A nurse practitioner provides health care services similar to those of a physician. There are several specialty areas for nurse practitioners, including family, pediatric and geriatric nursing. Those interested in becoming a nurse practitioner require at least a master's degree and licensing according to state regulations.Step 1: Earn an Undergraduate Degree in Nursing
Aspiring nurse practitioners can begin their education by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing. Completion of an undergraduate degree program prepares students for entry-level positions in clinical settings and meets state requirements for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). An associate degree program usually takes two years to complete, and credit can often transfer to a bachelor's degree completion program.
Schools offer several options for those interested in earning a bachelor's degree, including full 4-year programs, accelerated programs for associate degree-holders, completion programs for licensed RNs and online options for those with sufficient education and experience backgrounds. Students on a path to becoming a nurse practitioner will need to earn a bachelor's degree to qualify for the necessary graduate study. Common courses in undergraduate nursing programs include:
- Patient care types
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Health assessment
- Pediatric nursing
- Mental and community health
Step 2: Become a Registered Nurse
Every state requires a practicing nurse to first pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Additional licensing and registration requirements, which typically include background checks and fingerprinting, may be required at the state level. Before continuing to pursue a graduate degree or advanced nursing licensure, an RN license is required.Step 3: Complete a Graduate Degree in Nursing
Registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are interested in becoming nurse practitioners can qualify for the position by earning a master's or doctoral degree in nursing. Many nurse practitioners specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as pediatrics or family medicine, during their graduate study. These programs typically take 2-3 years and require students to take courses, seminars and lectures in addition to completing a clinical residency. Common courses include:- Healthcare management
- Clinical reasoning and diagnosis
- Pathophysiology
- Advanced pharmacology
Step 4: Obtain Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure
Most states require additional licensure to work as an advanced practice nurses. In addition to nurse practitioner, other licenses within this field include clinical nursing, nurse anesthetics, psychiatric nursing and nursing midwifery. Some states require nurse practitioners to obtain special licensing in order to prescribe medication. The most common requirements include a minimum of a master's degree in advanced nursing, a valid RN license and passing a national certification or state-issued examination. Many states require continuing education classes or maintenance of a national certification to renew a license.Step 5: Specialize Through Certification
The successful completion of a graduate degree program and licensure requirements prepare graduates to sit for certification examinations specific to their careers. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) are two organizations that offer national certification commonly recognized by state nursing boards. Certification usually requires passing an examination, and most organizations mandate continuing education to maintain the credentials. Available specialty examinations nurse practitioners may choose from include:- Acute care
- Diabetes management
- Family care
- School nursing
- Mental health
- Pediatrics
