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Online FNP Program Nationally Ranked

March 31, 2017

Angelo State University’s online Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner program has been ranked among the nation’s “10 Most Affordable MSN-Nurse Practitioner Programs” for 2017 by NursePractitionerSchools.com, an education resource guide for professional and prospective nurses.

ASU’s program ranked No. 2 in the nation and was the highest ranked of four programs at Texas schools listed in the top 10. Only accredited nursing programs were considered for the rankings, which were based almost exclusively on the cost of tuition and fees. 

The ASU Department of Nursing initiated its online MSN/FNP program in the fall of 2010 with 10 students in the first class. It has expanded significantly since then with more than 60 students currently enrolled. The department also offers a collaborative MSN program with Texas Tech University that leads to certification as either an adult care nurse practitioner or pediatric primary care nurse practitioner. 

Nurse practitioners can provide many of the same basic services as primary care physicians, including immunizations, prescriptions, referrals and minor surgical procedures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for nurse practitioners is expected to grow at a rate of 31 percent by 2022. The demand for nurse practitioners has increased, particularly in more rural areas, due to a shortage of primary care physicians and federal legislation that has extended medical insurance coverage to millions of previously uninsured citizens. 

The other Texas schools to make the NursePractitionerSchools.com list were Texas Tech University (No. 3), the University of Texas at El Paso (No. 5) and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (No. 7). The complete rankings and more details can be found at www.nursepractitionerschools.com/online

This marks the second top national ranking in 2017 for ASU’s online graduate nursing programs, which were cumulatively ranked No. 50 in the nation for quality and affordability by U.S. News and World Report in January.