Nurse Practitioner Schools

Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs in California

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 California

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 California school's NP program is at Sonoma State University.

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.

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 California 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 California?

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 California Board of Nursing to find out more about how California 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.

California Nurse Practitioner Prerequisites

As in most states, nurse practitioners in California 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.

California Nurse Practitioner Resources

Online Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs in California

California State University at Fullerton

University of California – Irvine

Samuel Merritt College

Western University of Health Sciences

California Baptist University

Sonoma State University

  • 1801 East Cotati Ave. Rohnert Park, CA 94928
    Master’s Programs: FNP
    (707) 664-2880

California State University at Sacramento