How to become a nurse practitioner

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2008

Moved to the NP (Nurse Practitioner) forum for more feedback.

ILoveIceCream · Jun 9, 2008

Hello,

I'm not an NP, but I've researched lots of programs and options. When you finish your program, I believe you will be eligible to enter a post-masters certificate program which would allow you to specialize as a nurse practitioner. It might be a year or so of extra schooling because you would already have an MSN but would need the NP courses and clinical hours. Best of luck!

elkpark · Jun 10, 2008

If you know that you want to be a NP, why on earth would you take an MSN in something else?

There are post-Master's certificate NP programs out there, designed/intended for people who already have an MSN but have decided, after the fact, that they want to take their career in a different direction, but doing the post-Master's certificate would take almost as long as doing a full second MSN -- why would you not just do an MSN program with an NP concentration (major) in the first place? There are plenty of direct entry NP programs out there.

The CNL program you've been accepted to will not qualify you for licensure as an NP, or any other advanced practice role. The CNL role is very new and somewhat controversial -- there are other threads here discussing this that you could find with the "search" button and review. How much do you know about nursing and how much have you researched all of this? Have you discussed with the people at the school to which you've been accepted that you want to become an NP? What was their response? I would encourage you strongly to find out a lot more about what you would be getting into before you enter a direct-entry CNL program, or any nursing program ... Best wishes! :)

indoamerican · Jun 10, 2008

Hey Thanks for that I did not know there were post masters certification programs available. The reason I chose this was i dont have any nursing background and this entry level program offers me a masters with in 18 months. Now I came to know that I can do a post masters certification to become an NP and it looks like its another year but can you suggest me some universities with entry level programs which are a bit short which directly lead me to NP. Thanks for all your help.

ILoveIceCream · Jun 10, 2008

I actually think the way you're doing it is a good option. If you did an entry level MSN with an NP option it would probably take 3 years. If your MSN-CNL program is 18 months, and you do a 12-month post master's certificate, that will be 2.5 years--a shorter amount of time. Plus, after you finish your MSN-CNL, you have the option of working for a year or two as an RN before going back for the NP. Just my :twocents:

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jun 10, 2008

I find it ironic that a direct-entry MS/CNL exists at all. If the goal of the program is to produce a nurse clinician that is an expert in their field and provide support to other nursing staff, HOW is that possible when you shuttle a non-nurse through an 18-month program? How can you possibly perform in that role as [essentially] a new graduate nurse?

If the point of the program is to produce a clinical leader, it should only accept nurses with years of hardcore experience in the trenches, not non-nurses.

My intent is not to attack your choice. I just cannot fathom how this new degree will have its desired product using a direct-entry accelerated format.

:twocents:

karenG · Jun 11, 2008

interesting that its possible to become a NP without being a nurse first. over here, you have to be a RGN with at least 5yrs experiance as a nurse before you can start your NP training (unless thats changed recently).

I struggle with the concept of a NP who hasnt been through 'basic training' so to speak, without my grounding as a nurse, I dont think I could have done the training to be a NP. Being a NP builds on my experiance as a nurse and allows me to work at a higher level of practice.

hmm interesting!

allnurses Guide · Jun 11, 2008

interesting that its possible to become a NP without being a nurse first. over here, you have to be a RGN with at least 5yrs experiance as a nurse before you can start your NP training (unless thats changed recently).
I struggle with the concept of a NP who hasnt been through 'basic training' so to speak, without my grounding as a nurse, I dont think I could have done the training to be a NP. Being a NP builds on my experiance as a nurse and allows me to work at a higher level of practice.
hmm interesting!

I agree with you but then that is what we are used to. I can't imagine how lost I would be without my nursing expererince to back me up now as a NP.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jun 11, 2008

I find it ironic that a direct-entry MS/CNL exists at all. If the goal of the program is to produce a nurse clinician that is an expert in their field and provide support to other nursing staff, HOW is that possible when you shuttle a non-nurse through an 18-month program? How can you possibly perform in that role as [essentially] a new graduate nurse?
If the point of the program is to produce a clinical leader, it should only accept nurses with years of hardcore experience in the trenches, not non-nurses.
My intent is not to attack your choice. I just cannot fathom how this new degree will have its desired product using a direct-entry accelerated format.

Although the CNL role has popped up extensivley in these forums, there is still so much confusion about what it really is. Unfortuntaley, the only reliable source of information on it is the AACN (Amer Assoc of Coll of Nurs) and we all know that this is a group that represents academia and not clinical practice or actual utilization of nursing manpower in healthcare settings. In their website, the role is not described as an "expert clinician" but a "generalist nurse trained at the master's level". The site further gives details on the role as compared to the CNS: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL/pdf/CNSComparisonTable.pdf

To be honest, after looking at the what the role entails, it seemed to me that any RN can do the roles described in the CNL competencies. Hence, it is not considered an advanced practice role. However, I agree that it takes a degree of professional maturity to assume the role with confidence. Definitely hard for someone fresh out of nursing school to live up to the requirements of the role. I also foresee animosity from senior nurses if a newly-graduated nurse with a CNL focus is introduced to a nursing unit in a hospital setting.

To the OP, I wonder what the university you applied in told you about the role and how your role can be utilized after you graduate. I have not seen CNL postings in the area where I live and work. There is one new CNL program in the state but it's not offered as a direct entry. I do, however, see why going through a CNL program may be an option for you. ADN, accelerated BSN, and direct entry NP programs tend to have many applicants and are typically hard to get admitted to. This program allows you to sit for the NCLEX after 18 months and work as a staff nurse at a minimum. That's not a bad deal.