Online NP Schools in Washington
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“The nurse practitioner profession is tremendously rewarding and impactful as we strive to advance the health of individuals, families, and communities!”
Jennifer Sonney, PhD, Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs, University of Washington School of Nursing
Pursuing a nurse practitioner (NP) degree online in Washington offers a convenient and accessible pathway for individuals seeking to advance their careers in healthcare. Washington is home to a variety of NP programs that provide the flexibility needed for working professionals or those with personal commitments, with only one being offered entirely online. These programs combine rigorous coursework with clinical experiences, ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet the demands of the field.
A unique aspect of being an NP in Washington is the state’s full practice authority, which allows NPs to diagnose and treat patients independently without physician oversight. This autonomy makes Washington an attractive state for nurse practitioners and highlights their essential role in addressing healthcare needs, especially in underserved areas.
The demand for nurse practitioners in Washington is rapidly growing. According to data from 2022, there were 4,150 nurse practitioners actively working in the state. This number is projected to rise significantly to 6,020 by 2032, marking a 45 percent increase in just ten years, as estimated by CareerOneStop.org (2025). This surge reflects the rising reliance on advanced practice nurses to fill critical healthcare gaps and adapt to changing patient demographics. With such promising career prospects and the ability to impact patient care, online NP programs in Washington are an excellent choice for aspiring healthcare leaders.
Meet the Expert: Jennifer Sonney, PhD, ARNP, PPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN

Dr. Jennifer Sonney is the Joanne Montgomery Endowed Professor and associate dean for student and academic affairs at the University of Washington School of Nursing. Her nearly two decades of experience as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner have profoundly impacted her career as a clinician, scientist, educator, and advocate.
Dr. Sonney’s research focuses on improving health outcomes for children with chronic conditions, particularly asthma. She is passionate about preparing the next generation of pediatric advanced practice nurses and delights in drawing upon her years of primary care to bring pediatrics alive in the classroom. She has mentored over 100 graduate students, advocated for NPs across many national forums, served as president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners from 2022-2023, and is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in Washington?
Dr. Sonney: Nurse practitioners (NPs) are essential to the health of individuals and communities. They complete extensive education and training to provide high-quality, patient- and family-centered care. Washington is a full practice authority state for nurse practitioners, meaning we enjoy an unrestricted scope of practice. We can independently examine, diagnose, order labs, prescribe medications, and otherwise manage patients and bill for our services.
There are many stellar NP programs within Washington, spanning the full range of APRN roles and population foci. A tremendous benefit to completing an NP program in Washington is that you will be trained at the top of the NP scope of practice.
NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?
Dr. Sonney: My advice is to carefully consider which program and population focus you are most passionate about. NP programs are rigorous and require a significant financial and time investment, so be sure about your career goals and how they align with your chosen program. There is often confusion about distinguishing between acute and primary care practice.
Acute care NPs (e.g., adult-gerontology, neonatal, pediatrics) focus on stabilizing and restoring medically unstable conditions, acute, critical, and complex conditions, or injuries. Primary care NPs (e.g., adult-gerontology, family, pediatrics) provide comprehensive, holistic care focused on health promotion and diagnosis and management of individuals with stable acute and chronic conditions. Psychiatric mental health NPs may span acute or primary care and focus on holistic, trauma-informed treatment of individuals across the lifespan and their families, including individual and group psychotherapy and psychopharmacological management.
Overall, the nurse practitioner profession is tremendously rewarding and impactful as we strive to advance the health of individuals, families, and communities!

Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Washington (Ranked by In-State Tuition)
School | Degrees | Specializations | Programs & Tuition | Programs | Tuition (in-state) |
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Gonzaga University |
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NP Practice Authority in Washington
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Washington?
Nearby States with Affordable Online NP Programs

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.