Become A Family Nurse Practitioner
The Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates to practice independently in a variety of clinical settings. The role of an FNP varies depending on state licensure and practice legislation.
Full scope of practice for FNPs includes all aspects of primary care, including diagnosis and management of common acute and complex chronic conditions.
Registered nurses seeking to become nurse practitioners will enter a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow 52 percent between 2020 and 2030.
Career outcomes for FNPs vary by region and city, but earning a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University means RNs can become nurse practitioners from anywhere in the country, from Seattle to Chicago, Raleigh to Atlanta, and Philadelphia to Minneapolis.
Can I Become A Nurse Practitioner Without Nursing Experience
Nursing experience is required to become a nurse practitioner, but there are MSN options that do not require a BSN or prior nursing experience.Direct-entry MSN programs, sometimes referred to as accelerated nursing programs, are nursing programs for those without prior nursing experience or education. They enable career changers who have a bachelors degree or masters degree in another subject to pursue a career in nursing. These programs typically take around two to four years to complete and include general prerequisite nursing courses.
During an MSN program, youll gain hundreds of hours of clinical experience. Direct-entry MSN programs specifically provide coursework for you to first become a RN and earn licensure and then pursue coursework to help fulfill your career as an advanced practice registered nurse .
Youll likely be required to earn clinical experience post-graduation to earn your certification as a nurse practitioner and subsequently pursue state licensure. Be sure to check with your states nursing licensure requirements before applying to MSN programs.
What Are The Education Requirements
An RN has a few different options when considering an NP career, but the main thing to remember is that either an MSN Nurse Practitioner or a DNP Nurse Practitioner degree will need to be obtained. The following programs are offered specifically with the registered nurse in mind:
ADN to MSN Nurse Practitioner
This program, sometimes referred to as an RN-BSN to MSN, is for the ADN-educated RN who wants to become a nurse practitioner. The advantage of this type of program is that most of them allow the student to receive both a BSN and an MSN degree so that they don’t have to take each program separately. Once the BSN portion of the program has been completed, some schools require students to declare which specialty niche they’d like to enter for the MSN Nurse Practitioner section of the degree. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner are just a few of the specialties available. Depending on whether the student opts for part-time or full-time study, this program can be completed in 2-4 years.
Vanderbilt University offers an ASN/ADN to MSN program where students can choose from the following NP specialties: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Emergency NP, Neonatal NP, Family NP, Pediatric NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, and Womens Health NP.
BSN to MSN Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner
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The University Of Texas At Austin Austin Tx
You can obtain the same level of evidence-based skills and knowledge as someone who begins NP coursework with a bachelors degree in nursing through the fast RN-to-NP programs available by the University of Texas at Austin.
Depending on where you discover your calling, you can develop specific skills in caring for families, newborns, children, or individuals suffering from mental diseases in this environment.
The expedited format for all three NP tracks is available on-campus and is designed for registered nurses who have earned a bachelors degree in another field.
Irrespective of the NP path you pick, the program only begins once a year in the autumn semester of your first year.
The MSN and NP courses will take you approximately 1.5 to 2 years to complete after you have completed the one-year BSN comparable course requirements.
Because you already hold a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing, the program does not award you a BSN.
In addition to nursing science and professional underpinnings, modalities of systematic inquiry and abilities in advanced specialized nursing practice are also included in the programs curriculum.
Alternate Routes To Becoming An Np
There are four additional routes to becoming an NP that are worth noting. The first applies to bachelors program graduates who would like to enter the nursing field without having to repeat bachelors program general education requirements. These are students who have not yet trained for RN licensure and thus qualify for what are often called Accelerated BSN programs. An Accelerated BSN program provides students who have a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field with only the coursework and clinical training necessary to qualify for RN licensure. Once they earn their BSN and RN license, students can then pursue an MSN program for training in an NP specialty.
There are also Direct Entry MSN programs, which are similar to Accelerated BSN programs, but combine BSN and MSN training into one program. Students in these programs typically earn their BSN, become licensed as an RN, and then continue on through their MSN coursework. These programs, which require a non-nursing bachelor degree, often have strict admissions requirements as they are fast paced and academically challenging.
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Pursue National Board Certification In Your Specialty
Board certification is different than state licensure. Itâs a national qualification that is administered by various nursing certification bodies , American Association of Nurse Practitioners , National Certification Corporation , etc.).
- The NCSBN has an that shows which states require national certification in order to practice as an APRN. We also outline specific national certification requirements under each NP specialty page.
- Although certification is not always necessary to practice, you should pursue it. Being certified in your specialty is going to count for a lot when you apply for nursing jobs or internal promotions. In fact, insurance companies and employers may demand it.
When youâre evaluating RN to MSN degrees, look carefully at the program website to discover which national certifications are including in the program training and what the certification pass rate is. Certification bodies donât like to endorse specific graduate programs, but theyâll often provide useful recommendations on âWhat to Look Forâ on their websites âs Choosing a PNP Program).
Ohio State University Columbus Oh
It is possible to quickly scale up to the nurse practitioner position if you already have a bachelors degree in a discipline other than nursing by participating in one of the top expedited RN-to-NP programs.
Nurse practitioner programs at Ohio State University are primarily created for nurses like you who, despite having a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing, have picked nursing as a career and are now eager to advance their education.
This program is based on evidence-based knowledge and results from collaborative efforts involving faculty members, teaching hospitals, and preceptors in the local community.
The college offers aspiring nurse practitioners three digital expedited RN-to-NP options in family health, psychiatric mental health, and newborn care, allowing you to choose a path that best suits your needs and interests.
They are particularly advantageous for nurses who prefer the ease of online lectures over traditional classroom settings, aside from providing a smooth road toward a Nurse Practitioner degree in a short period.
You must first finish the BSN equivalent bridge classes before proceeding to the graduate coursework, regardless of which track you follow.
This is true regardless of which track you choose to follow.
You will be entitled to take the certification exam in your chosen population area after two years of the program, regardless of the path you choose to follow.
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How Long To Get Credentialed
Nurse practitioners can expect about one or two months for credentialing to be completed. It helps to have certain things ready to go to prevent delays. Keeping documents in order such as a diploma, NP license, DEA certification, and specialty certification will help the process. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy of transcripts from school in case they are needed having to contact the school and wait for transcripts to be transferred adds unnecessary time to the credentialing process.
Keeping track of employment history along with contact numbers to previous employers is also beneficial. Some credentialing companies also ask for malpractice insurance carriers. In some cases, references may also be required, so it’s a good idea to keep at least three handy for the credentialing process.
While credentialing can be a lengthy process, the nurse practitioner can help keep it on track by ensuring all the necessary documents are in order.
Top Associates Nursing Programs That Offer Online Classes For 2022
Finding an accredited online ADN may be a little tougher than, for instance, finding an RN-BSN online program. Unlike an RN-BSN program, ADN programs provide the foundation of your education as an RN, so programs may be more limited.
Some online ADN programs also require that you have your LPN license or equivalent work experience as a prerequisite, so youll have to carefully check if you meet all the admission requirements.
It can be helpful to first start by checking if your local community colleges or schools offer an online option for your ADN–that way you can do the bulk of the academic work online, but still stay local for lab and clinical requirements.
The following schools also offer accredited online ADN programs that combine in-person learning with online courses:
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More About Clinical Placement Services
The Wilkes Clinical Placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that is compliant, meets the University and national guidance for clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future practice.
The Placement Team will collaborate with you to help you secure quality placement sites and preceptors. In addition to completing a Placement Intake Form, you will be responsible for completing all of your clinical clearance requirements prior to the start of your first clinical rotation.
The Placement Team will help you identify and potentially secure quality placement sites. This process allows you to focus on the online coursework and the core competencies that will direct your placement experience. As an active participant in the placement process, providing referrals from your community increases your chances of securing quality sites and preceptors.
You will receive a notification from your dedicated Placement Coordinator prior to each clinical start date. Once the placement has been confirmed and communicated, you are encouraged to begin working with your preceptor directly to establish a schedule for the semester.
- Nurse practitioner concentrations available: Psychiatric/Mental Health, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and Family
- $728 per credit hour
Rn To Msn Nurse Practitioner: Admissions
Generally speaking, RN to MSN Nurse Practitioner programs would like applicants to have the following:
- A diploma or associateâs degree in nursing or a bachelorâs degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution.
- A current RN license in the state where you plan to conduct your clinical practicums.
- At least one year of prior RN clinical experienceâprograms may specify that it has to be in your field of concentration . We have seen a few programs that waive the work requirement.
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higherâthis stipulation can vary.
- Three letters of professional reference.
Universities may also ask for a personal essay, a résumé, a pre-admission interview, and/or certain undergraduate course credits .
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Top Bsn To Np Programs
Considerations we used to rank each program below include affordability, length of the programs, accreditation status, program flexibility, and academic quality. Each of the programs on this list is accredited by the CCNE.
John Hopkins offers BSN to NP programs specializing in adult-geriatric, family practice, pediatric, and psychiatric care. Each program results in the student earning a DNP credential. Most programs can be completed remotely with onsite clinical rotations in the student’s location.
- Tuition: $1,738 per credit
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English Language Testing & Toefl Ielts
Prospective students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following:
- The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language.*
- The applicant has received an associate degree/diploma from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English.*
- The applicant has earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed in the Academic Catalog.
- *For more information about English proficiency, including a list of English-speaking nations, please visit our .
Rn Licensure & Certification
Once an individual has completed education and clinical requirements, they must pursue licensure to become a registered nurse.
Though licensure requirements do vary by state, passage of a state-approved training program and the National Council Licensure Examination are almost always needed.
The NCLEX-RN exam covers:
- infection control
- fundamental nursing skills.
RNs can advance their careers by earning certifications in specialty areas. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, offers a variety of certifications and specialties ranging from General Nursing practice to Public Health Nursing and Pediatric Nursing.
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The Steps To Becoming An Np
The process of becoming an NP begins with the initial training required for RNs and culminates with the conferral of an MSN degree in an NP specialization followed by formal licensure. There are a number of potential academic training steps along the way to becoming an NP, as detailed below.
Initial RN training can be completed in as few as two years via an ADN program, or as part of a four-year bachelors program that is accredited to confer a BSN degree. In order to practice as an RN, a nurse must qualify for and pass the NCLEX-RN exam and then apply for and receive an RN license from his or her state board of nursing. Thus, the time it takes to become an RN and thereby complete the first part of the process of becoming an NP ranges from two to four or more years.
For RNs who have not yet earned a bachelors degree, the most common next step toward becoming an NP is to complete a BSN degree. RNs who received their training in ADN programs or in hospital-based nursing diploma programs can complete BSN requirements in RN-to-BSN/ADN-to-BSN programs. While a full BSN program can take four years to complete, a typical RN-to-BSN program gives RNs credit for prior training and undergraduate coursework, thus allowing students in an RN-to-BSN program to graduate in 18 to 24 months of full-time enrollment, or roughly two years of post-ADN schooling.
The numbered list below offers an overview of the steps most commonly taken by nurses who are working toward becoming NPs.
Potential Salary And Jobs
There are a variety of nurse practitioner specialties that open up opportunities in different fields. Careers may include nurse midwives, anesthetists, educators, neonatal, cardiac, pediatric practitioners and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners will increase 45% from 2020 to 2030. You may also view our page on nurse salary to get an idea what a nurse practitioner earns by state.
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Rn To Nurse Practitioner Programs
In our practical guide to RN to Nurse Practitioner Programs, you’ll find tips on choosing a population focus area, finding a high-quality RN to MSN NP program, and evaluating the pros & cons of online degrees. There’s an entire section on How to Become a Nurse Practitioner, with step-by-step advice on licensure & certification, and tons of links to helpful NP resources.
Is A Nurse Practitioner As Good As A Doctor
Research suggests that NPs provide the same quality of care as physicians. However, in some states, nurse practitioners’ scope of practice is reduced or restricted. In reduced practice states, NPs can diagnose and treat patients but can only prescribe medication under a doctor’s supervision. In restricted practice states, NPs require physician oversight to diagnose, prescribe, and treat patients.
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Registered Nurse Vs Nurse Practitioner
Both RNs and NPs are involved in direct patient care, but they have different clinical competencies:
- Registered Nurse: RNs perform basic and intermediate nursing tasks in medical settings. RNs have earned an associate or bachelorâs degree in nursing and gained their RN license from the State Board of Nursing.
- Nurse Practitioner: NPs are part of a group known as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who have gone through advanced training & education so they can specialize in a specific field of nursing. This group also includes Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Anesthetists. APRNs have earned a graduate degree in their area of interest, gained their APRN license from the State Board of Nursing, and tackled national certification.
Serving as an RN is an honor and privilege, but you may find that youâre not being challenged. Becoming an NP in a specialty area will give you greater freedom and much more professional responsibility.