You’re ready to have greater independence in your career and make an even bigger impact in the lives of your patients. As a nurse practitioner, you will bring a level of expertise and professionalism that’s rewarded with a higher salary and a stronger connection with the individuals and families in your care.
The Nurse Practitioner programs (MS and Post-MS) at the UR School of Nursing are some of the best in the nation. It was the groundbreaking work of our founding dean, Loretta Ford, more than 50 years ago which led to the creation of the nurse practitioner role and changed the way health care is provided.
Today, our faculty include pioneering researchers and clinicians that set the standard for nurse practitioners specializing in fields like pediatrics and psychiatric/mental health. The University of Rochester Medical Center — an innovative and leading health care network — provides the ideal setting for in-depth clinical experience.
Clinical Specialties
One of the greatest strengths of the Nurse Practitioner programs is the targeted focus of our six concentrations. Learn alongside experienced practitioners in your specific field of practice. Nurse practitioner students, regardless of their clinical specialty, are also able to take a portion of their required coursework online.
a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing
RN licensure within the United States or U.S. territory
clinical experience for the following nurse practitioner specialties:
AGPCNP, FNP, PNP, and FPMHNP programs: one year clinical experience is preferred
AGACNP program: one year full-time (or equivalent) RN experience in acute care prior to enrollment in NUR 411
PNP/NNP: two years NICU experience in the last five years
CPR certification (professional course must be taken with the American Heart Association or American Red Cross)
statistics course with a grade of C or above. (For those who do not currently meet the requirement, we offer an online, self-paced statistics course which can be completed in as little as four weeks)
(Students without clinical experience are also eligible to apply to our NP programs and should discuss their options with our Admissions Office.)
With a master’s degree from the UR School of Nursing, you’ll enjoy an exciting variety of career options across a broad selection of health care organizations, including:
Independent practices
Public Health Agencies
Primary Care Clinics
Home Health Care
Outpatient Surgi-Centers
Health Maintenance Organizations
Nursing School-Operated Nursing Centers
Insurance and Managed-Care Companies
Nursing Homes
Schools
Mental Health Agencies
Hospices
The Military
Industry
Hospitals
Locally in Rochester, nurse practitioners are consistently in demand and almost all of our graduates immediately move into a new nurse practitioner role upon graduation.
Craig Sellers, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-BC, FAANP, director of master's programs
My teachers helped me understand what a privilege it is to care for patients. It’s an opportunity to be an intimate part of someone’s life, and I take that role very seriously... If we can learn to work together at the student level, we will be more effective when we care for patients.
Karrah Hurd, RN, student in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program
The faculty here at U of R has not only facilitated learning opportunities for me to meet my objectives but challenged me along the way. I feel as though I am not only a better nurse from this process, but a better person.
My teachers helped me understand what a privilege it is to care for patients. It’s an opportunity to be an intimate part of someone’s life, and I take that role very seriously... If we can learn to work together at the student level, we will be more effective when we care for patients.
Karrah Hurd, RN, student in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program
