2 answers
2
Questions
Asked
651 views
what steps do i have to take to be a nurse practitioner
i want to be a nurse practitioner ora dental surgeon #doctor #medicine
Login to comment
2 answers
Updated
Al’s Answer
There are many pathways to becoming nurse practitioner (NP) and nursing as a career offers a large variety of career pathways. Here are some basic steps and considerations.
1) HIGH SCHOOL: Assuming your still in high school, you'll want to focus on your science classes such as biology and chemistry. These need to be your strong classes. You'll also want to keep your overall GPA as high as possible. Nursing schools generally have a minimum GPA for admittance.
2) NURSING DEGREE: Get your nursing degree at an approved 2 or 4 year state approved school. This can be online if your prefer. If you attend a 2 year institution , you'll eventually need to get your Bachelor in Science in Nursing (BSN) by completing the other 2 years at a 4 year institution. It really depends on your situation. I don't recommend attending a diploma program since your going to need an upper level degree to become an Nurse Practitioner.
3) RN LICENSING EXAM: Take your RN licensing exam (NCLEX-RN). Here's a link for FAQ's about the NCLEX-RN
https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex-faqs.htm
4) MASTER'S OR DOCTORAL PROGRAM: Okay, you've completed some major accomplishments to this point and you should be proud, but keep driving forward. Now that your officially and RN with your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you'll need to complete an NP-focused graduate master's or doctoral nursing program. Again, if your not a classroom type person there are plenty of quality online programs.
5) NP BOARD CERTIFICATION EXAM: Now that you have completed your NP-focused degree, it's time to take/pass a nationally recognized board certification exam. In order to practice in the state of your choice you should be familiar with their specific requirements. For example, California doesn't require you take and pass the exam, however, they have other requirements to practice in the state. Below a list of helpful links. The first two links allow you to get state specific requirements. GOOD LUCK!
https://www.nursinglicensure.org/articles/rn-licensing/
(Nursinglicensure.org - scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link for your state to see specific RN requirements)
Nursinglicensure.org https://www.nursinglicensure.org/articles/nurse-practitioner-license/
(Nursinglicensure.org - scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link for your state to see specific NP requirements)
https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex-faqs.htm
(Frequently ask questions regarding the NCLEX-RN exam)
https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/explore-the-variety-of-career-paths-for-nurse-practitioners
American Association of Nurse Practitioners website article "The Path to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP)"
1) HIGH SCHOOL: Assuming your still in high school, you'll want to focus on your science classes such as biology and chemistry. These need to be your strong classes. You'll also want to keep your overall GPA as high as possible. Nursing schools generally have a minimum GPA for admittance.
2) NURSING DEGREE: Get your nursing degree at an approved 2 or 4 year state approved school. This can be online if your prefer. If you attend a 2 year institution , you'll eventually need to get your Bachelor in Science in Nursing (BSN) by completing the other 2 years at a 4 year institution. It really depends on your situation. I don't recommend attending a diploma program since your going to need an upper level degree to become an Nurse Practitioner.
3) RN LICENSING EXAM: Take your RN licensing exam (NCLEX-RN). Here's a link for FAQ's about the NCLEX-RN
https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex-faqs.htm
4) MASTER'S OR DOCTORAL PROGRAM: Okay, you've completed some major accomplishments to this point and you should be proud, but keep driving forward. Now that your officially and RN with your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you'll need to complete an NP-focused graduate master's or doctoral nursing program. Again, if your not a classroom type person there are plenty of quality online programs.
5) NP BOARD CERTIFICATION EXAM: Now that you have completed your NP-focused degree, it's time to take/pass a nationally recognized board certification exam. In order to practice in the state of your choice you should be familiar with their specific requirements. For example, California doesn't require you take and pass the exam, however, they have other requirements to practice in the state. Below a list of helpful links. The first two links allow you to get state specific requirements. GOOD LUCK!
https://www.nursinglicensure.org/articles/rn-licensing/
(Nursinglicensure.org - scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link for your state to see specific RN requirements)
Nursinglicensure.org https://www.nursinglicensure.org/articles/nurse-practitioner-license/
(Nursinglicensure.org - scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link for your state to see specific NP requirements)
https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex-faqs.htm
(Frequently ask questions regarding the NCLEX-RN exam)
https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/explore-the-variety-of-career-paths-for-nurse-practitioners
American Association of Nurse Practitioners website article "The Path to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP)"
Updated
Joshua’s Answer
These are both great, but fairly different paths.
Nurse practitioner: Variety of settings, often primary care. Very flexible, on the job training variability. Schooling(generalized) 4yr BSN+2yrs RN experience+2yr MSN or 3yr DNP
Can certify in anesthesia, family, pediatrics, adult, neonatal, psych, or women's health.
On the other field:
Dentistry is great and oral surgery(OMFS) is a great subspecialty of dentistry. They are experts in major surgery of the jaw, teeth, and face. They can specialize in a few specific fields of major jaw surgery, facial plastic surgery, surgical oncology, and pediatrics. Training involves: 4yr BS/BA + 4yr DMD/DDS(dental school) +4yr residency or 6yr combined MD and residency. This is a very unique specialty in that many oral surgeons have gone through both dental and medical school as part of their training.
Nurse practitioner: Variety of settings, often primary care. Very flexible, on the job training variability. Schooling(generalized) 4yr BSN+2yrs RN experience+2yr MSN or 3yr DNP
Can certify in anesthesia, family, pediatrics, adult, neonatal, psych, or women's health.
On the other field:
Dentistry is great and oral surgery(OMFS) is a great subspecialty of dentistry. They are experts in major surgery of the jaw, teeth, and face. They can specialize in a few specific fields of major jaw surgery, facial plastic surgery, surgical oncology, and pediatrics. Training involves: 4yr BS/BA + 4yr DMD/DDS(dental school) +4yr residency or 6yr combined MD and residency. This is a very unique specialty in that many oral surgeons have gone through both dental and medical school as part of their training.