Top Nurse Practitioner Programs in Nevada for 2026

Nurse practitioners in Nevada gain full practice authority upon licensure, allowing them to evaluate patients, prescribe medications, and manage care independently. This autonomy makes the state an attractive destination for APRNs, but becoming a nurse practitioner in Nevada starts with admission to one of the few accredited programs. Only a handful of universities offer family nurse practitioner tracks in Nevada, and competition for seats is intense.

With limited local options, prospective students must weigh program reputation, clinical placement support, and post-graduation employment outcomes more carefully than in states with abundant choices. The pressure to match with a program that fits both career goals and budget is acute, especially when relocation to another state is not feasible.

Top Nurse Practitioner Programs in Nevada, 2026 Rankings

Nevada’s advanced practice talent pipeline is anchored by just three main providers. Our 2026 rankings weigh net price, graduation outcomes, and post-enrollment earnings to highlight programs that combine affordability with strong career returns.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	University of Nevada-Las Vegas	Las Vegas, NV	$10,000/yr	In-state students prioritizing low tuition
UNLV pairs Nevada’s lowest in-state tuition with a net price around $10,359, making it the most affordable public option. The hybrid MSN-FNP and PMHNP tracks guarantee clinical placements for RNs in Las Vegas, while the online DNP offers four concentration paths. Strong earnings outcomes, a median of $55,037 ten years post-enrollment, reinforce the school’s value, though working while enrolled is not recommended due to program intensity. Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus Full-time and part-time options available Asynchronous online classes with seven campus visits 45 clinical hours guaranteed for Nevada RN license holders Financial aid and scholarship opportunities Prepares for AANP and ANCC national FNP certification Curriculum meets AACN Essentials for graduate nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid Visit Website Full-time and part-time enrollment choices Asynchronous online coursework with on-campus skills sessions Two-day orientation required at the start Clinical placements secured in Nevada practice sites Focus on holistic mental health assessment and psychopharmacology Prepares for PMHNP national certification Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate — Hybrid Visit Website 21-credit post-master's certificate for existing FNPs Hybrid format with mandatory two-day orientation on campus Three semester completion timeline Clinical placements available in Nevada Eligibility for PMHNP national certification exams Emphasizes ethical practice and cultural sensitivity Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — On-Campus Online doctoral program with four concentration options Scholarships and financial aid available for DNP students Terminal practice degree emphasizing leadership roles Career paths include nursing faculty or healthcare executive roles Rigorous curriculum integrating research and evidence-based practice Prepares advanced practitioners for complex clinical leadership
#2	University of Nevada-Reno	Reno, NV	$16,000/yr (net price)	Working RNs balancing job and study
UNR’s block-scheduled FNP MSN is built for employed nurses, with a 23-month mostly-online format and biannual admissions. Students complete 780 clinical hours in secured placements, and most cohorts post 100% certification pass rates. The university also offers a broad slate of NP certificates and DNP tracks, including pediatric, psychiatric, and adult gerontology specialties, with a strong institutional graduation rate of 61.2%. Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus Visit Website 23-month block-scheduled format designed for working nurses Mostly online delivery with clinical placements arranged by the school 780 clinical hours in diverse primary care settings Two admission cycles per year (January and July) 100% certification board pass rate for most cohorts CCNE accredited with a focus on family-centered lifespan care Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — On-Campus Visit Website BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP pathways available Fully online curriculum accessible nationwide Clinical placements coordinated by Orvis School of Nursing Seven concentration options, including FNP Emphasizes evidence-based practice and interprofessional leadership Carnegie R1 research university with strong community engagement Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus Visit Website Full-time and part-time campus-based MSN pathway 780 clinical hours in mental and behavioral health settings OSN-secured placements across diverse clinical sites Prepares for PMHNP national certification exams In-depth coursework in psychopharmacology and counseling techniques Focus on therapeutic relationships and interdisciplinary collaboration Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus Visit Website MSN track preparing for AGPCNP certification 780 clinical hours focused on chronic disease management Emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention across adult lifespan 100% licensure pass rate for program graduates Clinical placements secured by Orvis School of Nursing Training in interprofessional team-based care delivery Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online Visit Website Prepares for CPNP-AC certification in high-acuity pediatric settings 44-46 credit hours with full-time or part-time options Fall start only, with a March 1 application deadline Requires 3.0 GPA and three letters of recommendation Thesis or capstone completion option Clinical hours in pediatric intensive care and specialty clinics Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate — On-Campus Visit Website Post-master's certificate for MSN-prepared nurses 500-780 clinical hours with school-secured placements Campus-based program with comprehensive mental health training Covers psychopharmacology, counseling, and advanced assessment Eligibility for PMHNP national certification upon completion Graduates work in hospitals, community clinics, and private practice Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate — Online Visit Website Post-master's online certificate with 500-780 clinical hours Clinical placements arranged in high-acuity pediatric settings Prepares for CPNP-AC certification exam Focused on complex health condition management in children Part of CCNE-accredited Orvis School of Nursing Ideal for experienced nurses seeking specialty advancement Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate — On-Campus Visit Website Post-master's certificate for acute and critical care practice 500-780 clinical hours in hospital and specialty rotations Campus-based with placements in emergency and intensive care Prepares for AGACNP national certification Curriculum includes advanced pharmacology and pathophysiology CCNE accredited with high certification pass rates Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — On-Campus Visit Website Hybrid DNP program with adult gerontology acute care focus Designed for BSN holders seeking highest clinical expertise Prepares for leadership roles in complex healthcare systems Emphasizes evidence-based practice and quality improvement Part-time and full-time tracks for working professionals Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — On-Campus Visit Website Hybrid BSN-to-DNP pathway specializing in primary care Focus on chronic disease and health promotion across adult lifespan Combines online coursework with on-campus intensives Prepares for AGPCNP national certification and advanced practice Leadership and interprofessional practice threads throughout curriculum
#3	Touro University Nevada	Henderson, NV		Career-minded nurses craving fast completion
Touro’s private, not-for-profit MSN-FNP stands out with three annual start dates, a rapid 20-month timeline, and a hybrid model requiring only three on-campus intensives. Graduates report exceptionally high median earnings ($104,805) and low median debt ($12,500). The program is CCNE-accredited, requires no entrance exam, and offers a post-master’s certificate path for existing FNPs, all designed for working Nevada nurses. Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus 20-month full-time hybrid program with three start dates per year CCNE accredited, no entrance exam required Combines synchronous and asynchronous online learning Three on-campus clinical intensives for hands-on skills practice Clinical placement assistance from program faculty Prepares for AANP and ANCC national FNP certification 95% certification pass rate with cohort-based support Requires active RN license and BSN with 3.0 GPA Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate — On-Campus Post-MSN certificate for nurses seeking FNP specialization Hybrid format with online coursework and campus intensives Prepares for AANP and ANCC FNP certification exams Practicum placement assistance provided Three cohort start dates per year (fall, spring, summer) Requires MSN degree, active RN license, and 3.0 GPA CCNE accredited with same faculty support as MSN track

Tuition & Cost Comparison: Nevada NP Programs Side by Side

The table below breaks down the estimated annual costs and median debt for the two primary universities offering Nurse Practitioner programs in Nevada. Keep in mind that the net price shown is the institution-wide average after grants and scholarships, not a guaranteed quote for the NP major. Program-level 10-year monthly repayment estimates are not yet available from the College Scorecard, so median graduate debt figures are used to compare financial obligation. Based on net price, UNLV appears more affordable, though its graduates hold slightly higher median debt.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Program Length & Format: Online, Hybrid, and Part-Time Options

Family nurse practitioner programs in Nevada take between 16 and 23 months of full-time study, with part-time options that stretch the timeline to three years or more.

Full-Time Completion Timelines

• UNLV MSN-FNP: 46 credits, completed in approximately 16 months of full-time enrollment. The program runs year-round, integrating didactic online courses with mandatory on-campus sessions.
• Touro University Nevada: 20-month hybrid MSN-FNP with three start dates per year, enabling a tight, predictable schedule.
• Roseman University: 45 credits delivered over 23 months in a full-time hybrid track, with asynchronous online coursework and required on-campus intensives.
• UNR MSN-FNP: A campus-based program; official full-time timelines are not published in months but typically align with a two-year master’s pace.

Part-Time Pathways

UNLV explicitly designates a part-time track that extends completion to about three years. Students take a lighter credit load per semester while still attending the same seven required campus visits. Roseman, Touro, and UNR do not advertise separate part-time tracks, though schools may accommodate an individualized slower pace on a case-by-case basis. If you need to balance work or family obligations, contact the program coordinator early to see if a reduced course load is possible without disrupting clinical placement sequences.

Online vs. Campus-Based Delivery

• UNLV: Didactic courses are delivered mostly online and asynchronously, but the program is classified as hybrid because students must attend seven on-campus sessions, including orientation, skills labs, and OSCE pass-offs.
• Roseman: Also hybrid. The didactic platform is asynchronous, but mandatory on-campus blocks cover orientation and skills intensives.
• Touro Nevada: Hybrid with three on-campus clinical intensives spaced throughout the 20-month curriculum.
• UNR: A traditional campus program with most coursework delivered in-person. No online option is listed for the FNP track.

Accelerated and Intensive Options

None of the Nevada programs label themselves as “accelerated,” but the full-time tracks themselves function as intensive pathways. Completing 45–46 graduate credits in 16–23 months requires taking courses through summer semesters and maintaining a heavier credit load each term. The trade-off is a compressed schedule that limits time for outside employment. Students who can commit to full-time study finish faster and enter the workforce sooner, while those needing a slower pace sacrifice speed for flexible work-life balance.

Clinical hours are embedded across all tracks, UNR requires 780 hours, Roseman mandates 525 hours, and UNLV and Touro integrate similar supervised practica. Because placements are typically secured in Nevada, the delivery format does not affect clinical quality, though online-heavy programs demand self-discipline for asynchronous coursework.

Admission Requirements by School

Nevada nurse practitioner programs each set their own admission thresholds, but most share a core set of requirements. Understanding the differences in GPA minimums, clinical experience expectations, and test policies helps you target schools where your profile fits best. Below we break down the key dimensions, using publicly available information from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as a representative example.

GPA and Academic Prerequisites

• Minimum GPA: UNLV requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA for graduate admission. Many FNP programs in the state set a similar 3.0 floor, though competitive cohorts may see higher averages.
• Prerequisite degree: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program is nearly universal. Some schools may consider RN-to-MSN pathways if you hold a non-nursing bachelor's, but the BSN remains the standard entry point.
• Coursework: Common prerequisites include undergraduate statistics, health assessment, and pathophysiology. Check each school's website for exact lists, as they can differ.

RN Licensure and Clinical Experience

• Active RN license: An unencumbered Nevada RN license (or eligibility for licensure by endorsement) is a non-negotiable requirement across all programs.
• Years of experience: Policies diverge here. UNLV does not mandate a specific number of years of bedside experience, though applicants should present a strong clinical background. Other programs may prefer or require one to two years of full-time RN work before applying. Confirm the policy of each school directly.

Standardized Test Policies

• GRE/MAT: UNLV has dropped the GRE and MAT requirement for its MSN and DNP tracks. This reflects a broader trend in graduate nursing education, where many programs have waived standardized testing in favor of holistic review. Always verify the current policy, as test requirements can be reinstated or changed between application cycles.

Application Materials and Unique Requirements

• Personal statement: A well-crafted essay explaining your goals and fit for the advanced practice role is standard. UNLV requires a personal statement as part of the application packet.
• Letters of recommendation: Three letters are typical; UNLV asks for three, often from academic and professional references.
• Interview: Some programs include an interview stage. UNLV uses a video interview to assess communication skills and motivation. Be prepared to articulate your understanding of the NP scope of practice.

Since requirements evolve, always consult the program's official admissions page before applying. A checklist approach, comparing GPA, test policies, essays, and interviews across your shortlisted schools, will streamline the process and reduce last-minute surprises.

Clinical Hours & Rotation Details by Program

Clinical hour requirements for nurse practitioner programs are settling into a fairly narrow range, but differences in preceptor placement support can dramatically affect how smoothly your training proceeds. In Nevada, the two MSN-FNP programs that publish specific clinical hour totals differ by just 25 hours, yet their placement policies could lead to very different experiences depending on your location and professional network.

UNLV MSN/FNP: 500 Hours, Local Placement Guarantee

UNLV’s Master of Science in Nursing , Family Nurse Practitioner track requires 500 clinical practicum hours.¹ The school guarantees clinical placement for students within the local Las Vegas area.² If you plan to complete rotations outside the region, you will need to secure your own preceptor. Detailed settings for rotations are not publicly specified¹, so ask program advisors about the mix of primary care, urgent care, and specialty environments typically arranged.

Roseman University MSN/FNP: 525 Hours, Student-Secured Preceptors

Roseman University’s MSN/FNP program requires 525 clinical hours.¹ Unlike UNLV, Roseman places the responsibility on students to identify and secure their own preceptors, though the school reviews and must approve each one.¹ Rotation settings are not detailed publicly.¹

Other Nevada NP Programs

University of Nevada, Reno and Touro University Nevada also offer nurse practitioner pathways, but specific clinical hour totals and preceptor placement information were not publicly available at the time of writing. Contact those programs directly for the latest details.

Questions to Ask Every Program

Even when rotation details aren’t spelled out on a website, a call to the clinical placement coordinator can clarify whether you’ll walk into a ready-made schedule or need to build one from scratch. Typical FNP placements span primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, and community health, but the exact breakdown varies. Ask not only about total hours but about any required sub-specialty hours, the process for preceptor approval, and what backup support exists if a preceptor falls through.

How Do Nevada NP Programs Perform on Certification Exams?

Certification exam pass rates are a direct measure of how well a program prepares nurse practitioners for practice. Among Nevada schools, only the University of Nevada, Las Vegas publishes FNP certification results. The Nevada State Board of Nursing tracks NCLEX pass rates for pre-licensure programs, not advanced practice certification exams. National average first-time pass rates on AANP and ANCC exams generally range between 80% and 90%, making UNLV's 100% rate a standout figure.

Nurse Practitioner Salary and Career Outcomes in Nevada

The Bureau of Labor Statistics did not publish nurse practitioner wage data for Nevada in its latest release, making direct salary comparisons challenging. The table below shows earnings for other key nursing roles in the state to give a sense of the broader compensation landscape for advanced practice and registered nursing careers.

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Nevada

Nevada is a full practice authority state, so NPs can practice independently after licensure. The journey from RN to APRN follows a clear sequence of education, exams, and state applications.

Frequently Asked Questions About NP Programs in Nevada

Choosing the right nurse practitioner program in Nevada means balancing cost, format, and long-term career goals. The questions below reflect what aspiring NPs commonly ask, with answers grounded in the program rankings, salary data, and state regulations covered throughout this article.

What college has the best nurse practitioner program in Nevada?

While "best" depends on your specialty and schedule, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) consistently appear among top-ranked programs in the state. UNLV offers a respected Family Nurse Practitioner track with strong local clinical partnerships. Touro University Nevada also receives high marks for its hybrid option and graduate outcomes, as detailed in the rankings above.

How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Nevada?

Most full-time MSN-NP programs in Nevada take two to three years to complete, while part-time or bridge programs (RN to MSN) can extend to four years. Post-master's certificate tracks often finish in 12 to 18 months. The timeline also depends on your prior degree and chosen specialty, as covered in the program length comparison earlier in this guide.

Are there fully online nurse practitioner programs in Nevada?

Yes, several Nevada schools offer hybrid or primarily online coursework with in-person clinical placements. Touro University Nevada's FNP program blends online classes with on-campus intensives, while UNR provides a distance-accessible post-master's certificate. Fully online didactic courses are common, but all programs require supervised clinical hours at approved Nevada sites.

How much do nurse practitioner programs cost in Nevada?

Total tuition for an MSN-NP in Nevada ranges roughly from $25,000 to $60,000 depending on residency, public vs. private institution, and program length. Per-credit rates at state universities are lower for in-state students. The tuition and cost comparison table breaks down exact per-credit rates, fees, and estimated total costs across programs for side-by-side planning.

Does Nevada have full practice authority for nurse practitioners?

Yes. Nevada is a full practice authority state, meaning NPs can evaluate, diagnose, treat, and prescribe without a supervisory agreement with a physician. This independence expands job opportunities and income potential, especially in rural areas. For a detailed explanation of scope-of-practice benefits, see the dedicated section earlier in this article.

What is the average salary for a nurse practitioner in Las Vegas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for nurse practitioners in the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise metropolitan area is approximately $135,000, which is slightly above the Nevada state average. Salaries vary by setting: hospital-based NPs often earn more than those in outpatient clinics. The salary table provides full breakdowns by experience and location.

What GPA do you need to get into an NP program in Nevada?

Most accredited NP programs in Nevada require a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Competitive applicants often present GPAs of 3.5 or higher, especially for popular FNP tracks. Some programs may consider a lower GPA with strong professional experience or a higher GPA in nursing core courses, as noted in the admission requirements section.