4 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Maine – 2024

Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Maine’s Code of Regulations recognizes nurse practitioners as primary care providers. Once NPs have practiced for at least 24 months under the supervision of a licensed physician, they are free to practice independently in the field in which they were certified. Graduates of accredited nurse practitioner schools in Maine are well paid with average salaries of nearly $118,300 a year, and the need for their services is projected to grow by more than 37 percent by 2030. Information about the best nurse practitioner programs in Maine for 2024 can be found below.

WHAT ARE THE BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MAINE (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 4 Best NP programs in Maine for the year 2024.)

1) University Of Maine - Orono

Programs Offered: MSN and Certificate of Advanced Study

Established in 1958, the University of Maine’s nursing school has been offering graduate nursing programs since 1992. If you are searching for the best nurse practitioner programs in Maine, then through the university’s FNP program, you can gain exceptional skills in clinical practice and leadership. Here, in an environment of discovery and service, the college stays committed to training future nurses to become compassionate primary caregivers. Proudly the state’s only research center, the university provides you with unique learning opportunities to explore a range of research topics, working alongside its expert faculty. Moreover, with the college’s collaborations with some of the nation’s prominent healthcare facilities, you will be able to practice clinical skills at varied settings across the state including, healthcare centers, schools, community settings, and jails.

MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

If you are passionate about serving patients in primary care, then what better than enrolling in this nurse practitioner school in Maine that not only prepares you for the highly in-demand FNP role but also offers you the flexibility to tailor the program to match your needs. Through this FNP, you will focus on health promotion and disease prevention across all sections of the population, essentially emphasizing healthcare of the rural and the underserved communities. Upon completing the 49-51 credits and 755 clinical hours of the program, you will be eligible to take the FNP certification exam. You will leave the college with proficiency in various topics, ranging from advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, advanced health assessment, nursing research, and the health management of individuals across the lifespan.

Post-Master's Certificate Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

Now, if you have already completed your MSN and are aspiring to obtain the FNP national certification, then the post-master’s certificate program is for you. This nurse practitioner program in Maine builds up on your previous nursing degree and requires completing 33 credits in 500 and 600 level courses. To be eligible for this program, you should have an MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.25. Additionally, you must hold an unencumbered RN license in Maine.

2) University Of Southern Maine - Portland

Programs Offered: RN to MSN, MSN, and Post-Master's Certificate

If you are ready to take the next step in your nursing career, there is no advanced nursing position more promising than that of a nurse practitioner. Now, to become a nurse practitioner in Maine, you must consider choosing a nursing school like the University of Southern Maine that offers several pathways to take your career further. You can start either with an ADN or BSN and leave the college with specialized skills in adult-gerontology care, family health care, or psychiatric mental health care, depending on the track you chose. Counted among the best nurse practitioner programs in Maine, the college’s NP education is designed to address the health needs of the state as well as the global community. Regardless of whether you enroll in the RN to MSN, MSN, or the post-master’s certificate program, the college takes you through clinical experiences in a wide variety of healthcare settings and even offers an opportunity of traveling to other countries to gain a global perspective in nursing.

RN to MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the lifespan; PMHNP)

Enrollment into this program requires you to have a nursing associate or diploma and an active RN license. The program offers specialization options in adult-gerontology care, family health, and psychiatric mental healthcare. The program starts with undergraduate courses in nursing and by-passes the BSN, taking you straight to the graduate nursing coursework. Now, if you also have a bachelor’s in another field, you will not only receive credits for your RN coursework but also for the baccalaureate degree. Regardless of how you enter, all these three nurse practitioner programs in Maine lead to a master’s in nursing along with a certification in your chosen population foci. To start with, 15 credits in BSN equivalent courses take you through concepts in community health, health-related research, community nursing partnerships, and concepts of professional nursing. Thereafter, you must complete 45 credits in graduate core and specialization courses, after which you will earn your MSN and the eligibility to take the NP certification exam.

MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

As a nurse practitioner in Maine, you can greatly contribute to the health needs of the state. If you are a BSN-prepared nurse, jumping onto the advanced practice nursing bandwagon will not only open promising career avenues but also allow you to enjoy considerable autonomy. Ready to take the leap? Well, here you can choose to become an AGACNP, FNP, or PMHNP, depending on where your find your calling. All these three tracks are offered on-campus with full-time and part-time enrollment options. Depending on the track you choose, you will complete credits ranging from 45 to 53. As such, all tracks start with core courses and then take you through courses that focus on your chosen area of advanced practice nursing. Also, included in the coursework is the clinical training which comprises approximately 600 hours of hands-on practice and a culminating clinical project.

Post-Master's Certificate Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the lifespan)

Whether your goal is to obtain a second specialization or expand on your MSN, with these post-master’s certificate nurse practitioner programs in Maine, you can reach your goals in no time. Upon enrollment into either of the three tracks, you must earn credits ranging from 18 to 40, depending on your area of focus and educational background.

3) Husson University - Bangor

Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate

If graduating from one of the best online nurse practitioner programs in Maine is high on your priority list, then you certainly cannot miss out on the NP programs offered by Husson University. Here, not only will you gain quality education under the mentorship of its accomplished faculty, but with the affordability that the college offers, you will also gain a high financial return on your investment. Furthermore, with the online mode of instructions and easy 24/7 access to coursework, you can easily accommodate your NP education into your life schedule. Besides, because the college understands that in-person learning is crucial to gain expertise in specialized nursing care, a three-day clinical orientation is conducted on-campus. This experience allows you to practice clinical skills through state-of-art simulation technology. So, through its two NP pathways and three concentration tracks, here you can fulfill your dream of becoming an NP in the most seamless way.

MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGAC-NP)

These MSN-NP programs in Maine are designed for RNs who have completed their bachelor’s in nursing. Now, if you are passionate about providing primary care, then the FNP track is for you, whereas for someone keen on helping elderly patients, the AGACNP track is better suited. Now, if you are interested in attending to the health needs of psychiatric patients, then the PMHNP track will serve you well. Regardless of the track you enroll in, you will graduate with future-ready skills to brace the several healthcare challenges of recent times. The coursework is delivered through asynchronous online classes and comprises credits anywhere close to 48. Some of the topics you will build a strong foundation in include theoretical concepts of advanced nursing practice, health assessment, pathophysiology, advanced evidence-based practice, and healthcare informatics & technology. After you build a solid core, the program takes you through concentration-specific courses, upon completion of which, you will be eligible to take the certification exam in your chosen population foci.

Post-Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Whether you are a nurse practitioner in Maine who desires a second certification or someone who aspires to become an NP, either way, this post-master’s certificate program can help you fulfill your aspirations. With three specializations, you can choose to get certified in your preferred area of advanced nursing. To qualify for this program, you must have an MSN and an active RN license in Maine. Once enrolled, a gap analysis will be done to plan a coursework tailored to your specific requirements.

4) Saint Joseph's College Of Maine - Standish

Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate

Do you envision yourself playing leadership roles and earning the respect of your peers as well as employers? If your answer is yes, then the only way forward is to earn an MSN-NP degree from one of the well-known nurse practitioner programs in Maine. Saint Joseph's College of Maine’s NP programs can certainly be one of the options you may want to consider to rise in your nursing career. Here, you can pursue your education without keeping your job on hold as classes are online with options of part-time and full-time enrollment. Also, from the FNP and AGACNP tracks, if you choose to enroll in the FNP program, you will have no requirements of campus residency to fulfill. Moreover, with SJCME’s educational partnership with several healthcare employers across the state, should you be an employee, you can save some tuition dollars. At this nurse practitioner school in Maine, depending on educational background, you can either take the MSN route or enroll in the post-master’s certificate program.

MSN Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner

To qualify for either the AGACNP or FNP track, you must have a BSN and an active RN license. Both the specializations emphasize evidence-based practice and start with 24 credit-nursing core courses in nursing informatics, nursing research, policy, quality & safety, organizational & systems leadership, and population health. You also strengthen concepts in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. The adult-gerontology track then progresses to an additional 24 credits in specialization-specific courses, and likewise with the FNP coursework. Finally, both these NP programs in Maine end with a capstone where you apply the newly acquired specialized knowledge to solve a healthcare issue within your chosen population focus.

Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner

This post-master’s certificate not only expands on your MSN but also makes you more marketable, especially if you are already a certified NP and are adding a second specialization. To start with, all you need is an MSN and an active RN license to be considered for this program. Once accepted, you will require completing 30 credits in either adult-gerontology-specific courses or primary care, depending on the track you choose. Additionally, to graduate you must complete at least 600 hours of clinical practice, which can be done in your community.


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the Total Number of Accredited NP Programs in Maine?

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners reports that currently there are Eight accredited nurse practitioner programs in Maine.




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