Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) is a rewarding path for those who want to take their nursing careers to the next level. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who combine clinical expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach to healthcare. They are licensed to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and develop treatment plans, often working independently or alongside physicians. If you’re wondering how to become a nurse practitioner, the journey involves earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing, becoming a registered nurse (RN), completing a graduate nursing program, and passing a national certification exam. Whether you’re just starting out in nursing or looking to advance your career, understanding the steps involved is essential. This guide will walk you through the education, training, specialization options, and career opportunities available, including programs at Russell Sage College that can help you reach your goals.
Educational Requirements to Become a Nurse Practitioner
The educational path to become a nurse practitioner is more complex than many other medical-focused careers. Specifically, rather than gaining a single credential, nurse practitioners must earn both a bachelor’s and graduate degree in nursing as well as obtain a registered nursing (RN) license. They must also pass a nurse practitioner licensure exam.
Russell Sage College follows a structured outline of educational pathways for becoming a nurse practitioner by offering two distinct degree options: the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). In both cases, students must have already obtained their bachelor’s degrees as well as RN licensing.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a nurse practitioner is not as simple as getting a single degree. It is a multi-step process that begins with becoming a nurse and then building on that knowledge by completing additional education, leadership, and training.
Prerequisites to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
The first step to becoming a nurse practitioner is to begin your nursing education and obtain your RN license. There are several pathways to become an RN, including clinical diploma options as well as formal educational programs at the associate and bachelor’s in nursing levels. An accelerated B.S. in nursing is a great first step for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, who aspire to become a registered nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner.
The next step is to complete a graduate course of study by earning either a master’s or doctoral degree, in addition to your RN credential.
Finally, most graduate schools will require you to meet certain prerequisites to apply to become a nurse practitioner. This may include achieving a certain GPA, taking specific courses, or working for a specific number of hours as an RN. You will also need to compose a personal statement, put together a resume, and gather professional and academic references.
Completing a Nurse Practitioner Program
Once you are accepted into a degree program, the path to becoming a nurse practitioner is more direct. You will need to take a series of courses related to the focus or track you want to take as a nurse practitioner, such as family medicine, psychiatry and mental health, or adult-gerontological medicine. You will also need to complete a certain number of clinical or lab hours for the degree. Once you have completed all clinical and classroom requirements, you can sit for your national nurse practitioner certification board exam to complete the licensure process.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?
Depending on the pathway you choose and your current background in nursing and education, the path to becoming a nurse practitioner can take anywhere from one year to eight years from start to finish. RNs who do not have a bachelor’s degree, for example, will be on the longer side of this scale, with students needing to complete both their undergraduate and graduate coursework as well as meet clinical requirements before becoming eligible for an NP license.
Another factor affecting the time it takes to finish your NP degree is whether you intend to earn a master’s or doctorate in nursing, as both paths will lead to NP licensure. The doctoral program is generally about 72 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree, while the master’s program can consist of as few as 42 credits to complete.
Specializations for Nurse Practitioners
Unlike the basic registered nursing license, one of the most unique aspects of being a nurse practitioner is the ability to specialize in different types of nursing practice. Each of the following available specialties for nurse practitioners are paired with a unique course of study and specialized licensure requirements:
- Family Nurse Practitioner: According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) make up the majority, about 70%, of the field. FNPs work to deliver a variety of services to patients, including care for acute and chronic illnesses and injuries. They work in both private practice and hospital settings and often actively promote healthy living and disease prevention.
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: Nurse practitioners working in adult-gerontology may operate in a primary or acute care setting. Because they focus on working with older adults, however, much of their practice revolves around managing chronic conditions and helping promote healthy living and quality of life for aging patients.
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners work directly with patients who have mental health or substance abuse disorders. Working in both in-patient and out-patient situations, these NPs combine medications with other types of therapy to help diagnose and treat moderate-to-severe cases of mental illnesses among their patients.
Career Outlook and Salary for Nurse Practitioners
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career outlook for nurse practitioners is among the fastest growing in the nation, with a projected increase of about 40% through 2033. While pay depends on factors such as specialty and location (in-patient vs. out-patient care, for example), the median annual wage of a nurse practitioner in 2023 was $126,260.
FAQs
Q: How is a nurse practitioner different from a registered nurse (RN)?
A: Nurse practitioners can do more than RNs. Specifically, nurse practitioners have more autonomy in their patient care and the ability to engage in a broader practice. Their additional privileges include the ability to independently diagnose patients, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently without the assistance or direct oversight of a physician.
Q: What are the benefits of becoming a nurse practitioner?
A: Becoming a nurse practitioner offers many benefits, including a diverse and growing job market that allows for specialization. Compared to RNs, nurse practitioners typically make more money and enjoy more autonomy in practice with the ability to diagnose and treat patients on their own, rather than needing the oversight of a physician.
Q: Can I earn my nurse practitioner degree online at Russell Sage College?
A: Yes. Russell Sage offers two nurse practitioner degree options, the Master of Science in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Both degree options offer entirely online coursework. Students will, however, need to complete their clinical labs and practicum onsite at an authorized healthcare facility.
Q: Do I need work experience before applying to an NP program?
A: Yes. One of the prerequisites for admission to a nurse practitioner program is having a valid and unencumbered registered nursing license. Specifically, certain programs, including the Sage DNP program, require a certain number of hours of verified clinical experience as part of the graduate application. In the case of the Sage DNP program, you must have at least 2,000 hours of experience as an RN.
Q: What certification exams do I need to pass to become an NP?
A: Nurse practitioners are certified through one of two national credentialing centers, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP). Which of these exams a student needs to take depends on their intended career path and specialty. While the AANP is focused on the core of clinical practice, including assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation, the ANCC is broader, covering topics relevant to research, theory, and ethics in addition to clinical practice.
Learn More About the Russell Sage Nursing Program
Russell Sage offers a traditional B.S. in nursing for individuals without a bachelor’s degree, an accelerated B.S. in nursing for aspiring nurses with a bachelor’s in another field, and a nursing master’s degree and doctorate for aspiring nurse practitioners.
If you are ready to take the next step in your nursing career, speak with a Sage admissions counselor or apply today.