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Nurse Practitioner Concentrations:
At Wilkes University, you can advance your career from registered nurse to nurse practitioner in as little as two years with our online MSN-NP program. Depending on your career goals, you can specialize in one of three concentrations:
The online MSN-NP program focuses on advanced clinical skills in high demand and evidence-based practice for improved patient outcomes. Coursework is asynchronous and 100% online. Clinical rotations hone your skills with actual patients in the real world.
Our integrated exam preparation courses provide dedicated study resources that lead to impressive pass rates and graduate success. Wilkes' nursing students have pass rates on board-certification exams consistently above the national average.
Once enrolled, we connect you with a dedicated Student Success Counselor who helps navigate your educational journey through to graduation and ensures you have the resources you need to succeed in the program.
Applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis based on the following criteria.
These admissions standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for programs. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates as needed for a more in-depth review of qualifications.
Transfer Credits: All graduate programs will allow 9 total transfer credits (must be a 3.0 or higher).
* Students who graduated from a non-programmatically accredited institution and meet all other admission requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Admission is not guaranteed.
** Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review process by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the University.
Applications are currently being accepted for Fall 2023
Wilkes University offers one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to become a nurse practitioner, especially in contrast to national competitors. Our tuition is only $728 per credit hour. Depending on which MSN-NP concentration you choose, the total tuition cost ranges from $29,120 to $31,304. Moreover, we offer several forms of financial aid to qualifying nursing students. To learn more about financial aid options, access your free program guide.
See how Wilkes compares to other online MSN-NP degrees in the table below.
| Compare Programs | Wilkes University |
Walden University |
Chamberlain University |
Duquesne University |
Drexel University |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Tuition | $29,120 - $31,304 |
$43,500 - $47,250 |
$44,010 - $45,915* |
$68,670 - $71,940 |
$55,588 - $59,864 |
| Months to Complete | 24 - 28 | 24 - 36 | 30 - 36 | 36 | 33 - 36 |
| Number of Credits | 40 - 43 | 58 - 63 | 45 - 47 | 42 - 44 | 52 - 56 |
| Clinical Hours | 500 - 584 | 640 | 650 - 750 | 550 - 700 | 640 - 720 |
Source: Proprietary research
*Includes $12,960-$13,485 in fees
If you’re ready to advance your career as a nurse practitioner, we’re here to help. Clinical placement support is built into the program's cost so you can focus on your coursework and the core competencies you need to succeed. Our dedicated clinical placement team assists with the time-consuming logistics of identifying and securing quality placement sites and preceptors and ensures the rotations meet University and national guidelines. While we work diligently to place all our students, circumstances beyond our control do not guarantee placement.
* The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)
The Wilkes Clinical Placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that is compliant, meets the University and national guidance for clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future nursing career.
The Placement Team will collaborate with you to help you secure quality placement sites and preceptors. In addition to completing a Placement Intake Form, you will be responsible for completing all of your clinical clearance requirements prior to the start of your first clinical rotation.
Below is a sample list of courses you will take as part of the online MSN program. All courses are 12 weeks long. To see the full program curriculum, access your free program guide.
This course builds on knowledge and skills developed in undergraduate research and statistics courses. Skills in the analysis and evaluation of nursing research are further developed. Students analyze the contributions of the empirical approach to the development of nursing science. Selected research designs and methodologies which are used to advance nursing knowledge are examined. Students are given the opportunity to critique and synthesize current research for its application to an identified problem in nursing practice (Credits: 3).
This course examines the development of roles for advancing nursing practice. The historical development of these roles alongside the current scope of practice in a variety of clinical settings will be explored. Key focus will be placed on the legal, historical, political, social and ethical aspects of advanced practice nursing (Credits: 3).
Complex and continuous changes in healthcare environments require that nursing professionals contribute to care delivery systems for improving population health outcomes. This course focuses on the role of the nurse advancing nursing practice through developing health policy, politics and advocacy systems. Approaches to health issues for shaping policy on a local, state and federal level are analyzed in accordance with policy making processes, politics in healthcare and government, healthcare economics and ethical frameworks (Credits: 3).
The nurse practitioner will develop processes for formulating differential diagnoses of acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses in the primary care setting across the lifespan. A case-study approach is integrated to prepare students for management of health status of patients through the implementation of strategies specific to the synthesis of data from multiple sources that promote quality of care outcomes for patients (Prerequisites: NSG 530, NSG 533; Credits: 2).
Wilkes is a brick-and-mortar university with online programs, so you’re getting a quality education without having to pay more for an online-only program.”
Craig Patton, Master of Science in Nursing
Submit your information to access a comprehensive digital program guide. One of our dedicated admissions counselors will contact you shortly to discuss next-steps.
Becoming a nurse practitioner is a smart move for career advancement. NPs enjoy more autonomy and earn an average salary of $111,680. NPs are in demand in hospital settings, outpatient care centers and private practice, and the need will increase as our nation’s population ages. Projected job growth for NPs is expected to increase 52% by 2029.
Wilkes online MSN nursing programs are helping to fill the need for more skilled practitioners. Our MSN program curriculum develops you in the following areas so you can:
We do the heavy lifting for you. For more information on the nursing clinicals placement process, visit our Clinical Placement Services page, access your free program guide, or email us at admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu. You can also call us directly at 888-413-5633 or schedule a time to speak with us.
Length of completion for the MSN program depends on the concentration chosen.
Excluding nursing clinicals and residencies, all coursework is 100% online. Each course experience is primarily asynchronous.
Tuition for the MSN program depends on the concentration chosen.
Yes, financial aid is available to qualifying nursing students. Please fill out a form or schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor to learn if you qualify for financial assistance. You can also give us a call at 888-413-5633. We're happy to help!
Our three MSN concentrations give you the opportunity to align your advanced degree with your career goals in the nursing field. Choose the track you’re most passionate about and explore curriculum, tuition, admission requirements and more.
At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.
Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.
We’re here to talk about everything Wilkes, everything nursing and anything you need to make the right choice for your career. We'll even help with the application process. Call us at 888-413-5633 or click the link below to fill out a form and start the conversation. We can’t wait!
Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. ABSN graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.
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To proceed with the Associate Degree in Nursing (R.N.) to M.S.N. program, you are required to have an associate’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
To proceed with the M.S.N. program, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
To proceed with either the D.N.P., Ph.D. or the Post Graduate A.P.R.N. Certification programs, you are required to have a master’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
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