Is it really 3...?

TexasPediRN · Apr 29, 2006

does it only take 3 months to become a np? i thought is was 2 yrs? can someone give me a clear explanation?thanks

can i ask where you got your information from?

i'm not a np, but all programs i have looked into are 1-3 years. i dont think 3 months would be possible..

LAROSILIERE7 · Apr 29, 2006

thats exactly what i was saying to myself meghan. i saw it in the np forum,where they give a description about a specialty.it's the first thin you see.

Jolie, BSN · Apr 29, 2006

Before the Master's Degree became the accepted standard for advanced practice, there used to be NP education programs that offered short, intense courses of study at a university (

I didn't think they still existed, but maybe that is what you read about.

mango-lo-maniac · Apr 29, 2006

General Forum InformationNurse Practitioners (NP)

Number: 141,209 (51% of all APRNs)
Education: Nurse Practitioners (NPs) include RNs prepared beyond initial nursing education in an NP program of at least 3 months. Approximately 65 percent of NPs have completed a master’s degree program and an additional 10 percent have a post-masters certificate as their NP preparation.
What they do: Nurse Practitioners may practice independently, or they may work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and for various health care agencies. Most NPs function primarily as clinicians. NPs may diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses and injuries, interpret lab results, counsel patients, develop treatment plans, and they may prescribe medication.

I think this is what the OP is referring to?

SharonH, RN · Apr 30, 2006

That's interesting but simply incorrect.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Apr 30, 2006

Please read the new updated description.

Thank you for your input.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 30, 2006

After I read this thread and received messages about the information found at the top of this forum, administration kindly changed the General Forum Information about NP education to the following:

Education: Nurse Practitioners (NPs) include RNs prepared beyond initial nursing education in an NP program of varying lengths, but greater than one year. Many NPs who are still in practice today were once required to complete a rigid NP course of less than one year. This was preceeded by a four year preceptorship, in their specialty area, with a physician and then allowed to sit for national boards. Today, approximately 65 percent of NPs have completed a master’s degree program and an additional 10 percent have a post-masters certificate as their NP preparation.

My thanks to Thunderwolf.