Nurse Practitioner Information in Nevada
If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner in Nevada, you’re in the right place. Just scroll down to find out more about nurse practitioner programs in Nevada, graduation requirements, licensing and career paths. Learn about different specialties like adult care, pediatric care and psychiatric care. When it’s time to take the plunge and find the right school for you, there are two ways to start your search. Utilize the quick search box above or check out featured nursing schools below.
In fast-paced Nevada, prompt and efficient healthcare is a necessity. As a registered nurse, you already have valuable work experience that helps you feel at home in Nevada healthcare. Why not explore nurse practitioner schooling options and find out if you’re ready for the next stage of your nursing career?
How Can I Become a Nurse Practitioner in Nevada?
Both Master’s and doctoral programs are offered at Nevada colleges and universities.
Average Requirements for a Master’s Nurse Practitioner Degree
- Credit hours required: 32 to 39 credits
- Average cost: $1,100 per credit hour
- Clinical hours required: No fewer than 500 hours
- Timeframe: Two years
Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements for a Doctoral Degree
- Credit hours required: 85 to 90 credits
- Clinical hours required: No fewer than 1,000 hours
- Timeframe: Four years
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs Available in Nevada
Nevada nursing programs offer different specialty options to students like you. You may decide to focus on family care, which looks at adult and pediatric healthcare, or pediatric care, which looks exclusively at the medical needs of children. In either case, clinical experience is a must.
Your registered nursing career may help you acclimate to the demands of Nevada healthcare facilities, but you need extra training to learn how to function as a leader within medical institutions. For that reason, you need 500 hours of experience to get a Master’s degree and 1,000 hours of experience to get a doctoral degree.
Common Nevada Courses for Nurse Practitioner Degrees
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Aggregate Healthcare Issues
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Healthcare Policy
- Managing Acute Illnesses in Primary Care
- Nursing Theories and Family Health Patterns
- Managing Chronic Illness in Primary Care
- Health Promotion
How Can I Pay for Nurse Practitioner School in Nevada?
- BestNursingDegree.com Scholarship: This $2,500 scholarship is awarded four times per calendar year, so there’s always an application cycle going on.
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program: This federal scholarship program requires completion of a two-year stint in a Health Professional Shortage Area after graduation.
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program: If you take on student loans to earn a Master’s degree, consider this program. The program pays off up to $50,000 of loans after selected applicants finish a two-year work commitment.
- Nevada Nurses Foundation: This local association is an excellent resource. Each school year, they award 20 different named scholarships.
Licensing and Practice Requirements for NPs in Nevada
The Nevada State Board of Nursing oversees all licensure of nursing professionals. Throughout your education, make sure you keep your registered nursing license up-to-date. This makes it easier to apply for nurse practitioner certification. You must secure national certification in your area of practice and submit your educational records to the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
Once you start working, you can benefit from Nevada’s decision to give full practice rights to NPs (AANP, 2016).
Nurse Practitioner Careers in Nevada
Your work environment may depend a lot on where you work in Nevada. If you work in a major city like Reno or Las Vegas, you may see a high volume of patients and work plenty of nights and weekends.
Those who work in more remote areas or in a primary care setting often work more traditional hours on weekdays. Be sure to compare your employment options, since there may be many facilities looking for NPs.
O*Net anticipates a 53% increase in job openings by 2024 (2016). The average income for a Nevada nurse practitioner is $100,690 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).
Choosing a Nurse Practitioner School in Nevada
Going back to school for your NP degree is easier than ever. Our featured schools offer flexibility through online courses, allowing you to continue working and attending to your other responsibilities, while earning your degree. Be sure to request information from the schools you are interested in by clicking on the links provided. Some of the top NP programs in Nevada include:
- University of Nevada – Las Vegas. UNLV has Master’s level nurse practitioner programs such as Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. Check with the school to see which programs are currently accepting applicants, as some programs may be full. UNLV also offers a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP).
- University of Nevada – Reno. Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada-Reno offers a Master’s-level Family Nurse Practitioner program. It also offers a DNP program (recommended as the minimal degree for NP practice by 2015) in conjunction with UNLV.
- Touro University. Located in southern Nevada, Touro University offers both an MSN program and a DNP program. Neither has nurse practitioner-specific tracks, though, so if you’re interested in becoming a nurse practitioner check with the School of Nursing to be sure the programs adequately prepare you for NP practice.
