Indiana Nurse Practitioner Programs

If you live in Indiana, you may have noticed the shortage of health care providers in this state. As health care legislation increases citizens’ access to health care, residents may find it hard to find primary care providers. By taking your nursing education to the next level and becoming a nurse practitioner, you can help fix this shortage and enjoy a range of new career options. Contact the Indiana schools with Nurse Practitioner programs on our site to learn more.

The Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs puts nurse practitioner at #36 on its list of jobs that are expected to grow through the end of the decade. This may mean that you can explore employment with a range of health care organizations after you complete your degree. As a result, the IndyStar reports, local schools and employers are focusing many of their training efforts on health care professions.

Not only are job openings for nurse practitioners high, Clinical Advisor notes that this is considered one of the best health care specialties to get into. They note that NPs may enjoy job security and a boost in income potential.

Of course, you may feel good about your contribution to Indiana health care when you go into this field. WNDU reports on the severity of Indiana’s doctor shortage and possible solutions, including an increase in nurse practitioners. Ready to learn more? Keep reading to find out how to become a nurse practitioner.

Nurse Practitioner Program Curriculum in Indiana

The process of becoming a nurse practitioner includes several steps. Typically, you can’t apply for acceptance to this program while you are still earning your Bachelor’s degree in nursing, since the majority of programs require extensive work experience. Working hard at the undergraduate level can pay off, since MSN programs tend to require a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You’ll likely need one to three years of full-time nursing experience before you begin a Master’s degree in nursing.

The courses required of nurse practitioner students are designed to help you address a set of comprehensive learning outcomes. Upon graduation, you should be able to make sound clinical decisions using intuition, research, and experience. You must be able to act within the boundaries of nursing ethics while working with patients and coworkers. Courses that can help you build your skills in these areas include Professional Development for Advanced Practice, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Essentials of Primary Care, Advanced Pharmacology, and Primary Care Across the Lifespan.

Advanced nursing scholarships in Indiana can help you cover the cost of your tuition, books, and living expenses. One large resource for scholarships is the Indiana Center for Nursing. The Indiana Health Care Association also funds scholarships for nursing students. On a federal level, you may consider applying for the NURSE Corps Scholarship.

Working as a Nurse Practitioner in Indiana

It’s important to maintain your registered nursing license while earning your Master’s degree in nursing. This is required for clinical experience, and it is also a requirement for advanced practice licensure through the Indiana State Board of Nursing. As you prepare to graduate, you can apply for advanced licensure, take your nurse practitioner exam, and get licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

Jobs for nurse practitioners may grow for several years to come. Through 2022, O*Net predicts that job openings for nurse practitioners may increase by 29 percent. Completing this degree may increase your earning potential. The average salary for an Indiana nurse practitioner is $87,500 per year (O*Net, 2013).

Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career? If you are, now may be the time to contact Indiana nurse practitioner schools for more information.