Download our guide to discover which nursing degree is right for you.
Below, we take a look at the nurse practitioner degree requirements you’ll need to complete to become one, as well as the difference between the two advanced degrees you can earn in nursing: A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Best Degrees For Nurse Practitioners
1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Your first step towards becoming a nurse practitioner is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), setting the foundation for advanced practice. Earning your BSN prepares you for a career as an NP in a few ways.
First, like earning an associate’s degree in nursing, it will prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, which you must pass before you can become a registered nurse. You must be a registered nurse in order to become a nurse practitioner.
Second, as you will see below, becoming a nurse practitioner will require you to earn a graduate degree, and virtually all graduate nursing degrees will require you to hold a bachelor’s degree before you can enroll.
Of course, in some states you can become a registered nurse by only earning an associate’s degree in nursing. In these cases, you will need to complete your bachelor’s degree before enrolling in a graduate program. There are, however, many accelerated nursing programs that you can consider to make this process as quick as possible.
After becoming an RN, you can choose to work in the field as an RN for a time (as many nurses choose to do), or you can immediately continue your education to become a nurse practitioner.
2. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
While earning your BSN is the only major education degree a registered nurse needs to practice, there are additional nurse practitioner requirements to be aware of. In order to practice as a nurse practitioner, you need to earn both a BSN and a graduate degree. One of the most common graduate degrees pursued by aspiring nurse practitioners is the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is really going to be the lowest level of education you can complete and work as an NP.
Earning an MSN prepares nurse practitioners with the relevant knowledge, skillset, and expertise to become a leader within the healthcare industry and provide specific, hands-on patient care. It is during their master of science in nursing that most nurse practitioners will choose a specialization, of which there are many.
At Regis College, for example, MSN students can pursue roughly 10 education tracks, split between two specializations: nurse practitioner and nurse leadership. The nurse practitioner track consists of pediatric, family, psychiatric-mental health, women’s health and adult-gerontology specializations, while the nurse leadership track encompasses health administration, health informatics, health policy, and clinical nurse leader specialties.
As with BSN programs, there are many ways to earn your MSN. At Regis College, for example, you can learn both in-person and online, participate in an RN to MSN (non-nurse BS) program, or opt for the accelerated direct entry to MSN route.
3. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Another potential degree option for aspiring NPs is to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These degrees can be earned in place of an MSN or as the next step after earning your MSN. As such, they can either help you become a nurse practitioner or they can help you advance in your career after you are already a nurse practitioner.
A DNP is the highest level of education certification available to nurses, and its curriculum centers on various healthcare research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based nursing practice—making it ideal for NPs who want to hold leadership or senior-level positions, educate other nurses, perform advanced patient care, partake in clinical research, and create healthcare policies.
In all states, you will need to earn at least a master’s degree in nursing in order to become an NP. Some states, however, have begun to require nurse practitioners to hold a DNP in order to practice. Additionally, some employers may require that NPs hold a DNP even if the state only requires a master’s degree. With this in mind, it is important to understand the requirements in the state in which you wish to practice. Earning your DNP may offer some additional career flexibility, making it easier to transfer between states and employers.
If you have only obtained your BSN, you can enroll in a direct entry BSN-to-DNP program that helps you bridge the gap between your undergraduate and graduate careers.
MSN vs DNP
So, what’s the difference between earning your MSN and DNP, and which one is best for you?
In a nutshell, MSN students are trained for direct practice and patient care, while DNP students are trained in healthcare research and policy in addition to this patient care. As such, the DNP is often considered to be a terminal role for nurses, and the highest level of education that one might pursue. Many nurses who work in a leadership capacity will hold their DNP.
You can earn either or both degrees within three to five years, depending on the specific program that you enroll in, whether you study full time or part time, whether you complete an accelerated degree, etc.
Difference Between Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners
If you're thinking about pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner (NP) but wonder how they compare to physician assistants (PAs), it's essential to understand that both provide essential healthcare services but differ in their educational backgrounds, approaches to patient care, and levels of autonomy.
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who emphasize a holistic, patient-centered approach. They are trained to provide comprehensive care, focusing on disease prevention and health education, with the ability to practice independently in many states.
Meanwhile, PAs follow a medical model similar to medical school, focusing on disease pathology and treatment. They diagnose illnesses, create and oversee treatment, prescribe medications, and serve as healthcare providers.
When deciding between the two, consider your preference for independence versus flexibility in specialty, and whether you're drawn to a holistic approach versus a focus on medical treatment. Both roles are crucial in healthcare, but your individual career aspirations and patient care approach will influence your decision on how to save lives.
What Type of Nurse Practitioner is Most in Demand?
As you explore how to become a nurse practitioner, understanding the various specialties in high demand can guide your decision-making process. Each specialty caters to specific population needs:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): FNPs provide comprehensive healthcare services across all ages, often serving as primary care providers.
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): PNPs specialize in the health care of children from infancy through adolescence, focusing on preventive care and disease management.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: This specialty focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health issues, often providing comprehensive psychiatric care and medication management.
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner: These practitioners specialize in women’s health issues across the lifespan, including reproductive and gynecological health.
- Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: Focused on older adults, this specialty addresses the complex health needs of the aging population.
Choosing one of these in-demand specialties can position you well within the healthcare field, aligning your career with current and future healthcare demands.
Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
In order to become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need to obtain at least a BSN and MSN, pass certification exams, perform clinical research, and apply for licensure within the states you wish you to practice. But, depending on your career goals and the specific states in which you wish to practice, you may need to earn your DNP to become a nurse practitioner or advance your career to take on leadership roles.
No matter your decision, being a nurse practitioner is a challenging and rewarding career. You’ll be charged with providing top-of-the-line healthcare for your patients while also shaping the future of the healthcare industry for the better—ultimately saving and making a huge difference in peoples’ lives.
Learn more about how to earn your nurse practitioner degree at Regis College here.
