The Steps to Become a Nurse Practitioner
Are you experiencing burnout in your job and looking for a more rewarding career? Does the idea of helping others and being a leader intrigue you? Do you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing but aspire to work in health care? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you should consider becoming a nurse practitioner (NP).
Nurse practitioners are vital members of the health care system and work in a variety of settings with diverse populations. Choosing this career path provides endless opportunities for growth and leadership as well as an attractive salary. Read on to learn about the benefits of working as a nurse practitioner; the positive job outlook; and the steps to become a nurse practitioner without prior nursing experience, including education and career experience.
What Is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners are advanced clinical practitioners who provide care across different ages and populations. They have obtained advanced graduate degrees and extensive training to provide a full range of health care services within different specialties and settings.
The nurse practitioner role builds upon the knowledge of registered nursing and offers more autonomy in caring for patients and populations. Though the scope of practice of nurse practitioners varies by state, they’re trained to order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat both chronic and acute health conditions, and prescribe medications. They play a vital role in the provision of health care, with over 1 billion visits to nurse practitioners each year in the United States.
Nurse practitioners focus their practice on overall health and well-being instead of just treating illness. They may provide medical care focused on health promotion and disease prevention before the patient is even sick.
The Benefits of Working as a Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a nurse practitioner can lead to a satisfying career with various benefits.
Rewarding Career
Nurse practitioners have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on their patients’ lives. Because they prioritize preventive care, they can play a big role in keeping patients healthy, which can be gratifying.
In addition, nurse practitioners can decide the environment in which they want to practice. Choosing the right specialization can potentially improve job satisfaction.
Autonomy
Though many states require physician oversight or collaboration as part of their scope of practice, nurse practitioners still possess more autonomy than registered nurses (RNs). They see patients individually, and they can assess and diagnose as well as prescribe medications.
Leadership Roles
Nurse practitioners can become health care leaders, such as clinical nurse leaders (CNLs). They already possess many qualities essential for leadership positions, including excellent communication skills, critical thinking and the ability to adapt quickly to change.
Variety
Nurse practitioners choose a specialization and work in a variety of settings. Positions depend on scope of practice and patient population, but nurse practitioners may work in settings such as:
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Private clinics
- Surgery centers
- Correctional facilities
- Schools
- Public health departments
- Hospice
- Substance use centers
- Psychiatric facilities
How Much Money Can I Make as a Nurse Practitioner?
The 2024 median annual salary for a nurse practitioner in the United States was $129,210, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This amount can vary depending on factors such as location, education, certifications and years of experience, but salaries for nurse practitioners are most often in the six figures.
Is Now a Good Time to Become a Nurse Practitioner?
Now, more than ever, health care professionals are needed. Of all the nursing occupations, nurse practitioners have the fastest projected rate of employment growth, at 40% between 2024 and 2034, according to the BLS. This equates to 128,400 new nurse practitioner roles throughout the decade.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
The steps to becoming a nurse practitioner include education, certification and job experience.
Start with a Nursing Degree
Nurse practitioners need to be licensed registered nurses, which requires a nursing degree. This can mean pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or pivoting from a degree other than nursing.
Individuals with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing can pursue a direct-entry MSN, also commonly called a Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice (MENP) program, or an accelerated BSN program. Both of these options allow students to earn their nursing degree quickly.
Pass the NCLEX
After earning a nursing degree, the next step is to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). After successfully passing this national board exam, you’ll earn a registered nurse license and can begin your career working as a nurse.
Obtain a Graduate Degree
All nurse practitioners must hold, at a minimum, a master’s degree. Specifically, it must be an MSN or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specialization in an advanced practice area of focus. There are many nurse practitioner programs across the country and a variety of specializations to choose from, including neonatal, primary care and acute care.
Gain Nursing Experience
After obtaining a registered nurse license, you can begin working as a nurse and gaining experience. A significant benefit to nursing is that you can work in many different specialties and practice settings, so you can use this time to figure out what area of nursing you enjoy the most. This experience can help determine which area of health care you may want to practice in as a nurse practitioner.
Earn a Postgraduate Certificate
Once you’ve determined a specialty, you’ll need to obtain a postgraduate certification or degree from a nurse practitioner program. There are many options, including family nurse practitioner (FNP), women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) and psychiatric mental health (PMH). These certificate programs can usually be completed quickly online in combination with clinical rotations at local sites.
Pass the APRN Certification Exam
After you’ve earned the postgraduate certificate, you’re eligible to take the certification exam for your chosen nurse practitioner specialty. Upon achieving a passing score, you’ll be eligible to apply for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in your state.
Why Choose a Direct-Entry MSN Program?
A direct-entry MSN is designed for students who’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, offering them the fastest pathway to becoming a nurse practitioner. It’s an intensive, full-time program that provides an academic foundation in nursing, practical training through clinical rotations and leadership skills through leadership-specific coursework. After completing Elmhurst University’s 20-month program, you’ll be qualified for the Clinical Nurse Leadership certification and the NCLEX-RN exam. After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you can earn a postgraduate certificate that allows you to begin practicing as a nurse practitioner.
MSN Degree Holders Have Many Career Options
Earning an MSN is a foundational step toward many career paths in nursing, even if you don’t want to become a nurse practitioner. It can also prepare you for the following roles:
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Nurse administrator
- Nursing consultant
- Public health nurse
- Research nurse
Beyond these specialties, you can seek out a doctoral program, such as a DNP. DNP-prepared professionals often fill advanced leadership roles in nurse management, organizational leadership, or state and national health policy.
Take a Step Toward a Career in Health Care
If you’re looking for a reputable nursing program that can guide you through the steps to become a nurse practitioner and earn your MSN, Elmhurst offers an online and in-person MENP program for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing.
This program provides a solid first step toward becoming a nurse practitioner, allowing you to earn your MSN and quickly gain nursing experience. Find out more about how Elmhurst can help you pursue the nursing career you want.
