- Besides caring for patients, nurse practitioners diagnose, treat, and interpret illnesses.
- For this career path, you’ll need a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing, which takes around 6-8 years.
- After you complete your studies, you may need to pass an extra exam and register with a regulatory body.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with extra training. With this extra training, they’re able to do more tasks, such as diagnosing patients, prescribing treatments, and leading clinics.
It’s worth noting that the first-ever nurse practitioner degree programme started in 1965 in the US, aiming to bring better healthcare to underserved communities. Around the world, the role may go by different names, like Advanced Nursing or Clinical Nurse Specialist, and in some countries, nurse practitioners are still a relatively new concept.
If you’re curious about where you can study, check out Master’s in Nursing programmes on Mastersportal to get an idea.
What does a nurse practitioner do?
Nurse practitioners care for patients just like registered nurses. But since they have more advanced training, they have extra responsibilities. Here are some examples of what they do:
- Diagnosing and treating common illnesses and injuries
- Ordering and interpreting medical tests
- Prescribing medication
- Creating and managing patient care plans
- Giving advice on staying healthy and preventing illnesses
Explore Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, which is your first step to becoming a nurse practitioner. If you’re already a qualified nurse ready for the next step, check out 1,500+ Master’s in Nursing on Mastersportal.
Is becoming a nurse practitioner the right path for you?
Want a healthcare career that combines the patient care side of nursing with the decision-making of a doctor? You might enjoy the nurse practitioner job path. Here are some skills and traits that will help you along the way:
- A strong interest in science, healthcare, and patient care
- Good communication skills and empathy
- The ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure
- Patience and adaptability when working with diverse patients
- Leadership skills
There are also a lot of specialities you can explore as a nurse practitioner. Some examples are:
- Family practice: Caring for patients of all ages
- Paediatrics: Focusing on children’s health
- Geriatrics: Caring for elderly patients
- Acute care: Treating urgent or severe conditions
- Mental health: Supporting patients with psychiatric or emotional concerns
Nurse practitioner vs registered nurse vs doctor
The role of a nurse practitioner can be similar to both registered nurses and medical doctors. But how do these three compare? Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:
Role | Main tasks | Education | Common specialities | Time to qualify |
Registered nurse (RN) |
| Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) or Nursing Diploma | Paediatric nurse, emergency room nurse, oncology nurse and more | 3-4 years |
Nurse practitioner (NP) | Everything an RN does, plus:
| Bachelor’s (BSN) and Master’s (MSN/MSc) in Nursing (Doctorate is an advantage) | Family nurse practitioner, acute care nurse practitioner, paediatric nurse practitioner, and more | 6-8 years |
Doctor |
| Medical degree (MBBS, MD or DO) and Residency | Surgeon, cardiologist, paediatrician, psychiatrist, and more | 10-15 years |
What degree do you need to become a nurse practitioner?
To become a nurse practitioner, you need at least a Master’s degree. For some high-level nursing roles, a Doctoral degree can also help. Here is the typical career path:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (typically 3-4 years)
- Master’s degree in Nursing (typically 1-2 years, might go by Advanced Clinical Nursing, Nurse Practitioner or Nursing Studies)
- Doctorate in Nursing (typically 3-4 years)
Training and experience during studies and after graduation
Clinical experience is part of both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing. You’ll usually need to complete a set number of clinical placement hours before you can graduate.
What mandatory training or internships are there?
In most cases, you’ll need to have hands-on experience before you can apply for Master’s programmes in Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Nursing. You’ll find that most of these programmes want students who have:
- Completed a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (which includes clinical placements)
- Worked as a registered nurse for several years
- Experienced the inner workings of a hospital and patient care
That’s because the nurse practitioner role is an advanced one — it calls for strong hands-on skills, confidence, and plenty of real-world patient care experience.
Exams and registration to become a nurse practitioner
In most countries, nurse practitioners must pass a licensing exam, register with local authorities, or do both before they can start working. Some country-specific examples include:
Country | Exam name | Registration body |
UK | NMC Test of Competence (for overseas-trained NPs), no extra test for nurses who studied in the UK | Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) |
USA | Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam (varies by speciality) | State Nursing Boards |
Australia | Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Competency Assessment for overseas-trained NPs | Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) |
Canada | Nurse Practitioner Entry-to-Practice Exam | Provincial Regulatory Bodies |
Final tips to succeed in your nurse practitioner journey
Make the most of clinical rotations and internships during your Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. They’ll help you form a strong foundation for your future career as a nurse practitioner. If possible, chat with nurse practitioners to learn from their experiences, ask questions about different specialities, and get advice.
You’ll also want to compare different Master’s programmes in Nursing, they each have their own admission requirements, clinical hours, and study focus. Start looking into your options early so you can pick the programme that fits your goals.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?
It typically takes 6-8 years to qualify as a nurse practitioner, including your Bachelor’s in Nursing (3-4 years according to our portals), work experience (clinical rotations during and after your degree), and a Master’s in Nursing (1-3 years according to our portals).
2. How difficult is it to become a nurse practitioner?
It’s considered more challenging than becoming a registered nurse, as it involves more advanced medical knowledge and clinical skills.
3. Is becoming a nurse practitioner a good career choice?
Nurse practitioners earn good salaries, have strong job security, and often have more autonomy than other nursing roles. If you’re looking for a high-responsibility role in nursing, it might be a great fit for you.
