3 answers
jamie
Student
Norwalk, Connecticut
1
Question
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how to become a family nurse practitioner?
I always wanted to become a nurse practitioner and wondering about the nursing field
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3 answers
Shelia Bereszniewicz
Seller enblement
61
Answers
Woodstock, Georgia
Updated
Shelia’s Answer
Hi Jaime, Nursing is a wonderful field with many different fields of study. My oldest daughter is an RN for the Nuro ICU unit. With brain injuries, her days can be an emotional roller coaster. She loves being a nurse and works with some wonderful doctors / surgeons.
To become a nurse practitioner, a nursing (RN) degree is the first step required. I would check out which colleges offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Every university is different in how to get accepted into the nursing program. You will need to excel in your undergraduate academics in order to apply to a nursing program and excel on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). Letters of recommendations are also required.
After becoming an RN by passing the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse, you may want to work in the nursing field for a few years before applying for a NP-focused graduate master's or doctoral nursing program. Depending on your available time, it may take you over 3 years to complete the master if you are still working. Last step is to successfully pass a national NP board certification.
You may want to volunteer at a hospital to get experience working in healthcare. Good luck!
To become a nurse practitioner, a nursing (RN) degree is the first step required. I would check out which colleges offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Every university is different in how to get accepted into the nursing program. You will need to excel in your undergraduate academics in order to apply to a nursing program and excel on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). Letters of recommendations are also required.
After becoming an RN by passing the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse, you may want to work in the nursing field for a few years before applying for a NP-focused graduate master's or doctoral nursing program. Depending on your available time, it may take you over 3 years to complete the master if you are still working. Last step is to successfully pass a national NP board certification.
You may want to volunteer at a hospital to get experience working in healthcare. Good luck!
Anne Salomone
Certified nurse midwife, Advance Practice Nurse (nurse practitioner)
5
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Anne’s Answer
Hi Jamie,
I think you being interested in being a nurse practitioner is wonderful. It's a field with so many opportunities. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses which means that they are first RN's, and then expand their education and skills at the master's or doctorate level. (There were certificate programs in the past, but most states now require a minimum of a master's degree to obtain a license). There are several types of nurse practitioners. There are pediatric NP's who work specifically with children. There are adult/gero nurse practitioners who work with adults in many settings like, dermatology, neurology, general practice. They cannot work with children. There are women's health care nurse practitioners who work with women both gynecology and obstetrics. They do not manage labor or deliver babies. They can only work in this field. There are family nurse practitioners who work with adults, children, essentially anyone. They can work in pediatrics, gyn, medical clinics, dermatology, whatever their interest is. Other advance practice nurses are nurse midwives who work with women, delivery babies, etc. The last group is CRNA's or certified registered nurse anesthetists. These work in OR's, surgi centers, anyplace that needs anesthesia. This is why I say there are so many opportunities. In many states nurse practitioners can have their own practice (with a collaborative agreement with a physician). To see if you're really interested, volunteer in medical areas to "feel them out". Take a first aid course and basic life support classes. Good luck
I think you being interested in being a nurse practitioner is wonderful. It's a field with so many opportunities. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses which means that they are first RN's, and then expand their education and skills at the master's or doctorate level. (There were certificate programs in the past, but most states now require a minimum of a master's degree to obtain a license). There are several types of nurse practitioners. There are pediatric NP's who work specifically with children. There are adult/gero nurse practitioners who work with adults in many settings like, dermatology, neurology, general practice. They cannot work with children. There are women's health care nurse practitioners who work with women both gynecology and obstetrics. They do not manage labor or deliver babies. They can only work in this field. There are family nurse practitioners who work with adults, children, essentially anyone. They can work in pediatrics, gyn, medical clinics, dermatology, whatever their interest is. Other advance practice nurses are nurse midwives who work with women, delivery babies, etc. The last group is CRNA's or certified registered nurse anesthetists. These work in OR's, surgi centers, anyplace that needs anesthesia. This is why I say there are so many opportunities. In many states nurse practitioners can have their own practice (with a collaborative agreement with a physician). To see if you're really interested, volunteer in medical areas to "feel them out". Take a first aid course and basic life support classes. Good luck
Adrianna S
Nurse Practitioner
1
Answer
Updated
Adrianna’s Answer
Hi Jamie! I absolutely love that you always wanted to be a family nurse practitioner. :) Me too! What drove you to want to be a family nurse practitioner (FNP)?
Becoming a family nurse practitioner took me about six to seven years. After I graduated high school, I went to college and completed the prerequisites to apply to nursing (RN) school. Once I finished the prerequisite courses (like Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 and Microbiology), I was able to apply to nursing school. Nursing school took me about two years. After nursing school, I had to take the NCLEX-RN, aka National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse. Once I passed the NCLEX-RN exam, I was able to practice as a nurse and achieve my bachelor's degree in nursing. After I earned my bachelor's (about two years for me), I applied to a family nurse practitioner program. So, there are several steps to becoming a family nurse practitioner. Every program is different, some are accelerated. I found that asking questions was so helpful in achieving my goal. Always ask questions! Academic advisors are a good resource for guiding students to achieve their academic goals, like getting into RN or FNP schools. I used them when I was trying to get into RN school, and I am grateful I did. I hope this helps answer your question! Now, the nursing field is tough. Very tough, but if your passion is to help people and {be the person} to help them, then the nursing field is for you.
I hope you have a great day, Jamie! :)
Becoming a family nurse practitioner took me about six to seven years. After I graduated high school, I went to college and completed the prerequisites to apply to nursing (RN) school. Once I finished the prerequisite courses (like Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 and Microbiology), I was able to apply to nursing school. Nursing school took me about two years. After nursing school, I had to take the NCLEX-RN, aka National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse. Once I passed the NCLEX-RN exam, I was able to practice as a nurse and achieve my bachelor's degree in nursing. After I earned my bachelor's (about two years for me), I applied to a family nurse practitioner program. So, there are several steps to becoming a family nurse practitioner. Every program is different, some are accelerated. I found that asking questions was so helpful in achieving my goal. Always ask questions! Academic advisors are a good resource for guiding students to achieve their academic goals, like getting into RN or FNP schools. I used them when I was trying to get into RN school, and I am grateful I did. I hope this helps answer your question! Now, the nursing field is tough. Very tough, but if your passion is to help people and {be the person} to help them, then the nursing field is for you.
I hope you have a great day, Jamie! :)