If I’m Not a Nurse, Can I Still Go to NP School?

Nurse practitioners (NPs) work in the fastest-growing healthcare profession, with 46% projected job growth from 2023 to 2033. These advanced practice nurses also benefit from some of the highest salaries in nursing.

Nursing schools offer NP tracks for students with some nursing experience or a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. You can also complete a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree before applying to NP school.

This resource can help you sort out the possibilities and find your best path to NP certification, even if you’re not a nurse already.

The traditional path to becoming an NP starts with a nursing degree. Most NPs enter the profession by earning a BSN, gaining clinical experience, and applying to a graduate program. Next, they earn either a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP).

But can you become an NP without a BSN? What if you don’t have a nursing degree at all?

The right track for you depends on your prior education and timeline. If you have strong grades and a bachelor’s degree in a field besides nursing, direct-entry MSN programs offer the fastest path to becoming an NP. If you have some nursing experience, but you’re not an RN, bridge programs can prepare you for an NP program.

If you have no prior nursing experience, you can still become an NP with a direct-entry MSN program. Also called entry-level MSN programs, these programs admit applicants with a bachelor’s degree who do not hold an RN license. In addition to in-person programs, you can consider direct-entry online NP programs. Depending on the program, nursing students typically graduate in 2-4 years.

In a direct-entry program, nursing students complete RN licensure coursework and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) before starting their NP classes. Foundational courses in nursing theory, pathophysiology, and pharmacology prepare nursing students for advanced health assessment and NP courses. Students also complete NP clinical rotations.

After earning an MSN, graduates can complete their NP board certification requirements to begin working as an NP.

Admission for direct-entry MSN programs can be competitive. You’ll likely need a minimum 3.0 GPA, and some programs require prerequisite courses for nurses. If you don’t meet the admission requirements for direct-entry programs, you can pursue your BSN before enrolling in an NP program.

Nursing bridge programs offer an accelerated pathway for nursing professionals without an RN, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). These professionals can complete the nursing and clinical requirements for an RN license with a bridge program and then apply to NP school.

An LPN can complete an LPN-to-BSN bridge program in around two years. With an RN license, they can apply to NP graduate programs. Some nursing schools may offer direct admission to NP programs for graduates of BSN bridge programs.

If you’re not an RN, what other paths can you take to become an NP? While direct-entry MSN programs are the fastest way to become an NP for non-nurses, you have several other options.

After completing a BSN, you can enroll in an accelerated NP program or a BSN-to-DNP program to become an NP.