Vermont Online NP Programs
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“Vermont’s healthcare system needs adaptable, compassionate practitioners who are ready to serve diverse populations.”
Jessica Wood, DNP, Associate Professor and Director of the School of Nursing, Norwich University
In Vermont, where healthcare is often as local and personal as the communities it serves, nurse practitioners (NPs) have long played a trusted and visible role. With a focus on relationship-driven care, NPs here are not only primary providers in clinics and rural practices—they’re also neighbors, advocates, and essential health partners. The state’s supportive regulatory environment allows NPs to practice independently, making it one of the most progressive places in the country for advanced nursing professionals.
According to ProjectionsCentral.org, Vermont had around 810 nurse practitioners in 2022, and that number is expected to grow to 1,100 by 2032. This thirty-six percent increase speaks to both growing demand and the central role NPs play in sustaining Vermont’s healthcare system. For RNs ready to deepen their clinical practice while maintaining a strong connection to patients and place, Vermont’s NP programs offer a path that blends autonomy, purpose, and real impact.
Meet the Expert: Jessica Wood, DNP, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB
Dr. Jessica Wood is an associate professor and director of the School of Nursing at Norwich University, where she has been teaching since 2008. A board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner and registered nurse, she draws on over 20 years of experience, including roles in critical care, kidney transplant, emergency nursing, and a clinical focus on labor, delivery, postpartum, newborn care, and women’s health.
She holds a BS from the University of New Hampshire, an MS in health systems leadership, and a DNP from Duke University, along with post-master’s certification as a WHNP. Prior to her academic career, Dr. Wood led care initiatives for a prominent non-profit serving women in northern New England and continues to practice as a WHNP. She has also led international nursing immersion programs in Nicaragua. A native Vermonter, she enjoys biking, skiing, hiking, and paddleboarding with her family.
NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about nurse practitioner programs in Vermont?
Dr. Wood: The public needs to understand that nurse practitioners in Vermont are fully licensed, independent healthcare providers who diagnose, treat, and prescribe without physician oversight.
Yet, despite the high level of education, responsibility, and clinical expertise required to practice as an NP, Vermont does not fairly compensate nurse practitioners for their critical role. The position I sought doesn’t even exist here. This disconnect between what NPs bring to the table and how they are valued financially is a significant barrier to advancing healthcare access. Still, NPs remain essential—especially in rural communities—filling vital gaps in care and serving as a backbone to the state’s health system.
NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring nurse practitioner program students?
Dr. Wood: Be persistent, stay humble, and hold onto your purpose. Becoming an NP is rigorous and demanding—emotionally, academically, and clinically. Vermont’s healthcare system needs adaptable, compassionate practitioners who are ready to serve diverse populations. Find mentors, absorb every opportunity to learn, and center your care on the people and communities who need you most. Also, prepare for winter driving—it’s part of the commitment in our rural state. And be prepared to advocate—not just for your patients, but for your role and fair compensation as a provider.
NPSchools.com: What do you love about being a nurse practitioner?
Dr. Wood: What I love most is the privilege of building meaningful, long-term relationships with patients while providing care grounded in science and compassion. Being an NP allows me to blend clinical expertise with advocacy and autonomy.
While I’m not currently practicing in Vermont due to limitations in role availability and compensation, I deeply respect the profession’s potential to evolve and earn the recognition—and salary—that matches its responsibility and education.
Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Vermont (Ranked by In-State Tuition)
| School | Degrees | Specializations | Programs & Tuition | Programs | Tuition (in-state) |
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| Norwich University |
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NP Practice Authority in Vermont
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Vermont?
| United States | Vermont | |
| Number of NPs Employed | 307,390 | 680 |
| Average Salary | $132,000 | $130,580 |
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $100,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $115,650 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $129,210 | $129,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $139,930 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $163,390 |
| Source: BLS May (2024)—the latest data available as of June 2025 | ||
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Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAmong her many diverse writing endeavors, Kimmy Gustafson has also lent her expertise to NPSchools.com since 2020, providing insightful and engaging content about the significant role of education in shaping our future generations of nurse practitioners. Many of her pieces include interviewing experts on timely topics such as healthcare workplace violence and moral distress.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.