Guide to Nurse Practitioner Schooling Requirements
Are you an RN considering nurse practitioner school? Becoming a nurse practitioner is one of the many ways you can advance your nursing career, increase your income, and earn a specialty skill set. But what are the nurse practitioner schooling requirements you should know about? And what can you expect to pay for your NP education? Let’s go over what you need to know to take the next step in your nursing career.
The nurse practitioner role has been around since the 1960s, when two doctors needed help increasing care access for pediatric patients. Today, more than 385,000 NPs are licensed in the United States. But don’t let that number lead you to think this role is saturated — the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the NP job market will grow by 46% within the next decade, which is much faster than average. If you’re interested in a path with career stability, becoming an NP could be a great choice.
What Are Nurse Practitioners and What Do They Do?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with specialized education and clinical training. They have a wider scope of practice than registered nurses, allowing them to diagnose, prescribe, order tests, and create care plans for patients. With full or partial practice authority, NPs fill critical gaps in healthcare, particularly in underserved communities. Plus, some patients prefer them to physicians.
NPs work in a variety of roles and may have different practice credentials depending on their specialty:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
- Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Nurse Midwives (CNM)
- Dermatology Nurse Practitioner (DCNP)
- Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner (ONP)
- Cardiac Nurse Practitioner (CNP)
- Oncology Nurse Practitioner (ONP-C)
Baseline Educational Requirements for NPs
How long is schooling for nurse practitioner roles? Depending on the route you take, becoming an NP can take anywhere from five to eight years, with one to two years spent gaining RN experience. Becoming a nurse practitioner typically requires:
- Attending an entry-level nursing program.
- Becoming a registered nurse by passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Gaining experience in one or more RN specialty areas.
- Completing advanced practice education and clinical experience hours.
- Passing a board certification exam to become licensed in your state.
1. Complete Nursing School (2–4 Years)
Nurse practitioner schooling starts with a general nursing education. To earn your initial RN license, you’ll need to either attend a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program.
While the ADN is a shorter track to practice, most NP schools require a BSN degree for entry. There are bridge programs for ADN-prepared nurses transitioning to the NP role, but going from BSN to nurse practitioner school is the more common route. Learn more about comparing ADN and BSN degrees.
A third and less common option is direct-entry nursing programs. These are typically offered to students who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, and they allow students to complete their RN and NP requirements in one degree path. If you’re sure about the specialty you want to pursue, these tracks could be a good fit for you. The main downside is that, after graduating from one of these programs, you’ll likely have less nursing experience than other new NPs.
2. Obtain an RN License
One of the requirements to become an NP is having an active RN license. To become an RN, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam tests your knowledge of patient safety, critical thinking, and basic care. Different states may have additional licensure requirements, including background checks, transcript submission, and fingerprinting.
3. Gain Clinical Experience (1–2 Years)
Many nurse practitioner schools require or recommend one to two years of clinical nursing experience before applying. The purpose of this time is for you to learn pharmacology, patient care skills, and critical thinking in the real world. It’s also a good idea to try out specialties as an RN before investing your time and money into advanced training.
Many NP specialty schools require experience in a specific area. For example, to begin neonatal NP school, you’ll typically need to have worked in the NICU. Likewise, psychiatric nurse practitioner schooling typically requires experience in mental health or psychiatric nursing.
4. Complete a Graduate NP Program (1–4 Years)
Now it’s time to find an NP program that fits your needs and specialty goals. Many NP programs are designed for working nurses, so courses can be spaced out around your RN shifts. There are two clinical degree options for nurse practitioners:
1. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
An MSN is a popular route for RNs who want to become NPs. These programs usually take two to three years of full-time study and include both classroom learning and hands-on clinical hours. Some accelerated programs may take only a year and a half. Degree programs typically include advanced nursing theory, pharmacology, advanced health assessment, research, and more.
By the time someone graduates from one of these accredited programs, they are qualified to sit for a certification exam to become an advanced practice nurse.
2. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The DNP is the highest clinical degree in nursing. It’s a good fit if you’d like to move into leadership, either in the clinical setting or academia. A DNP builds on what you learn in a master’s-level nursing program, adding courses in evidence-based practice, leadership, and quality improvement. A DNP usually takes an extra one to two years beyond an MSN, but some NPs complete their DNP in combination with a master’s program.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) wants the DNP to be the standard entry-level degree for advanced practice nursing. This move has already been made for nurse anesthetists, who must have a DNP to begin practice. With a DNP, you’re well prepared to lead healthcare teams, influence policy, and bring innovative practices to patient care.
Program Specialties
Depending on where you’d like to work, you’ll want to pursue a specialty program that will prepare you. For example, if you’d like to work in an inpatient hospital setting, find an NP program focused on acute care or family medicine. Programs will include at least 500 supervised clinical hours, depending on the specialization and state requirements.
Depending on the NP program you pursue, you’ll take advanced practice nursing courses such as the following:
- Advanced pathophysiology
- Advanced pharmacology
- Advanced health assessment
- Primary care management
- Ethics and leadership in healthcare
- Evidence-based practice and research
5. Pass Board Certification and Licensure Exams
After completing your nurse practitioner schooling, you’ll need to pass national board examinations to become certified and eligible to practice. These exams test your knowledge in your specialty to determine whether you’re ready to be an entry-level NP. There are several certifying organizations for NPs, and they each offer different certifications:
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The ANCC is a prominent certifying body that offers a variety of certifications for nurse practitioners. The credential for ANCC-certified nurse practitioners is NP-BC (Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified), preceded by the specialty. Some of the NP-level certifications provided by ANCC include:
- FNP-BC: Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
- AGACNP-BC: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
- AGPCNP-BC: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
- PMHNP-BC: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
AANP is another major certifying organization that offers certifications for nurse practitioners. The credential for AANPCB-certified nurse practitioners is NP-C (Nurse Practitioner-Certified), preceded by the specialty. Some of the certifications provided by AANPCB include:
- FNP-C: Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified
- AGNP-C: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Certified
- ENP-C: Emergency Nurse Practitioner-Certified
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
PNCB specializes in certifying those whose nurse practitioner schooling has focused on pediatric care. The credential for PNCB-certified nurse practitioners is CPNP (Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner), followed by the specialty. Some of the certifications provided by PNCB include:
- CPNP-PC: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care
- CPNP-AC: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care
National Certification Corporation (NCC)
NCC offers certifications for NPs working with infants and women. Their credentials are termed Board Certifications, and they include:
- NNP-BC: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
- WHNP-BC: Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
Once you’re certified as an NP, you’ll need to maintain this credential along with your RN license. This typically involves completing continuing education requirements, paying renewal fees, and practicing a certain amount of hours every renewal period.
6. Obtain State Licensure
The next step is applying for licensure in the state where you plan to practice. Each state sets its own requirements for nurse practitioner licensure, which often include proof of certification, transcripts from your RN and nurse practitioner schooling, and proof of your license.
In some states, NPs enjoy full practice authority, meaning they can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients without physician oversight. However, if you live in a state with reduced or restricted practice authority, you may need to present proof of oversight before you can practice. Be sure to research your state’s specific NP licensure requirements to ensure compliance and understand your scope of practice.
Nurse Practitioner Schooling FAQs
How long is nurse practitioner school?
If you have a BSN and you want to go back to school full time, some MSN programs can take about a year and a half. On the other hand, if you want to earn the terminal nursing practice degree, a DNP will take you at least two to three years. While the additional time investment might seem daunting, many nursing organizations are advocating for the DNP.
Can you attend nurse practitioner school online?
Yes, there are many fully and partially online NP programs. However, any accredited program will have a clinical practice component, which will be in person. When evaluating online nurse practitioner schooling, be sure you look up each of these criteria to ensure that the program will be worth your time and tuition:
- Accreditation: Verify the program is accredited by organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- State authorization: Ensure the program is approved by your state’s board of nursing for licensure eligibility.
- Clinical placement support: Will the program help you find clinical placements? Clarify how much support they will provide in this area.
- Faculty accessibility: Who can you go to if you are struggling to complete course requirements? Look for programs with accessible instructors and student support services.
- Board certification exam pass rates: Are graduating students prepared to pass boards? Schools that are adequately preparing students for practice should make it easy to find their pass rates.
How much does nurse practitioner schooling cost?
On average, total tuition can range from about $20,000 to over $45,000. The cost of schooling can vary widely based on the type of program (MSN or DNP), whether it’s public or private, online or in person, and in-state versus out-of-state tuition rates. Because there’s a great need for NPs, you may be able to find grants, scholarships, or tuition forgiveness for your NP degree.
What’s the difference between NP and CRNA schooling?
The educational paths for NPs and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) differ in focus, length, and requirements.
- Focus: NP programs emphasize primary or specialty care, preparing students for direct patient care across various populations. CRNA programs specialize in anesthesia, focusing on pharmacology, physiology, and advanced critical care.
- Program options: NPs can either hold an MSN or DNP. Aspiring CRNAs have the choice between the DNP and Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNaP).
- Clinical hours: NP programs require 500 or more clinical hours, depending on the specialty. CRNA programs mandate 2,000 clinical hours, alongside extensive anesthesia-specific training.
- Admission requirements: CRNA programs typically require ICU experience due to the high-risk nature of anesthesia care, while NP programs may accept broader nursing experience.
- Career settings: NP jobs are typically found in outpatient clinics and inpatient settings, while CRNA jobs tend to be in surgical units and anesthesia departments.
Seeking Roles for NPs?
If you’re looking for a nursing role while you complete your nurse practitioner schooling, IntelyCare can help you make your next career move. Learn more about the latest available nursing jobs near you.