Indiana Nurse Practitioner Degrees and Careers
The people of Indiana deserve great healthcare. As a nurse, you help make this happen every day. As a nurse practitioner, you may be able to do even more. Learn more about the advanced degree requirements of nurse practitioner programs in Indiana and which career options are available below. If you’re ready to jump right into the school search, you’re in the right place. Search for schools above or contact featured nurse practitioner programs below.
One of the most important aspects of healthcare is keeping it accessible to patients of all needs, including those who need preventive care and those who find themselves in need of urgent or emergency care. That’s just one of the reasons that nurse practitioners are extremely valuable in Indiana. They reduce wait times and provide affordable care options for businesses and individuals.
How Can I Become a Nurse Practitioner in Indiana?
Indiana colleges and universities offer both Master’s degree programs and doctoral degree programs. Average requirements, listed below, can help you plan the future of your education.
Average Master’s Degree NP Graduation Requirements
- Credit hours required: 35 to 45 credits
- Average cost: $8,900 per semester
- Clinical hours required: Over 500 hours
- Timeframe: 12 months to 36 months
Average Doctoral Degree NP Graduation Requirements
- Credit hours required: 80 credits
- Clinical hours required: Over 1000 hours
- Timeframe: 5 to 6 years
If you are passionate about helping your patients and improving healthcare in your community, this is a great way to get started. Use the list of programs below to request information on nurse practitioner schooling options.
Nurse Practitioner Program Options in Indiana?
Nurse practitioners assume a greater variety of duties and responsibilities than registered nurses, which is why training requirements are so extensive. Many Master’s and doctoral programs require at least one year of full-time nursing experience. Accelerated nursing programs, which serve students with non-nursing Bachelor’s degrees, do not typically have this requirement. However, they do require students to gain experience through clinical rotations. RN-to-MSN programs are an excellent option for Associate’s degree graduates. Curricular requirements vary between schools, but you can generally expect all Indiana schools to cover the same topics and theories.
Courses Commonly Required for NP Degrees
- Nursing Theory
- Leadership for Advanced Practice Nursing
- Nursing Research
- Advanced Physical Assessment
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Processes
- Family Health
Specialized coursework is determined by the patient population you select when you enroll. Some of the options that Indiana schools offer include neonatal care, family nurse practitioner programs, adult-gerontology, pediatric care, and psychiatric-mental health programs.
Beyond theory and classroom hours, you deepen your educational experience during clinical rotations. In each clinical rotation, you should get experience with your patient population and practice skills you have covered in the classroom. The referrals and reviews you get from clinical rotations can heavily influence the future of your career, so it’s important to make a good impression on supervisors at each clinical site.
How Can I Pay for Nurse Practitioner School in Indiana?
Depending on your financial need and prior academic performance, you may qualify for grants, scholarships, and subsidized loans as a graduate student. You may begin applying after you are accepted to a nurse practitioner program.
Federal and State Financial Aid Programs for NPs
- Indiana Center for Nursing: The IC4N oversees many scholarship programs, including those limited to graduate and doctoral nursing students.
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program: Selected applicants are offered a large scholarship in exchange for a two-year commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area.
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program: This option is ideal for those with student loans. The program pays up to $50,000 of eligible student loans in exchange for two years of work in a NHSC-approved site.
- BestNursingDegree.com Scholarships: We have four application cycles per year for our scholarship program. Selected students receive $2,500 scholarships.
Licensing and Practice Requirements for NPs in Indiana
Throughout your education and career, it’s important to maintain your RN standing through the Indiana State Board of Nursing. They also license nurse practitioners. After verifying applicants’ nurse practitioner degrees, Indiana checks students’ clinical hours, national certification, and RN license.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners indicates that Indiana currently restricts the practice rights of nurse practitioners, so graduates should be fully informed on their practice rights prior to working. This may change in coming years, as it is a priority for advocacy groups all over the country.
Nurse Practitioner Careers in Indiana
Wherever physicians provide primary and acute care to patients, nurse practitioners can ease the workload and shorten wait times for the benefit of patients and doctors. Urgent care centers often rely heavily on nurse practitioners. In emergency settings, nurse practitioners may conduct initial screenings to determine a patient’s need for emergency care. Those who focus on primary care may provide preventive care services in a clinic setting.
The job outlook for nurse practitioners in Indiana mirrors what is reported in other areas. O*Net predicts a 29% increase in job openings from 2014 through 2024 (2016). The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates an average salary of $97,030 per year (2016).
Taking advantage of professional opportunities and networking events can have a positive effect on your career trajectory. Look into groups like the Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana, which unites NPs across the state. Members benefit from legislative updates, training events, networking events, and discounted services.
By considering nurse practitioner programs, online and in-person options, you may take your education further and explore exciting new career options.
Choosing a Nurse Practitioner School in Indiana
There are many options for earning your NP degree, and we suggest requesting information from several of the schools listed, in order to make a well informed decision about nursing school. Indiana nurses who wish to become nurse practitioners can choose a distance learning program, such as the NP programs offered through Georgetown University, or they can study at an in-state institution, such as:
- Indiana State University. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana State offers a master’s-level family nurse practitioner program. Students can earn their degree for under $25,000.
- Purdue University. Purdue has master’s-level NP programs, which include: adult nurse practitioner and pediatric nurse practitioner. Nurses who have a bachelor’s degree may also earn their master’s degree and NP certification on their way to a Doctorate of Nursing Practice.
- University of Southern Indiana. The University of Southern Indiana, located in Evansville, offers master’s-level NP programs such as: family nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. Students may also study perioperative nursing, oncology nursing and rehabilitation nursing.
