Minnesota Online NP Programs

Dr. Kara S. Koschmann is an associate professor and the assistant dean of graduate clinical nursing at St. Catherine University (St. Kate’s) in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has been a nurse for 18 years and has spent the last ten years teaching and providing leadership to students and faculty at St. Kate’s.

Dr. Koschmann’s passion is supporting nursing students in reaching their educational goals for their own thriving and building up a healthcare workforce to provide high-quality, equitable care for all. 

NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?

Dr. Koschmann: With the demand for more nurse practitioners (NPs) in the workforce, universities are rushing to create sought-after NP programs in flexible, high-enrollment formats. Online programs are one way for universities to diversify and grow their enrollment and address their financial challenges. 

However, there is a difference between a degree and an education, and online nurse practitioner programs that promote fast, easy, affordable pathways for nurses to earn a degree are not always providing high-quality education that prepares nurse practitioners for certification and the rigorous clinical practice environment they will enter. 

One of the key factors to consider when deciding on a nurse practitioner program is the role of faculty in the courses and the program. Thoughtful mentorship and in-class engagement from experienced clinicians and expert educators who provide meaningful feedback and evaluation are musts when selecting a program. Cohort models can also be very helpful for online learning because you will connect with peers at the beginning of the program and build a relationship throughout the plan of study. 

Institutions offering online degrees also have varying levels of academic and social support for online students. Having access to resources such as simulation labs, nursing reference librarians, writing centers, and health and wellness services, including mental health care, is an additional consideration. Not all online nurse practitioner programs offer assistance with clinical placements, which is a barrier to exploring earlier in the decision-making process. 

In Minnesota, affiliations between academic programs and clinical partners are critical for obtaining clinical placements for students. Accreditation and certification pass rates are available for all accredited nursing programs. 

St. Catherine University delivers high-quality, hybrid nurse practitioner programs in five population specialties (adult-gero primary care, family, pediatric primary care, neonatal, and psychiatric-mental health) with only one to three in-person commitments per term. These in-person offerings provide opportunities for students to demonstrate competencies through simulated clinical experiences and hands-on learning.

Dr. Nicole Beckmann is an assistant professor and interim director of the DNP program at St. Catherine University. She currently also serves as the coordinator of the PNP option. 

Dr. Beckmann has nearly 20 years of experience in pediatric nursing and remains active in clinical practice and research through her work with neonates.

NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in Minnesota?

Dr. Beckmann: Online learning is highly desired by nurses looking for flexible learning environments accessible from anywhere. The Covid-19 pandemic forced nurse educators to become increasingly proficient with online teaching and learning strategies. Faculty at St. Catherine University recognized that quality education could be achieved in the online environment, and our students consistently achieved the same outcomes whether they were trained in online or in traditional classroom learning models. 

After the pandemic, students continued to express a desire for online learning. In response, we transitioned our traditional in-person learning to a hybrid model with a blend of both online and in-person experiences each semester. 

It is important to note that not all online programs are equal. Students looking for high-quality online learning should seek programs that offer interactive learning environments where students engage in regular online interactions with faculty and fellow students. The curriculum should incorporate learning strategies that prepare students for the clinical environment through activities such as case studies, discussion, and simulation. 

Furthermore, high-quality online nurse practitioner programs have strong partnerships for diverse clinical experiences, dedicated faculty with extensive clinical experience and supporting credentials, and high certification exam pass rates. These characteristics collectively differentiate rigorous online nurse practitioner programs from other online programs.