.
Official transcripts.
A CV/resume
Statement of interest
2-3 academic +/- clinical references
Others: many require an undergraduate statistics course completion with a grade of B or C
Online Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs
Some universities offer online programs, both full and part time. Several highlight the need for a few on-campus “intensives.” Intensives are hands-on workshops that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. These immersions are held at the university's physical location, are guided by expert faculty, and focus on refining advanced clinical skills.
Here’s are some popular options:
California - Western University of Health Sciences: post-masters, 2 semesters
Pennsylvania - Drexel University: MSN, post-masters - part time (can also do post-masters family with emergency specialization)
Alabama - post-masters - full time
Samford University: MSN-DNP (hybrid), post-masters - full time
*many programs offer hybrid programs, with both on-campus and online components.
You can also 👉 Read this post for more information about online NP programs.
Key Take home Points:
Do your research on NP programs.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to university admissions offices to ask questions about the program or admission process.
Talk with nurse practitioners who have been through this process already.
Think about what you want out of your career (Do you want a serious challenge with career growth potential?)
The NP program (and career in general!) is intense and will probably be the steepest learning curve of your life. Don’t let this intimidate you – check out our newsletter to kick-start your NP journey.