Nurse practitioners are advanced nurses who are able to do tasks that registered nurses cannot.
To become a nurse practitioner, you'll need to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree. You'll also need to obtain licenses and work experience.
We've broken down everything you need to know about becoming a nurse practitioner below.
What Is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner, or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), is a nurse with advanced education that is allowed to perform duties beyond what a standard registered nurse can perform.
Their job duties may include:
- assessing patients and performing exams
- developing patient care plans
- diagnosing health problems
- ordering and performing diagnostic testing and analyzing test results
- prescribing medication or other treatments
- referring patients to specialists
- taking and recording patient medical histories
The full scope of a nurse practitioner's duties can vary between states. For example, not all states allow nurse practitioners to prescribe medication.
Nurse practitioners typically specialize in one area of medicine. Common areas of specialty for nurse practitioners include:
- adult/gerontology acute or primary care
- emergency medicine
- family primary care
- neonatology
- pediatric primary or acute care
- women's health
Primary care means that you're the patient's default medical provider. They go to you for checkups, medication renewals, etc. Acute care is typically for specific problems, like an emergency.
Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements
Nurse practitioners must go through several years of education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Undergraduate Nursing Program
Before you can become an advanced practice registered nurse, you need to first obtain your registered nurse (RN) license.
You can take the RN exam after earning either a two-year Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
However, most graduate-level nursing practice degrees will require you to hold a BSN.
Some students choose to earn an associate degree in nursing, obtain their RN license, then go back to finish their bachelor's degree through an RN to BSN program.
This allows them to start working as an RN sooner and gain valuable experience. It may also save money since associate degree credits are usually less expensive, and some programs can be accelerated.
You can find accredited nursing programs through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Graduate Nursing Programs
After you've obtained your bachelor's degree in nursing and your registered nurse license, you can continue your studies with a nurse practitioner program.
You can become a nurse practitioner by earning either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
MSN programs usually take about two years to complete. DNP programs can take between two and five years, depending on the program.
As with undergraduate programs, you can find accredited graduate nursing programs through the ACEN and the CCNE.
Is It Better for Nurse Practitioners to Have a Master's or a Doctorate?
First, you may not be able to avoid earning a master's degree. Some DNP programs require you hold a master's degree in order to apply to the program.
Some schools offer BSN to DNP bridge programs, in which you'll earn a master's as well as a doctorate. These can be slightly longer, an additional one to two extra years.
The two programs also tend to have slightly different focuses. MSN programs focus specifically on nursing care, theory, and your specialization.
DNP programs also focus on these things but also focus on things like leadership skills and research skills.
It also depends on the state you want to work in. Some states require nurse practitioners to hold Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees.
Additionally, more and more states are requiring nurse practitioners to hold DNPs. In the future, this could be standard across all states.
Some DNP programs will reduce the credit load required for those who already hold MSN degrees. Students may choose to earn their MSN first, then return for their DNP.
Other Requirements to Become a Nurse Practitioner
While education is a major part of the road to becoming a nurse practitioner, it isn't the only part. Nurse practitioners must also earn their licenses and gain experience.
Registered Nurse License
Before beginning a nursing practice program, you'll first need to obtain your RN license. While license requirements vary by state, there are generally two key requirements.
First, you must earn a nursing degree, as we explained above. You must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
The NCLEX-RN is a standardized test developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It tests your knowledge and skills on a variety of nursing topics.
Nurse Practitioner License
Like with RN licenses, the requirements for nurse practitioner licenses can vary by state. Most require a valid RN license and a degree from an accredited nursing practice program.
Most states also require that you earn certification from a national nurse organization. These may include:
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Midwifery Certification Board
- National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists
- National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
The specific approved boards may vary by state, so check your state's nursing board for nurse practitioner requirements.
Experience Requirements for Nurse Practitioners
Some nurse practitioner graduate programs may require you to have worked as a registered nurse for a certain period of time before beginning the program.
This is usually one to two years and may require you to have worked that time within a specific department.
Some states may also require a certain amount of experience as a registered nurse before granting your APRN license.
Become a Nurse Practitioner
To become a nurse practitioner, you'll need several years of higher education as well as the appropriate licenses and experience.
Using the information above, you can be on your way to a career as a nurse practitioner today.
