A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed advanced education and training beyond that required of a registered nurse (RN). Nurse practitioners are trained to provide a wide range of healthcare services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, interpreting diagnostic tests, and managing overall patient care.
The main difference between being an RN and an NP is that nurse practitioners have more authority and have similar responsibilities to those of a doctor. They can serve as primary care or specialty care providers and typically focus their care on a specific population, such as families, children, or the elderly. As clinicians, they focus on health promotion and disease prevention in their patients.
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With three degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
Accreditation Prerequisite RN RequiredEnrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP MSN - Family NP MSN - Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP MSN - Adult/Gerontology Primary Care NP MSN - Pediatric NP - Primary CareLearn More
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. GCU offers a full spectrum of nursing degrees, from a pre-licensure BSN degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
Accreditation Prerequisite RN RequiredEnrollment: Nationwide
MSN - Family NP MSN - Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP DNP - Educational Leadership See more GCU nursing programsLearn More
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
Accreditation Prerequisite RN RequiredEnrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NPLearn More
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
Accreditation Prerequisite RN RequiredEnrollment: Nationwide
BSN-to-MSN - Family NP BSN-to-MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NPLearn More
$126,260 per year
MSN or DNP Degree
To become a nurse practitioner, you'll need to complete the following steps:
The first step to becoming a nurse practitioner is becoming a registered nurse. You'll do this by enrolling in either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) program.
If you don’t already hold a BSN, you may want to enroll in and earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Nurses who have their ADN can enroll in accelerated RN-BSN programs, many of which can be completed online. However, it is possible to go straight from your ADN to an MSN degree if you want to skip the step of earning your Bachelor's degree. (More on that in step four.)
Some nurses may choose to skip this step and go right into enrolling in a graduate program, while others choose to get a few years of experience under their belt before continuing their education.
There are a lot of different options for nurse practitioner programs depending on where you are starting out and what your requirements are.
The specifics for NP licensure are set by the individual states, which means that you will have to search the requirements to become an NP in the state that you plan to work in. There is also talk of a national model for NP licensure, but currently, it does vary from state to state.
Congratulations! You've made it, and now you're ready to find your first job as a nurse practitioner. You can work with a nurse recruiter or check out nursing job boards to help find the right position for you.
In addition to being general nurse practitioners, NPs can also specialize in a specific population. They often attend a nursing program that allows them to specialize in this area and obtain clinical competency. If they choose a specialization, they'll also need to become certified in the specific specialty area.
Here are some of the popular nurse practitioner specialties, but you can check out our article on nurse practitioner specialties for more details.
Family nurse practitioners or Family Practice Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide primary health care services for individuals and families throughout their lifespans. They often act as a primary care provider for their patients, and this can be especially rewarding for those who enjoy developing long-term relationships and getting to know people over time.
Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide care to patients in acute care and/or hospital settings. They see patients when they are sick, admitted to the hospital, or after a surgical procedure and/or trauma. Their focus is solely on caring for the adult population with complex diseases.
Aesthetic nurse practitioners specialize in cosmetic medical procedures that improve their patient's appearance. They examine and evaluate patients, counsel them on a variety of procedures, perform those procedures, and care for them as they recover.
Pediatric nurse practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses whose sole focus is treating children from infancy through their adulthood. They see patients on a one-on-one basis, offering care ranging from well check-ups and immunizations to diagnosing illnesses and treating chronic and acute conditions.
Emergency nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and manage injuries and illnesses that need urgent care. They can work with or without supervision, determining which patients need the most immediate care, making decisions about treatment, monitoring patient conditions, and providing education and consultation.
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners specialize in the care of adults from adolescence all the way up to geriatric care. They work with patients and their caregivers to manage chronic conditions, diseases, and other health conditions.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) specialize in the mental health needs of adults, children, families, groups, and/or communities. They help individuals cope with different psychiatric disorders and illnesses and can also help people with substance abuse disorders.
Neonatal nurse practitioners care for premature and sick newborns, including diagnosing them, providing treatment plans, and prescribing medication. They can also assist in delivering patients in certain settings.
Women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNP) specialize in the comprehensive care of women throughout their lives. They focus on reproductive, obstetric, and gynecological health and usually work in a primary care office setting rather than a hospital or delivery room.
Orthopedic nurse practitioners focus on the care and treatment of patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems. These can include disease and/or injuries of the bones, muscles, joints, and supporting connective tissue.
Oncology nurse practitioners provide comprehensive care to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. They collaborate with other healthcare providers, including physicians, to develop treatment plans for cancer patients.
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With three degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
Accreditation Prerequisite RN RequiredEnrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP MSN - Family NP MSN - Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP MSN - Adult/Gerontology Primary Care NP MSN - Pediatric NP - Primary CareLearn More
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. GCU offers a full spectrum of nursing degrees, from a pre-licensure BSN degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
Accreditation Prerequisite RN RequiredEnrollment: Nationwide
MSN - Family NP MSN - Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP DNP - Educational Leadership See more GCU nursing programsLearn More
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
Accreditation Prerequisite RN RequiredEnrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NPLearn More
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
Accreditation Prerequisite RN RequiredEnrollment: Nationwide
BSN-to-MSN - Family NP BSN-to-MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NPLearn More
Nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $126,260 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average nurse practitioner salary will vary based on many factors, including location, experience, and specialty.
Certain specializations earn more than others, so be sure to check our article on the highest-paying nurse practitioner specialties to find the ones with the highest earning potential.
There's a lot of variation in nurse practitioner salaries by state. The highest-paying states are California, Nevada, Washington, New Jersey, and Oregon.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
Alabama | $106,610 |
Alaska | $116,390 |
Arizona | $121,410 |
Arkansas | $107,110 |
California | $158,130 |
Colorado | $116,440 |
Connecticut | $131,490 |
Delaware | $120,570 |
District of Columbia | $131,270 |
Florida | $110,310 |
Georgia | $115,440 |
Hawaii | $128,310 |
Idaho | $117,720 |
Illinois | $122,310 |
Indiana | $121,730 |
Iowa | $128,180 |
Kansas | $111,670 |
Kentucky | $109,290 |
Louisiana | $118,210 |
Maine | $118,300 |
Maryland | $119,650 |
Massachusetts | $138,700 |
Michigan | $113,780 |
Minnesota | $128,160 |
Mississippi | $117,260 |
Missouri | $113,180 |
Montana | $119,960 |
Nebraska | $118,970 |
Nevada | $136,230 |
New Hampshire | $125,780 |
New Jersey | $143,250 |
New Mexico | $129,560 |
New York | - |
North Carolina | $114,450 |
North Dakota | $113,940 |
Ohio | $117,440 |
Oklahoma | $121,740 |
Oregon | $136,250 |
Pennsylvania | $120,550 |
Rhode Island | $125,250 |
South Carolina | $109,130 |
South Dakota | $115,610 |
Tennessee | $99,330 |
Texas | $124,660 |
Utah | $115,610 |
Vermont | $116,610 |
Virginia | $116,980 |
Washington | $135,590 |
West Virginia | $106,790 |
Wisconsin | $121,210 |
Wyoming | $123,560 |
Source: BLS, Data extracted July 26, 2024
As we mentioned, there's not just one way to become an NP. Nurse practitioners have several different schooling options depending on where they're starting out and what degree they want to obtain.
In order to become a nurse practitioner, you need to complete at least one of these 2 degree options:
Deciding between an MSN vs DNP? MSNs might be better for nurses who are looking to specialize clinically, while a DNP may be the better choice if you're looking to get into a leadership position. Those are not hard and fast rules, however; ultimately, the decision depends on the type of education you want.
There has also been talk of changing the requirements for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses from an MSN to a DNP, so that is a consideration as well if you are planning your education advancement further into the future. For instance, if you won’t be enrolling in your graduate education for a few years, you should be aware that the requirements may change by then.
Before becoming one, you should understand what nurse practitioners do on an average day. NPs are healthcare providers who can prescribe medication, examine patients, order diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses, and provide treatment, much like physicians do.
Their experience as working nurses gives them a unique approach to patient care, while their advanced studies qualify them to take on additional duties that are usually left to physicians.
In fact, as reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), it’s estimated that NPs can provide 80-90 percent of the care that primary care physicians offer.
NP scope of practice has three levels: full, reduced, and restricted practice authority. Nurse practitioners have full practice authority in 25 states, meaning that they do not have to work under the supervision of a doctor.
In the remaining states, NPs still have more authority than RNs, but they need a medical doctor to sign off on certain patient care decisions.
Nursing is already a stable, in-demand career. But becoming a nurse practitioner can give you even more job security.
The BLS predicts that nurse practitioner jobs will increase by 38% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than most other careers.
The need for primary care is also expected to rise over the next five years because of the aging population. NPs will help meet this increasing demand, especially in underserved areas.
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With three degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.