how to become a np
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Career Overview
Find out about nurse practitioner careers, including responsibilities, pros and cons, and compensation. Learn more about a fast-growing career with an average salary over $100K.
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A nurse practitioner has more training and clinical authority than a registered nurse but less than a physician. Nurse practitioners are authorized to prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and diagnose conditions. They can also assist in surgical procedures, suture, and practice independently in a number of states (Arizona, Massachusetts, Oregon, and several others).
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for NPs in the United States is $111,840, and the number of job opportunities is growing.
What Does a Nurse Practitioner (NP) Do?
MSN or DNP required
certification required
NPs provide clinical care for patients and are authorized to diagnose health conditions, order tests, and prescribe medications. In some states, they need to work under the supervision of a physician or in collaboration with a physician; in other states, they have full practice authority, giving them professional autonomy. Depending on the setting, a NP's key skills and responsibilities could include the tasks below:
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Where Do Nurse Practitioners Work?
Most NPs specialize in family practice. While NPs work in nearly every healthcare setting, they are most likely to work in hospital outpatient (14.4%) or inpatient (13.3%) departments, or in private group practices (11.6%).
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Hospital Outpatient NPs generally serve as primary care providers or specialists in hospital outpatient settings, assessing and diagnosing patients, prescribing treatment, advising patients on care, and referring patients to physicians for additional care when needed.
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Hospital Inpatient In a hospital inpatient setting, NPs also assess and diagnose patients and prescribe treatment as part of a patient's ongoing care. They may also lead nursing teams and oversee the work of other clinical staff.
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Private Group Practices In a private group practice, NPs may serve as primary care providers or specialists. They see patients, assess conditions, and prescribe treatments, escalating a patient to seeing a physician or specialist NP as necessary.
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Why Become a Nurse Practitioner?
There are pros and cons to any occupation, and NPs are no different. You can compare key qualities of a NP found in the list below.
Advantages to Becoming a NP
Disadvantages to Becoming a NP
How To Become a Nurse Practitioner
To become a nurse practitioner requires a BSN, graduate degree, and state licensure.
Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
Students can earn an ADN in two years or a BSN in four years. Some students prefer to earn the ADN first; this provides the opportunity to see if they like the work and environment. Others prefer to start with the BSN and begin work at a higher level of responsibility and pay.
Pass the NCLEX-RN to receive RN licensure.
MSN-NP programs require experience in nursing. To practice as an RN, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) examination which measures a graduate's readiness to begin practice as a registered nurse. It asks questions about safety, health promotion, and patient physical and psychological needs.
Earn an MSN.
Students typically take two years of full-time study to earn the MSN degree. Admission for most MSN programs require or give preference to students with at least two years of experience as an RN. MSN-NP programs also require a valid and unencumbered state nursing license.
Pass the national nurse practitioner certification board exam.
This examination, like the NCLEX-RN exam, assesses a graduate's readiness to work in the field as a NP. It typically comprises 150 multiple choice questions. However, there are multiple certifying bodies with differing exams depending on your MSN-NP specialty track, such as family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, among others.
Obtain state licensure as a NP.
Each state has its own licensing requirements, but they all include earning an MSN or DNP degree and passing the national board exam.
Nurse Practitioner Concentrations and Specializations
msn or dnp Required
High Demand
Pain Management Nurse Practitioner
Pain management nurse practitioners work with patients experiencing chronic or acute pain and prescribe treatments.
msn or dnp Required
High Demand
Family Nurse Practitioner
A family nurse practitioner typically works as a primary care provider for patients of all ages in different healthcare settings. Most nurse practitioners work as family NPs.
msn or dnp Required
High Demand
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Neonatal nurse practitioners provide nursing care for newborn infants, generally in hospitals. While they care for infants, they also work with the new parents.
msn or dnp Required
High Demand
Adult Nurse Practitioner
Adult nurse practitioners provide primary care for adults in a range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, health systems, and independent practices.
msn or dnp Required
High Demand
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric nurse practitioners, also known as mental health nurse practitioners, specialize in providing mental health treatment, in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
msn or dnp Required
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Women's health nurse practitioners specialize in women's health, especially obstetric and gynecological (ob/gyn) health. They typically work in hospitals, health systems, and independent practices.
*SOURCE: PayScale
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make?
NP wages vary based on experience, speciality, and geography but average a median pay of $115,800 per year. The highest paid NP specialty is psychiatric care with a median annual salary of $125,000 and the lowest is family care at $107,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment as a NP will grow by 45% from 2019 to 2029. Employment growth tends to follow population growth, especially older adult population growth. Between 2018-2028, NP employment in Arizona is expected to rise by 50.9%, by 44.7% in Colorado, and by 41.4% in Georgia.
| State | Annual Mean Wage | Total Number of NPs |
|---|---|---|
| California | $138,660 | 13,900 |
| Washington | $126,920 | 3,870 |
| Hawaii | $124,000 | 420 |
| New Jersey | $123,810 | 6,460 |
| Minnesota | $122,850 | 3,970 |
| Metropolitan Area | Annual Mean Wage | Total Number of NPs |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo-Fairfield, California | $175,060 | 150 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, Washington | $160,110 | 390 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California | $157,150 | 1,930 |
| Longview, Washington | $150,520 | 30 |
| Sumter, South Carolina | $147,210 | 50 |
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Emergency Departments | $135,000 |
| Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals | $124,000 |
| Home Health Care | $125,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Nurse Practitioners
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?
The NP designation takes at least six years of school to earn plus time working as an RN. Most full-time students need four years to earn a BSN degree and two years to earn a master's degree in nursing. Most schools require or strongly recommend at least two years of work as an RN before applying to an MSN-NP program.
Can nurse practitioners prescribe medicine?
NPs can prescribe medications, including controlled substances. Some states require a certain number of credit hours in pharmacology while others require NPs or newly credentialed NPs to work in collaboration with a physician. Others grant NPs full practice authority, meaning they do not require a physician's collaboration or supervision.
What are the most popular nurse practitioner specialties?
According to a 2019 AANP study, the specializations with the highest concentration of NPs are family practice at about 65%, adult care at about 13%, and adult gerontology at about 8%.
What is the difference between an RN and a NP?
An RN has a two- or four-year degree in nursing, or a nursing diploma, whereas a NP has at least an MSN and board certification as a NP. While all NPs are RNs, not all RNs are NPs.
Professional Organizations for Nurse Practitioners
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AANP | The American Association of Nurse Practitioners
AANP comprises 118,000 members and is the largest professional association for NPs in the United States. It conducts research on the profession, provides members with continuing education, advocates for the nurse practitioner profession, and holds an annual conference. Most members are NPs, but there are six different membership categories, including students and retirees. -
NONPF | National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
NONPF is the national membership association for nurse practitioner education. The organization advises on nursing practitioner program curriculum and effective NP education. Membership is open to nursing schools, students, retired faculty members, and current NP school faculty members. -
NPWH | National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
NPWH aims to ensure the highest possible quality of care from nurse practitioners specializing in women's health. The association provides education, conducts research, and advocates for policies that advance the profession. The majority of members are NPs, but there are membership categories for students and those who work in the area of women's health. -
NBNPA | National Black Nurse Practitioner Association
NBNPA is located in Houston, Texas, and was founded in 2010 to create a professional community and support the work of Black NPs. The association advocates for health equity among underserved communities and provides scholarships and other philanthropic support. Members are all Black nurse practitioners. -
AAENP | American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners
AAENP, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, provides continuing education, establishes guidelines for emergency care nursing, and conducts advocacy for emergency nurse practitioners. Membership is open to any emergency care provider or student of emergency care, but certain leadership roles are reserved for nurse practitioners.
Related Nurse Practitioner Career Resources
Related Nurse Practitioner Program Resources
Reviewed by:
Elizabeth Clarke (Poon) is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who provides primary and urgent care to pediatric populations. She earned a BSN and MSN from the University of Miami.
Clarke is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners.
NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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