How to become an NP?

grannynurse FNP student · Jul 1, 2005

hi all,
i will be gratuating soon with a bsn and i am thinking about eventually becoming an np. does anyone know if you have to have an msn before going into an np program, or can i enter an np program with my bsn? i wouldnt try to go for np until i had a few years of experience, however, i was wondering if i should just go for my msn, if its needed?! thank you~~ everyone is soo helpful on here, i really appreciate it!

most np programs now grant an msn. you specialize in a tract, such as adult or family or psych. no, you do not need to have your msn prior to receiving your np certification. i would advise several years of generalized nursing experience. there are programs that admit with little or no experience, something i am against. you need the generalized experience in order to know what is acceptable and what is not. you could try taking the generalized core course, one a semester while gaining your experience.

good luck

grannynurse :balloons:

Trauma Columnist · Jul 1, 2005

GrannyNurse is telling it like it is...several years of experience will do you good and make grad school much easier.

grannynurse FNP student · Jul 1, 2005

GrannyNurse is telling it like it is...several years of experience will do you good and make grad school much easier.

Just don't wait as long as I did :chuckle

Grannynurse :balloons:

Butterfly3001 · Jul 1, 2005

:offtopic:

Sorry real quick question, Grannynurse, or anyone else what is the difference between an Nurse practioner and a PA? I heard that a PA can actually help out in surgeries and that the Nurse Practioner cant is that true?

grannynurse FNP student · Jul 2, 2005

:offtopic:
Sorry real quick question, Grannynurse, or anyone else what is the difference between an Nurse practioner and a PA? I heard that a PA can actually help out in surgeries and that the Nurse Practioner cant is that true?

There is such a thing as a Registered Nurse First Assister (may have the title wrong). You do not have to be a NP, only an RN. You first assist a surgeon, in the OR and can do, I believe minor wound closures. A PA can assist only if his physician is willing to cover him as his assistant. He cannot practice independently, unlike a NP who can. An NP's focus is on teaching and helping the patient manage health issues, and in managing them. A PA is just an extension of a physician. :)

Grannynurse :balloons:

CW30 · Jul 2, 2005

thank you all so much....i sincerely take your advice, as i will definitely wait several years before becoming an np! i just don't understand one thing....when i look at certification requirements to become an np most say that you must have an msn or higher?? does this just depend on the program? the only reason i am asking is because i would have to go to school for 4 additional years to get my np - 2 years for my msn and 2 years for np? does this make sense or am i understanding it wrong? thanks again for everything! :thankya:

Trauma Columnist · Jul 2, 2005

At least the programs that I am familiar with are NP or clinical nurse specialist programs where you get an MSN at the end of the degree. It can take 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time after you have your BSN. Some programs have a direct entry track too where non-nurses end up with an MSN (either NP or CNS). Then, there are post- masters programs for people like me. I have a non-clinical MSN in management and leadership and wanted to get a CNS so back to school I go. Does that help?

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 2, 2005

thank you all so much....i sincerely take your advice, as i will definitely wait several years before becoming an np! i just don't understand one thing....when i look at certification requirements to become an np most say that you must have an msn or higher?? does this just depend on the program? the only reason i am asking is because i would have to go to school for 4 additional years to get my np - 2 years for my msn and 2 years for np? does this make sense or am i understanding it wrong? thanks again for everything! :thankya:

here's the deal, i think you are mixing up np grad programs and np certification. they are 2 different things completely!! in order to be accepted into a grad program, you do not need to have an msn, because that's what will be awarded to you upon completion of the program. all you need is to be an rn (whether it be aas or bsn). however, in order to be certified as an np, you must have attended a graduate program and received an msn. i hope this answers your question.

Butterfly3001 · Jul 2, 2005

There is such a thing as a Registered Nurse First Assister (may have the title wrong). You do not have to be a NP, only an RN. You first assist a surgeon, in the OR and can do, I believe minor wound closures. A PA can assist only if his physician is willing to cover him as his assistant. He cannot practice independently, unlike a NP who can. An NP's focus is on teaching and helping the patient manage health issues, and in managing them. A PA is just an extension of a physician. :)
Grannynurse :balloons:

Thank you :)

CW30 · Jul 2, 2005

thank you....i understand now~~~i really appreciate all the feedback!

patnshan · Jul 6, 2005

He cannot practice independently, unlike a NP who can.
Grannynurse :balloons:

For clarification, an NP cannot practice independently in the OR.

Pat