Become a Nurse Practitioner Without a Prior Nursing Degree

Nurse practitioner enrollments are on the rise because many physicians are opting for specialized practices instead of primary care. As patient loads increase, this trend is creating a worsening shortage of primary care providers and a growing demand for nurse practitioners.

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses generally work along with and in place of primary care physicians. They are registered nurses with advanced clinical training and a graduate degree, typically a masters in nursing. Some of their duties include physicals, diagnostic testing, diagnosing, prescribing medications and treatment, and patient care planning and management. Nurse Practitioners readily find work in clinics, doctor’s offices, hospitals, urgent care clinics, emergency rooms, in government agencies, and also practice independently in their own private practices.

According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, there are approximately 135,000 NP’s currently practicing in the U.S. as of 2010. They provide care to the tune of 600 million visits annually.

MSN Direct-Entry Programs

Direct-entry nursing programs provide an opportunity to become a licensed RN, even though you may have a different kind of BA degree such as psychology or biological science. These programs are also commonly referred to as “clinical nurse leader” programs.

Typically, direct-entry MSN programs last 3 years. Year 1 prepares nursing students for RN licensure, while years 2 and 3 focus upon advanced practice areas and nursing leadership. Advanced practice areas in nursing include: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Midwifery (CNM), Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). RN First Assistants (RNFA) are also considered advanced practice nurses.

Clinical pharmacology, health assessment, pathophysiology and health promotion are included in a typical course of study of most NP programs.

Online LPN to BSN Bridge Program

Licensed Practical Nurses have the opportunity to earn an accredited BSN degree completely online without ever stepping foot in a classroom in as little as 12 months through top ranked Indiana State University's LPN to BSN program.

Upon graduation from the LPN-to-BSN program they can then enjoy higher salary and better job opportunities as registered nurses while using tuition assistance programs to pay for an online nurse practitioner program and become a NP without giving up their job or paycheck in the process.

BSN Fast-Track Programs

There is yet another alternative for those wanting to earn a NP license and certification. But, the first step of course is to become an RN. There are accelerated bachelors of science in nursing programs (BSN) which prepare those with a BA degree in another field for RN licensure. While they typically last only 15-18 months, they are intensive and quite competitive to get into.

After about a year of RN working experience, nurses can apply to the traditional MSN school and complete NP training. While the accelerated BSN route may be quicker to obtaining the RN license, it still takes about the same time when figuring in the pre-nursing coursework, plus the year of work experience required by traditional MSN schools.

Employment Outlook For Nurse Practitioners

Due to the increase in the elderly population and shortage of primary care physicians, the demand for NP’s is growing as a more cost-effective solution to healthcare. This is especially true for rural, underserved areas. The median annual salary for NP’s in the U.S. is $85,200, with top earners making $113,000 according to CNN Money. Many states are now accepting nurse practitioners as Medicaid providers, reimbursing at the rate of physicians. Congress has also passed legislation for NP reimbursement under Medicare.

Career Advancement/Specialization

Nurse practitioners specialize in many different areas. Specialization allows NP’s to focus on providing healthcare services to a particular population or area of practice. The University of California San Francisco School of Nursing boasts 10 areas of specialization for NP’s: Acute Care NP, Adult NP, Family NP, Midwifery-Women’s Health NP, Pediatric NP, Neonatal NP, Acute Care Pediatric NP, Psychiatric NP, Gerontology NP, and Occupational Health NP. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, family practice is the most common specialty area.

NP’s also practice within sub-specialties such as neurology or orthopedics. Those who specialize are certified nationally by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association.

Could A Nurse Practitioner Career Be Right For You?

Explore Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs
Explore accredited nursing degree programs that will get you on track to become a Nurse Practitioner and request additional information about requirements, tuition, financial aid, and start dates directly from nursing schools offering programs that match your interests:
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