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how can one get from a RN to a nurse practitioner

Currently a senior in high school looking to get into nursing
#nurse-practitioner #nursing #nurse #registered-nurses #healthcare

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Doc’s Answer

QuynhTien A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse that helps with all aspects of patient care, including diagnosis, treatments and consultations. They may work in both inpatient and outpatient situations and can perform independently or as part of a treatment team. Generally, nurse practitioners perform the important task of educating patients about preventative care and prescribed treatments.

NURSE PRACTITIONER JOB DESCRIPTION
Nurse practitioners are one type of advanced practice registered nurse. They may serve their patients as primary care providers, and day-to-day duties are very similar to those of doctors in their field or specialty. Individuals who are interested in becoming a nurse practitioner must meet extensive education requirements. They must first earn a bachelor's degree and secure licensure as a registered nurse. After gaining some clinical experience as a registered nurse, they must then complete a master's program and pass a state-administered nurse practitioner licensing exam.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• STEP 1.) REGISTERED NURSE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
Although a nursing diploma or associate's degree is a viable option for RNs, a bachelor's degree in nursing is the preferred educational path for an aspiring nurse practitioner. These are typically offered as Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees and some can be completed in as little as 3 years.

• STEP 2.) REGISTERED NURSE LICENSE
After completing RN schooling, students must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), to become a licensed nurse. RNs will also need to meet any additional state requirements for the state in which they work and may choose to earn additional certifications in areas of interest, such as pediatrics.

• STEP 3.) NURSE PRACTITIONERS MASTER"S DEGREE PROGRAM
Nurse practitioners must then go on to earn their master's degree. Again, there is no shortage of available nurse practitioner schools that offer master's degree and/or doctoral degree programs in nursing. Some of these programs may be available with online coursework and could be completed in as little as 2 years, although some may take 8 semesters or more.

• STEP 4.) NURSE PRACTITIONERS LICENSE
APRNs must meet their state's licensing requirements, which usually require nurse practitioners to pass a national certification exam after completing their master's program. Nurse practitioners can pursue certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board in Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, or Emergency Nurse Practitioner.

• SALARY OULOOK – The average Nurse Practitioner salary in the United States is $107,000 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $101,000 and $119,5000. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

QuynhTie Although there are common duties and responsibilities for all nurse practitioners, they generally vary by specialty. Specialties include primary care, pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology and psychiatric care.


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Primary Care Nurse Practitioners are generalists who work in family health clinics or hospitals. They provide general and preventative care, conduct check-ups, treat illnesses, order lab tests and prescribe medication for children and adults.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners work in consultation with doctors in a children's ward. Some deal exclusively with neonates, while others concentrate on older children, up to age 18, in the pediatric ward. In some work situations, pediatric nurse practitioners maintain their own patients and make decisions about necessary treatment.
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner duties include care, treatment, and counseling for elderly patients and their families. Often, after assisting doctors in determining appropriate treatment, geriatric nurse practitioners are responsible for designing an exercise program for recovering patients.
Oncology Nurse Practitioner may advise the patient about possible participation in clinical trials. The follow-up, monitoring, and recording of the process is one of the main responsibilities of the oncology nurse practitioner. Results of trial participation are entered into research conclusions and are often published.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners often hold a Ph.D. They may act as therapists and also prescribe appropriate medications. Although not authorized to conduct psychological testing, they regularly work closely with psychologists and psychiatrists in reviewing test results and determining a course of action.
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Diep’s Answer

Hi Quyen!
You first must obtain a bachelors of science in nursing and have a RN license.

Most schools require you work as a RN for at least 500 hours.

Then you can apply for a master's or doctorate nurse practitioner program. Both are the same certification and board exam after, it is similar to ADN and BSN. Same license but different degree. A doctorate would be more in depth and if you ever plan on doing academics. Yes some states will eventually require doctorate is the rumor but I assume that's the same rumor about being a BSN versus ADN. It is preferred but not necessarily required.

Good luck :)
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Sandra’s Answer

Hello,
Methods from RN to NP are obtained in several ways that range from required to non-required criteria; after completing the ADN and BSN degrees, you can either bridge from BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP; however, by the time you are ready to enter into a graduate program (MSN degree or higher), work experience is usually necessary as a graduate school entry requirement for many graduate nursing schools; here are some videos for additional information on that: (1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV4FInXc5IY (2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WEoAR1hAio , and (3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1EExbndEio
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Alyssa’s Answer

Hi QuynhTien D, After you get your nursing license you usually take added schooling specifically for getting a degree as a nurse practitioner. I am hearing now that most programs/ states are requiring nurses to get their doctorate degree. You may want to look into the colleges program and your state to see what is required to get your license as an NP.
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