How To Become A Nurse Practitioner – Want to become a Nurse Practitioner and worried about how? Don’t worry we are here to guide you well. The journey of becoming a Registered Nurse starts from obtaining a bachelor’s degree and then followed by securing a graduation degree and then gaining experience in the respective field. Also for becoming an advanced practice registered nurse State Licensure and certification s required too. Here listing all the steps starting from one that can guide you well about- ‘How To Become A Nurse Practitioner’. 

What is Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner is nothing but an advanced educated and trained type of APRN. They have the authority to diagnose, counsel, treat and prescribe medicines to the patients. Depending on the state regulations, they may be able to practice independently without physician oversight. Specialties such as pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, women’s health, adult medicine are focused by the Nurse Practitioners with the additional training. 

How To Become A Nurse Practitioner

These are the steps which you need to follow if you want to become a Nurse Practitioner

Step 1: Earn A Bachelor’s Degree

Earning a Bachelor’s degree is the first step on the ladder of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Working with a variety of patient populations, Registered nurses provide and coordinate care and offer guidance and emotional support to the patients and their families as well. You can become a Registered Nurse (RN) after graduating from high school and then completing either an associate degree or bachelor’s degree program in Nursing. The degree must be from an institute of higher education that is accredited.

Step 2: Gain Experience in the Field 

This is the next step of getting to work after completing the bachelor’s degree. Many people who have completed the degree have engaged themselves in some clinics. Whereas those who have gained the degree from a high school may get some experience under their belts. There are many skills that nurses learn while gaining essential experience as well for the patients. 

How much experience one needs?

Depending upon the setting and goals for future specialization, usually, one to two years of clinical experience is enough for a strong foundation. 

The minimum requirement for years of clinical experience is main for earning a specialty certification in a variety of fields by the nurses. 

Step 3: Obtain a Graduate Degree 

To become a Nurse Practitioner, a Master Of Science In Nursing is a minimum requirement. The MSN program application requirements vary from individual school to school. For admission to an MSN program, the typical requirements are undergraduate education, clinical experience, letters of reference, and academic transcripts. 

Step 4: Achieve State License and Certification

 For Nurse practitioners license is necessary for every state. The Nurse Practitioners also require to pass National Certification Examination from an accredited certifying body. Np candidates are typically required to have a certain number of supervised clinical hours in addition to an RN license and an accredited institution graduated degree. 

Pursuing Further Specialization 

The nurse practitioner program curriculum provides specialized training and education to the Nurse Practitioners that enables them to practice on an advanced level. Having specific areas of focus, these programs enable NPs the option to get certified in more than one field. The time needed will depend on the following parameters:

• Area of specialization 
• The experience gained in the particular specialty area.
• Certifying body’s exam eligibility requirements.
• The time needed for the certifying exam preparation 
• Exam schedule 

Examination, Licensure, and certification Requirements

For the efficient completion of the DNP degree, it is important to gain a quality undergraduate nursing education and a clinical experience as well. To choose the program that will best fit your needs understand the various areas of specialization and also the NP examination, licensure, and certification requirements differ from state to state.

Reaching the end

Hence these all are the steps for becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Hence choose wisely and start building your career now.