BSN to Nurse Practitioner: A Step-by-Step Guide
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice provider with clinical training to care for patients and families of various ages and with diverse health conditions. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is foundational for Registered Nurse (RN) licensure and subsequent graduate education to become a nurse practitioner in any specialty area.
This blog explores how a BSN pathway leads to becoming a nurse practitioner. There are efficient and affordable routes to achieve this goal, particularly if you are looking to join the nursing workforce and have an earned bachelor’s degree in another field.
Transferable skills are advantageous if you want to become a second career nurse and have leadership or advanced practice aspirations. You can examine whether this exciting pathway is right for you as you read on for a detailed guide on moving from BSN to nurse practitioner.
Aspects of the Nurse Practitioner Role
Nursing is a rewarding occupation and many individuals desire career advancement beyond the RN role. There is personal fulfillment and meaning in helping others, along with opportunities for developing specialty expertise and professional growth. A combination of scientific understanding for clinical judgment along with soft skills for nurturing healthy relationships makes nursing and the nurse practitioner role a challenging pursuit.
According to the U.S. News and World Report, the nurse practitioner role has been ranked #1 in the nation’s 100 Best Jobs of 2024. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average annual salary of approximately $128,490 for nurse practitioners in May 2023 and projected employment growth of 46% from 2023 to 2033.
Additional benefits of going from BSN to nurse practitioner include:
- Specialization options within the nurse practitioner role
- Greater autonomy in clinical practice
- Higher earning potential with advanced practice
- Further training for nursing leadership
There are plenty of nursing career paths you can pursue with a BSN, and the nurse practitioner role offers the most unique specialization options for narrowing your clinical focus within advanced practice nursing.
Nurse Practitioner Specialty Areas
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) typically specialize in primary care practice and care for patients and families of all ages across the lifespan. However, some nurse practitioner programs are focused on acute care preparation and include training for specific age groups or health conditions. Education for NPs is tailored toward specific patient populations and prepares graduates for certification and licensure as:
- Adult gerontology primary or acute care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs or AGACNPs)
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs)
- Emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs)
- Pediatric or neonatal nurse practitioners (PNPs or NNPs)
The scope of practice for each nurse practitioner specialty is governed by rules and regulations set forth by the state where the NP is licensed to practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certifying Board (AANPCB) offer national certifications for NPs.
Role and Responsibilities of Nurse Practitioners
Every nurse practitioner program prepares graduates to assess patient health status, diagnose health conditions, develop treatment plans, and evaluate patient outcomes for ongoing care management. NPs can order and interpret diagnostic tests and prescribe medications while working autonomously or within interdisciplinary teams.
Specialty training is included within the niche area of each NP program. In adult gerontology NP programs, extra focus is given to understanding the unique needs of the aging population. The emphasis is on the physiological and pathological changes that occur during the normal aging process and their impact on both health and disease. Psychiatric mental health NP programs may similarly focus on assessment and intervention strategies for providing mental and emotional support in challenging situations.
The nursing specialty focus determines the typical types of nurse practitioner work settings. For example, hospice and palliative care nurse practitioners will frequently provide care in homes or assisted living facilities, while neonatal nurse practitioners serve in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a hospital.
Other potential workplaces for nurse practitioners include:
- Ambulatory clinics providing outpatient care Hospitals providing inpatient care Schools and universities in teaching roles Community and public health organizations Remote or home offices utilizing telehealth
Salaries depend on many factors including location, NP specialty area, additional certifications, and experience. Next, let’s examine the nursing qualifications required for RNs to progress from BSN to nurse practitioner.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
There are efficient pathways to transition from your current occupation into the nursing field. The first step in your journey is nursing school, where you have flexible options to earn your undergraduate nursing degree in less time than a traditional, four-year program.
1. Earn Your BSN Degree
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs are available that leverage prior education and make it possible to become a nurse in less than two years. Applicants with a current bachelor’s degree can enroll in an ABSN program that includes online coursework and hands-on clinical experiences in your local area. Visit the online ABSN programs page where you can enter your zip code and discover available program options.
2. Pass the NCLEX Exam
After graduating with a BSN degree, the next step to becoming a nurse practitioner is to successfully pass the national nursing licensure examination (NCLEX). Designed to test your clinical judgment and certify the competency required for entry-level nursing care, the NCLEX is an important milestone in your nursing career.
3. Obtain RN Licensure
The application process for becoming a licensed RN is unique to each state but has many commonalities. The Board of Nursing or other professional licensing and regulatory agency in the state where you wish to practice will govern the RN licensure process. A small application fee is typically submitted with personal information and a criminal background check.
Application and successful completion of the NCLEX Is part of the RN licensure process in each state. Most states are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) which allows nurses to apply and be granted multistate licensure in the state of residence. Multistate (compact) licensure allows nursing practice in the state of licensure and other compact states.
4. Complete Graduate Nursing Education
Licensed RNs looking for further career advancement can enroll and take a graduate nursing program as the next step to becoming a nurse practitioner. There are many online nurse practitioner programs to choose from that will open doors for greater work flexibility and specialization. Many programs meet you where you are and build on your RN experience to develop excellent clinicians skilled in evidence-based practice.
5. Become a Licensed NP
The NP licensure process is similar to the RN licensure process. Instead of requiring applicants to pass the NCLEX, NP licensure applicants must first become nationally certified by taking an examination in their chosen specialty area. Nurse practitioner licensure is governed at the state level, and a multistate compact at the advanced practice level is not yet in effect.
Make a Difference in the Nursing Profession
You can fast-track your nursing career through an accelerated BSN program and earn the foundational degree for graduate nursing education. Now is a great time to become a second career nurse and pursue personal and professional growth in a people-focused occupation.
Take the first step toward becoming a nurse today.