Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who deliver high-quality care in some of the most fast-paced and demanding healthcare settings. From bustling urban emergency departments to rural trauma centers and urgent care clinics, ENPs play a vital role in diagnosing and treating patients with acute illnesses and injuries.
If you’re a registered nurse or nurse practitioner looking to specialize in emergency care, graduate-level emergency NP programs can provide the advanced clinical training you need. This article explores two key pathways—degree programs and post-master’s certificates—designed to prepare nurses for ENP roles and national certification.
We’ll also highlight what to look for in a quality program, how to align your goals with the right path, and where to go for the most accurate information. Whether you’re starting from a BSN or already certified as an FNP, this guide will help you take the next step toward becoming an Emergency Nurse Practitioner.
What Is an Emergency Nurse Practitioner?
An Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) is a licensed nurse practitioner with advanced clinical training in emergency medicine. ENPs are prepared to diagnose and treat a wide range of urgent and acute conditions across all age groups, often serving as frontline providers in high-pressure healthcare environments.
Common settings where ENPs work include:
- Emergency departments
- Urgent care clinics
- Trauma centers
- Critical access hospitals
Many ENPs begin as Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) and pursue additional specialization in emergency care through graduate-level degree programs or post-master’s certificates. This dual preparation equips them to provide both primary care and acute emergency services.
ENPs may pursue national certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), which offers the Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification. To be eligible, candidates typically need emergency-focused coursework and supervised clinical hours that align with AANPCB standards.
If you’re still exploring different nurse practitioner roles, emergency care is one of many paths. You can compare specialties by reviewing this guide to types of nurse practitioners.
Pathways to Becoming an Emergency NP
There are two primary educational routes to becoming an Emergency Nurse Practitioner: earning a graduate degree with an emergency focus or completing a post-master’s certificate. The right path for you will depend on your current nursing credentials, professional goals, and desired timeline.
1. MSN or DNP with Emergency NP Focus
This option is ideal for registered nurses (RNs) or BSN-prepared nurses who want to become nurse practitioners with a specialization in emergency care.
Programs typically include:
- A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) core curriculum
- Emergency-focused coursework in trauma, urgent care, and emergency procedures
- Clinical hours in emergency departments or similar acute care settings
These programs may lead to either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Completion time ranges from 2 to 4 years, depending on the degree level and whether you enroll full-time or part-time.
2. Post-Master’s Certificate in Emergency NP
This option is designed for currently certified nurse practitioners, typically those already credentialed as FNPs. Some programs also accept Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs).
Post-master’s certificate programs usually include:
- Targeted coursework in emergency medicine
- A required number of clinical hours in emergency settings
- Flexible online formats with in-person clinical placements
These programs generally take 12 to 24 months to complete and allow practicing NPs to build expertise in emergency care without repeating foundational NP training.
Whether you’re starting from a BSN or already a practicing NP, both pathways can lead to certification as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner—provided the program meets accreditation and clinical requirements.
Emergency NP Programs
The programs listed below include both MSN and DNP degrees with a dedicated emergency NP focus, as well as post-master’s graduate certificates in emergency care. This list was assembled based on the relevance of each program’s curriculum to emergency nurse practitioner practice. It includes programs that offer clinical training and coursework aligned with the competencies and demands of emergency care settings.
While this list offers a helpful starting point, the best program for any prospective student depends on individual goals, background, and circumstances. Be sure to explore each program further by visiting official program pages and reaching out to admissions offices for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information.
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (Graduate Certificate)
- 16-credit hybrid program combining online coursework with in-person campus immersions (2–3 times per semester)
- Designed for licensed family nurse practitioners or students in ASU’s DNP-FNP track
- Includes 315 hours of supervised clinical practice
- Core courses cover emergency nursing principles, advanced pathophysiology, and practicum experiences
- Clinical placements are arranged in Maricopa County, AZ; students outside the area must secure approved sites
- Admission requires prior nursing degrees, unencumbered RN and FNP licensure, and submission of transcripts, essays, résumé, and references
- No admission exam required; interview with program faculty is part of the process
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner
- Seven-semester Doctor of Nursing Practice program with full- or part-time options
- Combines family and emergency nurse practitioner training for care across the lifespan
- Requires prior ER, military, or crisis response experience
- Over 700 clinical hours in both primary care and high-acuity emergency settings
- Clinical sites include Grady, Emory hospitals, and other metro Atlanta providers
- Prepares graduates for FNP and ENP certification
- Requires BSN, Georgia RN license, and at least one year of ER nursing experience
- Program is accredited (see Emory’s website for details)
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Family Nurse Practitioner with Emergency Specialty
- The only Chicago-area DNP program offering an Emergency FNP track
- Designed for BSN-prepared nurses; completion typically takes 4–5 years
- Combines online coursework with some on-site sessions at the Health Sciences Campus
- Includes 525 clinical practicum hours in emergency department settings
- Features a dedicated procedures course to build hands-on emergency care skills
- Admission is competitive and requires a nursing degree and RN license
- Program prepares graduates to manage urgent, high-acuity care in emergent settings
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Washington
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- 14-semester credit post-graduate certificate program
- Additional nursing program fee: $1,038, plus standard university fees
- Delivered in a cohort model; students must remain with their cohort for pricing eligibility
- Coursework includes emergency and trauma care across the lifespan, procedures, and clinical immersion
- Program includes 300 clinical hours across three terms (Fall, J-Term, Spring)
- Designed for advanced practice nurses seeking emergency specialization
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Provo, Utah
Multiple ENP Options
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate (ENPC)
- Post-Master’s | 1 Year | Limited-Residency
- For nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) seeking to become ENPs
Family Nurse Practitioner / Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate (FNPC/ENPC)
- Post-Master’s | 20 Months | Limited-Residency
- Dual certification path for FNP and ENP
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Post-Bachelor’s | 20–24 Months | Limited-Residency
- Offers pathways to FNP, PMHNP, and/or ENP certification
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama
Emergency Nurse Practitioner
- Designed for certified family nurse practitioners with a master’s degree in nursing
- Leads to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and eligibility for ENP certification through AANPCB
- Delivered primarily online with asynchronous coursework and periodic synchronous Zoom sessions
- Requires on-campus intensives in Birmingham, Alabama (2–4 days per session)
- Clinical and practicum hours completed in urgent care and emergency settings, often within the student’s community
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, Michigan
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
- Michigan’s first post-FNP ENP certificate program
- Designed for licensed family nurse practitioners seeking emergency specialization
- 15-credit program completed over one calendar year (three consecutive semesters)
- Delivered online with two on-campus, two-day intensives for hands-on skills training
- Emphasizes team-based care, leadership, collaboration, quality, and safety
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the ENP certification exam (AANPCP)
- Approved academic program by the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP)
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, Colorado
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) Graduate Certificate Program
- 16-credit post-master’s certificate program designed for certified or soon-to-be-certified family nurse practitioners
- Delivered primarily online, with required four-day on-campus intensives each fall and spring in Greeley, Colorado
- Admission requires both a BSN and MSN in nursing, FNP board certification (or proof of upcoming exam), and an RN or APRN license
- Clinical hours completed in urgent and emergency care settings
- No GRE required; application submitted through NursingCAS
- Students must maintain CPR, ACLS, and PALS certification, and carry malpractice insurance throughout the program
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
Emergency Nurse Practitioner
- Available as part of MSN, Post-Master’s Certificate, and BSN-to-DNP pathways
- Prepares students for dual certification as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
- Delivered in a hybrid format with online coursework and required on-campus sessions during clinical courses
- Offers full-time and part-time plans; FNP-certified applicants may complete in as little as two semesters
- Clinical placements arranged across the U.S., emphasizing procedures and ultrasound training
- Requires current TNCC, ACLS, and PALS certifications; non-FNPs need two years RN experience, one in an emergency department
- Graduates are eligible for national FNP and ENP certification exams (ANCC, AANPCB)
Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona, California
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
- Two-semester hybrid/online certificate for nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioners
- Designed for FNPs working in or transitioning to urgent care or emergency medicine settings
- Prepares graduates to meet ENP competencies and sit for the national ENP certification exam
- Approved and validated by the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP)
- Combines online coursework with hands-on procedural skills training
- Supports advanced clinical practice and leadership in urgent and emergency care environments
What to Look for in an Emergency NP Program
Choosing the right Emergency Nurse Practitioner program requires careful consideration of several key factors to ensure the education you receive will prepare you for certification and real-world emergency care practice. Not all programs are created equal—look for these essential elements:
Accreditation
Ensure the program is accredited by a recognized nursing education accreditor such as:
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Accreditation confirms that the program meets national standards for academic quality and supports your eligibility for licensure and certification.
Alignment with ENP Certification Standards
If your goal is to earn the Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification from the AANPCB, make sure the program’s curriculum:
- Covers emergency-specific competencies outlined by AANPCB
- Includes required didactic hours in emergency care topics
- Offers clinical training in appropriate acute care environments
Clinical Experience in Emergency Settings
Hands-on experience is critical. Look for programs that offer or assist with clinical placements in:
- Emergency departments
- Trauma units
- Urgent care centers
- Critical access hospitals
Programs should provide enough supervised clinical hours to meet certification requirements and build your confidence in emergency care delivery.
Flexible and Accessible Learning Formats
If you’re balancing work and family responsibilities, consider programs that offer:
- Online or hybrid coursework
- Asynchronous class options for scheduling flexibility
- Local clinical placements coordinated near your home or workplace
These features can make it easier to complete your education without stepping away from your current role.
Experienced Faculty
Faculty with emergency nursing or emergency NP experience bring real-world insight to the classroom. Their guidance can enrich your education and better prepare you for high-acuity settings.
By prioritizing these program features, you’ll be better equipped to choose a path that supports your certification goals and long-term career development in emergency care.
Choosing the Right Program
With multiple emergency nurse practitioner pathways available, selecting the right program depends on your background, career goals, and logistical needs. Taking time to evaluate your options can help ensure you choose a program that supports both certification and professional growth.
Match Your Credentials to the Entry Point
Start by assessing your current level of education and certification:
- If you hold a BSN and are not yet a nurse practitioner, you’ll need a graduate degree program (MSN or DNP) that includes both FNP and emergency specialization.
- If you’re already a certified NP—typically an FNP or occasionally an AGACNP—a post-master’s certificate may be the most efficient route.
Each path builds on different foundations, so it’s important to apply to a program that aligns with your credentials.
Confirm Clinical Hours in Emergency Settings
Not all NP programs include sufficient clinical experience in emergency care. Confirm that the program offers:
- Structured clinical placements in ERs, trauma units, or urgent care
- Enough supervised hours to meet AANPCB certification requirements
This hands-on experience is essential not only for certification, but also for confidence and competence in emergency practice.
Check Program Eligibility for ENP Certification
If your goal is to become a certified Emergency Nurse Practitioner, ensure the program is designed to meet AANPCB standards. Some FNP programs offer optional emergency electives, but not all provide the scope needed for ENP certification.
Ask program advisors:
- Does this program prepare graduates for the AANPCB Emergency NP exam?
- Are clinical sites guaranteed, or must students secure them independently?
Evaluate Program Logistics
Finally, consider how the program fits into your life:
- Time commitment: Full-time vs. part-time study
- Tuition and fees: Total cost and financial aid options
- Format: Fully online, hybrid, or on-campus
- Scheduling: Start dates, term length, and asynchronous options
A program that fits your schedule and financial situation will be easier to complete—especially if you’re working while enrolled.
Taking these factors into account will help you choose a program that’s not only academically sound but also feasible and supportive of your journey into emergency care.
FAQ
Do I need to be a certified FNP to apply to an emergency NP certificate program?
In most cases, yes. Post-master’s certificate programs in emergency care typically require applicants to already hold nurse practitioner certification, most often as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Some programs may also accept Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs), but the FNP credential remains the most common entry point.
Can I earn ENP certification with a general FNP degree?
A general FNP degree alone does not automatically qualify you for Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification through the AANPCB. To be eligible, you must complete additional training—typically through a graduate program or certificate that includes emergency-specific coursework and clinical hours. However, if your FNP program includes sufficient emergency-focused content and clinical experience, it may meet certification standards.
How many clinical hours are required for ENP programs?
The AANPCB requires a minimum of 2,000 hours of emergency care practice for eligibility, which may include a combination of clinical practicum hours completed during an academic program and post-graduate work experience. Be sure to verify with each program how many supervised clinical hours are included and whether additional work experience is needed to meet certification requirements.
What’s the difference between an ENP and an AGACNP?
While both roles serve acutely ill patients, their training and practice settings differ:
- ENPs are often trained as FNPs with additional emergency specialization and work in emergency departments, urgent care clinics, and rural trauma centers.
- AGACNPs (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners) are trained to care for critically ill adults and older adults, often in inpatient hospital units, ICUs, or specialty clinics.
ENPs are uniquely equipped for fast-paced, high-acuity emergency settings across all age groups, while AGACNPs focus more specifically on complex adult populations in acute care environments.
Exploring Your Options
Whether you’re pursuing a full degree or a post-master’s certificate, both pathways can lead to a rewarding career as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner. As you research programs, be sure to:
- Confirm that the curriculum and clinical hours align with AANPCB certification requirements
- Visit program websites for the most current details on cost, format, and admissions
- Reach out to program advisors or directors to clarify clinical placement expectations and timelines
Taking these steps will help you make an informed decision and move confidently toward a specialized role in emergency care.
