What Does It Take To Become A Nurse Practitioner

Last Updated on December 28, 2022

Nurse practitioner is an excellent career path for registered nurses as it offers more pay and benefits as compared to other nursing jobs. A nurse practitioner possesses education, skills, and experience that are highly sought after today. To become a nurse practitioner, you need to complete at least two to three years’ worth of clinical training after receiving your nursing degree. The ultimate goal of the nurse practitioner is to take care of patients with acute medical conditions whereas the aim of an advanced practice nurse will be to focus on chronic medical conditions.

You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on nurse practitioner salary, what does a nurse practitioner do. Read on to learn more.We at infolearners .com have all the information that you need about how many years of school to be a nurse practitioner. Read on to learn more.

How Long to Become Nurse Practitioner (NP) : nurse practitioner, NP,  education, training

Steps to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

Becoming a nurse practitioner can take anywhere from six to eight years of education and training. The steps that an individual must take to become a nurse practitioner, and the time each step takes to complete, are as follows:

  1. Complete a registered nurse (RN) program (two to four years.)
  2. Obtain a master’s degree (two to three years.)
  3. Take and pass the APRN certification exam (less than one year.)

1. Complete a registered nurse (RN) program (two to four years)

The first step to becoming a nurse practitioner is to complete a registered nurse program. This can be done by obtaining an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or a diploma in a nursing program. A diploma or associate degree can take anywhere from two to three years to complete, whereas a bachelor’s nursing program typically takes four years.

These five different types of bachelor’s degrees can be pursued to become a nurse practitioner:

LPN-to-BSN

This program is for individuals who are already either licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses. An LPN-to-BSN program allows people to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in around four semesters, or two years.

BSN

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can be pursued by individuals with no prior experience or licensure in the nursing field. This degree typically takes four years to complete.

RN-to-BSN

This program is for registered nurses who currently hold an associate degree or diploma and typically takes two years to complete.

Accelerated Degree BSN

This is a fast-track option for individuals wishing to complete their BSN in a shorter amount of time. The accelerated BSN program typically takes 12 to 20 months to complete.

Second-degree BSN

This degree option is for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a different field and are looking to make a career change. This program can typically be completed in two years.

Common courses included in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree include genetics and genomics, physical and health examination, and disease prevention. Once an RN program has been completed, aspiring nurse practitioners need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to obtain their RN license.

2. Obtain a master’s degree (two to three years)

After completing an undergraduate nursing program and obtaining an RN license, aspiring nurse practitioners must then complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Common areas of study for this degree include primary care practitioner, family nurse practitioner, women’s health practitioner and neonatal medicine.

An MSN program can take anywhere from two to three years to complete. Common courses in a Master of Science in Nursing program include health care ethics, clinical practicum, health care policy and advanced concepts in pharmacology.

3. Take and pass the APRN certification exam (less than one year)

Once aspiring nurse practitioners have completed an MSN program, they will then need to take and pass the certification exam to become a certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). The amount of time it takes to study for and pass this exam can vary but most individuals complete this in under a year.

Individuals wishing to pursue a career in a specialty nurse practitioner field may obtain their certification through an organization such as the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, depending on the field. To be eligible to take the exam, an individual must hold an active Registered Nurse license and have a minimum of 500 clinical hours under the supervision of a physician.

What Degree Does a Nurse Practitioner Need? | All Nursing Schools

What does a nurse practitioner do?

A nurse practitioner is a licensed medical professional who has the highest level of responsibility and treatment power in the nursing field. Nurse practitioners may examine patients, provide diagnoses, prescribe medication and treatment, and other duties.

These professionals have similar medical abilities to physicians and are considered to have full practice authority in 20 U.S. states. This authority means that the nurse practitioners in these states do not require a doctor’s supervision to practice. In the remaining states of the nation, nurse practitioners must have the supervision of a doctor to practice, but they still have more authority than other types of nurses.

The exact duties of a nurse practitioner are dependent on their specialization and place of work. A nurse practitioner may focus on the following common specialties:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Acute care
  • Family care
  • Pediatric care
  • Women’s health care
  • Psychiatric mental health care

Additionally, a nurse practitioner may receive training in several subspecialties, including:

  • Allergy and immunology
  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Orthopedics
  • Emergency room
  • Dermatology
  • Geriatrics
  • Hospice
  • Occupational health
  • Surgical
  • Sports medicine
  • Urology
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric oncology
  • Pulmonology/respiratory

Regardless of the specialty that a nurse practitioner works in, many nurse practitioners share common duties across practices. These duties include:

  • Provide primary care to patients
  • Take patient medical histories
  • Discuss symptoms
  • Order and administer any diagnostic tests
  • Provide diagnoses based on findings
  • Monitor patients’ health and progress
  • Prescribe medications and treatment
  • Monitor and use medical equipment
  • Create patient treatment plans
  • Work as part of a healthcare team to provide comprehensive patient care

How Long Does it Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner? 

Because the process to become a nurse practitioner varies from person to person, it can take from three to nine years to complete all educational and licensure requirements. Students wondering how to become a nurse practitioner after BSN completion can also access programs designed specifically to streamline the process. 

To  achieve success in this fast-paced field, nurse practitioners must: 

  • Stay current with new developments in the field of medicine and health care
  • Have superior communication skills to obtain information from patients and to record that data accurately
  • Display empathy and compassion, which are critical for professionals in all areas of the health care industry
  • Maintain attention to detail and strong analytical skills  

Because these medical professionals are often called upon to supervise or oversee others, leadership qualities are also necessary to ensure the best results for nurse practitioners in real-world situations. 

How much does a family nurse practitioner make? | FNP salary

nurse practitioner salary

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Annual $181,040 or $87.04/hr*

What is the highest-paid nurse? Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists! Earning $181,040 annually, CRNAs earn significantly more than any other type of nurse or nursing specialty. This highly skilled profession involves preparing and administering anesthesia to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salary

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn a mean average salary of $181,040 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it the top paying nursing specialty. CRNAs typically work 40 hours per week, making the hourly wage average out to approximately $80.75 per hour. 

Career Outlook for CRNAs

According to the BLS, the expected growth for CRNAs is 45% from 2019 to 2029.

Requirements to Become a Nurse Anesthetist

Be prepared to hit the books in order to achieve a minimum of a master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program, and upon completion, passing the National Certification Examination.

CRNA Jobs

Employers include hospitals, clinics, free-standing surgical centers, ambulatory centers, pain management centers, and staffing agencies.

2. General Nurse Practitioner: Annual $111,840 or $53.77/hr*

As a general NP, you can choose to open an independent practice or work in a variety of primary care settings. You can also advance your skills and your earning potential along the way. General NPs can later specialize in a field, if they wish. 

Nurse Practitioner Salary

General nurse practitioners earn a mean salary of $111,840 per year, according to the May 2019 BLS. General nurse practitioners typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $53.77. 

Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioner jobs (which include general) are expected to grow 45 percent through 2029, per the BLS. Add to that the option to work independently, and the outlook for this specialty is robust.

Requirements to Become a Nurse Practitioner

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimum degree requirement for becoming a nurse practitioner, followed by earning Nurse Practitioner licensure as specified by your state.

Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Employers include hospitals, clinics, urgent care, outpatient clinics, private practice, and staffing agencies.

3. Clinical Nurse Specialist: Annual $106,028 $50.98/hr*

Those who wish to work in a specialized unit or clinic should consider the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) path. In addition to diagnosing and treating various conditions, you’ll be looked upon as an expert within your healthcare team. Clinical Nurse Specialists focus on improving the status of nursing at the hospital. They are involved in research and bettering the care provided in the healthcare setting.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary

According to Salary.com, the average salary for clinical nurse specialists in the United States is $106,028. Clinical nurse specialists typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $50.98. 

Career Outlook for Clinical Nurse Specialists

Because Clinical Nurse Specialists can offer specialized care at a lower cost than a physician, more and more hospitals and institutions will be seeking to add these professionals to their teams.  

Requirements to Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist

A Clinical Nurse Specialist must earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing, with a specialization in clinical nursing.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs

Employers include hospitals, clinics, private practices, and staffing agencies.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

4. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Annual $105,658 or $50.79/hr*

For nurses with an interest in mental health, working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner will give you the opportunity to work with psychiatric medical physicians and counsel patients regarding mental health disorders. Psychiatric nurse practitioners also work with patients that suffer from a combination of mental health disorders and substance abuse issues. 

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners earn, on average, $105,658 per year, as of February 2020 according to Payscale. Psychiatric nurse practitioners typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $50.79.

Career Outlook for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

As the need for improved mental healthcare gains national attention, and the demand for adolescent and child psychiatric services increases, PNPs will be highly sought after. Additionally, as substance abuse continues to rise throughout the country, PNPs will need to become well versed in both mental health and substance abuse issues. 

Requirements to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimum degree requirement for becoming a nurse practitioner, followed by earning Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner licensure as specified by your state.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Employers include hospitals, mental health units, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and staffing agencies.

5. Certified Nurse Midwife: Annual $108,810 or $52.31/hr*

For RNs who love obstetrics, labor and delivery, and prenatal care, becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife is the perfect career path. CNMs mostly work in OB/GYN offices, clinics, or hospital settings, but many open their own practices depending on their state of practice.

Certified Nurse Midwife Salary

Certified nurse-midwives can expect to earn a mean average salary of $108,810 per the BLS. CNMs typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $52.31. 

Career Outlook for Certified Nurse Midwives

The job outlook for midwives is beyond good, with expectations that openings will grow 45 percent during the 2019 to 2029 decade. 

Requirements to Become a Certified Nurse Midwife

To practice certified nurse midwifery, nurses can go through the American Midwifery Certification Board to earn the Certified Nurse-Midwife and Certified Midwife designations. Learn more about Certified Nurse Midwives.

Certified Nurse Midwife Jobs

Employers include hospitals, freestanding birthing clinics, private practice clinics, and staffing agencies.

6. Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse: Annual $102,487 or $54.75/hr*

If you love caring babies, consider the neonatal nurse career track. This specialty commands a strong salary, especially for advanced practice nurses.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse Salary

The average annual NICU nurse salary is $102,48, according to ZipRecruiter. Those with a BSN, more experience, and advanced certifications have higher earning potential. NICU nurses typically work 36 hours per week, giving them an average hourly rate of $54.75.

Career Outlook for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Both advances in technology and the frequency of premature births have contributed to a strong job outlook for neonatal nurses. 

Requirements to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse

While you can get neonatal unit experience as a staff RN, earning either a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) or neonatal clinical nurse specialist (CNS) designation is how the real advancement takes place. An advancement in degree comes with a salary bump as well. Nurses who wish to earn certification without an advanced practice degree can earn their RNC-NIC. 

NICU Nurse Jobs

Employers include hospitals, private practice, birth centers, neonatal intensive care units, well-baby units, newborn nursery, private consultant, private duty baby nurse, pediatric outpatient clinics, and staffing agencies.

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