Active Duty Military RN, BSN - When do you know you are ready to become an NP?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am active duty in the military serving as a RN with BSN. I have been a nurse for 4 years: 1.5 years medsurg ward, 1 year PACU/APU, and 1.5 ER. Typically as nurse in my branch in the military, the more senior you become, the less you are at the bedside (if at all), unless you are a Nurse Practitioner, CRNA, or OR nurse. I know that I want to remain at the bedside. Strategically (in terms of my future promotions and remaining in the military), at my 6 year mark, I will need to decide if I want to pursue becoming an FNP/CNS/ACNP or if I would take one last tour as an RN and then get out and join the civilian world, continuing as an RN until I feel ready to start pursuing a Nurse Practitioner degree.

I enjoy being an RN, and I know in the future I will enjoy being a Nurse Practitioner. My uncertainty comes though when I consider, "Am I being forced to "grow-up" too fast?" in terms of being a nurse.

I am seeking advice from you: when did you know it was time to transition from being an RN to a Nurse Practitioner? What factors helped you decide when it was time to go back to school?


Dear Am I Ready,

It's individual- but at 4 years, you are at a good point to return to school. You can continue clinical practice while you're in school, which takes you forward a couple more years.

If you opt for NP, just know that while your RN experience is valuable...it's a new role entirely and you don't need years and years of being an RN to succeed as an NP.

Finally- if the military will help with your school costs, go for it :)

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

If you are Army, you should look into the Long Term Health Education and Training (LTHET) program that will send you to school for NP to a DNP level. Not what the Air Force version is — AFIT I think? Pretty sure the Navy has something similar. Having been Army, I know several Army nurses who have gone through LTHET. :) If you don't want to incur an ADSO, there is always the GI Bill if/when you get out. I also used my TA when I was active duty to fund my first MSN (Nursing Informatics). Best of luck to you!

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