Best Online Nurse Practitioner Schools in Nevada

Last Updated On Oct 8, 2024

12 Min Read

2025 - Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Nevada

Introducing RegisteredNursing.org's 2025 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Nevada! These rankings highlight the leading online programs in the state, helping prospective nurse practitioners make informed decisions about their education. Programs are evaluated based on key factors such as completion rates, affordability, institutional reputation, program diversity, and faculty qualifications. To learn more about how we determine our rankings, visit our methodology page.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers a highly reputable nurse practitioner program through its School of Nursing. This program provides students with advanced clinical skills and knowledge in a variety of specialties, including family practice, acute care, and psychiatric-mental health. Graduates of this program have a high success rate on national certification exams and are well-prepared for the rapidly evolving healthcare field.

MSN Programs

MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

University of Nevada, Reno

Reno, NV

The University of Nevada, Reno's Orvis School of Nursing offers a comprehensive nurse practitioner program that prepares students for advanced practice in primary care, acute care, and psychiatric mental health. The program incorporates cutting-edge technology and simulation labs to enhance hands-on learning opportunities. Graduates are well-equipped to provide quality and compassionate healthcare to diverse populations.

DNP Programs

Graduate Certificate Programs

MSN Programs

Family Nurse Practitioner Campus
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Campus
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Campus

Touro University

Touro University of Nevada's College of Health and Human Services offers a comprehensive nurse practitioner program that prepares students to become advanced practice nurses in various specialty areas. The program boasts a high clinical placement rate and a diverse curriculum, with courses taught by expert faculty from the School of Nursing. Graduates are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide quality, evidence-based care to patients.

Fast & Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs

For many working nurses, going back to school simply isn’t an option. If you’re working 40 hours a week or more on a modest salary, you’re likely to think that you don’t have the time or money to become a nurse practitioner. Don’t give up just yet — there are actually plenty of opportunities to find low-cost and quick nurse practitioner programs in Nevada, especially if you’ve already got a nursing degree such as a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) or even an ADN or ASN.

What Are the Fastest Online NP Programs?

If you’re looking for the fastest option, most nurses decide to go with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) over a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. This is because an MSN only takes around 2 – 6 years to complete versus the minimum 6 years it typically takes for students to complete a DNP. However, you may even find that you qualify to graduate from an MSN in even less than 2 -6 years. Here are a few examples of the fastest MSN programs in the state:

NP Program	Length	Online/Campus
University of Nevada	2 Years	Online or Campus
Touro University	20 Months	Online
Nevada State University	5 Semesters	Online

What Are the Most Affordable Online NP Programs?

The cost of college tuition has never been higher and so for many nurses working on a limited salary, it can be hard to rationalize going back to school. However, when you consider the level of salary you could be making as a nurse practitioner and how how much you could be saving by utilizing one of the more affordable Nevada MSN degree programs listed below, it’s hard to not at least look at your options.

School Name	Tuition Range	Estimated Credits
University of Nevada	$15,000 – $20,000	46
Nevada State University	$8,000 – $20,000	36
Touro University	$15,000 – $20,000	46

Schools Offering Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

As mentioned, nurse practitioners often undergo specialized training which allows them to narrow their focus of practice in an area that they’re passionate about. This specialized training usually begins during graduate school and is followed by the certification process (see more below). The following schools offer nurse practitioner specialization in Nevada:

School Name	NP Specialty	Credits Required
University of Nevada, Reno	Clinical Nurse Leader	48
Touro University	Family Nurse Practitioner	46
University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Nurse Educator	46

Find out more about popular NP specialty programs: Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Gerontology (AGNP), Family (FNP), Pediatric (PNP), Psychiatric (PHMNP), Women’s Health (WHNP).

Educational Routes for Nurse Practitioners – Online & Campus

Beyond the most common nurse practitioner degrees such as MSNs and DNPs, you can also find that there are plenty of alternative options that allow nursing students to graduate much faster and for less money. Here is a breakdown of the various types of nurse practitioner tracks available in Nevada.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

As mentioned, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are usually the fastest and cheapest traditional nurse practitioner program available to students. Here are a few examples of MSN programs in Nevada:

Touro University – Clark County, NV
Nevada State University – Henderson, NV

RN to NP Programs

These types of programs are perfect for nurses who are already licensed as RNs and have an associates degree in nursing. RN to NP programs, which are also called RN to MSN programs and ADN/ASN to MSN programs, allow students to become licensed as nurse practitioners in as little as four years without ever having to enroll in a BSN program. Unfortunately, these programs currently do not exist in Nevada.

DNP Nurse Practioner Programs

The highest level of education you can obtain as a nurse practitioner is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Though they can take as much as 8 years to complete, they often result in some of the most advanced nursing roles and some of the highest salaries in the healthcare field. Here are some examples in Nevada:

University of Nevada, Reno – Reno, NV
University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV

Post-Master's Certificate NP Programs

Post-Master's Nursing Certificates are not technically nurse practitioner degree programs, but they are very useful for nurse practitioners who have an interest in changing or adding to their list of certifications. They also only take about a year to complete. Here are few examples of these types of programs in Nevada:

University of Nevada, Reno – Reno, NV
Touro University – Clark County, NV

Accelerated, Direct & Master’s Entry (MENP/MEPN) to Nursing Practice

Master's Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) programs, also called direct-entry or accelerated MSN programs, are perfect for students who decide that they want to become a nurse practitioner after they’ve already undergone a bachelor’s level education in a non-nursing subject. By graduating from these types of programs, they are able to complete their education in a much shorter amount of time. Here are a few you can find in Nevada:

University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV

General Admissions Requirements

The specific admissions requirements that you’ll need to meet will differ depending on the school you apply to, however, in general you can expect to provide:

BSN from an accredited school
Transcripts from all colleges attended
Minimum grade point average (often 3.0 or above, but varies by school/program)
Active, unencumbered RN license
Essay or statement of purpose outlining career goals
Letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
Resume or CV

Nevada NP License and Certification Requirements

If you want to become a nurse practitioner in Nevada, you’ll need to become licensed. To do this, you’ll need to provide various documents, such as academic transcripts, proof of their RN licensure, and details about their clinical hours. They will also need to complete the official application form and pay an application fee, which is typically around $200. More detailed instructions and guidance on applying for NP licensure in Nevada can be found on the Nevada Board of Nursing’s website.

Nurse practitioners in Nevada are also required to obtain certification in their area of specialization. Certification can be acquired through nationally recognized organizations, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or other accrediting bodies relevant to their specialty. To be eligible for certification, applicants generally need to hold a valid RN license and have completed a graduate-level nursing program that aligns with their specialty. Certification often involves passing an exam to demonstrate expertise in the field.

Since Nevada is among the states that grant full practice authority to nurse practitioners, NPs can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications independently, without physician supervision. This autonomy allows NPs in Nevada to provide comprehensive care in a variety of healthcare settings. For additional support, resources, and professional development opportunities, NPs can join the Nevada Nurses Association (NNA), which plays a key role in advocating for the profession and offering guidance throughout an NP's career.