If you're interested in becoming a nurse practitioner without a nursing degree, you've come to the right place.

There are plenty of reasons you might want to do this: maybe you're looking for a higher salary or more flexibility, or perhaps you want to work with less stringent regulations. Whatever the reason may be, becoming a nurse practitioner can be an extremely rewarding career path.

Who Is A Nurse Practitioner?

Let’s start with the basics: who are nurse practitioners? What do they do?

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide primary care to patients. They have a master’s degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program, and they may also have a doctoral degree in nursing.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses (RNs) who have received additional training in their specialty area.

What Does A Nurse Practitioner Do?

The nurse practitioner job description varies by setting and specialty area but generally includes the following duties:

• Perform physical exams and give injections.
• Order lab tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests.
• Diagnose illnesses using laboratory results, imaging studies, patient history, and physical exam findings.
• Write prescriptions for medications based on patient symptoms and test results.
• Patient counseling on diet and exercise.
• Screening for breast cancer or other types of cancer (mammography).
• Administering vaccines, including flu shots.

What Are The Requirements To Become A Nurse Practitioner?

In order to become a nurse practitioner, you must first earn an undergraduate degree(bachelor of science in nursing) and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). 

After you have passed this exam, you will be eligible to apply for a master's degree program. Once enrolled in your master's program, you will need to complete it and pass another exam known as the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). 

Once you have passed this exam, you can begin working toward your nurse practitioner certification. Once certified, you will be able to work in any setting that requires a nurse practitioner, such as clinics and hospitals.

The requirements for becoming a NP vary depending on where in the country you live and what type of certification you are trying to receive. 

For example, if you want to become certified by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), then there are several requirements that must be met before certification can be granted, including:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher on all nursing courses taken during high school and college

• A BSN degree from an accredited university with a major in nursing

• One year of documented clinical experience as a registered nurse working with critically ill patients

Can I Become a Nurse Practitioner Without a Nursing Degree?

The short answer is yes; you can become a nurse practitioner (NP). However, you will need an advanced or graduate degree.

Additionally, it depends on the state in which you want to practice and the laws governing nurse practitioners.

Nurse practitioners are licensed by each state and must have an undergraduate degree, a master's degree in nursing or a related field, and at least one year of experience working as a nurse.
But some states allow individuals without nursing degrees to become licensed as nurse practitioners through alternate routes.

5 Steps to Become a NP Without a Nursing Degree

Nursing school is not for the faint of heart. It will take a lot of time, money, and effort to complete the program and obtain your degree.

But it's not the only way to become a nurse practitioner (NP). Emergency medicine physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, and others can also become NPs.

Here are five steps to becoming an NP without a nursing degree:

Step #1. Become an RN

The first step towards becoming an NP is to become an RN. This requires completing a nursing program at a community college or university, which takes about two years to complete.

After completing this program, students must pass the NCLEX-RN exam before they can receive their license to practice as an RN.

Step #2. Get Your MSN Degree

The next step is to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. This will take about two years to complete and cost approximately $20,000. 

Many schools offer financial aid and scholarships for students who meet certain criteria, such as being a member of a minority group or having a GPA above 3.0 on your bachelor’s degree.

Step #3. Gain Nursing Experience

The next step is gaining real-world experience. You can do this by working as an RN in various clinical settings such as hospitals or clinics. 

In fact, many healthcare facilities prefer that you have some experience before applying for graduate school or becoming licensed as an APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse).

This experience can also be helpful when applying for jobs after graduation since many employers are looking for someone with previous knowledge of their workplace.

Step #4. Earn Your Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Once you've completed your clinical hours, you'll be ready to take the NP certification exam. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) credential that is recognized across the country.

Step #5. Get Licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse

In addition to earning your advanced practice certification, you'll need to get licensed as an advanced practice nurse in your state or territory of residence.

Licensing requirements vary by state, but most include passing the NCLEX-PN exam, completing continuing education requirements, and submitting fingerprints for background checks.

Also Read: 9 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs for 2022 (Online & Hybrid)

How Long Does it Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner With A Non-Nursing Degree?

The average length of time it takes to become a nurse practitioner is four years. However, there are many factors that can affect this estimate.

These factors include the type of program you attend, your current educational level, and whether or not you have any previous medical experience. The length of time can also vary depending on whether or not you are studying full-time or part-time.

What is a Direct-Entry Nurse Practitioner Program?

A direct-entry nurse practitioner program, also known as accelerated nursing program, allows graduates of non-nursing bachelor's programs to enter into the MSN program. These are typically accelerated programs that allow you to complete your master's in two years rather than four.

The average cost for a direct-entry NP program is about $70,000. Some schools offer financial assistance based on need and other factors.

A direct-entry nurse practitioner program typically requires you to have a bachelor's degree in any field other than nursing. If you don't have one already, you'll want to ensure you're prepared for the rigor of nursing school before taking the plunge into this type of program.

In addition to providing general education requirements such as math and science courses, direct-entry NP programs include clinical experience that helps prepare students for working as independent practitioners upon graduation. The amount of clinical time varies by institution but is generally required between 24 and 35 months.

What Is A Nurse Practitioner Salary?

Salary.com reports that the median annual salary for nurse practitioners was $117,195 on Oct 27, 2022. However, this figure is only an average. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience, and various other factors.

Nurse Practitioner Salary by States

What is The Job Outlook Of Nurse Practitioners?

The job outlook for nurse practitioners is very good in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that there will be a 28 percent increase in jobs for nurse practitioners from 2014 through 2024. This represents about 30,200 new jobs during this period.

Also Read: 11 Best Nurse Educator Jobs in 2022 (Reviewed And Ranked)

What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A Nurse Practitioner?

There are many top reasons to become a nurse practitioner.

Here are six benefits of becoming a nurse practitioner:

1. Improved Patient Care

When you become an NP, you will be able to provide more comprehensive care for your patients than if you were simply a nurse’s aide or health technician. 

You will be able to diagnose medical conditions, treat injuries and diseases and even perform minor surgery in some cases — all while interacting with other medical professionals, such as doctors and surgeons who specialize in specific areas of medicine.

2. More Flexibility

With an advanced degree, you'll have more opportunities for advancement and career advancement. 

You can also take on more responsibility within your practice or hospital setting, which means more money and more responsibility over time.

3. More Job Security

Thanks to advances in medicine and technology, there are more opportunities for NPS than ever before. As long as there's an aging population in need of care and treatments improve over time, there will always be a need for skilled professionals who can provide it — especially those who have advanced training as NPs do. 

This means that NPs are less likely than other types of nurses to experience job loss due to retirement or other factors beyond their control.

4. You’ll Have A Higher Level Of Independence

Nurse practitioners can perform most clinical duties without needing direct supervision from physicians or other healthcare providers. 

.As such, they have more flexibility in scheduling their day-to-day responsibilities and can choose when they want to work overtime or take time off during their shifts.

Conclusion - Become A Nurse Practitioner Without A Nursing Degree

So there you have it. If you want to become a nurse practitioner with a non-nursing degree, you can do it. But be warned: it's not easy. It takes a lot of hard work and determination, but if you stick with it, you'll find that the rewards are worth all of the effort.

FAQs

Is becoming a nurse practitioner worth it?

Yes! Becoming a nurse practitioner is worth it because you'll be able to make more money, get better hours, and have more flexibility in your schedule than if you were a registered nurse.

Which nurse practitioner is most in demand?

The most in-demand nurse practitioner is a family nurse practitioner. This type of nurse practitioner can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for common illnesses and injuries.

Is a direct-entry nurse practitioner program right for you?

Yes, a direct-entry nurse practitioner program is right for you if:

* You want to be treated like a doctor by patients and their families.

* You want to spend more time with patients, which will help them achieve better results.

* You’re interested in working in an outpatient setting, such as a clinic or urgent care center.

Can you go straight to MSN after RN?

You can go straight to MSN after RN, but there are some requirements. You need to have a GPA of at least 3.0, and you also need to have taken specific prerequisite courses in biology and chemistry.

If you meet these requirements, then yes, it is possible to go straight to MSN after RN.