Path to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner: Prerequisites & Requirements

Becoming a nurse practitioner requires a lot of study and hard work. However, it is a great career choice if you are interested in the medical field and want a well paying and challenging job. A nurse practitioner, or NP, can provide many of the services that a physician provides. Certain prerequisites are required to enter an NP training program.

Identification

• A nurse practitioner combines traditional patient care with eduction on wellness and health promotion. An NP looks at your lifestyle habits and needs to promote overall well-being.

Prior Education

• You must have a degree in nursing at the master's level to enter a nurse-practitioner training program. The most common degree is a master of science in nursing.

Licensing

• You must be licensed to practice as a nurse before you can enter an NP training program. Licensing policies vary from state to state but usually require passing a written exam.

Work Experience

• Many nurse-practitioner training programs require that you work as a nurse for a period of time before entering the program. Most schools require two to three years of on-the-job nursing experience.

Other Options

• Some schools may allow individuals with a bachelor's degree in any field to enter a training program. This would involve obtaining a second degree in nursing before you would enter the nurse-practitioner program.