Nurse Practitioner Path & Potential: What it Takes & Where to Start

Nurse Practitioner Path

Career Tips

Almost half of all nurses looking to pursue graduate education are opting for the Nurse Practitioner path—is it right for you? One NP expert breaks down what it takes and where it can get you.

The BSN to Nurse Practitioner path is the most popular nursing career trajectory today, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their data suggest NP job growth is “much higher than average," growing at a rate of 38%, compared to 6% growth for RNs.

Here are a few reasons why …

A Solid Pay Bump

• Registered nurses average $81,000 per year, but having your NP bumps your paycheck up to more than $120,000 annually. You can even push toward $150,000 if you choose a more lucrative NP specialty such as Family Medicine, Cardiology, or Orthopedic Surgery.

Job Autonomy

• NPs have graduate-level education and in some states more responsibility and authority.

Career Versatility

• NPs can step into advanced clinical roles, leadership roles, or even nurse advisory positions outside of health care.

“Having your NP opens doors you may not have even considered yet,” according to Rodney Hicks, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, who speaks from personal experience. He started his career in the OR. Then went on to earn his NP in primary care before continuing on to get his PhD.

Today Hicks balances academic and clinical roles. He's associate dean for research and administration at the College of Graduate Nursing, Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif.

Hicks is also an FNP (Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner) who clears patients for surgery. “I get to optimize patients for surgery, which requires my perioperative critical thinking skills and my FNP knowledge to advance overall patient health and safety.”

3 Steps to Pursue Your Best NP Path

Periop Today asked Hicks what periop nurses need to plan for before jumping into an NP program. Here’s what he suggests:

Step #1: Find a Mentor

Look for a mentor with an NP who is doing what you want to do, Hicks advises. “The right mentor can help you see what your practice potential could be. They can also give you an honest take on life during NP education.”

A mentor can even be a good sounding board through graduate school. And help you make job connections after you graduate, he adds.

Step #2: Think Through Your Life Balance

Earning your NP means going through an average 2-3 years of graduate school (or more if you pursue your DNP). Many RNs complete their NP course while working in their current nursing role. While this is very doable, Hicks cautions that “you will likely need to prioritize school over other commitments.”

Financial commitment to an NP program is also a balance to consider. It’s expensive. Many healthcare organizations do offer tuition reimbursement. But more facilities are requiring a commitment to stay after earning your NP as a condition for reimbursement, Hicks cautions. “So, make sure to do your homework on the financial front.”

Step #3: Plan Your NP Path to Practice

You need a BSN to pursue your NP. You also need to choose a specialty that structures your entire NP path because it is specialized from the start. Here are some key NP avenues:

• FNP—Family Nurse Practitioner
• PNP—Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care or Acute Care
• AGNP—Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care or Acute Care
• NNP—Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• WHNP—Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

“Want to build on your current skills in surgical care? Being an NP gives you options for any direction you choose,” Hicks encourages. He explains that more OR-specific roles fit well under most of the NP roles. Consider adding the surgical First Assistant credential as well. If you pursue the Family Medicine pathway (as Hicks did), you can also find a role in a surgical practice.

An Important Role to Fill the Gaps

“Our models in health care delivery are rapidly evolving. However, the constant goal is to get the right patient the right care from the right provider,” Hicks stresses. “NPs are filling the gaps to provide more comprehensive and even preventive care. This can reduce the serious complications that arise when diseases such as diabetes develop and progress.”

Hicks also plugs the needed role for nurses in research—a personal passion. “NPs working in any specialty have the unique skills to lead and translate research."

Learn More About Becoming an NP

ANA has resources on making the leap from RN to NP and the types of Nurse Practitioners.

You can also learn more through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.