3 answers
Fernanda
Student
West Covina, California
3
Questions
Asked
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what process do you have to go through to become as a nurse practitioner?
#Nursing #Medicine
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3 answers
Melissa Haltom, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
29
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
A very good and complex question!
There is more than one answer as it depends on the type of program you are interested in.
Here is one path to be an RN (registered nurse) which you will need first before attaining a nurse practitioner license (which requires a masters degree):
The minimum education for an RN is an associates degree in nursing (ADN), offered in some community colleges.
Each program will have different prerequisite courses (courses you must take prior to being accepted into the program in this case). Making an A will increase your chances of being accepted into the nursing program.
The ADN RN programs are varying lengths depending on the school. Usually 4 semesters.
After completing the associates degree in nursing you are eligible to take the state board. When you pass, you will be a registered nurse and can work anywhere as an RN.
You can go back to school to get a bachelors (how long it takes depends on the college and how many college credits you can transfer- the information will be on the website), masters (lengths of programs vary, this is what you will need to become a nurse practitioner), and doctorate (varying lengths) if you wish.
This is the cheapest way to do it.
I received my ADN at a community college and started working as an RN in a hospital.
Most hospitals have tuition reimbursement. I was able to work and complete my BSN online, and the cost was totally reimbursed... free.
Then I received my MSN FNP (family nurse practitioner) in which I also received tuition reimbursement from the hospital. Those classes are more expensive so I had some expenses.
Some people graduate from high school and go to a 4 year university and get a BSN and RN (after passing the state board) when they graduate (and then go on to get a masters if nurse practitioner is the goal). This is a lot more expensive. Plus, you aren’t making money until the end ... and then you typically have a LOT of student debt to pay off.
A lot of high school students dwell on the amount of time it takes to get a degree, but in the end it matters very little.
The time will come and go. Ask yourself if you want a degree when you get to the end of that time period, or will you get there and regret never starting.
Anyway- good luck to all of you who are thinking about this wonderful and challenging career. It’s worth it, and if you have a passion for this type of work, your future patients need you to get started!
You are worth the time and energy to achieve your own goals ;)
Melissa
There is more than one answer as it depends on the type of program you are interested in.
Here is one path to be an RN (registered nurse) which you will need first before attaining a nurse practitioner license (which requires a masters degree):
The minimum education for an RN is an associates degree in nursing (ADN), offered in some community colleges.
Each program will have different prerequisite courses (courses you must take prior to being accepted into the program in this case). Making an A will increase your chances of being accepted into the nursing program.
The ADN RN programs are varying lengths depending on the school. Usually 4 semesters.
After completing the associates degree in nursing you are eligible to take the state board. When you pass, you will be a registered nurse and can work anywhere as an RN.
You can go back to school to get a bachelors (how long it takes depends on the college and how many college credits you can transfer- the information will be on the website), masters (lengths of programs vary, this is what you will need to become a nurse practitioner), and doctorate (varying lengths) if you wish.
This is the cheapest way to do it.
I received my ADN at a community college and started working as an RN in a hospital.
Most hospitals have tuition reimbursement. I was able to work and complete my BSN online, and the cost was totally reimbursed... free.
Then I received my MSN FNP (family nurse practitioner) in which I also received tuition reimbursement from the hospital. Those classes are more expensive so I had some expenses.
Some people graduate from high school and go to a 4 year university and get a BSN and RN (after passing the state board) when they graduate (and then go on to get a masters if nurse practitioner is the goal). This is a lot more expensive. Plus, you aren’t making money until the end ... and then you typically have a LOT of student debt to pay off.
A lot of high school students dwell on the amount of time it takes to get a degree, but in the end it matters very little.
The time will come and go. Ask yourself if you want a degree when you get to the end of that time period, or will you get there and regret never starting.
Anyway- good luck to all of you who are thinking about this wonderful and challenging career. It’s worth it, and if you have a passion for this type of work, your future patients need you to get started!
You are worth the time and energy to achieve your own goals ;)
Melissa
Ann Schlensig
Family Nurse Practitioner
28
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Ann’s Answer
As Jennifer and Melissa said, you first need to get a Bachelor’s degree, typically in nursing but some have their Bachelor’s in other areas. You then need a minimum of a Master’s degree in nursing, although more and more are going on the get their DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) or PhD. I have known some that go directly from high school and continue their education and become a Nurse Practitioner, going straight through their schooling. That is great but I strongly recommend getting experience as an RN, preferably in a hospital. It will help you tremendously in your graduate schooling, and as an NP! Good luck!
Jennifer P
14
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi!
First you need to apply to a nursing program which there are many ways to get into it. You can apply straight out of high school and work towards your BSN, or even apply after you get your bachelors degree, if you are interested in something else, and apply for your MSN - Direct Entry MSN program. The Direct Entry MSN program usually takes about 3 years to complete, being a total of 7 years to get your bachelors and MSN, while on the other hand a straight off the bat BSN is only 4 years. After getting your nursing degree, to move onto this role of wanting to be a nurse practitioner, you need to complete a master's degree program that trains nurse practitioners. These typically take about 2-4 years.
First you need to apply to a nursing program which there are many ways to get into it. You can apply straight out of high school and work towards your BSN, or even apply after you get your bachelors degree, if you are interested in something else, and apply for your MSN - Direct Entry MSN program. The Direct Entry MSN program usually takes about 3 years to complete, being a total of 7 years to get your bachelors and MSN, while on the other hand a straight off the bat BSN is only 4 years. After getting your nursing degree, to move onto this role of wanting to be a nurse practitioner, you need to complete a master's degree program that trains nurse practitioners. These typically take about 2-4 years.