Nurse Practitioner same as MSN?

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 16, 2005

All Master's prepared Nurses are not necessarily Nurse Practitioners. That is one career track, but there are others.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 16, 2005

Just confused after doing some reading...if I continue my education and obtain my MSN, does that automatically make me a NP? Or does the MSN degree just qualify a person to take an exam to become a NP, same as regular nursing school qualified us to take the NCLEX? I am looking into a RN-to-MSN program as a way to get to NP someday.
edited to add:
I just found this on the Nj website...
"Nurses wishing to continue their nursing education may choose to pursue a Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN). A master's degree is required for advanced practice as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife and nurse anesthetist. An advanced practice license will be issued to nurses who complete their master's education in a clinical specialty area and pass the highest level certification in that specialty. Nurse managers may also pursue an advanced degree in nursing administration."
...so can anyone help explain this to me? Does this mean it must be a specific titled MSN program? The school I am interested in allows you take the RN to MSN track, and halfway through you earn your BSN, yet can be taking classes toward your MSN which you apply to halfway through. They have an MSN track that they call "VIP" which says it tailors to the the specializations that are of particular interest to the student.
Still kinda confused. I guess I will email the school and ask to get a definitive answer, just wondering if anyone had any insight. :)

Your program sounds as if it will allow you to obtain an RNP or APN license in that state after completing the VIP part of the MSN track. Not all MSN programs automatically bestow the title of NP, however, so be certain before you proceed.

Some programs and/or states require certification in addition to the MSN that was obtained with advanced practice clinicals.

So, my advice is to contact your school program and your state.

Good luck and keep up the good work.

allnurses Guide · Jul 16, 2005

There are different masters degrees in nursing. I am in the MS in Nursing Education track, and some of my classes are as a "student teacher" in clinical settings. Others in my class are on the track for midwiferey, some for NP in family practice, some for administration. There are core classes that all of us take, then classes specific to your specialty.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 16, 2005

check out: aacn's nursing education programs

especially master's nursing programs by kathleen dracup, dnsc, rn