Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) is an appealing next step for many registered nurses (RNs) looking to expand their knowledge, advance their careers, and take on more responsibility in caring for patients. This definitive guide answers all your questions about transitioning from an RN to NP.

What is a Nurse Practitioner? 

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed additional education beyond an RN. NPs can diagnose medical conditions, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, and provide primary and specialty healthcare services.

Compared to RNs, nurse practitioners:

  • Have increased autonomy and advanced clinical decision making skills
  • Can work independently without physician oversight in most states
  • Take on leadership roles in healthcare settings
  • Typically earn higher salaries

In essence, nurse practitioners bridge the gap between registered nurses and doctors. Becoming an NP allows RNs to advance their expertise and have an expanded impact on patient care.

Why Become a Nurse Practitioner?

There are many excellent reasons to become a nurse practitioner (NP), including:

Higher earning potential

Nurse practitioners typically earn 20-50% more than registered nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for NPs in 2020 was $115,800 compared to $75,330 for RNs.

Increased authority and responsibility

NPs can work independently in most healthcare settings without a supervising physician. This allows for more authority in developing patient treatment plans.

Flexible and varied work settings

NPs have a broad choice of work environments ranging from hospitals to private practices, retail clinics, long term care facilities, schools, and home health. They can also choose to specialize in areas like family medicine, oncology, pediatrics, women’s health and more.

Greater focus on patient care

By serving as primary providers for patients, nurse practitioners get to directly focus on providing clinical care compared to administrative nursing tasks. This allows NPs to have a greater impact through diagnosis and treatment.

Prescriptive authority

NPs in all 50 states can prescribe medications, giving them increased responsibility for managing patient health.

RN to NP Pathways

There are several educational paths that RNs can pursue to transition into the NP role:

RN to MSN NP

  • For RNs who hold an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing
  • Bridge program for RNs to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree
  • Usually takes 3-4 years

RN to DNP NP

  • Awards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree
  • Ideal for RNs seeking the highest level of clinical education and authority
  • Typically a 4-5 year program

RN to BSN to MSN NP

  • First earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree
  • Followed by MSN program for 2-3 additional years
  • Provides solid educational foundation

Accelerated RN to MSN NP

  • Condensed program for RNs with a BSN degree
  • Combines MSN courses to allow completion in 2-3 years
  • Fast track for career advancement

The best path forward depends on your existing education, desired pace, and career timeline. Many specialized RN to NP bridge programs now exist to meet the needs of working registered nurses.

RN to NP Bridge Programs

RN to NP bridge programs are designed specifically for current RNs who want to transition into advanced nursing practice as nurse practitioners. These programs “bridge the gap” by providing condensed or accelerated education options.

Types of RN to NP Bridge Programs

There are a few main types of RN to NP bridge programs:

  • Online bridge programs: Allow working RNs to complete coursework remotely through distance learning options. Convenient and flexible.
  • Part-time bridge programs: Offer evening, weekend or hybrid course schedules to accommodate busy nurses.
  • Accelerated bridge programs: Fast track programs, usually for RNs who already hold a BSN, that combine courses to shorten completion timeline.

Reputable online bridge programs allow RNs to progress towards NP certification while meeting work and life demands.

RN to NP Program Prerequisites

While each RN to NP program sets their own admission criteria, most require:

  • Active and unencumbered RN license
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Relevant work experience (e.g. 1 year ICU for acute care NP)
  • Completion of prerequisite courses like statistics, chemistry, biology, etc.
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement/essay
  • Interview
  • CPR certification
  • Up-to-date immunizations

Meeting all eligibility requirements and prerequisites is imperative for a competitive application. Programs accept students with the highest chance of successfully completing rigorous course loads.

Specialized RN to MSN programs may have different requirements for RNs without a Bachelor’s degree.

RN to NP Program Curriculum

The NP curriculum equips RNs with advanced clinical knowledge and specialized expertise. Though programs vary, core NP curriculum includes:

Core graduate-level nursing courses:

  • Advanced pathophysiology/pharmacology
  • Healthcare policy
  • Research methodology
  • Health promotion/disease prevention
  • Advanced physical health assessment

Concentration specialty courses

  • Content mirrors chosen NP population focus (e.g. pediatrics, women’s health, etc.)
  • Advanced diagnosis, management, treatment standards for patient group

At least 500 supervised clinical practice hours

  • Working directly with patients
  • Integrating knowledge under expert preceptors
  • Hands-on experience in diagnosing, developing treatment plans, prescribing meds

The [callout box] NP curriculum transforms RNs into advanced practice providers equipped for specialized patient care. [/callout box] Programs take 2-5 years depending on pace and prior education level.

What Are the Best Nurse Practitioner Specialties in Each State?

NP Specializations

Nurse practitioners choose a patient population to specialize in. Most common specializations include:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

  • Provide care across the lifespan
  • Treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions
  • Can work in many healthcare settings

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP

  • Focus on preventing, diagnosing, treating chronic illnesses in adult patients
  • Roles in clinics, physician offices, nursing homes

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP

  • Treat complex or critical injuries and conditions in acutely ill adults
  • Roles in hospitals, ICUs, emergency rooms

Adult Psychiatric Mental Health NP

  • Diagnose, treat mental health conditions in adult patients
  • Roles in inpatient psych facilities, private practices

Emergency NP

  • Provide acute emergency care to stabilize critically sick or injured patients
  • Roles in emergency departments, urgent care centers

Pediatric Primary Care NP

  • Provide well-child care from birth through young adult
  • Expertise in childhood development and common illnesses
  • Roles in pediatric clinics, family practices

Pediatric Acute Care NP

  • Provide care for critically or chronically ill children
  • Roles in pediatric hospitals, ICUs, specialty practices

Neonatal NP

  • Care for premature and sick newborn infants
  • Roles in NICUs and perinatal care settings

Women’s Health NP

  • Specialize in providing care for female patients
  • Women’s health, reproductive care, pregnancy roles
  • Jobs in OB/GYN clinics

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

  • Diagnose, treat mental illness in varying age groups
  • Roles in inpatient psych, private outpatient practices

Adult Nurse Practitioner

  • Provide healthcare for adult patients
  • Roles similar to adult primary or acute care NPs

Gerontology NP

  • Specialize in complex care of the elderly
  • Roles in long term care facilities, palliative care

Adult Acute Care NP

  • Treat adult patients with complex injuries or illnesses
  • Provide care in ICUs, specialty hospital settings

The exact NP specialization depends on your specific patient population passion and care setting preferences. Selecting specialty area is a crucial decision point in your education path and career trajectory.

Selecting your NP specialization depends on your passion for caring for a particular patient group. Family nurse practitioners enjoy the greatest flexibility.

Finding the Right RN to NP Program

As an RN looking to advance your career, finding the perfect RN to NP program is crucial. Consider aspects like:

  • Accreditation: Verify program is accredited through CCNE or ACEN to ensure quality standards. Graduating from an accredited RN to NP program is required to sit for certification exams.
  • Online vs on-campus: Online programs offer flexibility for working nurses while on-campus options provide face-to-face instruction and easier access to university resources. Hybrid/blended programs combine both.
  • Program length: RN to NP programs range from just over 2 years to 5 years depending on pace and credits required. Factor in the time you need to continue working.
  • Fit and philosophy: Make sure the program’s values and teaching approach resonate. Small class sizes and mentoring support retention.
  • Cost: RN to NP programs cost between $20,000-$75,000 depending on public or private university. Consider your budget and look into scholarships or nursing student loans.

Finding the right RN to NP fit ensures you get quality education paired with the support and resources needed to thrive.

Getting Licensed as an NP

After completing an accredited RN to NP program, there are two final steps to obtain APRN licensure:

1. Pass national certification exam

  • Demonstrate clinical competency for chosen NP specialization
  • Exams offered through ANCC, AANP, PNCB, NCC certification bodies
  • Can sit for exam in final semester pending degree conferral

2. Apply for state APRN license

  • Each state has own application requirements and fees
  • Submit fingerprints, background check, transcripts
  • Some states require protocol/collaborative practice agreements

Double check requirements to practice as an NP for your specific state boards of nursing. Renewing an NP license may entail obtaining ongoing continuing education credits.

Transitioning into the NP Role

The transition from working as a registered nurse to becoming a nurse practitioner involves a learning curve. Here are some key aspects to expect:

  • Orientation/mentorship: Most healthcare settings provide orientation period with guided support transitioning into the NP role and workflow. Being matched with an experienced NP mentor is invaluable.
  • Building confidence: It takes time to feel fully confident diagnosing conditions, prescribing medication, treating patients independently from an MD. This grows through added clinical experience.
  • Collaborating with physicians: Developing strong collaborative relationships, mutual trust and communication pathways with supervising doctors helps smooth onboarding while respecting overlapping roles.
  • Work-life balance: The increased demands of the NP role can be taxing. Set boundaries around patient loads and on call duties early on. Know it’s okay to speak up about managing workload.

With the right guidance and opportunity to gain experience, the RN to NP transition timeline typically gains full comfort managing patients independently within 6 months to a year.

Rn To Np

How to Go From Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner: RN to NP

FAQs for Transitioning from RN to NP

Do I need to get a master’s degree (MSN) to become an NP?

Yes, you must complete either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to meet educational standards for NP certification and licensing. Accelerated RN to MSN bridge programs make this more attainable for working nurses.

How long does it take to become an NP?

The total time to transition from RN to NP depends largely on your existing education. Programs range from just over 2 years to 5 years for RNs needing to still complete undergraduate nursing bachelor’s degree prerequisites. Accelerated options for RNs who already hold a BSN can condense the Master’s portion to around 2-3 years.

Can an RN work full-time while enrolled in an NP program?

NP programs are rigorous and time intensive, making continued full-time work challenging. Many students transition to part-time RN roles for greater flexibility managing competing demands. Exploring programs with online, evening or hybrid course formats can allow for working while enrolled.

What’s the salary difference between RN and NP?

Nurse practitioners earn significantly higher salaries than RNs. The BLS reports the 2020 median pay for NPs was $115,800 compared to $75,330 for RNs – a 53% difference. With advanced practice standing and greater responsibility, NP salaries reflect increased education, accountability and specialization.

Conclusion to How to Go From Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner: RN to NP

We hope this definitive guide provided you detailed insights into successfully transitioning from a registered nurse into an advanced nurse practitioner role. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Best Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Me

We identified the top nurse practitioner programs for you through rigorous research. These premier schools have a record of graduating career-ready nurses who positively impact lives. Starting with the program best fit for you puts purposeful, meaningful work within reach. Let us guide your first steps towards a future of healing hope.

Best Nurse Practitioner (NP) Methodology

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