Can you become a nurse practitioner without a nursing degree or BSN in the USA?

How to become a nurse practitioner without a nursing degree or BSN in the USA

My Corner

Nursing is a fantastic and fascinating career option that many people would like to pursue. The nursing profession is quite diverse, with numerous specialization options. In addition, nurses earn a good wage.

Registered nurses in the United States of America earn $67,930 per year. This equates to an hourly wage of $32.66 per hour, a weekly wage of $1,306, and a monthly income of $5,660. Nurses earn significantly more than the national average of 45,790 dollars. On a daily basis, as a nurse, you have the opportunity to assist in the saving of countless lives, which is extremely rewarding.

Nursing is a popular profession in the medical field, and demand for nurses is expected to skyrocket in the coming decades. This forecast was based on the fact that the elderly population is growing as a result of improved living standards, increased access to healthcare in even the most remote locations, and the fact that many current registered nurses are nearing retirement. With all of this in mind, it’s easy to see why so many people want to be nurses.

There are currently over 2.7 million nurses in the United States, with the majority of them working in hospitals. They can also work in schools, clinics, some health-care settings, the military, government agencies, and rehabilitation facilities.

Is it Possible to Become a Nurse Practitioner Without a Nursing Degree or BSN?

To tell you the truth, no. Without a nursing degree or a BSN, you can’t work as a nurse practitioner. The following are some of the reasons why this is not possible.

Nurse practitioners are often called upon to handle sensitive and complex medical cases, and they can handle many of the same cases as primary care physicians, which necessitates a higher level of medical knowledge. A master’s degree in nursing is also required for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) careers, which include nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and clinical nurse specialist.

The following are some of the responsibilities of a nurse practitioner on the job:

  • Individuals and families should receive basic primary or specialty care.
  • Physical examination and diagnostic tests are used to diagnose patients.
  • Analyze the results of the tests and determine the best course of action for treatment.
  • Examine your symptoms and make a medication recommendation.
  • Set up patient care plans and explain what they should do at home to help the treatment succeed.
  • Treat bronchitis, colds, flu, diabetes, and obesity, among other acute and chronic illnesses.

Even if a nurse has many years of experience, they must return to school to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree before they can assume the responsibilities of a nurse practitioner or other APRN.

Only an educational setting can provide the intricacies of the practice and the medical skills that nurse practitioners should possess. Even though job experience is crucial for performing standard nursing duties, acquiring all of the new knowledge required for a nurse practitioner career necessitates a concentrated learning environment.

What does it take to become a nurse practitioner?

Obtaining certification as a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) or a registered nurse (RN) is the first step toward a career as a nurse practitioner (RN). A bachelor’s or associate’s degree from a two- or four-year college will suffice. Some hospitals and other clinical settings that offer approved, non-university nursing programs also have it.

After becoming an entry-level nurse, you can apply to an MSN program that specializes in the advanced practice specialty of your choice. These programs can take up to two years of full-time study to complete (3-4 semesters). Part-time and online degree programs are still available for students who want to continue their education while still working.

Depending on a student’s prior training, the length and intensity of MSN programs can vary. It goes without saying that candidates with a bachelor’s degree in nursing will have to take fewer courses than those who obtained their nursing license through an associate degree or nursing diploma program.

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