How To Become A Nurse Practitioner | Salary & Programs
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Thinking about exploring a career as a nurse practitioner? Learn how to become a nurse practitioner, what they do, how much you can make, and more.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed advanced education and training beyond that required of a registered nurse (RN). Nurse practitioners are trained to provide a wide range of healthcare services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, interpreting diagnostic tests, and managing overall patient care.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Sponsored
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
- MSN - Family NP
- DNP - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Nurse-Midwifery/Women's Health NP
- DNP - Nurse-Midwifery/Women's Health NP
- MSN - Women's Health NP
- DNP - Women's Health NP
Learn More
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- MS-DNP - Adult NP
- MS-DNP - Family NP
- MS-DNP Path - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MS-DNP Path - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Postgrad Cert - Family NP
- Postgrad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Learn More
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
Learn More
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
- MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- MSN - Pediatric NP - Primary Care
- DNP
Learn More
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
Learn More NP Salary
$129,210 per year
(BLS)
Degree Requirements
MSN or DNP Degree
How Long to Become
6-7 years
The main difference between being an RN and an NP is that nurse practitioners have more authority and have similar responsibilities to those of a doctor. They can serve as primary care or specialty care providers and typically focus their care on a specific population, such as families, children, or the elderly.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
-
Become a Registered Nurse
The first step to becoming a nurse practitioner is becoming a registered nurse. You'll do this by enrolling in either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) program. -
Get Your Bachelor's Degree
If you don’t already hold a BSN, you may want to earn one before pursuing your MSN. However, it is possible to go straight from your ADN to an MSN degree if you want to skip the step of earning your Bachelor's degree. -
Gain Nursing Experience
Most NP programs require that students have 1-2 years of bedside experience before enrolling in an accredited program. -
Enroll in a Nurse Practitioner Program
You'll need to choose between an MSN or a DNP NP program. An MSN is the minimum degree requirement for becoming an NP but a DNP is a terminal degree. -
Earn Your Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure
The specifics for NP licensure are set by the individual states. But generally, after graduating from an accredited NP program and meeting the minimum clinical hours required, you will need to apply to take the NP certification exam. This will vary depending on your specialty. You are only eligible for the board certification in the specialty you took in school. -
Get Your First Nurse Practitioner Job
Finding an NP job might be more daunting than finding an RN position. There are several ways to find a position. You might want to consider working with a nurse recruiter to find a position, or simply checking hospital job boards. NP positions can be niche, depending on your specialty, so networking can be helpful as well.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Sponsored
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
- MSN - Family NP
- DNP - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Nurse-Midwifery/Women's Health NP
- DNP - Nurse-Midwifery/Women's Health NP
- MSN - Women's Health NP
- DNP - Women's Health NP
Learn More
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- MS-DNP - Adult NP
- MS-DNP - Family NP
- MS-DNP Path - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MS-DNP Path - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Postgrad Cert - Family NP
- Postgrad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Learn More
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
Learn More
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
- MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- MSN - Pediatric NP - Primary Care
- DNP
Learn More
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
Learn More Nurse Practitioner Specialties
In addition to being general nurse practitioners, NPs can also specialize in a specific population. They often attend a nursing program that allows them to specialize in this area and obtain clinical competency. If they choose a specialization, they'll also need to become certified in the specific specialty area.
Here are some of the popular nurse practitioner specialties, but you can check out our article on nurse practitioner specialties for more details.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Depending on your career goals, you may want to pursue more than one NP specialty. You can achieve this by earning an NP degree in one specialty and attending a post graduate certificate program to certify in the other. Alternatively, some colleges offer double NP majors, like dual FNP and PMHNP programs, to qualify graduates in both specialties at once.
Nurse Practitioner Salary
Nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $129,210 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average nurse practitioner salary will vary based on many factors, including location, experience, and specialty.
Certain specializations earn more than others, so be sure to check our article on the highest-paying nurse practitioner specialties to find the ones with the highest earning potential.
Nurse Practitioner Salaries by Specialty
| General Nurse Practitioner | $129,210 per year | |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $158,093 | |
| Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | $106,826 | |
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $134,003 | |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $119,000 | |
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $117,423 | |
| Women's Health Nurse Practitioner | $124,362 | |
| Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner | $125,900 | |
| Emergency Nurse Practitioner | $134,121 | |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $136,649 |
Nurse Practitioner Salary by State
State NP Salary Alabama $109,650 Alaska $142,340 Arizona $132,920 Arkansas $116,030 California $173,190 Connecticut $141,140 Delaware $130,190 District of Columbia $137,600 Florida $128,340 Georgia $125,490 Hawaii $135,020 Idaho $131,380 Illinois $128,880 Indiana $126,520 Iowa $133,020 Kansas $127,900 Kentucky $116,930 Louisiana $124,850 Maine $127,750 Maryland $127,100 Massachusetts $145,140 Michigan $127,200 Minnesota $128,120 Mississippi $122,930 Missouri $124,600 Montana $131,560 Nebraska $127,950 Nevada (8) - New Hampshire $133,660 New Jersey $140,470 New Mexico $136,620 New York $148,410 North Carolina $124,830 North Dakota $121,200 Ohio $121,250 Oklahoma $127,120 Oregon $148,030 Pennsylvania $126,730 Rhode Island $139,600 South Carolina $113,950 South Dakota $122,300 Tennessee $108,180 Texas $130,930 Utah $131,680 Vermont $130,580 Virginia $122,180 Washington $143,620 West Virginia $122,140 Wisconsin $130,490 Wyoming $126,060
Source: BLS 2024 Report
Nurse Practitioner Education
As we mentioned, there's not just one way to become an NP. Nurse practitioners have several different schooling options depending on where they're starting out and what degree they want to obtain.
Nurse Practitioner Degrees
In order to become a nurse practitioner, you need to complete either an MSN or DNP degree.
| MSN | DNP | |
| Tuition | $20,000 - $120,000 | $50,000- $200,000 |
| Program Length | 1 to 2 years | 4 to 6 years |
| Admission Requirements |
|
|
| Curriculum | MSN programs focus on clinical skills and patient care. Courses include,
| DNP courses are essentially the same as in MSN programs, except for an increased focus on leadership, administration, and research.
|
| Skills Learned |
|
|
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs
RN to NP ProgramsDesigned for students who have an Associate’s degree (ADN). Students take classes to earn their BSN while also earning their MSN. Some programs will award students a BSN while others don’t.
BSN to NP ProgramsThe most common type of NP program. This is ideal for students who hold a BSN and are interested in becoming an NP.
Direct Entry NP ProgramsThis program is for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. Students can save time and money if they are interested in becoming an NP.
MSN to DNP ProgramsStudents already have an MSN and are interested in a terminal degree (DNP). All NP programs are transitioning to DNP so this is for already practicing NPs interested in advancing their practice.
BSN to DNP Programs Students who already hold a BSN and are interested in earning a DNP should consider these programs. Students will take MSN classes but also those needed for a DNP degree.
Direct Entry DNP Programs If you hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field but are interested in becoming an NP, then this would be a great fit. Students earn a terminal degree and not only learn how to become a successful NP but also learn the administrative aspects of care.
Nurse Practitioner Duties
NPs are healthcare providers who can prescribe medication, examine patients, order diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses, and provide treatment, much like physicians do.
Their experience as working nurses gives them a unique approach to patient care, while their advanced studies qualify them to take on additional duties that are usually left to physicians. In fact, as reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), it’s estimated that NPs can provide 80-90 percent of the care that primary care physicians offer.
Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
NP scope of practice has three levels: full, reduced, and restricted practice authority. Nurse practitioners have full practice authority in 25 states, meaning that they do not have to work under the supervision of a doctor.
In the remaining states, NPs still have more authority than RNs, but they need a medical doctor to sign off on certain patient care decisions.
Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice by State

Full practice authority for NPs can extend healthcare to underserved communities. It also gives NPs more autonomy, allowing them to operate their own facilities without physician oversight. For example, an aesthetic NP in a full practice authority state may be able to open a med spa as a nurse.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Sponsored
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
- MSN - Family NP
- DNP - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Nurse-Midwifery/Women's Health NP
- DNP - Nurse-Midwifery/Women's Health NP
- MSN - Women's Health NP
- DNP - Women's Health NP
Learn More
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- MS-DNP - Adult NP
- MS-DNP - Family NP
- MS-DNP Path - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MS-DNP Path - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Postgrad Cert - Family NP
- Postgrad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Learn More
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
Learn More
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
- MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- MSN - Pediatric NP - Primary Care
- DNP
Learn More
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
AccreditationEnrollment: Nationwide
- MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN - Family NP
- MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
Learn More Continuing Education for Nurse Practitioners
Even though they are functioning in an APRN role, nurse practitioners must maintain their RN certification. To renew their RN license, individuals must fill out an application, complete a specific number of CEU hours, and pay a nominal fee. Each state has specific requirements, and it is important to check with the board of nursing prior to applying for license renewal. CEU hours for your NP certification will vary based on the specialty area. Generally, NPs must have a minimum of 75 contact hours of continuing education in the specialty area. The length of time a license is valid without recertification and CEUs does vary as well.FAQs
-
What is the difference between a doctor and a nurse practitioner?
- A doctor has more clinical abilities and responsibilities than an NP. However, in some states, NPs are independent practitioners.
-
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?
- It takes around 6-7 years to become an NP: 4 years to earn your BSN, then 2-3 to earn your NP.
-
Is a nurse practitioner higher than an RN?
- An NP does have more advanced training and clinical abilities than an RN.
-
What is the fastest way to become a nurse practitioner?
- The fastest way to become an NP is to enroll directly into a BSN program, then apply immediately to an NP program. Alternatively, an RN-NP may take about the same amount of time.
-
Is becoming a nurse practitioner worth it?
- NPs do make more money than RNs, have more career options and flexibility, and report higher job satisfaction.
-
What's the difference between a CNS vs a nurse practitioner?
- NPs practice autonomously and collaboratively with other healthcare providers. CNSs often work with other providers, have less autonomy, but usually work closely with staff to educate and support through the use of evidence-based research.
-
Can nurse practitioners prescribe medications?
- 22 states allow nurse practitioners to prescribe medications without the supervision of a physician.
-
What's the difference between a nurse practitioner vs a physician assistant?
- Both NPs and PAs are mid-level practitioners, but in many states, NPs can operate independently, while PAs can not.
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