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What are the steps to become a nurse practitioner?
#nursing #nurse-practitioner #medicine #healthcare
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Tonya’s Answer
Congratulations on your interest in becoming a nurse practitioner (NP). You have selected an exciting career with endless possibilities. The NP role is one type of Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) role.
Ok, first you will need to go to nursing school. The sentence sounds simple, however, there are different degree paths towards your goal.
There are nursing programs that are designed from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)/Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing and the nurse practitioner program is included within this path. Or you can go to a BSN to MSN program, where the nurse practitioner program is included. Once you graduate you could attend the same school or a different school for your doctorate. The other option is achieving your Associate of Science (ASN) and then continuing for your BSN, MSN, and doctorate. I see this path along nurses’ careers if someone is unsure of their longer term goals, financial needs for a shorter program to start and then work and pursue more degrees, or did not realize one does not have to achieve ASN before a BSN.
The doctorate is the recommended degree for NPs just as the BSN is the recommended degree for RNs. There is also an option for a DNP or PhD in nursing.
You also have the option to select from a variety of specialties as a NP and even develop a new specialty as the needs of healthcare can change.
I have included the AACN (2021) and ACEN (2021) website so you can search for accredited nursing schools. U.S. News and World Report (2021) on colleges also provides ranking of nursing schools. Then the Nurse Practitioners (2021) website is a fun site to learn about what NPs are doing around the world, their education, and future of NPs in healthcare.
Once again, congratulations. The program is exciting and challenging. Remember, that is fine. As nurses we are responsible for the health and welfare of others. We need to study and have knowledge, integrity, and commitment due to the impact we have on others as nursing is the most trusted profession.
As a nurse who has worked as an Advance Practice Registered Nurse as a midwife, it is one of the roles I honor due to the privilege of caring for patients at various stages of their lives and healthcare situations.
References:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (2021). Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs
http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). CCNE Accredited Programs. https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/CCNE-Accredited-Programs
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Home. https://www.aanp.org/
U.S. News and World Report (2021) Find the best nursing schools. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools?int=top_nav_Nursing
Ok, first you will need to go to nursing school. The sentence sounds simple, however, there are different degree paths towards your goal.
There are nursing programs that are designed from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)/Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing and the nurse practitioner program is included within this path. Or you can go to a BSN to MSN program, where the nurse practitioner program is included. Once you graduate you could attend the same school or a different school for your doctorate. The other option is achieving your Associate of Science (ASN) and then continuing for your BSN, MSN, and doctorate. I see this path along nurses’ careers if someone is unsure of their longer term goals, financial needs for a shorter program to start and then work and pursue more degrees, or did not realize one does not have to achieve ASN before a BSN.
The doctorate is the recommended degree for NPs just as the BSN is the recommended degree for RNs. There is also an option for a DNP or PhD in nursing.
You also have the option to select from a variety of specialties as a NP and even develop a new specialty as the needs of healthcare can change.
I have included the AACN (2021) and ACEN (2021) website so you can search for accredited nursing schools. U.S. News and World Report (2021) on colleges also provides ranking of nursing schools. Then the Nurse Practitioners (2021) website is a fun site to learn about what NPs are doing around the world, their education, and future of NPs in healthcare.
Once again, congratulations. The program is exciting and challenging. Remember, that is fine. As nurses we are responsible for the health and welfare of others. We need to study and have knowledge, integrity, and commitment due to the impact we have on others as nursing is the most trusted profession.
As a nurse who has worked as an Advance Practice Registered Nurse as a midwife, it is one of the roles I honor due to the privilege of caring for patients at various stages of their lives and healthcare situations.
References:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (2021). Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs
http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). CCNE Accredited Programs. https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/CCNE-Accredited-Programs
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Home. https://www.aanp.org/
U.S. News and World Report (2021) Find the best nursing schools. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools?int=top_nav_Nursing
Updated
Ebere’s Answer
Hello,
To become a Nurse Practitioner, you have to become a Registered Nurse first. You would have to go to Nursing School for about 4 years . After graduation, you will have to take the Nursing Board exam,pass it and practice in which ever area you are interested.
There are different NP specialties, you'll have to find one that interest you and then apply to the University of your choice. The program typically runs for 2 years, after graduating, you'll be required to take the board exam and pass . I hope this information was helpful.
To become a Nurse Practitioner, you have to become a Registered Nurse first. You would have to go to Nursing School for about 4 years . After graduation, you will have to take the Nursing Board exam,pass it and practice in which ever area you are interested.
There are different NP specialties, you'll have to find one that interest you and then apply to the University of your choice. The program typically runs for 2 years, after graduating, you'll be required to take the board exam and pass . I hope this information was helpful.