Become a Nurse Practitioner: How to Go From RN to NP

Nurse practitioners (NP) provide both primary and specialty care — and they’re in high demand. Becoming an NP can mean higher compensation, greater autonomy, and increased professional opportunities. Unlike a registered nurse (RN), an NP has professional authority that’s closer to that of a physician, meaning they can order tests, diagnose diseases, and prescribe medication.

Is it worth it to go from RN to NP? For many, the payoff is worth the investment. Discover the steps to advance your nursing career as an NP.

Drawing on the nursing profession’s tradition of patient-centered care, nurse practitioners provide both primary and specialty care. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) act as primary care providers to patients of all ages. NPs also provide specialty care in areas such as women’s health, mental health, and pediatrics.

Typical NP duties include:

RNs can become NPs by earning a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. NP programs build on a registered nurse’s clinical skills with intensive coursework and about 500-750 hours of clinical practice.

Nurse practitioners also can choose from a range of specialties designed for NPs. Common NP specialties include:

Going from an RN to an NP is a significant investment in time and money, including at least two years of graduate school. The RN-to-NP career path offers significant rewards, and most people who have made the transition find the change enriching and worthwhile.

The transition from nurse to nurse practitioner can be financially rewarding. The median nurse practitioner’s salary is $126,260 annually, compared to $86,070 for RNs — a difference of more than $40,000 per year — according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

An NP’s higher average salary can help offset education expenses. There are many opportunities to help you finance your MSN degree through nursing scholarships, grants, and employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement.

Nurse practitioners are among the fastest-growing professions nationally. The BLS projects that NP jobs will grow 46% from 2023-2033 — far faster than the national average. The aging U.S. population, greater recognition of NPs’ effectiveness, and the need for healthcare practitioners all contribute to this growth.

Many nurses make the move from RN to nurse practitioner to gain more professional autonomy. Nurse practitioners can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and act as primary care providers.In some states, NPs must work under the supervision of a physician, which means they report to a physician or can consult with a physician as needed. NPs do not have direct physician supervision in their daily responsibilities.

Your first step in becoming a nurse practitioner is to become an RN. Once you’ve got your RN license, here’s your next steps to go from RN to NP.

What are the licensure and certification requirements for nurse practitioners? Nearly all states require an APRN license issued by the state board of nursing and board certification.

Multiple organizations offer NP certifications. Nurse practitioners can earn board certification from the following organizations:

Board certified NPs must renew their credential on a regular basis.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners provides detailed information on NP certification.