Nurses in the field of urgent and emergency care looking to advance in the specialty have the option of becoming an emergency nurse practitioner. This advanced-practice nurse is a leader in critical care and emergency medicine, treating patients with a variety of acute conditions. There are specialized advanced practice programs designed specifically for this fast-paced and rewarding career.

2026 Best Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs

Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs) play a critical role in delivering urgent medical care across diverse healthcare settings. RegisteredNursing.org has carefully evaluated and ranked the nation's top Emergency Nurse Practitioner programs to help aspiring healthcare professionals find the best educational pathways. Our comprehensive rankings consider factors like curriculum quality, clinical training opportunities, faculty expertise, and student outcomes. These programs prepare nurses to handle high-stress medical emergencies with precision and compassion, equipping them with advanced skills to assess, diagnose, and treat patients in fast-paced environments like emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and trauma units. By selecting an exceptional program, future ENPs can make a significant impact in patient care and healthcare delivery. Learn more about our ranking methodology.
#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN - Private 4-year - vanderbilt.edu

Master's - Emergency Nurse Practitioner Specialty

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Vanderbilt University's Emergency Nurse Practitioner specialty offers an innovative pathway for experienced nurses seeking advanced emergency care expertise. The hybrid program distinguishes itself by providing dual Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification tracks. Students engage in comprehensive training addressing complex urgent care scenarios across patient age ranges. Advanced clinical reasoning and health assessment skills are meticulously developed through a curriculum aligned with AACN standards. The program strategically requires substantial emergency department experience, ensuring candidates possess practical foundational knowledge. Military-friendly policies and flexible full/part-time options enhance program accessibility for working healthcare professionals seeking specialized emergency practice credentials.

  • Flexible full/part-time options
  • Hybrid online/on-campus format
  • Robust nationwide clinical experiences
  • Requires RN emergency experience
  • Dual certification potential
  • Low faculty-to-student ratios
  • Comprehensive emergency care curriculum
#2

Rhode Island College

Providence, RI - Public 4-Year - ric.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing

Concentration: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website

Rhode Island College's Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration represents an advanced nursing pathway designed for professionals seeking specialized expertise in complex adult and geriatric healthcare. The program distinguishes itself through comprehensive clinical training that prepares students for high-stakes certification exams and leadership roles in acute care environments. Graduates develop sophisticated skills in critical patient assessment, advanced intervention strategies, and specialized management techniques for medically intricate adult populations. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and professional development, ensuring practitioners are equipped to deliver exceptional acute care across diverse healthcare settings.

  • Three concentration options available
  • CCNE accredited program
  • Multiple certification exam pathways
  • Advanced clinical training
  • Comprehensive health requirements
  • Professional nursing leadership focus
  • Evidence-based practice emphasis

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing

Concentration: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist - Campus Based - Visit Website

Rhode Island College's Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration offers a sophisticated graduate pathway for nurses committed to advanced clinical excellence. This intensive program cultivates sophisticated healthcare professionals capable of delivering intricate, specialized care in acute medical environments. Students engage with cutting-edge clinical methodologies, developing expertise in complex patient management, advanced diagnostic reasoning, and transformative healthcare interventions. The curriculum strategically integrates evidence-based practices with hands-on clinical experiences, preparing graduates to become pivotal leaders who can dramatically improve patient outcomes and implement innovative healthcare strategies.

  • 3 concentration options available
  • CCNE accredited program
  • Multiple certification exam pathways
  • Advanced clinical nursing focus
  • Comprehensive health requirements
  • Evidence-based curriculum design
  • Professional nursing identity development

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing

Concentration: Population/Public Health - Campus Based - Visit Website

Rhode Island College's Population/Public Health concentration in the Master of Science in Nursing program represents a strategic pathway for nurses aspiring to become comprehensive community health leaders. This forward-thinking curriculum equips students with advanced skills in population-level healthcare strategy, community intervention, and systemic health improvement. Graduates develop profound capabilities in designing and implementing public health initiatives, conducting sophisticated health assessments, and addressing complex community wellness challenges. The program emphasizes evidence-based approaches, health promotion strategies, and leadership development, positioning nurses as critical change agents capable of driving meaningful improvements in population health outcomes.

  • 3 concentration options available
  • CCNE accredited program
  • Leadership roles in community health
  • Certification exam preparation
  • Advanced nursing practice focus
Show 2 More Programs ˅
#3

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL - Public 4-Year - uab.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner dual-option specialty

Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

University of Alabama at Birmingham's Emergency Nurse Practitioner program delivers a cutting-edge dual-option MSN specialty designed for experienced emergency healthcare professionals. The hybrid curriculum strategically prepares nurses to navigate complex emergency medical environments through interdisciplinary training. Students engage with advanced emergency-specific topics, developing critical skills for acute and life-threatening patient care scenarios. The program uniquely emphasizes practical expertise, requiring a minimum of one year emergency nursing experience. Graduates are comprehensively prepared for certification exams and positioned to excel in emergency departments, urgent care facilities, and emergency transport services. Flexible distance-accessible learning ensures accessibility for working healthcare professionals seeking specialized emergency nursing education.

  • Emergency NP subspecialty track
  • Hybrid/distance education format
  • Interdisciplinary instruction
  • Certification exam preparation
  • Requires 1+ year emergency experience
  • Dual-option MSN specialty
  • Expert faculty leadership
#4

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA - Private 4-year - drexel.edu

Master's - MSN: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan with Emergency Specialization

Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website

Drexel University's innovative online MSN program with Emergency Nurse Practitioner specialization delivers comprehensive advanced practice nursing education. Uniquely designed to equip nurses for complex emergency care environments, this program provides dual certification eligibility in Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner tracks. Featuring synchronous interactive lectures and mandatory on-campus intensive sessions, students benefit from state-of-the-art simulation labs and experienced board-certified faculty. Prospective students must possess a BSN from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Requiring 1-2 years of emergency nursing experience, the program boasts a remarkable 100% board exam pass rate and national ranking as the #8 online nursing program. Graduates emerge prepared to deliver critical care across diverse clinical settings.

  • CCNE accredited program
  • 100% board exam pass rate
  • Two certification exam eligibilities
  • Synchronous interactive lectures
  • 1-2 years emergency experience required
  • Mandatory on-campus intensive sessions
  • Four 10-week quarters annually
  • State-of-the-art simulation lab
  • Experienced board-certified faculty
#5

Emory University

Atlanta, GA - Private 4-year - emory.edu

Master's - Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website

Emory University's Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner DNP program delivers an intensive seven-semester curriculum designed for experienced nurses targeting advanced emergency and primary care specialization. Students undertake comprehensive training encompassing over 700 clinical hours across diverse healthcare environments including trauma centers. The program uniquely prepares practitioners to earn dual certifications in Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner roles, enabling graduates to excel in urgent care, emergency departments, and primary care settings. Advanced procedural skills training and interdisciplinary learning experiences distinguish this doctoral pathway, positioning nurses to manage complex medical challenges across patient life spans with exceptional clinical expertise.

  • Seven-semester DNP program
  • 700+ clinical training hours
  • Advanced procedural skills training
  • Emergency and primary care focus
  • Interdisciplinary learning experiences
  • State-of-the-art clinical laboratory
  • Level I Trauma Center exposure
  • Dual certification preparation

Master's - Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Campus Based - Visit Website

Emory University's Emergency Nurse Practitioner program cultivates sophisticated healthcare professionals capable of addressing acute medical challenges. By building upon foundational Family Nurse Practitioner principles, the curriculum comprehensively prepares students to evaluate, diagnose, and treat unexpected illnesses and injuries across diverse patient populations. Graduates develop advanced clinical reasoning skills, ethical decision-making frameworks, and certification exam readiness. The program emphasizes hands-on training in emergency care settings, ensuring practitioners can confidently manage complex clinical scenarios and deliver high-quality, patient-centered interventions in fast-paced medical environments.

  • Emergency care across life spans
  • Family Nurse Practitioner preparation
  • Certification exam readiness
  • Ethical healthcare framework
  • Acute setting expertise
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#6

University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL - Public 4-Year - southalabama.edu

Master's - Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP)

Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of South Alabama's Dual Role Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner program offers a comprehensive advanced nursing curriculum uniquely designed to equip students with expansive clinical skills. Featuring a hybrid learning format with 840 clinical practicum hours, students develop expertise in emergency and primary care settings. The program enables dual certification, preparing graduates to manage patients across diverse age groups in emergency departments and urgent care clinics. With flexible five-year completion options and two to three on-campus clinical intensives, students receive robust training that bridges theoretical knowledge with practical emergency healthcare experience.

  • 57 total credit hours
  • 840 clinical practicum hours
  • Hybrid program format
  • 2-3 on-campus clinical intensives
  • Prepares for dual certification
  • Career opportunities in multiple settings
  • Comprehensive advanced nursing curriculum
  • Five-year program completion window
#7

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Huntsville, AL - Public 4-Year - uah.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Concentration: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Alabama in Huntsville's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration within the MSN program offers an advanced clinical pathway for nursing professionals seeking specialized expertise in critical care settings. Graduates gain comprehensive skills in managing complex patient needs, utilizing evidence-based interventions for adult and geriatric populations experiencing acute health challenges. The CCNE-accredited curriculum emphasizes advanced diagnostic reasoning, therapeutic strategies, and population health management. Students benefit from extensive clinical training that prepares them to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in intensive and acute medical environments. The program includes optional DNP pathway opportunities, allowing further academic progression for ambitious healthcare practitioners.

  • CCNE Accredited Program
  • Advanced Clinical Specialization
  • Evidence-Based Practice Focus
  • Comprehensive Acute Care Training
  • Optional DNP Pathway Available
#8

Samford University

Birmingham, AL - Private 4-year - samford.edu

Master's - MSN to DNP Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website

Samford University's DNP Emergency Nurse Practitioner program offers an innovative online pathway for master's-prepared Family Nurse Practitioners seeking advanced emergency care specialization. This rigorous two-year curriculum focuses intensively on emergency nursing expertise, providing 660 clinical practice hours and comprehensive training for national ENP certification. With minimal on-campus intensives and flexible clinical placements, students benefit from a program designed to enhance critical care skills. Competitive admission standards require a minimum 3.5 GPA and current FNP certification, ensuring high-quality candidate selection. The program uniquely prepares nurses to excel in urgent and high-stress medical environments, emphasizing practical emergency healthcare competencies.

  • Online 2-year DNP program
  • 660 clinical practice hours
  • ENP national certification prep
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA required
  • One on-campus intensive
  • Flexible clinical placement
  • 100% FNP certification pass rate
#9

Averett University

Danville, VA - Private 4-year - averett.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing

Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website

Averett University's Emergency Nurse Practitioner concentration within the Master of Science in Nursing program strategically prepares advanced practice nurses for high-intensity emergency healthcare environments. Uniquely positioned as one of only 13 national programs offering this specialized track, the curriculum equips students with comprehensive skills in acute trauma diagnosis, critical intervention techniques, and rapid patient assessment. The program distinguishes itself through secured clinical placements, enabling hands-on learning in real emergency settings. Military-friendly and designed for working professionals, students can anticipate a transformative educational experience that directly translates to enhanced emergency care competencies and expanded career opportunities in urgent medical contexts.

  • Only 13 schools nationwide offer ENP
  • Specialized Emergency Nurse Practitioner focus
  • Clinical placements secured for students
  • Post-master's certificate available
  • Prepares nurses for high-paying positions
#10

University of Mount Union

Alliance, OH - Private 4-year - mountunion.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) certification - Campus Based - Visit Website

University of Mount Union's Master of Science in Nursing offers a robust Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification pathway, strategically crafted for advanced nursing professionals seeking specialized emergency care expertise. The comprehensive 22-month program blends innovative online learning with critical onsite intensive training, enabling students to develop advanced clinical skills tailored for high-pressure emergency medical environments. With a competitive $800 per credit hour tuition and a focus on preparing nurses for national board certification, students benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes comprehensive emergency patient care across diverse age groups. The program requires a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and provides extensive clinical training through 1,000 required RN clinical hours.

  • 22-month MSN program length
  • Online with onsite intensives
  • $36,800 total program cost
  • 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
  • 46 total credit hours
  • Prepares for FNP certification
  • 1,000 RN clinical hours required
  • Licensure in 6 states
*Data accessed from: IPEDS 2023, National Center for Education Statistics.

Choosing an Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program

There are a few things students should consider when researching emergency nurse practitioner programs:

Accreditation

Proper accreditation, through national organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are essential in choosing a good emergency nurse practitioner program. Local and regional accreditations may also be available.

Program Cost

Emergency nurse practitioner programs usually list their tuition per credit hour. Most programs in the specialty charge between $800 and $1,000 or more per credit, for both master's and doctoral pathways. Keep in mind that tuition costs don't typically include additional expenses such as program fees, course materials, and other mandatory costs.

Program Length

MSN-level emergency nurse practitioner programs generally require around 55 credits in order to graduate, meaning that students can usually finish in 4-7 semesters, depending on part-time or full-time study. DNP emergency nurse practitioner programs require roughly 77 credits to graduate, and are sometimes combined with a family nurse practitioner subspecialty. Students in a doctoral program typically finish with 3-4 years of dedicated study.

Internship/Externship Opportunities

Clinical hours are required with either degree level of the emergency nurse practitioner program. Many schools have relationships with local hospitals and medical centers in which students can complete their hands-on training; prospective students can inquire with their school of choice.

Online/Campus Options

Many programs now offer both online and campus-based emergency nurse practitioner programs. Some schools even offer a "hybrid" program, allowing students to take many courses online but also offering classroom-based lectures and labs.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner Degree Levels Offered

Students have the choice of entering a master's or doctoral degree to become an emergency nurse practitioner. While MSN degrees are more common for this specialty, DNP programs are available, many in conjunction with another nurse practitioner specialty, such as the family nurse practitioner (FNP).

MSN Programs

MSN-level emergency nurse practitioner programs are cropping up all over the country. Students enrolled in this type of program take courses such as Introduction to Clinical Specialty: Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Management of Acute and Chronic Illness, and Health Care Quality and Patient Safety. In addition to the coursework, students will also be required to complete a minimum number of clinical hours in the field. Emory University, as an example, offers an accredited MSN Emergency Nurse Practitioner program.

DNP Programs

Doctoral emergency nurse practitioner programs are most commonly paired with a family nurse practitioner specialty. Students enrolled in this type of program can expect to take courses like Social Determinants of Health, FNP in Emergency Care Theory, Leadership for the Doctor of Nursing Practice, and more. The DNP curriculum goes beyond the master's degree to emphasize leadership within the practice. Rutgers School of Nursing offers a Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care DNP program.

Learn about post-master’s emergency nurse practitioner certificate programs.

Online Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs

Online emergency nurse practitioner programs are steadily growing in popularity, and schools are beginning to offer more of these distance-learning options. Be aware that some online programs still require a few on-campus experiences, and all students will still need to complete their clinical rotations in person.

Advantages of an Online Program

Students with busy lifestyles and hectic schedules appreciate the convenience and flexibility of online coursework, as they are able to complete classes from the comfort of home. This is also an invaluable resource for those who live in rural areas and may not have a university nearby. Online emergency nurse practitioner students also have the advantage of reduced transportation costs, such as gas and parking fees.

Program Accreditation

Like their classroom-based counterparts, online emergency nurse practitioner programs should be fully accredited. ACEN or CCNE accreditation is indicative of a quality program.

Costs and Length

Distance-based emergency nurse practitioner programs require the same amount of credits as campus-based programs do, but generally offer more flexibility regarding when and where the coursework is completed. This means that program length can fluctuate more for online programs. Tuition can also be similar to campus programs, although online students won't have to worry about transportation expenses. For example, Drexel University offers an online emergency nurse practitioner program with a tuition cost of $1,044 per credit.

What Are the Admissions and Certification Requirements?

Admissions requirements for most emergency nurse practitioner programs include:

  • BSN or MSN from an accredited university
  • GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Current, unrestricted United States RN license
  • 1-2 years applicable professional experience may be required
  • Two professional letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement/essay
  • ACLS, BLS, PALS certifications

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board offers an ENP certification by examination. Current Family Nurse Practitioners who wish to specialize as ENPs can take the exam if they meet one of the eligibility options outlined below.

Option 1:

  • Minimum of 2,000 direct, emergency care clinical practice hours as a Family NP in the past 5 years
  • Evidence of 100 hours of continuing emergency care education
  • Minimum of 30 continuing emergency care education hours in emergency care procedural skills within those 5 years

Option 2:

  • Completion of an academic emergency care graduate/post-graduate NP program from an accredited nursing program, OR
  • Completion of a dual FNP/ENP graduate/post-graduate certificate program from an accredited nursing program

Option 3:

  • Completion of an approved emergency fellowship program

List of Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs

There are a variety of emergency nurse practitioner programs available including the following schools below.

Jump to Your State Listings

Alabama

Graduate Certificate ProgramsDNP Programs
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2011

Arizona

Graduate Certificate Programs
411 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 965-7788

Florida

MSN Programs
2800 University Blvd North
Jacksonville, FL 32211
(904) 266-8000

Georgia

MSN Programs
1520 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-7980

Pennsylvania

3025 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(877) 215-0009

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