Advanced Nurse Practitioner Education
Overview of Advanced Nurse Practitioner Growth
During the 1990s, the number of Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) increased dramatically in response to the growing demand, the national emphasis on primary care, and a decrease in medical residencies in subspecialties.
Expansion of ANP Programs
1990s Growth:
- In 1990, there were 135 master’s degree programs and 40 certificate programs for ANPs.
- Between 1992 and 1994, the number of institutions offering ANP education more than doubled from 78 to 158.
- By 1994, institutions offered multiple tracks, leading to a total of 384 ANP tracks in master’s programs across the United States.
- By 1998, the number of institutions offering ANP education doubled again, resulting in 769 distinct ANP specialty tracks.
Master’s and Post-Master’s Programs:
- Most programs were at the master’s or post-master’s level.
- In 2013, there were 368 institutions offering a master’s degree in ANP.
- Additionally, 92 colleges offered a postbaccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Recent Trends in ANP Education
Since 2015, there has been rapid growth in DNP programs for ANP education nationwide.
Key Developments
- 2020 Data:
- According to the DNP Directory, in 2020 there were 357 DNP programs.
- There were more than 106 new programs in the planning stage.
Nationwide Trends
Clearly, the trend nationwide is toward the DNP as the requirement for ANP practice.