Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs in Massachusetts

A Nurse Practitioner, or “NP” is a registered nurse who has successfully completed specific coursework in advanced nursing education, which typically results in earning a Master’s Degree—one of the main prerequisites of becoming a licensed Nurse Practitioner. As of 2010, there are about 135,000 practicing NPs.

Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs in Massachusetts

There are many types of programs for RNs to gain their NP education and certification. These include 2 year nurse practitioner programs, doctorate of Nurse practitioner program online and in traditional learning environments, Family nurse practitioner programs, and accelerated courses.

One example of a Massachusetts school's NP program is at University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Please see the Nurse Practitioner Resources section at the bottom of this article for more links to local NP programs.

Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

As with most other areas of the nursing profession, the demand for Nurse Practitioners is on the rise. This has, in turn, increased the demand for more convenient ways for working RNs to continue their education such as online (distance learning) programs.

Please see the Nurse Practitioner Resources section at the bottom of this article for more links to local NP programs.

Nurse Practitioners are licensed by the state in which they practice, and also hold a national board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.

What area of nursing do Nurse Practitioners in Massachusetts specialize in?

Nurse Practitioners are trained and certified in areas of specialization such as: Pediatric Acute/Chronic Care, Pediatric Oncology, Gerontology, Neonatology, Acute Care, Pediatric Critical Care, and general Pediatrics, Mental Health & Psychiatry, Oncology, Adult Health, Women's Health, Occupational Health, and Emergency Medicine.

Who licenses nurse practitioners in the state of Massachusetts?

Since their primary focus is nursing expertise, nurse practitioners are typically licensed by the board of nursing in the state in which they practice. Visit the Massachusetts Board of Nursing to find out more about how Massachusetts licenses and recognizes nurse practitioners.

These specialized RNs also hold a national board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Prerequisites

As in most states, nurse practitioners in Massachusetts are in most cases already registered nurses (RN's). The nurse practitioner title usually comes with the completion of a masters in nursing program at any accredited school of nursing. The end result being a Masters in Science of Nursing degree (MSN) with specialization as a nurse practitioner.

Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Resources

• Northeastern University
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Simmons College
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board
• Bureau of Labor Statistics