Not all advanced practice programs are created equal — and the right choice depends on your long-term goals, learning style, and current responsibilities. Here's how to compare your options.

We strongly recommend researching how each school ranks for their nursing programs. While a lower-cost option might offer the same degree on paper, the quality of your education should be a top priority — especially if this is your terminal degree. In most cases, paying a bit more for a reputable, well-supported program is absolutely worth the investment. Before you know it, you will be a provider and the health of your future patients will be in your hands! So prioritizing quality schooling is really a small price to pay.

Along these lines, we’ve personally known nurse practitioners who chose lower-quality programs and later struggled to secure clinical placements and jobs after graduation. Even worse, many expressed ongoing anxiety and a lack of confidence in their clinical skills. The program you choose will shape not only your education, but your readiness and confidence as a provider.

Start with Your End Goal

Are you aiming for:

• Clinical practice only? MSN may be sufficient

• Leadership, policy, academia, or more confidence in your clinical skills? Consider a DNP

• CRNA? DNP is required

All the collaborators of this course chose DNP programs for a variety of reasons, but you should choose what makes the most sense for you and your situation.

BSN Required First

• Regardless of MSN or DNP, you must have a BSN before applying.

Accreditation & Pass Rates

Always check:

• Accreditation (CCNE or ACEN)

• Board pass rates (especially for CRNA and PMHNP)

• School Attrition Rates can also be a good indicator of student happiness in a program.

Format & Flexibility

This is really important! Review the university website or reach out to an admissions counselor to ask:

• Is the program online, hybrid, or in-person?

• Can you work while enrolled? Planning to work full time for the entirety of any program may not be wise. Be prepared to be flexible. What you learn during this time will be influential for the rest of your career.

• How are clinical placements handled? Not all programs will guarantee placement. This is critical to get your degree and you should want to get the best experience possible. You want to be picky about the quality of content of your courses and of your clinicals.

• Do you need to take exams like the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or a certification like the CCRN? If so, you will want to give yourself even more time to study and prepare for these.

Consider Costs & Timeline for School

Costs will vary greatly and you will need to research on a case by case basis. You should be able to look up or request the cost per tuition hour from the universities you are interested in.

For CRNA schools, you may not get the option to work at all during school and only have the option to be in school full time.

NP schools often have a lot more flexibility as far as being in class full time and part time or taking leave of absences, if needed. You may also have the option to work full time during some or all of your schooling. However, we would like to recommend considering that working full time, or even part time in many situations, may not be the best idea for your education and future practice.

Key Reminders:

• Check if your program has rolling admissions or priority deadlines

• Most CRNA programs only have one start date per year and close applications 6 months to a year in advance

• Make sure your recommendation writers have enough time

• Make sure you have the required or preferred experience and consider polishing up your resume with leadership roles and/or volunteer hours