7 answers
Robert
Student
Amherst, Massachusetts
26
Questions
Updated
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How to become a nurse practitioner?
#medicine #premed
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7 answers
Yaeji Kim
registered nurse
10
Answers
Cypress, California
Updated
Yaeji’s Answer
Hi!
After you receive your Bachelor of Science in Nursing and pass your nclex there are a couple different routes to becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I know some of my classmates who went directly into NP school without bedside RN experience. Side note, many people are divided on whether this is the best thing to do or not.. but it is an option. You can also work part time as an RN and enroll in a masters of nursing practice or doctoral program part time as well. You can also take however many years you’d like to work as a bedside nurse full time and then apply to NP school. Basically, there are different ways to begin your education as an NP and there is no explicit requirement for hours you must work as a bedside nurse (unless it is school specific).
I am currently in a DNP program (which will take 4 years to finish). I’m working full time for the first 2 years while in school full time and then plan to reduce to part time once clinicals begin in the second half of the program.
To get into school, I took prerequisites, wrote essays, received letters of recommendations and applied for school. Some schools require you to take the GREs. You can also get your masters degree and practice as an NP as well. I chose the DNP route because it has more focus on leadership, sets you up to work In academia (my goal later), and it is projected to become a requirement for NPs later on.
I was a nurse for 6-7 years before applying to NP school. As mentioned before, everyone has a different route before becoming an NP. It’s best to find out what works for you. This has also allowed me to focus on a specialty and know where I want to practice after I graduate. I hope this helps and best of luck!
After you receive your Bachelor of Science in Nursing and pass your nclex there are a couple different routes to becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I know some of my classmates who went directly into NP school without bedside RN experience. Side note, many people are divided on whether this is the best thing to do or not.. but it is an option. You can also work part time as an RN and enroll in a masters of nursing practice or doctoral program part time as well. You can also take however many years you’d like to work as a bedside nurse full time and then apply to NP school. Basically, there are different ways to begin your education as an NP and there is no explicit requirement for hours you must work as a bedside nurse (unless it is school specific).
I am currently in a DNP program (which will take 4 years to finish). I’m working full time for the first 2 years while in school full time and then plan to reduce to part time once clinicals begin in the second half of the program.
To get into school, I took prerequisites, wrote essays, received letters of recommendations and applied for school. Some schools require you to take the GREs. You can also get your masters degree and practice as an NP as well. I chose the DNP route because it has more focus on leadership, sets you up to work In academia (my goal later), and it is projected to become a requirement for NPs later on.
I was a nurse for 6-7 years before applying to NP school. As mentioned before, everyone has a different route before becoming an NP. It’s best to find out what works for you. This has also allowed me to focus on a specialty and know where I want to practice after I graduate. I hope this helps and best of luck!
Carolyn Chandler
Nurse Practitioner
3
Answers
Somerville, Massachusetts
Updated
Carolyn’s Answer
Hi Robert, there are a few ways to become a nurse practitioner. The key steps are that you need to obtain a bachelor's degree, become a registered nurse, then pursue a master's degree to be a nurse practitioner.
The route I took was to get a bachelor's in nursing, work for 2 years as an RN, then did a 2 year full time NP program. Many people get a bachelor's degree before deciding to become an NP. For instance, they might start out as pre-med and then decide to become an NP. In this case, there are accelerated programs that allow you to complete your RN in about 18 months and then go on to do the NP right after. In this scenario, you may need to complete some prerequisites if not already done in your initial bachelor's degree. Many people also decide to do the NP degree part time once they become an RN to continue working and get the degree subsidized by the hospital facility.
I hope this is helpful!
The route I took was to get a bachelor's in nursing, work for 2 years as an RN, then did a 2 year full time NP program. Many people get a bachelor's degree before deciding to become an NP. For instance, they might start out as pre-med and then decide to become an NP. In this case, there are accelerated programs that allow you to complete your RN in about 18 months and then go on to do the NP right after. In this scenario, you may need to complete some prerequisites if not already done in your initial bachelor's degree. Many people also decide to do the NP degree part time once they become an RN to continue working and get the degree subsidized by the hospital facility.
I hope this is helpful!
Cheryl Sell
Registered Nurse
10
Answers
Roseburg, Oregon
Updated
Cheryl’s Answer
In order to further your education and work towards your nurse practitioner you must first enroll in the prerequisites and then apply for Nursing programs. Whether these be associates, bachelors level programs. These programs will get you to the level of working as a registered Nurse.
When you have successfully completed and tested to get your nursing license such as passing your NCLEX test, you must then work as a nurse for two years. Most masters and doctoral programs in the medical field are requiring you to have two years experience as a nurse prior to admittance into the program is study for nurse practitioners.
After two years work experience in the field of nursing of your choice, apply for masters degree or doctoral degree programs (Doctoral degrees are going to give you a better outcome in the long run due to changing policies on licensing). Fulfill your program requirements for your doctoral or masters degree and you must apply for your nurse practitioner licensing as an advanced practice nurse.
When you have successfully completed and tested to get your nursing license such as passing your NCLEX test, you must then work as a nurse for two years. Most masters and doctoral programs in the medical field are requiring you to have two years experience as a nurse prior to admittance into the program is study for nurse practitioners.
After two years work experience in the field of nursing of your choice, apply for masters degree or doctoral degree programs (Doctoral degrees are going to give you a better outcome in the long run due to changing policies on licensing). Fulfill your program requirements for your doctoral or masters degree and you must apply for your nurse practitioner licensing as an advanced practice nurse.
Suddhasattwa Das
Career Coach, Friend, Guide
38
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Suddhasattwa’s Answer
Hi Robert, you need to enroll in Nursing School for a undergradute or graduate program to be become a nurse practitioner.
The admission is tough as approximate acceptance rate for Nursing applicants is 12%. as you need Nursing Major at 4.1 GPA (weighted and recalculated), an average SAT score of 1360, and an average ACT score of 28.
All the best.
The admission is tough as approximate acceptance rate for Nursing applicants is 12%. as you need Nursing Major at 4.1 GPA (weighted and recalculated), an average SAT score of 1360, and an average ACT score of 28.
All the best.
Richard A.
physician
2153
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
RN degree at a 4 year university.
Some experience in clinical nursing.
Get accepted to nurse practitioner program which involves classroom and clinical shadowing.
Good luck on your journey!
Some experience in clinical nursing.
Get accepted to nurse practitioner program which involves classroom and clinical shadowing.
Good luck on your journey!
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1322
Answers
United States
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
options:
2 year RN program, experience, then 2 year NP program
4 year BSN then NP program which is 2 years.
Nurse practitioners are in high demand.
Good luck!
2 year RN program, experience, then 2 year NP program
4 year BSN then NP program which is 2 years.
Nurse practitioners are in high demand.
Good luck!
Daveta Brown
Nursing
1
Answer
Maple Heights, Ohio
Updated
Daveta’s Answer
Start by getting your BSN (Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing). I would suggest going to an accredited College or University. Additionally, you will find it easier to function as a Nurse Practioner if you have a solid 2+ years of clinical experience in acute care hospitals. Don't underestimate or substitute hospital nursing with other areas of nursing as in the hospital you will see how doctors write orders for all types of patients. You will see how to interact with the entire healthcare team. And you gain valuable experience as you watch how other Nurse Practioner's function in their roles. Keep in mind, you will be writing prescriptions under a doctor's supervision/ sign off. So, get as much clinical experience as an RN that's possible. Then, seek an accredited higher ed institution for your practitioner's degree. Stay focused work hard and go for it!
D.Brown BSN, RN, LNC
D.Brown BSN, RN, LNC