“We are honored and elated with the exceptional first-attempt pass rates of our FNP graduates. This is truly a moment of celebration and contemplation as we not only rejoice in the success and hard work of our students, faculty, and program leaders, but also reflect on the changing landscape of nursing education and acknowledge the efficacy of the competency-based model of learning,” said Anmy Mayfield, LSH vice president and dean for the College of Nursing. “With our hybrid and competency-based nurse practitioner (NP) programs, we meet our students in and around their communities and work closely with them to fulfill their dreams and populate the clinical pipeline with diverse, competent nurses to meet the societal needs.”

The U.S. News and World Report ranks NP as the best job of 2024. The report states that NPs are an essential part of the country’s healthcare system. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects a 46% growth in the number of NP roles available between 2023 and 2033, with about 135,000 job openings.

“With high demand for new NPs in various communities throughout our country, especially rural communities, WGU’s NP programs stand ready to help educate each nurse who desires to take the next step in their professional journey,” said Corbett Brown, FNP department chair at LSH’s College of Nursing. “WGU’s NP students can complete a major portion of their coursework online and then receive in-person clinical training at our various Clinical Learning and Simulation Centers across the country and clinical partner sites in our students’ communities. This flexibility respects each student’s individual life circumstances and enables them to attain high-quality education without disrupting their lives.”

NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), who complete population-specific, graduate-level education that builds upon their RN knowledge and skills. Advanced education prepares NPs to deliver high-quality and cost-effective care to individuals, families, and communities. They perform physical exams, diagnose health problems, prescribe medications, perform in-office procedures, and provide holistic, person-centered care.

“After completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from WGU, I learned about the university’s FNP degree program. The program aligned with my goals, and considering my past learning experience at WGU, I decided to go for it,” said Kyle Brewer, WGU’s graduate now working as FNP at McDonough District Hospital in Illinois. “The program allowed me to work around my schedule, without disrupting my already carved and busy life, as I prepared to take the next step in my caregiving journey. Today, I am a full-time FNP at this hospital and it feels like a privilege to be able to work here and welcome fellow WGU graduates in this health system.”

With increasing industry demand for NPs as the backdrop, WGU currently offers two high-quality NP population-specific tracks, FNP and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), offered via a master’s degree and a post-master’s certificate. These programs are available to nurses seeking their first graduate degree in nursing, and to those who’re looking to expand knowledge in the area of interest after completion of their graduate degree. The competency-based nature of these programs aims to accelerate the addition of high-quality advanced practice providers to the nursing workforce. Learn more about WGU’s NP programs here.