Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Pennsylvania
The path to becoming a nurse practitioner will be unique to you. For those of you thinking of pursing a career as an NP, I hope to provide some guidance. If you want a general overview on how to become an NP in the U.S., I suggest you read this post. If you plan on pursuing an NP career in Pennsylvania, then read on!
First, let’s 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
Recap: How to Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in the US
If you’re thinking of becoming an NP, I highly recommend this read to get you prepared.
You can also join the NP reasoning community to get your NP learning kick-started - LEARN MORE.
What Nurse Practitioner Programs are offered in Pennsylvania
There are 4 common streams:
Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty (MN-NP)
Post-masters NP
Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
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 & NP 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 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.
When applying to a nurse practitioner program, you’ll need to choose a specific specialty to focus on. Many programs also require applicants to have prior RN experience. For instance, if you’re interested in adult-gerontology acute care, most schools expect 1–2 years of RN experience in an acute care setting, such as the ICU. Here is an overview of NP specialties to choose from.
Common Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialties in Pennsylvania:
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Nurse Practitioner (NP) Schools in Pennsylvania
There are LOTS - here is a quick snapshot of all the programs offered by University:
If you want to check out a document I compiled with up to date information on each program + links to each program embedded click the button below:
Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Pennsylvania
Several universities offers online NP programs which allows for flexible learning. 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 in a supportive, collaborative environment, reinforcing the university's commitment to career-ready graduates.
Thomas Jefferson University: all masters-NP and post-masters programs are offered online, with the exception of the post-masters emergency certificate which is a hybrid program.
Drexel University: post-masters programs are offered online (adult gerontology acute and primary care, emergency, family, family with emergency specialization, pediatric acute and primary care, psych/mental health, women’s-gender related health)
DeSales University: masters-NP programs are offered online (adult gerontology acute care, family, psych/mental health)
University of Pittsburgh: BSN-DNP programs (Adult gerontology acute care, adult gerontology primary care, family), post-masters adult gerontology acute care are offered online
Duquesne University: masters-NP and post-masters certificate programs are online
Messiah University: DNP program (family) is online
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program Pre-Requisites in Pennsylvania
Most schools in Pennsylvania require the following pre-requisites:
A minimum GPA of 3.0 * some schools require a higher GPA - refer to the table above.
RN experience: 1-2 years (some do not specify number of hours); many programs require specific RN experience depending on the speciality you are applying to - especially acute care specialties.
BScN: for masters programs or BSN-DNP programs
MSN: for post-certificate/post-masters programs or MSN-DNP programs
Other: many require an undergraduate statistics course with a minimum grade average of B/C, and other courses (e.g. undergraduate research course)
For admission, most NP programs in Pennsylvania require you to have a BScN degree, RN registration, a GPA of 3.0, and many prefer a minimum of 1-2 years related RN experience.
Can I work while I’m completing the NP program?
This depends on many factors. One should weigh personal responsibilities, work-life balance, completing the program full-time versus part-time. In general, it’s possible to work while enrolled in the program, but this is up to your comfort level. Personally, I completed a full-time post-masters NP certificate and did not work. The course content, paired with clinical rotations were very intensive, and I was able to immerse myself in the program and get the most out of it. That being said, circumstances differ, and you need to do what works best for you. It’s important to highlight that regardless of the program, it is a steep learning curve and lots of the learning is self directed. If you are seriously considering this next step in your career, our post on how to prepare for NP school will be helpful.
Where can I work as a Nurse Practitioner in Pennsylvania?
Wide range of settings – NPs work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, community health centers, urgent care, long-term care, telehealth, behavioral health, and even correctional facilities.
Primary care & specialties – From family medicine to cardiology, dermatology, psychiatry, and women’s health, NPs serve across nearly every specialty area.
Urban & rural roles – In cities, NPs often work in academic hospitals and specialty practices, while in rural areas they are key providers in community clinics and FQHCs.
Growing telehealth opportunities – Virtual care is expanding access, allowing NPs to deliver care to patients statewide.
Practice limitations – Pennsylvania is a reduced practice state, which means NPs must have a collaborative agreement with a physician to diagnose, treat, and prescribe.
Independent practice not yet allowed – NPs cannot legally own and run a solo medical practice without a physician collaborator in PA.
Prescriptive authority with rules – NPs may prescribe medications, including some controlled substances, under the terms of their collaborative agreement.
Liability coverage required – NPs must carry malpractice insurance (minimum $1M/$3M coverage) under Pennsylvania law.
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.
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