Alternative NP

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will I have to attend a full FNP program even if I have a Masters in science or can I just take the postgraduate certification for NP? Thank you!!

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You must attend an NP program.

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

If you already have a MSN (in nursing but not as a practitioner), many schools will allow you to do a post-master's certificate (some want you to be a practitioner already). You'd end up taking most the the required courses anyway, but you'd get credit for some courses.

If you mean that you have (or are thinking about getting) a Master's in a non-nursing field. Then you'd have to complete a full MSN nurse practitioner program.

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You must attend an NP program.

They were asking between two kinds of NP programs.

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They were asking between two kinds of NP programs.

They asked if they could take a certification only, and of course the answer is no. So I responded that the OP must attend a regular NP program.

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They asked if they could take a certification only, and of course the answer is no. So I responded that the OP must attend a regular NP program.

Right but the post-masters certification is not just taking a test. It is composed of classes and clinicals, so it's an NP program, just a special kind.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

You can do a post-masters certificate program, but if your first grad degree is non-clinical, it doesn't save a ton of time. It might shave off one semester b

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Right but the post-masters certification is not just taking a test. It is composed of classes and clinicals, so it's an NP program, just a special kind.

I agree with with ICUman -- I, too, interpreted the OP's question about "just taking the postgraduate certification for NP" to refer to taking the certification exam, and would have responded the same as he did. I (most people?) would consider "certification" to refer to the exam, not the educational program that qualifies you for the exam.

But this is minor semantic hair-splitting. No biggie

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Well, combining the different interpretations of the question.... I think we gave a good thorough answer.

Good job team!

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