How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
HealthcareEditorialNursing EditorialSenior CareDementia Care
NursingNursing Ed.Learn what it takes to become a nurse practitioner. Chart your degree path, apply to schools, and land your first interview to get hired.
When Americans go to healthcare appointments, more and more are being seen by nurse practitioners. These highly trained individuals combine clinical expertise, graduate-level training, and a personal touch to create an amazing patient experience. They prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, meet with patients about health concerns, and provide ongoing care.
Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) takes time, effort, and graduate school. Nurse practitioners need at least a master’s degree to practice, but many hold doctoral degrees to practice at the top of their field in advanced clinical care, research, and teaching.
Keep reading to learn about the steps you’ll need to take to become a licensed nurse practitioner.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Decide if Becoming a Nurse Practitioner is Right for You
Deciding to become a nurse practitioner (NP) is a big step that should not be taken lightly. Even if you feel confident in your role as a registered nurse, it’s important to remember that NPs must balance heavier loads of responsibility.
Because most NPs specialize their knowledge in a particular field or to a specific population, you should also consider whether your current location possesses a health facility that can support you at that level of employment.
Some of the other questions to consider include:
- Am I prepared to take on the added responsibilities and stresses that come with jumping from being an RN to an NP?
- Do jobs exist for the type of nurse practitioner I want to become in the place I plan to live? If not, am I okay with moving for work?
- Do I prefer working with patients for a short or long amount of time? Does inpatient or outpatient care better serve my needs?
- Is there a specific population I enjoy working with more than others (e.g. children, the elderly, women)?
- Do I possess the drive and motivation to complete additional schoolwork while employed, or will I need to take time off?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you may be a great candidate to become a nurse practitioner.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?
Before going too far down the path of considering a nurse practitioner career, most prospective degree seekers want to know what they’re getting themselves into in terms of time commitment. In answering this question, students must consider their long-term career goals and how an advanced degree helps them get closer to them.
When looking at the following timeline, remember that, if you’re already an experienced RN, you can gain the qualifications needed to work as an NP in as few as two years.
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years |
| Experience as a registered nurse (RN) | 2 years |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years |
| Total time to NP | 8 years |
|---|
Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Becoming a registered nurse is the first step in fulfilling your goals of working as a nurse practitioner. Registered nurses work under NPs and doctors, performing a number of duties including:
- Performing bedside skills
- Administering medicines
- Assessing conditions
- Recording medical histories
Several pathways to becoming an RN:
- Earning an associate of science in nursing to begin working quickly.
- Pursuing a full bachelor of science in nursing
- Completing an RN bridge program after working as a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) for a time
Read more about the various ways of becoming a registered nurse.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Though many RNs possessed only an associate degree in years past, increasingly employers desire applicants with a bachelor’s degree as a minimum. Because of this, many students aspiring to work as NPs begin their studies with a BSN before progressing into master’s and/or doctorate programs.
BSN programs teach the fundamentals of the nursing profession and educate you about nuanced topics and specific population care.
Your pathway to a BSN depends on your current level of education and experience. For example:
- If you’re an LPN or LVN, you can complete an LPN-to-BSN bridge degree.
- If you’re already a registered nurse but you only have an associate degree, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program.
- If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can earn a BSN quickly through an accelerated BSN program.
Gain Nursing Experience
Strictly speaking, students looking to become NPs only need nursing experience if the academic program they want to attend requires it. That said, gaining experience as a registered nurse – particularly in clinical settings – can greatly help students feel more confident and knowledgeable when starting an advanced degree.
Poll students currently enrolled in an NP program and you’ll find that it’s quite common for someone to work as an RN for two or more years before applying to NP programs.
Plan Your Graduate Studies
Making the decision to become a nurse practitioner is the first step to achieving your goal. Next, you’ll need to plan out your graduate studies. What does that look like? Start by figuring out the following:
- Which degree type best fits with my existing education?
- How I want to specialize? What focus area appeals to me the most?
- Which mode of learning best suits my place in life?
Learning modes include:
- Campus-based: face-to-face classes at the institution’s physical location
- Online: virtual classes for greater flexibility; often more affordable than campus-based learning
- Hybrid: classes part on campus and part online
Check out these different types of nursing programs for NPs.
- The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN):
MSN programs appeal to two types of NPs-in-training: those entering the field with an unrelated bachelor’s degree and those moving straight from a BSN to an MSN. Students working as RNs who only have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) are not eligible for this path because a bachelor’s degree is required for entry. These programs typically take two years. Review some of today’s best MSN programs online.
- The RN to MSN bridge:
RN to MSN programs appeal to learners who possess an ADN degree and work as RNs but do not qualify for MSN programs. Bridge programs also appeal to RNs who first started out as LPNs and then completed an LPN-to-RN bridge program. RN to MSN bridge programs usually take three years of study. Get details on the RN to MSN bridge online.
- The BSN to DNP:
BSN to DNP programs work best for those students currently working as RNs who know they want to earn the highest degree available. These learners usually want to work in research, academia, or a highly nuanced nursing subfield. In addition to completing credit requirements, these programs usually mandate approximately 1,000 clinical hours and take three to four years to complete. Learn more about campus and online BSN to DNP programs.
Narrow Your Options and Decide
After finding out about the many different paths available to aspiring NPs, prospective degree seekers need to sit down and narrow their options. Finding the best program takes time and research, especially when considering your unique needs and goals.
Factors such as location, available specializations, cost, accreditation, and standing within the nursing industry should all factor into your decision-making process.
Want to make sure you consider all the important options? Check out the checklist below for selecting the right NP program for you.
Is the school regionally accredited?
Learners who enroll in schools lacking regional accreditation may struggle to transfer credits, receive licensure, and/or compete for jobs.
Is the program recognized by a top nursing body?
In addition to institutional accreditation, students should find degrees with programmatic accreditation. Names to look for include the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Does the cost meet your needs?
Costs range considerably based on whether the school operates in a public or private fashion and whether it provides funding. Speak with financial coordinators to learn more before accepting an offer of admission.
Does the length of the program fit your schedule?
Some programs progress at an accelerated pace and require students to attend classes at specific times on certain days. Other programs take longer but allow more schedule flexibility.
Expert Insight
Don’t forget that you’ll need to complete a certain number of clinical training hours along with your course requirements. The shorter your program, the harder it may be to fit in all the required hours needed to graduate. This can result in a tight schedule.
Will your program help you get licensed?
Requirements vary by location, but learners can check with their state’s board of nursing to learn about any academic requirements for receiving licensure.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner without a Nursing Degree
Sometimes plans change, and students who once thought they wanted to pursue one professional path find that it wasn’t the best fit for them. If you completed an undergraduate degree in an unrelated subject but now aspire to work as a nurse practitioner, a path exists for you.
Students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields can apply to direct-entry master’s degrees in nursing (MSN) programs to seek their NP credentials. They will need to complete a number of prerequisites to begin core studies, but it can be done.
Earn Your NP License
As with registered nurses, nurse practitioners must possess licensure in order to practice. Exact requirements for receiving licensure vary by state, so students should check with their state board of nursing to learn more.
Before enrolling in any MSN or DNP program, it’s imperative that prospective degree seekers understand their state’s mandates and pick a school that meets these requirements.
To receive licensure as an NP:
- Possess an active and unencumbered RN license.
- Earn at least a master’s degree in nursing through an NP program.
- Pass a certification examination in your chosen NP specialty; exams are offered through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Center, among others.
- Obtain an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license from the state board of nursing governing where you will practice.
Expert Insight
Your APRN license permits you to practice only in the state you received the license. Your certification permits you to practice only in the specialty associated with your certificate. If you want to practice in a new specialty, you’ll need to return to school for a new certification.
Specialize
As with physicians, nurse practitioners must specialize their knowledge in a particular area of the healthcare field. Some individuals may feel drawn to more broad specializations, while others may find that they want to work with highly specialized populations.
Common NP specializations include:
- Family Health
- Pediatric
- Adult-Gerontology
- Acute Care
- Neonatal
- Psychiatric-Mental Health
Specializing allows nurse practitioners to seek out more nuanced positions within the nursing field and gives them the opportunity to use that knowledge in focused ways. Many specializations exist; a few are highlighted below.
How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric nurse practitioners work with patients across the lifespan to address mental health concerns.
Responsibilities:
- Make psychiatric diagnoses
- Create treatment plans
- Prescribe medications
- Educate patients about mental health issues
- Provide psychotherapy
To become a psychiatric NP, you must hold a master of science in nursing with a specialization in psychiatric health. You must also hold licensure and certification to practice. Learn more about psychiatric nurse practitioner programs and how they work with online learning.
How to Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric nurse practitioners care for patients ranging in age from newly born to 21 years of age. They provide primary care to those in their charge, often working closely with pediatricians to ensure children receive high-quality care as they move into adulthood.
Responsibilities:
- Give immunizations
- Treat common illnesses
- Provide health exams
- Screen for developmental milestones
Those hoping to work as pediatric NPs must possess a master’s of nursing with a specialization in pediatric care. They must also pass licensure and certification requirements. More information can be found on our page dedicated to pediatric nurse practitioner programs online.
How to Become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
While pediatric nurse practitioners work with children across their development, neonatal NPs specifically care for newborn babies. Neonatal care comes in several different forms including:
- General care to healthy newborns
- Lifesaving care to babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)—often requires advanced qualifications
Qualifying for advanced roles requires an MSN degree with a specialization in neonatal nursing, clinical hours in a neonatal unit, and national certification. The National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners provides additional information about qualifications and industry standards.
How to Become a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners focused on dermatological care typically further specialize their services in areas of cosmetic, pediatric, or surgical dermatology.
Roles might include:
- Cosmetic dermatology: focusing on treatments and services perceived to enhance appearance
- Surgical dermatology: removing potentially cancerous cells or skin abnormalities
Those hoping to become dermatology NPs need to possess an MSN degree specialized in dermatological nursing, complete clinical hours, and seek national certification through examination. The National Academy of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners offers more insight about this specialized path.
How to Become a Holistic Nurse Practitioner
As the name implies, holistic nurse practitioners look at their patients as a whole person—mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical—rather than simply addressing the disease or illness in question.
Responsibilities:
- Evaluate patients based on many different factors that affect their entire being
- Look at how to achieve and maintain whole body health in the lives of their patients, rather than simply fixing a problem when it occurs
Applicants to holistic NP roles must possess an MSN with a holistic specialization at minimum alongside clinical hours and national certification. If you’re interested in learning more about this path, check out the American Holistic Nurses Association.
Assess Your Funds. How Much Does It Cost to Become a Nurse Practitioner?
As with other forms of higher education, advanced degrees do not come cheap. Before enrollment, consider these factors affecting NP program costs:
- Master’s and doctoral programs tend to charge higher tuition rates than undergraduate programs, but they also require fewer credits to even out costs.
- Public schools tend to offer the cheapest tuition rates to state residents.
- Some public schools in other states allow online learners to pay in-state rates.
Whether you decide to attend a public or private school, speak to the financial aid office about any institutional and/or departmental scholarships. To get a better idea of typical costs, check out the price for the four programs below:
| 1 | 1. Duke University, Master of Science in Nursing | $1,769/credit |
| 2 | 2. Simmons University, Master of Science in Nursing | $1,410/credit |
| 3 | 3. University of Cincinnati, Doctor of Nursing Practice | $724/credit (resident); $739/credit (non-resident) |
| 4 | 4. The University of Iowa, Doctor of Nursing Practice | $1,215/credit |
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Run the Numbers. Career & Salary Outlook for NPs
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| Alabama | 4,540 | 6,770 | 2,230 | 49.10% | 470 |
| Alaska | 500 | 550 | 50 | 10.00% | 30 |
| Arizona | 6,540 | 11,200 | 4,660 | 71.30% | 860 |
| Arkansas | 3,000 | 4,840 | 1,840 | 61.30% | 360 |
| California | 21,500 | 34,100 | 12,600 | 58.60% | 2,500 |
| Colorado | 3,700 | 5,780 | 2,080 | 56.20% | 420 |
| Connecticut | 3,150 | 4,560 | 1,410 | 44.80% | 310 |
| Delaware | 1,000 | 1,550 | 550 | 55.00% | 110 |
| District of Columbia | 600 | 850 | 250 | 41.70% | 60 |
| Florida | 18,910 | 29,980 | 11,070 | 58.50% | 2,190 |
| Georgia | 7,900 | 12,500 | 4,600 | 58.20% | 910 |
| Idaho | 900 | 1,440 | 540 | 60.00% | 110 |
| Illinois | 8,970 | 12,660 | 3,690 | 41.10% | 850 |
| Indiana | 6,550 | 9,550 | 3,000 | 45.80% | 660 |
| Iowa | 2,400 | 3,670 | 1,270 | 52.90% | 260 |
| Kansas | 3,240 | 4,630 | 1,390 | 42.90% | 310 |
| Kentucky | 4,730 | 6,870 | 2,140 | 45.20% | 470 |
| Louisiana | 4,470 | 6,420 | 1,950 | 43.60% | 440 |
| Maine | 1,330 | 1,800 | 470 | 35.30% | 120 |
| Maryland | 5,240 | 7,450 | 2,210 | 42.20% | 500 |
| Massachusetts | 2,730 | 4,010 | 1,280 | 46.90% | 280 |
| Michigan | 7,370 | 10,410 | 3,040 | 41.20% | 700 |
| Minnesota | 5,570 | 8,010 | 2,440 | 43.80% | 550 |
| Mississippi | 4,110 | 5,860 | 1,750 | 42.60% | 400 |
| Missouri | 7,520 | 10,670 | 3,150 | 41.90% | 720 |
| Montana | 880 | 1,330 | 450 | 51.10% | 90 |
| Nebraska | 1,790 | 2,430 | 640 | 35.80% | 160 |
| Nevada | 1,840 | 2,780 | 940 | 51.10% | 200 |
| New Hampshire | 1,520 | 2,290 | 770 | 50.70% | 160 |
| New Jersey | 6,790 | 10,230 | 3,440 | 50.70% | 720 |
| New Mexico | 1,590 | 2,620 | 1,030 | 64.80% | 200 |
| New York | 16,600 | 20,970 | 4,370 | 26.30% | 440 |
| North Carolina | 8,200 | 12,750 | 4,550 | 55.50% | 920 |
| North Dakota | 580 | 860 | 280 | 48.30% | 60 |
| Ohio | 11,020 | 15,710 | 4,690 | 42.60% | 1,060 |
| Oklahoma | 3,030 | 4,200 | 1,170 | 38.60% | 280 |
| Oregon | 2,240 | 3,420 | 1,180 | 52.70% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,010 | 11,430 | 3,420 | 42.70% | 770 |
| Rhode Island | 1,440 | 2,090 | 650 | 45.10% | 140 |
| South Carolina | 4,120 | 6,620 | 2,500 | 60.70% | 490 |
| South Dakota | 820 | 1,280 | 460 | 56.10% | 90 |
| Tennessee | 13,620 | 21,500 | 7,880 | 57.90% | 1,570 |
| Texas | 19,060 | 30,490 | 11,430 | 60.00% | 2,240 |
| Utah | 3,680 | 5,900 | 2,220 | 60.30% | 430 |
| Vermont | 810 | 1,100 | 290 | 35.80% | 70 |
| Virginia | 7,170 | 11,160 | 3,990 | 55.60% | 800 |
| Washington | 4,150 | 6,020 | 1,870 | 45.10% | 600 |
| West Virginia | 1,700 | 2,590 | 890 | 52.40% | 180 |
| Wisconsin | 4,950 | 7,480 | 2,530 | 51.10% | 530 |
| Wyoming | 480 | 710 | 230 | 47.90% | 50 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $97,960 | $129,210 | $169,950 |
| Alabama | $85,410 | $106,930 | $132,860 |
| Alaska | $76,470 | $145,450 | $199,990 |
| Arizona | $84,740 | $133,790 | $172,610 |
| Arkansas | $95,160 | $113,660 | $141,760 |
| California | $124,330 | $166,610 | $234,800 |
| Connecticut | $105,980 | $138,960 | $169,850 |
| Delaware | $103,280 | $127,810 | $165,890 |
| District of Columbia | $101,020 | $131,380 | $171,220 |
| Florida | $100,540 | $129,010 | $155,490 |
| Georgia | $99,920 | $126,060 | $163,970 |
| Hawaii | $101,430 | $130,940 | $166,160 |
| Idaho | $103,220 | $128,940 | $166,400 |
| Illinois | $102,280 | $128,620 | $158,680 |
| Indiana | $101,470 | $128,280 | $161,150 |
| Iowa | $102,150 | $129,420 | $167,110 |
| Kansas | $96,290 | $124,690 | $161,010 |
| Kentucky | $89,760 | $113,870 | $149,350 |
| Louisiana | $95,960 | $125,980 | $156,030 |
| Maine | $101,060 | $125,040 | $160,260 |
| Maryland | $92,860 | $125,530 | $167,260 |
| Massachusetts | $102,400 | $138,890 | $205,230 |
| Michigan | $101,200 | $125,620 | $149,330 |
| Minnesota | $96,720 | $128,570 | $163,660 |
| Mississippi | $92,720 | $119,290 | $162,290 |
| Missouri | $94,500 | $126,370 | $151,010 |
| Montana | $103,340 | $133,640 | $163,160 |
| Nebraska | $100,810 | $127,930 | $161,800 |
| Nevada | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $106,160 | $132,440 | $160,750 |
| New Jersey | $65,130 | $149,620 | $173,320 |
| New Mexico | $80,890 | $138,440 | $187,840 |
| New York | $106,640 | $145,390 | $194,470 |
| North Carolina | $100,120 | $125,020 | $158,440 |
| North Dakota | $92,650 | $123,220 | $158,890 |
| Ohio | $98,380 | $126,740 | $154,280 |
| Oklahoma | $78,090 | $126,670 | $165,280 |
| Oregon | $103,570 | $144,600 | $186,380 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,370 | $127,400 | $159,920 |
| Rhode Island | $111,590 | $130,710 | $176,010 |
| South Carolina | $62,220 | $116,240 | $145,560 |
| South Dakota | $99,980 | $122,600 | $153,600 |
| Tennessee | $61,530 | $108,420 | $133,120 |
| Texas | $96,140 | $129,880 | $165,530 |
| Utah | $95,570 | $125,700 | $172,850 |
| Vermont | $100,210 | $129,740 | $163,390 |
| Virginia | $85,020 | $124,210 | $155,800 |
| Washington | $107,700 | $140,220 | $177,770 |
| West Virginia | $93,350 | $121,640 | $149,910 |
| Wisconsin | $107,010 | $128,580 | $161,600 |
| Wyoming | $83,390 | $127,750 | $161,340 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
