How Long Does it Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

12/4, 2024 vishal

Time involved in becoming a nurse practitioner

What is Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners are some of the most well-educated and experienced medical professionals with relevant health knowledge. The expertise of these practitioners is well-rewarded in the job market which is evident in their median annual wage of $129,480 in the United States. However, gaining expertise and practice takes time for all healthcare professionals. This guide will discuss how long does it take to become a nurse practitioner and assist all acute and critically-ill patients.

Duties of a Nurse Practitioner

A nurse practitioner is a registered professional who holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with advanced training.

Nurse practitioners in the United States have credentials from the American Nurses Credentialing Center that reflect their particular field of study. Most of these professionals focus on mental health, pediatric nursing, family practice, and adult-gerontology-acute care, among other treatments. .

The roles and responsibilities of these healthcare providers can vary widely across states. However, they are commonly authorized to:

Analyze medical histories and check for vital signs of illnesses
Assess and diagnose acute or critically ill patients
Refer patients to other medical and healthcare professionals, if necessary
Create and implement customized treatment plans for patients
Prescribe medication
Perform corrective and therapeutic measures based on their areas of practice

The authority of nurse practitioners will vary according to the specific state laws where they usually practice. Some states in the United States may give full scope of practice authority to these healthcare providers, while other states offer restricted or reduced practices.

Nurse practitioners with full scope of practice may operate independently without seeking any physician’s oversight. However, professionals with reduced or restricted practice must have an active, written agreement with physicians who review patient records on a predetermined basis.

Time Period to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners must have either a master’s or a doctoral degree in nursing to practice across healthcare institutions. That is why it may take around 12 to 60 months of schooling to become a certified healthcare professional.

The time period to become a nurse practitioner is categorized in detail below:

Degree	Approximate Average Time
Bachelor’s Degree (BSN)	4 years
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)	2 years
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)	3 to 4 years

Educational Pathways for Nurse Practitioners

There are several educational pathways for you to become a nurse practitioner. The specific educational program you choose often determines how long it takes for you to become a nursing practitioner. These options include:

Direct-entry or Accelerated MSN Programs

A direct-entry MSN program is a master’s degree that does not require you to have a BSN degree. However, these programs require you to have a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field compulsorily. A graduate of direct-entry or accelerated MSN can enter the nursing vocation directly after earning their degree.

These programs often take two to three years to complete and require you to pass the National Council Licensure Examination - Next Generation Nursing (NCLEX-NGN) test before beginning any other graduate coursework.

Traditional MSN Programs

Traditional MSN programs require you to have a BSN degree. You must also possess a registered nurse (RN) license before beginning your coursework. A few other organizations may require you to have some prior work experience as a healthcare professional.

Most traditional MSN programs take around two years to complete in the United States.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

A DNP degree usually focuses on advanced skills associated with clinical nursing practice and other administrative skills, like leadership and program management. As a DNP graduate, you will be qualified for the highest-paying nurse practitioner jobs. It also means you are well-positioned for further advancement within the healthcare field.

Please note that DNP programs are the lengthiest option for you to become a nurse practitioner because they require almost three to five years to complete.

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

You must know and understand the strategic steps to become a nurse practitioner so that you can plan your career well. This enables you to grab excellent job opportunities after graduating and earning your license. The steps include:

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing degree

Your path to becoming a certified nurse practitioner will start with pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). Several nurses earn their BSN with a traditional bachelor’s degree program of four years in the United States.

However, a few others may prefer to enter nursing as a second career after earning a bachelor’s degree in another field. These candidates often choose an accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, which may take around 12 to 24 months to complete.

Note that a few Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs will allow for direct entry into the NP field if you are a registered nurse who holds a bachelor’s degree that is not a BSN. These programs save you a lot of time but could limit your career options as a healthcare professional in the long run because most nurse practitioner jobs will prefer a BSN.

Step 2: Become a Registered Nurse Practitioner

You must pass a timed test called the NCLEX-NGN (formerly the NCLEX-RN) exam after completing your graduate program. You can easily apply to your state board of nursing for RN licensure after completing the test. The authorities may also require you to submit proof of your clinical training hours and continuing education hours during this time.

A few other nursing practitioner programs require you to work as a registered healthcare professional or a year before beginning your master’s level program.

Step 3: Get Your Graduate Degree in Nursing

You must earn your MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree as a nurse practitioner. Most of these accredited degree programs happen in-person or online, depending on your requirements and preferences. These programs typically take 2-4 years to complete in the United States. The time period usually depends on whether you choose part-time or full-time study.

You will also gain advanced knowledge in patient care, pharmacology, and healthcare systems during this time. You must make sure to graduate from an accredited program, which is the key to your certification and licensure as a nurse practitioner.

Step 4: Apply for State Licensure as a Registered Nurse Practitioner

You must also pass a state-recognized national certification exam administered by accredited organizations in your chosen NP institution to become a licensed nurse practitioner. You may also need to provide proof of your work experience or postgraduate educational hours once you pass that exam. The authorities will verify these credentials before you get your license. This process can take a few weeks to several months to complete.

Each state in the United States may have additional requirements, such as background checks or continuing education credits. So, make sure to stay informed about your state’s specific licensure guidelines to ensure a successful application process.

Fastest Way to Become a Nurse Practitioner

You must know how long does it take to become a nurse practitioner to ensure which program suits your requirements the best. This enables you to acquire the required knowledge, skills, and expertise within a dedicated period, after which you can explore various career opportunities. Make sure to choose certifications and degrees that provide you with the proper credentials to become a professional in this field. Remember to acquire your license to ensure you can practice individually or in any healthcare institution.