To become a nurse practitioner, individuals complete additional education and training beyond that of a registered nurse. This training allows them to independently perform some medical functions and procedures that would otherwise be under the supervision of a doctor. Nurse practitioners can work in tandem with physicians at a health care facility but also have the option of establishing their own private practice and becoming primary care providers.
What are the Steps to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner?
Becoming a nurse practitioner generally starts with registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse training. The minimum education required to become a registered nurse is an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited school, which generally takes two to three years to complete. Physician assistants who work at a hospital may be able to enroll in a similar training program through their employer that provides an equivalent certification.
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However, candidates planning to become nurse practitioners must obtain a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN). This program generally takes four years to complete. A BSN program covers all the material that an ADN does, but with the addition of a broader range of academic coursework in the physical and social sciences and leadership and management training.
What Qualifications Do You Need to be a Nurse Practitioner?
As nurse practitioners must often work independently and direct patient treatment, a BSN puts candidates at a significant advantage. Nurses also need this degree as a prerequisite to the master’s degree required of a nurse practitioner later.
A BSN program is from a traditional university and incorporates the general requirements of all college degree programs. So, if a candidate already holds a bachelor’s degree in another field, they may be able to take an accelerated BSN program that takes only two years or less.
What Does it Take to be a Nurse Practitioner?
Whatever route they choose, a nurse candidate must complete an education and get a license. Nurse candidates need to complete their education, receive their diploma, and complete their clinical rotations. Once they take and pass the NCLEX, they can apply for a license. This is a standardized national nursing test, but a license to practice is from a state.
There are two variants of the NCLEX. They are the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for licensed practical or vocational nurses. In both cases, the exam is on a computer at a testing center. Questions involve multiple-choice, mathematical problems, and correctly ordering steps in a medical procedure.
Do You Have to be an RN Before you can be a Nurse Practitioner?
Working as a registered nurse is not an absolute requirement for becoming a nurse practitioner. Still, it is the path most take since continuing education from that point will require another two to four years, and a registered nurse can obtain employment at a good salary (the national median is currently well over $60,000 per year) while finishing the remainder of their education and training.
Some advanced degree programs do also require candidates to have spent several years working as a registered nurse, however – be sure to check with programs in the area in which you are considering doing your training.
What Comes After a BSN to be a Nurse Practitioner?
After completing their initial degree, it’s time to start thinking about the next step – obtaining a master’s degree. Candidates with a BSN can enroll in a master’s program but need to take the Graduate Record Exam as part of their application to graduate school.
Licensed vocational or practical nurses and those who took the ADN route may need additional courses before eligibility. Health care facilities sometimes offer bridge programs to help accelerate this process.
MSN-NP
The advanced degree is a master’s of science in nursing (MSN). These programs can take from two to four years to complete. The MSN program is lengthy due to a heavy emphasis on clinical work; much of the course material overlaps with physician training.
Students will also branch out into an area of specialty during this training, such as pediatrics, oncology, acute care, or family practice. A residency program for a year is also an option at the end of this training but is generally not mandatory to obtain the degree or license.
Nurse Practitioner Licensing
As with a registered nurse, licensing is mandatory to become a nurse practitioner after completing formal education. Nurse practitioners do not have a national standardized test, however. The testing requirements vary by state. Candidates for nurse practitioner licensing will have to check with the State Board of Nursing in their state of residence to find out what the test consists of and the exact prerequisites.
How Long Do you Have to Be in School to Be a Nurse Practitioner?
Becoming a nurse practitioner can be grueling as the length of time spent on mandatory education is nearly as long as that of physicians. It requires long-term commitment and a genuine love of the work, another reason why testing the waters in employment as a vocational or registered nurse is a wise idea before committing to long-term education plans.
What is a Nurse Practitioner’s Salary?
The rewards are great for those nurses who can earn a master’s degree. Nurse practitioners currently average a salary of $91,450 per year in the United States and those with specialties that are in high demand average over $100,000 annually. Job prospects for nurses, in general, are also some of the best of any career field, with demand expected to rise up to 26% in the next eight years.
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