The first step in becoming a nurse practitioner is to follow the course of study to become a nurse. This may include getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and it always means becoming not just a licensed practical nurse, but a registered nurse. According to the article "Becoming a Nurse Practitioner" on the website "Nursing Degree Guide" (nursingdegreeguide.org), "Most traditional nursing degrees can take anywhere from two to four years to complete, depending on the program." Prospective nurses must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses in order to receive a nursing license, which gives the right to earn a living and work in the nursing profession.
Once a nursing degree is obtained, nurses are advised to get practical experience in the nursing field before continuing directly into a NP training program. Because nurse practitioners specialize and are trained to diagnose and treat patients, they need to experience different types of nursing in order to gain familiarity with the area in which they wish to specialize before completing the training for that specialty.
Nurse practitioners are more than doctor's assistants; NPs examine patients, make diagnoses and formulate treatment plans within their area of specialty. They also maintain medical records and may serve an educational or supervisory function for other nursing personnel. NPs not only need to be familiar with health regulations and rules, but help to revise or write them. Those who aspire to becoming nurse practitioners continue their education to gain a Master's of Science in Nursing before entering an NP program. The course of study for an NP depends upon the area chosen for specialization; these include acute care, family care, mental health, diabetes management, pediatrics and geriatrics.
Actual courses of study are geared to the specialty chosen, though there are also general requirements including such courses as research methods, applied statistics, assessment, ethics and clinical skills. Other courses, depending on the institution, may include pharmacology and decision-making.
After training to become a nurse practitioner, certification is required in order to practice. Examinations are offered by both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).