Top Programs for West Virginia Nurse Practitioner Degrees
Are you ready to make a difference in primary healthcare in West Virginia? In this state, many rural communities suffer from long wait times and limited primary care options. When you provide care as a nurse practitioner, you can improve this situation. Use the resources on this page to learn about nurse practitioner programs in West Virginia and the job outlook in this field. Begin your school search by filling out the search box above or reaching out to featured nurse practitioner schools below.
With experience in the healthcare industry and a strong dedication to your patients, you may be interested in taking your responsibilities to the next level. If you would like to stay focused on patient care, rather than shifting your focus to teaching or administration, nurse practitioner training may be the next step for you. While you may supervise other nurses and do some administrative tasks, you can still spend the majority of your time working with patients.
How Can I Become a Nurse Practitioner in West Virginia?
Compare Master’s and doctoral degree requirements in West Virginia. Education is the key to advancing in any career field, especially the profession of nursing.
Average Master’s Degree Requirements in West Virginia
- Credit hours required: 30 to 40 credits
- Average cost: $820 per credit hour
- Clinical hours required: 500 or more
- Timeframe: Two to three years
Average Doctoral Requirements in West Virginia
- Credit hours required: 80 to 90 credits
- Clinical hours required: 1,000 or more
- Timeframe: Five years
Education Options for Nurse Practitioners in West Virginia
When it comes to nurse practitioner programs, WV schools have numerous options for nursing students. If you want to work with a broad patient base that includes people of different ages and medical needs, consider specializing in family care. If you would like to develop your skills with one particular group of patients, you can look into areas of study like pediatric care, geriatric care, neonatal care, and women’s health.
To start your education, you may take a core set of advanced nursing courses that cover ethics, procedures, and West Virginia law.
Common Course Options for APRNs in West Virginia
- Health Promotion
- Research in Advanced Nursing
- Issues and Ethics in Advanced Nursing
- Research and Systematic Analysis
- Advanced Assessment
- Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
- Primary Care of Rural Families
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Advanced Practice Foundations
After passing the required core courses, you may enroll in nurse practitioner course options that help you specialize in a particular area of care. This often includes your clinical work, in which you may learn how to step into your nurse practitioner role and function efficiently as a leader.
How Can I Pay for Nurse Practitioner School in West Virginia?
- Back to School Nursing Scholarship: This scholarship program runs year-round, so you can apply for the current application cycle no matter when you are reading this. Four times per year, we award scholarships of $2500.
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program: When you work in an NHSC-approved location for two years after graduation, you have up to $50,000 of undergraduate and graduate loans repaid.
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program: This federal program awards large scholarships to students who agree to work in a Health Professional Shortage Area after graduation. If you do not fulfill this commitment, the scholarship must be paid back.
- West Virginia Health Sciences Service Program: This state scholarship program gives awards of $15,000. If you are selected for scholarship, you must work in an underserved West Virginia community after graduation.
Licensing and Practice Requirements in West Virginia
In West Virginia, licensing is regulated by the West Virginia RN Board. Like other states, they require a current nursing license, national certification, and a graduate degree. Once you begin working as a nurse practitioner, make sure that you know what your scope of practice is.
West Virginia currently requires nurse practitioners to work within a reduced scope of practice (AANP, 2016).
Nurse Practitioner Careers in West Virginia
Since you already have experience in nursing, you should be aware of the role of networking in healthcare. If you aren’t already active in state nursing groups, consider joining the West Virginia Nurses Association. In this group, you can attend nurse practitioner events and get support from experienced NPs.
You may significantly strengthen your job outlook and earning potential by becoming a nurse practitioner. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary of $91,270 per year for West Virginia nurse practitioners (2016). Between 2014 and 2024, job openings for nurse practitioners may increase 17% throughout West Virginia (O*Net, 2016).
Discover how nurse practitioner education can change your life and put you in a position to get back to your community.
Nurse Practitioner Schools in West Virginia
- Mountain State University. Applicants to the family nurse practitioner (FNP) program at Mountain State should have one year of recent experience as a nurse before beginning the clinical portion of the curriculum; applicants must also have performed 12 hours of community service in the previous year. The master’s-level FNP program can be pursued full or part-time.
- West Virginia University. At West Virginia University, RNs who have not completed a bachelor’s degree can work directly toward a master’s-degree as a family nurse practitioner. The RN-to-MSN program typically takes eight semesters, and most coursework can be completed online.
- Wheeling Jesuit University. Wheeling offers an online, master’s-level family nurse practitioner program. Clinical coursework can be completed in your home community.
