How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
Understand the Pathway to this Advanced Practice Role
Aug 20, 2009
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse. While many years ago nurses with a BSN and additional education in a specialty practice area could become NPs, today the NP requires a master’s degree in nursing with focus on the specialty area.
In addition to passing the nursing board exam to become an RN, NPs may also have to pass a certification exam such as those offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners can now order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests and can develop treatment plans and prescribe medication in all 50 states in the U.S. NPs can diagnose and treat a wide variety of acute and chronic illnesses and injuries.
They can practice independently or work in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities. NPs can also work for various health care agencies such as home health care.
Nurse practitioners provide advanced skilled nursing in a holistic, preventative care model and work within a defined area of specialization such as:
- Family practice
- Pediatrics
- Neonatal nursing
- Geriatrics
- Mental health/psychiatric nursing
- Home health
- Oncology
- Women’s health
- Acute care
- Occupational health
Anyone considering a career as a nurse practitioner should take into account the time factor for the education required and look for programs that offer the best options for the required advanced education. For example, becoming an RN through an ADN program first may slow down the process as opposed to going straight into a BSN program.
RN to MSN Programs
However, there are opportunities to bridge from RN to MSN in brick and mortar schools as well as through online programs. But the potential student should understand that these may be very intense programs. For many, a slower, more traditional route might be a better choice. This depends on the individual’s needs.
The nursing shortage has impacted the education process for anyone aspiring to be a nurse. A shortage of nurse educators limits the number of students accepted into nursing programs each year and most nursing programs have long waiting lists. Additionally they may have very strict guidelines for accepting students.
Experience May Be Required
Many nursing schools require potential nurses to have some sort of health care background or experience such as a CNA (certified nursing assistant), a medical assistant, or EMT (emergency medical technician). This has proven to help weed out students who find they don’t like the health care field before getting deep into an education course and drop out.
Weighing all of the options, an ADN program may not always be a longer process if the waiting lists for BSN schools of choice are long and the ADN program has openings. Students however, should make this choice knowing that their ultimate goal is going to require advanced education. Too many students have no idea and are disappointed to find themselves in the “wrong track.”
Accelerated Nursing Programs
For those prospective nurses who have a bachelor’s or even master’s degree in another subject, there are a growing number of accelerated nursing programs throughout the country. Again note that these are intense programs but offer a faster route to becoming RNs with or without the ultimate goal of advanced practice nursing.
For more information about nurse practitioners, see the website for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
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