what course of study tobecome nurse practioner?

What degree do you need to be a nurse practitioner?

Oct 20, 2021 · Aspiring nurse practitioners usually pursue a nursing master's degree, although dual bachelor's and master's degree programs do exist. These programs allow students to specialize in such fields as family, pediatric, neonatal, or gerontological nursing.

What is the focus of the nurse practitioner program?

Jan 02, 2019 · A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is often a requirement to become a nurse practitioner, although some employers require a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for certain APRN roles. In addition to providing comprehensive instruction in core medical and scientific principles, MSN courses typically cover more complex issues, such as political factors that can …

How long does it take to become a board certified nurse practitioner?

Mar 18, 2022 · A nurse practitioner is considered an advanced practice nursing role. Therefore, you must hold either a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Most NP jobs require an MSN, but those looking to advance to the highest levels of nursing practice may opt for a DNP.

Can a non-nurse become a nurse practitioner?

1. Advanced Education. Becoming an NP requires a postgraduate degree, either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). To enter a postgraduate program for nursing, a bachelor’s degree in either science or nursing is necessary. Those on the way to becoming NPs will also have to obtain their registered nurse ...

Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements

A nurse practitioner is considered an advanced practice nursing role. Therefore, you must hold either a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doc...

Credentialing Process For Nurse Practitioners

After completing the degree program, NPs will want to get certified in their specialty. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers a wide vari...

Nurse Practitioner Program Concentrations

A big advantage of going into the nurse practitioner field is that it allows you to specialize in a particular area of medicine. Most MSN and DNP n...

Other Nurse Practitioner Specializations

According to the American Nurses Association APRN Consensus Model, NPs have the option of specializing in areas beyond the population foci categori...

Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

With today's overpacked schedules and busy lifestyles, online NP programs have consistently grown in popularity. Many schools offer online options...

List of Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Select Your State: Select StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDistrict Of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndian...

What is a nurse practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). NPs may perform many of a physician’s duties, such as ordering and performing diagnostic tests, interpreting test results, diagnosing and providing treatment options for acute and chronic conditions, and prescribing medications and therapies.

What are the responsibilities of a nurse practitioner?

Building upon the core responsibilities of registered nurses (RNs), nurse practitioners are also able to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and operate health care clinics without oversight by a physician.

What is an online MSN program?

Online MSN programs can help aspiring nurse practitioners develop the skills and experience they need to pursue advanced careers in nursing. Learn more about Ohio University’s online Master of Science in Nursing program today.

How many nurses will be needed by 2030?

Nurses and midwives make up about half of the world’s workforce, and 9 million more nurses will be needed by 2030, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As the demand for nurses increases, so too will the need for nurse practitioners (NPs), who play a critical role in treating a broad range of physical and mental health conditions.

What is an adult gerontology nurse practitioner?

Adult Gerontology Acute Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP): An AGACNP provides primary care for the adult population. AGACNPs provide care for adults experiencing common or chronic conditions, such as diabetes, or for adults in acute care situations, such as cardiology.

What can a nurse educator do?

Nurse Educator: Nurse educators can teach nursing courses at colleges and universities. They leverage their knowledge of working in a clinical setting to shape a school’s curriculum and help students with their coursework.

What is an MSN?

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is often a requirement to become a nurse practitioner, although some employers require a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for certain APRN roles. In addition to providing comprehensive instruction in core medical and scientific principles, MSN courses typically cover more complex issues, such as political factors that can impact the delivery of health care. Coursework also covers advanced pharmacology and prescription authority laws, teaching students about the effects of medications and treatments on patients. MSN students practice their assessment and evaluation techniques in real-world clinical experiences.

How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?

Since a master's degree is required to become a nurse practitioner, you first need to earn a bachelor's degree. A BSN program typically takes four years to complete. You may take courses in biology, chemistry, psychology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, nutrition, health assessment and nursing. Part of your education includes gaining ...

What does a nurse practitioner do?

As a nurse practitioner, you examine patients, diagnose health problems, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and develop treatment plans. When treating patients, you likely place more emphasis on wellness and disease prevention than would a physician. You also provide patients with referrals to other healthcare professionals as necessary.

How long is a nurse practitioner's certification valid?

Certification is generally valid for five years.

What is the NCLEX RN exam?

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Each state board of nursing regulates the eligibility requirements to test for licensure.

What does a nurse midwife do?

Nurse midwives, on the other hand, specialize in the areas of gynecology and prenatal care. They may provide gynecological exams, wellness education and family planning options to patients.

How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?

Depending on the degree level you start with, obtaining the education to become a nurse practitioner can take anywhere from two to four years. Those starting with a BSN can complete an MSN in about two years, or a DNP in roughly three to four years. Some specialties will require more credit hours than others, so it's a good idea to thoroughly check your program of choice's curriculum to see what kind of time commitment will need to be made. Many programs offer online courses for maximum flexibility, and most have part-time or full-time study options available as well so that RNs can customize their schooling to their unique needs.

What is the advantage of being a nurse practitioner?

A big advantage of going into the nurse practitioner field is that it allows you to specialize in a particular area of medicine. Most MSN and DNP nurse practitioner programs offer the ability to go into a number of APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) roles and population foci, including:

What is the minimum GPA required to become a DNP?

To be eligible for entry into an MSN or DNP nurse practitioner program, most schools require the following: BSN degree from an accredited institution (ADN degree may be accepted for some specialty bridge programs) Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

How long does it take to become a DNP?

BSN to DNP programs take roughly 3 to 4 years to complete, while MSN to DNP programs can be completed in around 2 years. DNP nurse practitioner programs also allow students to enter a variety of advanced specializations. A DNP is not to be confused with a Ph.D. in Nursing, which is a research-focused degree.

What is a family nurse practitioner?

Family Nurse Practitioner. One of the most popular NP specialties, the family nurse practitioner (FNP) cares for families across the lifespan. Many FNPs are the main primary care providers for their patients, building lasting relationships and working with a high level of autonomy.

What is a women's health nurse practitioner?

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. The women's health NP program prepares nurses to provide advanced care to women throughout the lifespan. They educate women on reproductive health and prevention techniques, and also provide primary care through chronic or acute illnesses.

What is a NP in adult gerontology?

Adult gerontology NPs care for patients from early teenage years through old age. There are two main adult gerontology pathways: adult gerontology acute care NP, and adult gerontology primary care NP. The acute care NP works in emergency, surgery, and other acute settings, while the primary care NP works mainly in an ambulatory setting. Adult gerontology NPs can prescribe medication, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and evaluate the overall effectiveness of a patient's treatment plan. Education is another main task, as this type of NP communicates with patients and their families regarding self-management of conditions and preventative health techniques.

What is the process of becoming a nurse practitioner?

Requirements to Be a Nurse Practitioner. A nurse practitioner (NP) is one type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who can become an autonomous health care provider with additional job duties and benefits. There are three primary steps to becoming an NP: 1. Advanced Education. Becoming an NP requires a postgraduate degree, ...

What are the different types of nurse practitioners?

All nurses are passionate about helping people heal, although some may prefer to work with children, while others prefer to work with adults. Gaining work experience as an RN will help a future nurse practitioner decide which population he or she would like to work with and focus on during the MSN or DNP program. There are five primary specialization areas: 1 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) 2 Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 3 Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) 4 Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) 5 Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

How to become a NP?

There are three primary steps to becoming an NP: 1. Advanced Education. Becoming an NP requires a postgraduate degree, either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). To enter a postgraduate program for nursing, a bachelor’s degree in either science or nursing is necessary.

What is a PMHNP?

There are five primary specialization areas: Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Most MSN or DNP programs will also include clinical work experience during the course of study to put theories learned in class into practice.

How many NPs are there in the US?

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there are over 248,000 licensed NPs in the U.S., and all these nurses have two things in common: they have a desire to effect change, and they did not let the requirements to be a nurse practitioner keep them from getting there.

Is it intimidating to become a nurse practitioner?

At first, exploring the steps required to become a nurse practitioner can prove intimidating. Before long, though, it’s likely to become clear to a dedicated nurse that improving his or her core practice comes with benefits that exceed the trials. These include:

What is an adult geriatric nurse practitioner?

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Most MSN or DNP programs will also include clinical work experience during the course of study to put theories learned in class into practice. Working with patients under the guidance of a physician or instructor can help prepare a nurse for the next requirement of becoming an NP. 3.