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Discussion

RN to MSN?

Hey y'all I have a question that might be silly but I am a little confused I am currently working my way up to receive my BSN so basically wanting to be an RN but after I succeed with this I would like to get my masters so then I would have my MSN? I would like to eventually become a Nurse Practitioner so how do I make it from BSN to becoming a nurse practitioner? Do I have to receive my masters first or what do I do? HELP!

Sincerely,

Sara :)

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    • Featured Replies

    You enroll in a master's or doctorate level nurse practitioner program. First you practice nursing for a bit so you actually have some first-hand experience, figure out what area of specialty (for NP) appeals to you, and go for it.

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    • Experts

    Specializing is the entire point of earning the MSN degree. So after you earn the BSN degree, you enroll in the MSN program and select a specialty area, also known as a concentration area. The two most common MSN degree specializations are nursing leadership and nursing education. The less common MSN specialty areas are holistic nursing, case management, nursing informatics, and infection control/prevention.

    Other MSN degree specializations include the advanced practice nursing roles, which would include nurse anesthetist (CRNA), nurse midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and nurse practitioner (NP).

    In your case, you would need to enroll in the MSN degree program with a nurse practitioner specialization. You can become a family nurse practitioner (FNP), pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP), gerontology nurse practitioner (GNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), and adult health nurse practitioner (ANP).

    An alternate, but longer way, is to earn the MSN degree in a non-advanced practice role such as nursing education and then return to school to earn the post-master's certificate with a nurse practitioner specialization.

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    There is a movement to double the number of DNP's by 2020, and as such, there are new programs springing up left and right that offer a BSN to DNP program for your ARNP. Might I suggest that you look into one of these?

    Another alternative is to obtain your MSN and make sure that the program that you attend gives you a very thorough Advanced Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology course within the curriculum. After you graduate, and when you are ready it will be much easier to transition into, and obtain, your ARNP as a "Post Masters Certificate".

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    Talk to your BON. Find out if the DNP degree is required of NPs in your state. You might not be able to function as an NP unless you get a doctorate. Or maybe you will. It all depends on the laws in your state. It's crucial to know this before choosing a program.

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    Raviepoo - Do you know of any state that is requiring a DNP? Can you provide a link to this information? I currently cannot find a single state that has made any requirement for NPs to have a DNP now or in the future.

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    Currently, there are no requirements for a DNP for NPs...there is for CRNAs. There is a strong suggestion from various sources, but there is no set law at this point.

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