How Many Years Does It Take To Become A Nurse Practitioner
NPs typically spend six years earning their undergraduate and graduate degrees and gaining work experience in a clinical setting. Accelerated programs along with RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN bridge programs can shorten the time to an NP career. Conversely, certain specializations and part-time study can extend a candidate’s timeline.
Nurse Practitioner Basics: A Few Things To Know
Usual responsibilities for NPs include:
- Managing the overall care of clients
- Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, including lab work and x-rays
- Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and injuries
- Prescribing medications and other treatments
- Counseling
- Educating clients on disease prevention, health, and lifestyle choices
NPs can work in any healthcare setting. Depending on the area of specialization, NPs might work in hospitals, clinics, physician practices, hospice services, nursing homes, or public health. In some states, NPs can also open their own practices.
Job growth for NPs is outstanding. The need for NPs is expected to increase by 26% through 2028. The outlook for RNs is 12%, which is still significantly better than the average outlook of 7% for all occupations. Salaries for PNs are higher than for RNs, too. Although salaries vary by location, experience, and other factors, the national PN average is $105,546 per year, compared to $71,730 for RNs.
Obtain A Graduate Degree
A Master of Science in Nursing is the minimum requirement to become a nurse practitioner. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners , there are about 400 academic institutions that offer NP programs in the United States. The AANP recommends the following considerations to help you choose one that will fit your specific needs:
- Is training offered in your preferred specialty area?
- Is your preferred method of attendance available?
- What are the entry requirements, and do you qualify?
- What is the programs accreditation and graduate certification rate?
The requirements to apply for an MSN program vary depending upon the individual school. In addition to the required undergraduate education and licensure, the typical requirements for admission to an MSN program include clinical experience, letters of reference, and academic transcripts.
For example, many family nurse practitioner online programs require that candidates meet a base set of requirements, including:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university or college
- Active registered nurses license in good standing
- Minimum amount of work experience as an RN
- Ability to meet the particular FNP programs required clinical and/or on-site practicum
Some candidates also choose to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to advance their foundation of knowledge. Timeframes for programs and educational paths vary, but here are general estimates to help you consider your options:
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Obtain A Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Once you have a year of experience, you can pursue certification as an advanced practice nurse . At Marquette University, we offer a number of certificate options, including:
- Acute care nurse practitioner certificate
- Primary care nurse practitioner certificate
- Adult-older adult clinical nurse specialist certificate
- Nurse-midwife certificate
- Systems leadership and healthcare quality certificate
Typically, certificate programs require about 13 credits of graduate coursework , though this and the time it takes to earn a certificate vary from school to school. In addition, you will need to complete a preceptorship in which you work under the direction of a nurse practitioner in a clinical setting. Typically, students are responsible for lining up their own preceptorships however, some, like , take care of finding preceptors for you.
One What Is A Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners have more authority than Registered Nurses and have similar responsibilities to that of a doctor.
Nurse Practitioners can serve as a primary care or specialty care providers and typically focus their care on a specific population such as families, children, or the elderly. As clinicians, they focus on health promotion and disease prevention in their patients.
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Examination Licensure And Certification Requirements
As with the MSN path for NPs, it is important to gain a quality undergraduate nursing education and clinical experience that will aid in the efficient completion of the DNP degree. Understanding various areas of specialization will help you to choose the program that will best fit your needs, as will knowing the NP examination, licensure, and certification requirements for each state.
Where Do Nps Work
Nurse practitioners are in high demand across America. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that nurse practitioner positions will grow 28% between 2018 and 2028, well above the national average for all occupations of 5%. According to the AANP, in 2019, there were 270,000 NPs nationwide a number thats grown from 171,000 in 2013 and 82,000 in 2001.
Given that NPs specialize in a number of care areas, they can find employment in numerous different settings, including, but not limited to:
- Hospitals and medical clinics
- Primary care private practices
- Community clinics
Overall, the median national salary for NPs in 2018, according to the BLS, was just more than $107,000. However, that figure could increase depending on the work setting, with the highest salaries for NPs available in state, local and private hospitals.
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Seven Which Schools Have The Best Np Programs
There are numerous NP programs throughout the country, so our panel of nurses ranked them based on reputation, certification pass rate, cost, accreditation, and acceptance rates to determine that these are some of the best options out there. Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 NP programs are ranked in no particular order.
How Long Does It Take To Be A Aprn
Nurse Practitioner Education
can take
Similarly, how long does it take to go from RN to NP?
In general, NP programs take around two tothree years to complete. The following education pathways areavailable to become a Nurse Practitioner:ADN-NP.
how many years does it take to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner? The psychiatric and mental health nursepractitioner program can be completed in twoyears of full-time study. An additional year of studywould be required for the DNP degree.
Subsequently, question is, what does it take to be a nurse practitioner?
In order to become a nurse practitioner in any field, theinitial steps are typically the same:
- Graduate from high school.
- Pursue a bachelor of science in nursing or a similardegree .
- Become a registered nurse and garner experience .
- Pursue a graduate degree in nursing .
How long is NP school after BSN?
A bachelor’s degree program takes four years.Accelerated BSN programs range from 12 to 20 months.Second-degree BSN generally takes two years or less.Master’s degree programs generally require twoyears.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Being A Nurse Practitioner
The following are a few frequently asked questions about being a nurse practitioner:
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?
It will take you a minimum of six years to become a nurse practitioner. You need to first obtain a bachelor’s degree and then complete a Master of Science in Nursing degree. A Nurse Practitioner master’s degree program can take between two and four years to complete. You can gain the clinical experience and certifications you need while you are completing your MSN degree program.
What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a registered nurse?
The primary difference between a nurse practitioner and a registered nurse is the level of care they are allowed to provide unsupervised. Nurse practitioners are allowed to provide a higher level of care to patients than registered nurses. Unlike a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner is qualified to perform many of the same health care services a doctor can provide including primary care, diagnosing and treating acute illnesses and prescribing medications.
Can a nurse practitioner do surgery?
While nurse practitioners do not perform complex surgical procedures on their own, they can perform some levels of invasive treatment and may assist surgeons before, during and after surgery. Nurse practitioners are often able to spend more time with patients and their families throughout the surgical process and can, therefore, provide a continuity of care and reassurance during a chaotic time.
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Apply For Nurse Practitioner Certification
Each state requires nurse practitioners to achieve national certification. Specific nurse certification requirements vary by state. Its important to know what makes you eligible for certification as you embark on your education and training. There are many certifications available for nurse practitioners to choose from, such as acute care, pediatric care, cardiology and more.
Once you have earned your nurse practitioner certification, it is likely it will have to be renewed every five years, according to the ANCC Nurse Practitioner Certification renewal requirements. In addition to renewed certification through the ANCC, renewal through the state is also required and may necessitate additional fulfillment of continuing education contact hours. Keep in mind that there are other organizations recognized by state boards for certifications. Be sure to check with your state for more information first.
It may be a goal of yours to pursue further specialization within the field. Once youve earned your degree from an accredited NP program, you can obtain certification in your area of specialty. Each licensing body has its own requirements, but they typically include a graduate degree in nursing, a certain amount of nursing experience and a passing score on a certification examination.
Requirements To Become A Nurse Practitioner
The job of Nurse Practitioner is highly competitive! That is why, there is a very specific set of requirements which one has to meet if one wants to become a Nurse Practitioner in the future. A Nurse Practitioner:
- Must secure a High School Diploma with exceptional marks in biology, chemistry and other science subjects
- Must have a Bachelors of Science in Nursing
- Should pursue the Bachelors of Science in Nursing if one has a diploma or an associate degree in nursing
- Must have the valid Registered Nurse license
- Must have the required work experience of a few years
- Must secure the degree of Master of Science in Nursing
- Could also go for Doctor of Nursing Practice degree for better job options
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How To Become A Traveling Nurse Practitioner
If you’re interested in working as a nurse, there are many career paths you can consider. One of them is as a nurse practitioner, which is a more advanced nursing position compared to the popular role of registered nurse. Working as a nurse practitioner, you may get the opportunity to travel to and work at facilities that have a more immediate need for nurses than those employers in your hometown.
In this article, we describe what a traveling nurse practitioner is and how this role differs from a registered nurse and share the steps to take to become a traveling nurse practitioner.
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S To Nurse Practitioner Licensure
To get a general idea of what it takes to become a nurse practitioner, nurses can consider the following steps that lead to state licensing:
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Get A Multistate Nursing License
There are several states, called compact states, that are part of the nurse licensure compact , meaning they participate in reciprocal licensing. So, you may be able to obtain licensing in your state and automatically have the ability to work in another state that’s part of the NLC. If you don’t live in a compact state, or if you’re trying to earn licensure in a non-compact state, there is usually an additional endorsement process and fee you must pay, as well as an application the state will likely ask you to complete before granting you licensure.
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Earn Your Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
A nursing diploma or associate degree is sufficient to become a registered nurse. But to become a nurse practitioner, youll need to complete a Master of Science in Nursing program. Most MSN programs require a BSN for admission. The baccalaureate degree is designed to equip aspiring nurses with the clinical skills needed for practice. Be sure to select a BSN program that relates to your career goals and fieldwork involving nursing specializations of interest.
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Make A Bold Call For Your Future
Are you ready to become a nurse practitioner without a nursing degree? The first step is a conversation with our admissions counselors, who will help you determine if youre right for USTs ABSN program.
The admissions counselors at ABSN@UST are here to answer any questions you may have about our 12-month second-degree ABSN program. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you start your nursing journey.
Psychiatric And Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
A psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner works with patients of all ages in varied settings, such as inpatient psychiatric facilities, state psychiatric facilities, mental health centers, schools, correctional facilities and home health providers. PMHNP duties include assessment, diagnosis and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders and identifying genetic or individual risk factors. Because of their extensive training and expertise, PMHNPs are certified to prescribe medication and administer psychotherapy.
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Do Nurse Practitioners Get Paid Well
A 2019 AANP report cited the median base salary for a full-time NP at $110,000. Top-earning NPs included those with adult psychiatric/mental health certification who earned $125,000 a year, and emergency room NPs who made $135,000. NPs in California and Hawaii out-earned those in other states, enjoying salaries above $140,000.
How To Become A Nurse Practitioner After Bsn
Students who opt to pursue a BSN rather than an associates degree or a certificate program as their initial step can generally go directly to the later steps in the process outlined above. By moving directly to the BSN without intermediary certification or associates degree programs, nurses can streamline the process and may be able to begin their career as a nurse practitioner more quickly.
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Components Of A Successful Np Career
Nurse Practitioner Skills
Nurse practitioners must have strong active learning and active listening skills to communicate effectively with doctors, medical professionals and patients. They learn critical thinking and decision making skills during their training that they can use to make sound decisions when working with patients. Nurse practitioners also have a strong command of the English language, and develop social perceptiveness skills and reading comprehension skills to perform at their job. Basic job skills include computer skills and experience working with various types of medical tools and technologies.
Nurse Practitioner Credentials
A masters degree and state licensure are basic requirements for serving as a nurse practitioner, but further credentialing is available for those interested in specialization. They include:
Nurse Practitioner Tools and Technology
Nurse practitioners in training are introduced to some of the latest tools and technologies used in medical centers, hospitals, and physicians offices today. Some of the tools used regularly by NPs include pacemaker analyzers, electrocardiography EKG units and medical appliances.
NPs are also trained to use computers and medical software programs, such as GE Healthcare Centricity EMR, eClinicalWorks software, and PCC Pediatric Partner. Most practices and medical centers also require nurses to be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite programs and Microsoft Outlook for email communications.