The road to becoming a nurse practitioner is a long one. You have to become
a registered nurse, then take additional training.
Nurse practitioner programs can offer either a master's degree or a post-master's
certificate.
Some states do not recognize NPs. Contact your state's nursing organization
or department of health for information.
You'll need to excel in book learning as well as in people skills. "NPs
need to understand the science of medicine and nursing as well as the
complexity of human social interactions and adaptations," says Mary van Soeren,
a professor formerly in a NP program.
Ideally, students should possess "imagination, adaptability, critical
thinking, plus a balance between skill in biological science and humanities
or social science," she adds.
If you want to begin preparing now, good courses to take include "anything
that promotes critical thinking," van Soeren says. Specifically, she mentions
"biology, chemistry or biochemistry, English, law, nutrition [and] anything
that promotes health and physical activity."
There are also things you can be doing now outside of the classroom to
prepare yourself. "Volunteering with any kind of medical facility is always
great," says professor Barbara Metcalf.
Textbooks are costly. "It's not a price for the faint of heart,"
Metcalf says. "Many of our books the students use during their entire program,
so there is a huge initial outlay, but it tapers off as time goes by."
Expenses also include the purchase of a stethoscope, "and possibly some
specialty equipment depending on where you work -- reflex hammer, etc.," van
Soeren says. She adds that these are minor costs.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Registered
Nurses
NP Central
Information for and about nurse practitioners
U.S. Nursing Network
Find out what's happening in the field
Nurse Practitioner Links
Find out about jobs, education and more