Emergency nurse practitioners provide urgent care to patients in partnership with physicians, RNs, and other healthcare professionals. If you thrive under pressure, work well with others, and want to care for a variety of patients and conditions, this career could be right for you.
This guide to the best emergency nurse practitioner programs can help you find the perfect school for your career goals and background. We explore top programs, how to apply, and why program accreditation matters.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs and Schools
How We Rank Schools
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This list has not been updated for 2025.
How Do Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs Work?
Emergency nurse practitioner programs prepare learners to diagnose and treat patients with health crises, including injuries and illnesses. Coursework includes advanced physiology, assessment and diagnosis, treatment of medical emergencies, emergency transportation and care, and the legal and ethical aspects of emergency care.
Students learn about communication with patients and families during emergencies and issues related to violence and violence prevention as part of healthcare. The curriculum also includes caring for patients who come to emergency departments in situations that aren't emergencies, for a variety of reasons.
Assessment courses concentrate on reading X-rays, ECGs, and other scans. Treatment courses include trauma treatment and resuscitation. Emergency nurse practitioner programs also include clinical hours in emergency rooms.
Applying to an Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program
Emergency nurse practitioner programs require at least one year of experience as an emergency department RN or other trauma care experience. Some schools accept military experience as an equivalent.
Admission Materials
Prospective students need a current and unencumbered RN license, at least two references, and an essay with a personal statement. Family nurse practitioner programs with a specialty in emergency care require a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing (ADN) for a bridge option. Post-graduate certificate programs require a master of science in nursing (MSN).
GPA Requirements
At least a 3.0 GPA
Other Requirements
Emergency nursing experience. Some programs require certifications, such as trauma nursing core course, advanced cardiovascular life support, and/or pediatric advanced life support certifications.
Why is Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?
During the program accreditation process, an independent group of practitioners and academics reviews a program to determine if graduates can practice nursing safely. This comprehensive review process includes:
The currency and completeness of the curriculum
Faculty and staff backgrounds and qualifications
Teaching methodology
Student outcomes, such as national examination pass rates and grades
School and program policies
Learning resources, such as labs, library, and technology
While not a guarantee, this thorough review process gives students the reassurance that they are investing their time and money wisely. In addition, accreditation tells employers that applicants have received a quality education.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Nurse Practitioner Programs
Emergency nurse practitioners work primarily in hospitals or stand-alone emergency departments. They also work in jails, military bases, and urgent care clinics. These nurses are licensed to diagnose and treat medical conditions.
