Utah Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs
With its growing population and focus on families, Utah is a state that really needs more nurse practitioners. You may be up to the challenge if you have nursing experience and a BSN. On this page, you can learn all about nurse practitioner programs in Utah, what you learn as an NP students and how you may utilize your training. If you’re ready to start searching for programs near you, check out the quick search box above and our list of featured Utah schools below.
During each nursing shift, you care for your patients in dozens of different ways. Over the years, you may have gained experience in a wide range of specialties and work settings. This knowledge and hands-on experience can help you as you look to take the next step in your career.
How Can I Become a Nurse Practitioner in Utah?
With primary care and acute care needs growing all over the country, the need for nurse practitioners is increasing. Earning a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing is the first step toward becoming a nurse practitioner.
Are you ready to learn about different types of nurse practitioner degrees? Utah schools can help you find the right program.
Average Master’s Degree Requirements for NPs
- Credit hours required: 45 credit hours
- Average cost: $900 per credit hour
- Clinical hours required: At least 500 hours
- Timeframe: Three years
Average Doctoral Degree Requirements for NPs
- Credit hours required: 90 credit hours
- Clinical hours required: At least 1,000 hours
- Timeframe: Four to five years
What Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs Are Available in Utah?
As a registered nurse, you must be able to work with patients of all diagnoses, ages, backgrounds, and health histories. While that skill is still important for nurse practitioners, it is more important to be an expert in one area of care. This involves choosing an area of study, such as family care or women’s health.
In Utah, you also have the chance to study the highly specialized field of rural substance abuse, an area of great need in Utah. The courses below cover the wide variety of patients and diagnoses you may work with as a family nurse practitioner.
Course requirements are based on your patient population.
Courses for FNP Programs in Utah
- Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- Advanced Pathophysiology for Nursing Professionals
- Advanced Physical Assessment and Health Promotion
- Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan
- Common Pediatric Problems
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Chronic Problems of Adults
- Epidemiology and Population Science
- Pediatric Health Promotion and Assessment
You should be ready to apply your nursing experience to your new NP responsibilities. However, keep in mind that becoming a nurse practitioner means expanding your scope of practice. You must be willing to move outside of your comfort zone, trust your clinical judgment, and establish yourself as a leader in your place of employment.
For that reason, clinical rotations are a key part of any NP program. This includes online nurse practitioner programs, where you may have to collaborate with a local hospital or clinic to meet your requirements.
How Can I Pay for Nurse Practitioner School in Utah?
- Back to School Nursing Scholarship: There’s always a scholarship cycle running at BestNursingDegree.com. Selected applicants are awarded $2,500 scholarships four times a year.
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Those who take out undergraduate or graduate loans may benefit from this program. It repays up to $50,000 of qualifying loans when you work in a high-needs area for at least two years.
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program: Like the loan repayment program, this option requires two years in a Health Professional Shortage Area.
- Utah Nurse Practitioners: Student members of this group may apply for their $500 scholarship.
Licensing and Practice Requirements for NPs in Utah
Nurse practitioner schooling is a key part of becoming a licensed NP in Utah. The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing requires proof of your graduate degree and national nurse practitioner certification.
In Utah, nurse practitioners function under a slightly limited scope of practice (AANP, 2016).
Nurse Practitioner Careers in Utah
Since Utah has so many rural areas, there are many communities that are underserved in terms of healthcare. Residents of these communities may have to endure long waits or long drives to access medical care. As a nurse practitioner, you can help provide timely and affordable care.
The demand for NPs is growing quickly in Utah, with an expected 46% increase in job openings by 2024 (O*Net, 2016).
Utah nurse practitioners claim an average annual income of $95,200 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Your area of concentration may positively affect your earning potential, depending on the patient needs in your area.
Explore your nurse practitioner education options now.
Selected Nurse Practitioner Programs in Utah
- Brigham Young University. BYU is the largest private school in the nation. It offers a master’s-level family nurse practitioner program. Most students complete the program in three years.
- University of Utah. The University of Utah offers BSN-to-DNP nurse practitioner programs such as: adult/gerontology, family and pediatrics. By 2015, a DNP degree will be the minimal degree required for entry to practice as a nurse practitioner.
- Westminster College. Westminster, located in Salt Lake City, offers a family nurse practitioner program that’s friendly to working nurses. Classes are only scheduled one to two days per week, and typically meet in the afternoon and evening.
