How to Become a Nurse Practitioner: Steps to Get Started

Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) is a rewarding field for those who want to hold an advanced position and make a meaningful impact in health care. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), NPs have greater autonomy than registered nurses (RNs). They hold full practice authority in many states, which means they can diagnose, treat, and prescribe independently. If this appeals to you, consider taking a closer look at how to become a nurse practitioner.

While lengthy, the schooling needed to be a nurse practitioner is more accessible than you might think. First, you’ll need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which can be earned on an accelerated timeline with Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. As few as 15 months after starting the program, you can graduate with a quality BSN.

When considering how to become an NP, first choose the right nursing school, which will set the stage for your nursing career. After earning a BSN, you must secure an RN license, build clinical experience and obtain the advanced education necessary to become an APRN.

1. Complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or have existing college credits, you can enroll in a full-time accelerated nursing program, such as the Notre Dame ABSN program, which can be completed in as few as 15 months. As long as you meet our admission requirements, you are eligible to enroll, regardless of your existing educational background and previous area of study.

To accommodate students with various learning preferences, our ABSN offers two program options:

• Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program allows students to complete nursing theory coursework through an e-learning platform. You’ll still need to complete in-person simulation experiences and clinical experiences.
• Our on-campus ABSN program in Baltimore offers completely in-person learning components, including coursework, making it a great option for those who thrive on a structured routine.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN and Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

Once you’ve earned a BSN, you must pass the NCLEX-RN in the state you plan to practice in. While it’s challenging, passing this licensure exam is a mandatory step to becoming a nurse. It ensures candidates entering the profession possess the essential skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective care as entry-level nurses.

For this reason, taking adequate time to prepare for the NCLEX is crucial. While we created the Notre Dame ABSN curriculum in part to help you prepare for the NCLEX, we recommend blocking off time after graduation to prepare for the licensure exam. It’s also a good idea to sign up to take the NCLEX a month or two after graduation, while the course material is still fresh in your mind.

3. Gain Clinical Experience as an RN

Once you’ve passed the NCLEX and become licensed, you can start working as an RN. Before you can earn an advanced nursing degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), you’ll need to gain some clinical experience. Plan on working for one to three years to sharpen your nursing skills and gain a better idea of the direction you want your career to head in.

4. Choose Your Nurse Practitioner Specialty

When you think you’re ready to apply to a graduate-level nursing program, you’ll need to choose your preferred NP specialty. This will ideally be the same specialty in which you’ve already been working or a closely related one.

Specialties include:

• Acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP)
• Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
• Neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP)
• Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
• Women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP)

5. Enroll in a Nurse Practitioner Program (MSN or DNP)

Once you’ve chosen an NP specialty, you can look for an MSN degree or DNP degree program that aligns with that specialty. Between the MSN and the DNP, which should you choose?

Nursing organizations have called for making the DNP the minimum requirement for NPs by 2025. As of 2025, the MSN is still the minimum requirement. It’s worth considering, however, that there is still a significant push toward requiring all NPs to earn a DNP. It may be in your best interest to earn a DN, as it is likely to become the official requirement soon, perhaps by the time you’re ready to choose a graduate-level nursing program.

Note that some DNP programs might require you to earn an MSN first.

6. Get Licensed as an APRN to Begin Practicing

After completing graduate-level education requirements, the next steps to becoming a nurse practitioner are to pass the board certification exam and obtain a state-issued APRN license.

Your exam may vary depending on your specialty area of choice, but some of the national certification agencies that offer NP certification exams include:

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
• National Certification Corporation

While it’s possible to hold licenses with multiple state boards, each state has its own licensing requirements. Some states require extra steps to gain prescription-writing privileges, for example. To learn more about each state’s APRN licensure requirements, visit NursingLicensure.org.

Common Questions on Becoming an NP

While researching how to become an NP, some questions may arise. Here are answers to some common questions about this career pathway:

How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

Because the path can be different for every NP, there is no universal answer. For example, your timeline may be quicker than others if you earn a BSN with an ABSN program instead of a traditional BSN program, which takes four years. The time required will also depend on whether you earn an MSN, a DNP or both. In general, you can expect the following time requirements:

• Earn an MSN: Two to four years, depending on scheduling preferences
• Earn a BSN: As few as 15 months or as long as four years
• Pass the NCLEX: Variable, but perhaps a couple of months if passed on the first attempt
• Gain clinical experience: Variable, but may be one to three years
• Earn a DNP: Three to five years, depending on scheduling preferences

How Much Do NPs Earn?

As APRNs, nurse practitioners have a significantly higher salary command compared to RNs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NPs earned a median annual salary of $129,210 as of May 2024. Comparatively, the BLS reports the median annual salary for RNs in 2024 as $93,600.

Can NPs Open Their Own Clinics?

In many cases, nurse practitioners can open their own clinics. The regulatory landscape changes from one state to the next, however, so it’s important to thoroughly research your state’s scope of practice regulations, as well as the requirements for professional liability coverage and business registration.

In some states, NPs hold full practice authority, meaning they can diagnose and treat patients without physician oversight. Other states grant more autonomy to NPs than to RNs, but NPs are still subject to certain restrictions.

Start Your Road to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner at NDMU

If you hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or existing college credits and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, you may be eligible for Notre Dame’s ABSN program, which allows you to graduate with a BSN in as few as 15 months after completing any prerequisites. At NDMU, you’ll find a welcoming learning environment that prioritizes individualized learning, offering a choice between online and on-campus coursework. Regardless of your chosen program, we support students with tutoring services and Academic Success Coaches, in addition to our attentive faculty.

Contact our admissions team and take the first step to becoming a nurse practitioner at NDMU.