NP Licensure: Understanding Required Nurse Practitioner Academic Credentials
To become a nurse practitioner (NP), you first need to have experience working as a registered nurse (RN). This gives you required real-world patient care knowledge to build on through advanced nursing education.
The next step is earning either a Master’s Degree or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to gain specialized skills to diagnose, treat, and care for patients in specific care settings as an NP.
This guide covers everything you need to know about nurse practitioner degree options, including:
- Types of degrees for nurse practitioners
- Differences between MSN and DNP degrees
- Degree requirements for popular NP specialties
- Certification process for becoming an NP
So if you want to become a family nurse practitioner, psychiatric NP, pediatric NP, or other advanced practice registered nurse role, keep reading.
Prerequisites for Admission into Nurse Practitioner Programs
Prior to applying for a graduate degree NP program, all candidates must have:
- A Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree: Typically takes 4 years
- An active and unencumbered RN license
Some programs allow you to enter with your ADN and become an RN while simultaneously working towards your NP. But having your BSN and solid nursing experience under your belt first is strongly preferred to build advanced clinical skills on.
Most programs also require 1-2 years of experience working full-time as an RN prior to admission. This patient care knowledge gives essential real-world context for the NP master’s curriculum.
Once you meet these prerequisites, you can apply for an accredited NP program. Now let’s explore the degree options.
Types of Degrees for Nurse Practitioners
The two main advanced degrees enabling RNs to qualify as nurse practitioners are:
1. Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN Degree)
- Time to Complete: Usually 2-3 years
- Credits: 30 credits beyond BSN minimum
- Cost: $$ Graduate tuition
A Master of Science in Nursing remains the most common route to becoming an NP. These clinical-focused nurse practitioner master’s programs prepare you for autonomous advanced practice in your population focus area through a mix of coursework and over 500 supervised clinical hours.
There are many MSN specialties, which we detail in the next section.
2. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP Degree)
- Time to Complete: Usually 3-4 years
- Credits: 30 credits post-MSN or up to 90 credits post-BSN
- Cost: $$$ Higher than MSN programs
Alternatively, aspiring nurse practitioners can pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which is gaining popularity over MSN programs in recent years. It prepares graduates more extensively for leadership and policy roles shaping healthcare systems, in addition to excellent clinical preparation equivalent to MSN grads.
Many established NPs with their MSN are also now earning their DNP to advance into leadership roles. We’ll compare the key differences next.
Which nurse practitioner degree is right for you depends on your career goals, specialized interests, and time/cost considerations. Many schools now offer both MSN and DNP options.
Key Differences Between MSN vs DNP Nurse Practitioner Degrees
There is some confusion around DNP vs MSN degrees, so let’s clarify some distinctions around nurse practitioner doctorate vs master’s programs:
| MSN Degree | DNP Degree | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Advanced clinical skills | Clinical + leadership/policy |
| Typical Credits | 30 credits post-BSN | 30 credits post-MSN or up to 90 credits post-BSN |
| Time to Complete | ~2-3 years | ~3-4 years |
| Cost | $$ Graduate tuition | $$$ Higher tuition than MSN |
| Do you become an NP? | YES | YES |
| Specialties | Many specialty options | Specialties, plus generalist DNP |
In summary, both degree pathways enable you to qualify for nurse practitioner certification exams and advanced practice licensure in your state. The key differences come down to areas of focus and cost/time commitments.
If your main goal is to provide excellent patient care in a specific setting – like pediatrics, mental health, or gerontology – an MSN is likely sufficient to meet your needs.
However for those who want to advance into leadership roles transforming care delivery, a DNP can provide additional healthcare policy and systems expertise to complement outstanding clinical preparation as an NP.
Many ambitious nurse practitioners now earn their DNP after getting some years of experience post-MSN. It opens up options for managerial positions and broader influence.
But you don’t need to decide now if you will ultimately pursue a DNP down the road. An MSN provides that vital direct patient care experience to inform your perspective, before potentially taking on system oversight roles improving care for populations.
Next let’s explore educational requirements for top nurse practitioner specialization areas.
Nurse Practitioner Degree Requirements by Specialty Area
One size does not fit all when it comes to nurse practitioner degrees. The exact graduate degree and credits required varies by your population focus area based on their particular competencies and board exams.
For example, to become a:
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP): MSN or DNP with specialization in psychiatric/mental health populations
- Pediatric primary care nurse practitioner (PPCNP): MSN or DNP with a focus on providing care for infants, children and adolescents
- Women’s health NP (WHNP): MSN or DNP with specialized women’s health training
- Adult-gerontology primary care NP (AGPCNP): MSN or DNP with a focus on adult and elderly patients
And so forth. Let’s overview common nurse practitioner specialties and their typical degree requirements.
Popular Nurse Practitioner Population Specialties
| Nurse Practitioner Specialty | Typical Degree(s) Needed |
|---|---|
| Family nurse practitioner (FNP) | MSN or DNP, primary care specialization |
| Adult gerontology acute care NP (AGACNP) | MSN or DNP, adult/older adult acute care specialization |
| Emergency NP (ENP) | MSN or DNP with emergency medicine focus |
| Psychiatric mental health NP (PMHNP) | MSN or DNP with psychiatry/mental health focus |
| Pediatric primary care NP (PPCNP) | MSN or DNP with pediatric primary care focus |
| Neonatal NP (NNP) | MSN or DNP with neonatal specialization |
See our complete nurse practitioner specialties guide for more details on the possibilities to zero in on the ideal population and practice setting for your interests and talents.
Many schools confer a general family nurse practitioner degree allowing some flexibility to work with patients across age groups. But specializing helps build even deeper expertise within a particular domain of care.
Understanding certification and licensure processes can also help guide which nurse practitioner degree makes sense for your professional objectives.
Getting Licensed and Certified to Become a Nurse Practitioner
After graduating from an accredited MSN or DNP nurse practitioner program, there are two final steps to qualify as an autonomous advanced practice registered nurse:
1. Pass National Certification Exams
All candidates must pass national board certification exams through organizations like the ANCC or AANP in their chosen NP population focus area (e.g. adult-gerontology primary care).
Certification demonstrates meeting competencies in assessment, diagnostics, developing care plans, practice guidelines, working collaboratively, and systems thinking for that specialty.
2. Obtain State APRN Licensure
In addition, new nurse practitioners must apply for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensing at the state level to begin practicing legally with full autonomy.
Each state has its own regulations and documentation around supervised clinical hours to apply for initial NP licensing after graduation. Staying on top of these requirements from the beginning ensures you’ll be set up for success.
In summary, an accredited MSN or DNP degree, national certification, plus state APRN licensure are the essential ingredients to launching your career as an advanced practice nurse practitioner!
Finding Fulfilling Jobs as a New Nurse Practitioner
Once you have your freshly printed NP credentials in hand, opening up your inbox to be flooded with job postings for that first gig usually isn’t far behind.
Nurse practitioners are in extremely high demand nationwide across healthcare settings to meet growing patient needs. This translates into excellent work prospects finding the right opportunity fit.
But don’t just rush into any opening without carefully exploring organizational culture elements like supportive leadership, professional development funding/time, manageable caseloads, and workplace wellness initiatives that help keep you energized in your vital role.
Beginning your mission-driven nursing career starts with finding an environment enabling you to sustainably deliver the expert, compassionate care you devoted years training to provide.
So do invest time upfront vetting employers, roles, specialties and locations reflect your strengths, values, priorities and talents to hit the ground flourishing on day one as a licensed NP.
FAQ What Degree Does it Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner
What nursing degree do you need to become a nurse practitioner?
You need a graduate degree in nursing like a Master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from an accredited nursing program. Many nurse practitioners earn a Master’s degree first to obtain patient care experience before pursuing a DNP degree in nursing.
What’s the difference between an RN nursing degree and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree?
An RN becomes eligible to practice after earning an Associate’s degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing. A Bachelor of Science in nursing is an more advanced nursing degree that offers additional coursework to deepen skills.
Can you work while completing a nurse practitioner nursing program?
Yes, many complete nurse practitioner nursing programs while working part-time as RNs to gain invaluable patient care experience applied in the classroom. Programs understand students balance work with demanding graduate nursing studies.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse before training to become a nurse practitioner?
It typically takes 2-4 years to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and become a registered nurse. Then nurses need to complete a 2-4 year Master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice nursing program before obtaining nurse practitioner licensure.
What continuing education is required for nurse practitioners?
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners requires nurses have 75 continuing education contact hours every 5 years focused on physical assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, etc. to maintain certification.
What is the job outlook for nurse practitioners according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics?
The BLS projects the nurse practitioner occupation will grow 45% from 2020-2030, over 4x the average rate, due to increasing healthcare demands and expanded practice authority.
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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