How to Go From Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner (RN to NP)

If you're a registered nurse, you've likely considered advancing your career, and one of the most popular options to do that is becoming a nurse practitioner.

Increased autonomy, career opportunities, and higher salaries are just some of the reasons RNs choose to pursue their NP. But how do you go about becoming a nurse practitioner as a registered nurse? Through RN-to-NP programs! Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about RN-to-NP programs. 

What’s the Difference Between RN vs. NP?

While both NPs and RNs focus on caring for patients and improving their overall well-being, an NP is considered an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with a larger scope of practice and advanced education. 

NPs are considered front-line providers and can diagnose patients, prescribe medications, develop treatment plans, and order tests. They have prescriptive authority and, in most states, can practice independently and autonomously without the oversight of a medical doctor. 

RNs will collaborate with NPs to provide care to their patients but an RN is responsible for implementing and carrying out the orders of an NP. Registered nurses will administer medications, document patient’s current physical assessment and behaviors, check vital signs, and educate patients and families about the nursing plan of care.

How RNs Can Become NPs

Enrolling in an RN-to-NP program is the quickest way for an RN to become an NP. Depending on the program, students will receive either an MSN or DNP degree. 

If an RN already holds a BSN degree, students can enter a traditional NP program. RNs with a diploma or ADN degree will need to enroll in a specific RN-to-NP program. 

Regardless of the type of program, all students will be required to complete a specific number of in-person clinical hours with a licensed preceptor at an approved clinical site.

What Are RN-to-NP Programs?

RN-to-NP programs are for registered nurses looking to become nurse practitioners. They let you utilize all of your existing RN education and experience so that you're not starting from scratch in your NP education.

There are full-time, part-time, and online options, as well as options based on the level of education you're starting with—ADN vs BSN vs MSN.

One of the most important things to consider if you want to become a nurse practitioner is the patient population you want to work with. The specialty you choose will determine the type of coursework you study in your program. Some of the most common nurse practitioner specialties include:

• Psychiatric Mental Health NP
• Family NP
• Aesthetic NP 
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
• Women's Health NP
• Pediatric NP
• Neonatal NP

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

4 Ways to Go From an RN to an NP

In general, NP programs take around two to three years to complete when you're starting from an RN. Here are some of the pathways available to becoming a nurse practitioner: 

1. RN to NP Programs

   Associate degree in nursing (ADN) to nurse practitioner (NP) programs are bridge programs for ADN-trained nurses to become an NP faster and more efficiently than traditional programs.

   ADN to NP programs are designed to be a fast track for nurses to earn a master's degree as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and obtain certification and licensure as an NP.

   These are intensive and accelerated programs that can be completed full-time in about three years. Upon graduation, students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and an APRN degree as an NP.

2. Diploma RN to NP Programs

   RNs who have completed a diploma program can also enter into bridge direct-entry NP programs but may need to meet with a school counselor to guide their program, and/or take additional prerequisites before enrolling. These programs are not as popular as other RN to NP style programs, so if you only hold a diploma  degree, this might be a harder path than some of the others. 

3. BSN to NP Programs

   One of the most common options, a BSN-to-NP program, takes you from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) directly into a master’s NP program. Some students choose to enroll directly upon completion of their BSN undergraduate program or work in a clinical setting before advancing their education. 

   BSN-to-NP programs can be achieved through an MSN. However, many schools offer BSN to Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. At this time, NPs must have a minimum of an MSN. 

   BSN to NP programs can usually be completed in 24-26 months for an MSN or 36-48 months for a DNP if attending school full-time.

4. Direct Entry Nurse Practitioner Programs

   If you’re not a nurse but have a degree in another field, you can enroll in a direct-entry nurse practitioner program. Essentially, you take an accelerated nursing program in about one year for the first portion of the program to be eligible for the NCLEX, and then you continue to the NP coursework for the second half of the program. Many schools also recommend that with this option, course participants take at least a year between the first and second sections to gain hands-on clinical experience.

Depending on where you choose to do your coursework to become a nurse practitioner, the options are varied. Programs across the country offer full-time, part-time, and online choices. Some take one year full-time, and others can go for years with part-time classes and clinic work.

Most programs, regardless of the type and delivery method, will require completion of all coursework and clinical rotations within five years of starting. 

Keep in mind that there are significantly more BSN and direct-entry NP programs than ADN or diploma RN programs. If you are considering nursing school and think you may want to become an NP sometime in the future, your options may be significantly limited if you don’t achieve a BSN first.

Top RN to NP Programs

Picking the right RN to NP program can be an overwhelming decision. The best program for you will depend on many factors and how important each is to you during your educational journey. We've ranked the best RN to NP programs to help you choose the right program for you. For more details on these programs and to see the full list, check out our guide to the top RN-to-NP programs.

1. Regis College 

Regis College offers a flexible, online RN to NP program. Applicants who have earned their ADN from a regionally accredited institution and accredited program must complete a college-level statistics course before the start of classes and must have an active, unencumbered RN license. 

• Tuition: $995 per credit hour 
• Program Length: 28-36 months 
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Application Deadline: July 17th
• Contact Information:  
  • Phone: (781) 768-7000 
  • Email Information: graduatedepartment@regiscollege.edu
• Online Options Available? Yes 

2. University of Alabama at Birmingham 

The RN to MSN pathway at the University of Alabama provides applicants with an ADN degree and a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field the opportunity to become Nurse Practitioners via a distance-accessible format combining online coursework and on-campus intensives.  

• Tuition: $702 per credit hour 
• Program Length: Three years 
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Application Deadline: February 18th
• Contact Information:  
  • Phone: (205) 975-9035 
  • Email Information: kell7297@uab.edu 
• Online Options Available? Yes 

3. Clarkson College 

Clarkson College’s online RN-to-MSN program is designed for RNs with a diploma or Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Students earn graduate credits while completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN). After completing undergraduate requirements, students transition to a custom RN-to-MSN degree plan that includes minimal campus visits. 

• Tuition: $740 per credit hour 
• Program Length: Three years (full-time)
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Application Deadline: 
  • Fall: July 18th 
  • Spring/Summer: Rolling 
• Contact Information:  
  • Phone: (402) 552-3100
  • Email Information: admissions@clarksoncollege.edu
• Online Options Available? Yes 

4. University of Central Florida  

The University of Central Florida’s Doctor of Nurse Practitioner program is available for RNs with an associate degree in nursing who have also earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. This full-time graduate program is offered at the school’s Orlando, Florida location. 

• Tuition: $288.16 per credit hour 
• Program Length: 9-12 semesters 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Fall: February 1st 
• Contact Information:  
  • Phone: (407) 823-2744 
  • Email Information: UCFNurse@ucf.edu
• Online Options Available? Yes 

>> Related: Nurse Practitioner Schools in Florida

5. University of Rochester 

University of Rochester’s School of Nursing offers an RN to BS to MS program that blends online and evening in-class sessions, allowing ADN-prepared registered nurses to earn their bachelor’s degree and then pursue one of three master’s degree programs.

• Tuition: $1,200 per credit hour for the RN to BS portion; $1,740 per credit hour for the master’s portion 
• Program Length: 16 months for the bachelor’s program and two to three years for the master’s program 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Spring: September 15th 
• Contact Information:  
  • Phone: (585) 275-2375 
  • Email Information: SON_Admissions@urmc.rochester.edu 
• Online Options Available? No 

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Top BSN to NP Programs

There are many BSN to NP programs to choose from, we've ranked the top ones to help you choose. For more details on these programs and to see the full list, check out our guide to the Top 10 BSN to NP Programs.

1. John Hopkins University

John Hopkins offers BSN to NP programs specializing in adult-geriatric, family practice, pediatric, and psychiatric care. The programs at Hopkins are all DNP programs, meaning they are longer than MSN programs but will result in a terminal degree. Most programs can be completed remotely with onsite clinical rotations in the student's location.

Johns Hopkins BSN to NP programs include:

• DNP Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: $1,939 per credit hour 
• Program Length: 3 - 4 years  
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Fall: January 15th
• Contact Info: (410) 955-4766 
• Online Options Available? Yes

2. Duke University

The Duke University School of Nursing offers an MSN program for bachelor-prepared RNs looking to become an NP. This program is entirely online and distance-based. However, students may have required on-campus activities for a few of their courses.

Students may complete clinical work in healthcare facilities close to home. One unique aspect of Duke’s program is students can focus on a specific sub-specialty and even earn a certificate. Specialties include,

• HIV
• Orthopedics
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Palliative Care
• Oncology
• Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: $2,166 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 to 3 years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Fall: December 1st
  • Spring: May 1st
• Contact Information:
  • Phone Number: (877) 415-3853
  • Email Address: SONAdmissions@dm.duke.edu
• Online Options Available? Yes

3. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania offers BSN to NP programs through its MSN pathway. The specialty programs students can choose from include adult gerontology, family practice, neonatal, pediatrics,psychiatric-mental health, and women’s health.

The university also offers a Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program for NPs with an MSN or DNP and certificate programs for nurses with an MSN.\

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: Program costs depend on the number of course units taken per semester.
  • Full-time: $86,636
  • Part-time (2 years): $87,317
  • Part-time (3 years): $90,683
• Program Length: One to three years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline:
  • Full time:
    • Priority: November 4th
    • Final: February 3rd
  • Part-time:
    • Spring: October 15th
    • Summer: March 15th
    • Fall: April 1st
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (215) 898-4271 
  • Email: admissions@nursing.upenn.edu
• Online Options Available? No

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

4. Columbia University

Columbia’s RN to DNP program prepares BSN-educated RNs to provide comprehensive care to many patient populations. Graduates are eligible for state licensure and professional certification in their specialty areas.

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: $74,962
• Program Length: 3 years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: January 6th
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (212) 342-3920 
  • Email: son-ocas@cumc.columbia.edu
• Online Options Available? No 

5. Case Western University

Case Western University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing has earned a reputation as one of the top programs in the country. The school’s BSN-to-NP program produces advanced practice nurses with MSN degrees that allow them to blend majors or pursue joint master’s degree opportunities with other schools at the university. 

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: $2,308 per credit hour 
• Program Length: 18 months 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: March 15th 
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (216) 368-8532
  • Email Address: fpbwebmasters@case.edu
• Online Options Available? Yes

Online RN to NP Programs

Online nurse practitioner programs are ideal for various nursing professionals with busy schedules. They allow the entirety or majority of coursework to be completed remotely. They are flexible and allow students to work around their schedules. 

While online programs are inclusive to all lifestyles, nurses with the following lifestyles may especially benefit from online programs:

• Working nurses 
• Nurses with families 
• Nurses with outside responsibilities
• Nurses with difficult and/or set schedules

Benefits of Completing an RN to NP Program

Completing an RN to NP program allows for increased autonomy, more specialized and intense training in your field of interest, more freedom and flexibility with your career, and, usually, a higher wage.

• Operate your own clinic. Because NPs are independent practitioners, they also have the ability to operate and own their own clinic, depending on their own state rules, and have enhanced clinical skills, such as the ability to prescribe medication for treatment. 
• Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications in all 50 states and order testing for their patients. No matter what their specialty, they will spend the majority of their time at work assessing, examining, diagnosing, and treating patients.
• Nurse Practitioners can diagnose patients with diabetes or high blood pressure and then help them manage it. They can order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays. They also educate and support patients’ families through the bad moments. 
• Nurse Practitioners have the authority to work independently in most states. However, in some states, nurse practitioners are required to have a supervisory contract in place with a physician. 
• Nurse practitioners have a chance to work in all types of settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, urban and rural clinics, college campuses, and corporations. 
• NPs have increased opportunities to advance in their fields and expand their practice beyond solely bedside nursing. 

Is a Doctorate Required to Become an NP? 

It is not a requirement for nurse practitioners to earn a DNP. NPs can have a masters-level education or a doctorate degree. There may also be additional educational requirements if you plan on working as an NP educator, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is often discussing the future possibility of transitioning all NP programs into doctoral-level programs, although there is not a final decision that has been made on that switch. 

FAQs

• How long does it take to go from RN to NP? 

  • If you’re an RN with an associate’s degree, getting your NP will take approximately 3-4 years. If you already have a BSN, you can become an NP in about two years. 

• How long does it take to bridge from RN to NP? 

  • A bridge RN-NP program takes approximately 3-4 years.

• How do I transfer from RN to NP? 

  • If you’re an RN with an associate’s degree, look for a school that offers a bridge ADN-NP program. If you’re an RN with a BSN, you can apply directly to an NP program.

• How much more does an NP make than an RN?

  • NPs make an average of $126,260 per year, while RNs make about $86,070 annually (BLS). 

• What is the fastest way to become a nurse practitioner? 

  • The fastest way to become an NP is to earn your BSN-RN and enroll directly into an NP program. It’s helpful to choose a school that offers both. 

• Can you go straight from RN to MSN? 

  • You can go straight from an RN to MSN with a bridge program. 

Read Next: 

• Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Top Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

 

*Indicates an affiliate link. At no additional cost to you, Nurse.org will earn a commission if you click through and use this service.