Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP) is one of the most rewarding paths in healthcare—but it’s also one of the most demanding. If you’re considering the NP route, you’ve probably realized there isn’t “one right way” to get there. The truth is, there are many routes to becoming an NP, and what works for one person may not work for another.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the common pathways to becoming a nurse practitioner, what to look for in a program, and the exact path I personally took—from community college to multiple degrees, national board certification, and practice across several clinical settings.
Quick takeaway: There are many routes to becoming an NP. Your path doesn’t have to be traditional to be valid— it just needs to be intentional, accredited, and aligned with your life, goals, and responsibilities.
First: What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who are trained to assess, diagnose, treat, prescribe, and manage acute and chronic conditions. NPs practice in many settings—primary care, urgent care, pediatrics, specialty care, telemedicine, and more—depending on training, certification, and state regulations.
Common Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
While requirements vary by program and state, most NP paths include: RN licensure → Bachelor’s-level nursing preparation (or equivalent) → Graduate NP program (MSN or DNP) → National board certification → State APRN licensure.
Route 1: Traditional BSN → MSN/DNP NP Program
Many nurses start with a BSN at a university, then enter an MSN or DNP NP program. This route can be straightforward, but it can also be expensive and may not fit everyone’s life circumstances.
Route 2: ADN (Community College) → RN-to-BSN → MSN/DNP
This is the route I chose. It’s a strong option for nurses who want to manage costs, work while in school, and build experience along the way. There is nothing “less than” about starting at a community college—especially when finances are real and the goal is to become a safe, competent clinician.
Route 3: Accelerated BSN (ABSN) → MSN/DNP
Some students with a previous bachelor’s degree pursue an accelerated BSN program, then apply to an NP program. This can be a faster track, but it is intense and may be more expensive.
Route 4: Direct-Entry Programs
Direct-entry options exist for non-nurses who want to become RNs and then NPs through an integrated program. These programs can be effective, but they are not always the best fit for everyone—especially if you value significant bedside experience before advanced practice.
My Personal Path: Community College to NP (and Beyond)
My story starts where many people don’t expect: I earned my Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a community college. I made that choice intentionally. Cost mattered. Life responsibilities mattered. And I knew I could build from there.
After becoming an RN, I spent 10 years at the bedside as an ICU nurse. ICU nursing will shape you. It teaches you how to assess quickly, how to prioritize under pressure, how to communicate clearly, and how to advocate fiercely for your patient. That experience became the foundation of how I practice today.
Later, I returned to school online to earn my RN-to-BSN from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Online learning wasn’t “easier”—it was simply the format that allowed me to keep working while moving forward.
After completing my BSN, I moved quickly into graduate school and enrolled in the Purdue University MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program. Family Nurse Practitioner training is broad, and it prepares you to evaluate patients across the lifespan—pediatrics to older adults.
After graduation, I sat for my national certification exam and became board-certified as an FNP through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
What I want you to hear:Starting at a community college did not limit me. It gave me access. The “best” path is the one that is sustainable, accredited, and leads you to become a safe clinician.
What I Did After Certification: Real-World NP Practice
After becoming an NP, I worked across multiple clinical areas, including:
- Primary care (prevention, chronic disease management, long-term health planning)
- Urgent care (acute visits, fast-paced decision-making, procedures)
- Pediatrics (growth and development, common childhood illnesses, family-centered care)
- Telemedicine (accessible follow-ups, medication management, structured virtual care)
Each setting sharpened a different clinical muscle. Primary care taught long-term management. Urgent care taught speed and precision. Pediatrics taught communication with families. Telemedicine taught how to maximize history-taking and patient education.
How to Choose the Right NP Program (Practical Advice)
If you’re considering becoming an NP, these are the questions I recommend asking before you enroll:
- Is the program accredited? (This impacts certification eligibility and licensure.)
- What clinical placement support is provided? Clinical sites and preceptors matter—deeply.
- How many clinical hours are required? More isn’t always better, but adequate exposure is essential.
- What is the pass rate for board certification? A program should be transparent about outcomes.
- Does the schedule fit your life? If it’s not sustainable, it’s not the right program for you.
Should You Work as an RN Before Becoming an NP?
This is a question I get often. Some nurses want years of bedside experience before advanced practice. Others want to move faster. There isn’t one correct answer—but I will say this:
My honest opinion:Strong RN experience builds your assessment skills, clinical instincts, and confidence. It gives you a foundation that will serve you for your entire NP career.
My decade in ICU made me a stronger NP. It taught me how quickly a patient can change—and why details matter. That said, some excellent NPs take different routes. The most important thing is committing to lifelong learning, safe practice, and mentorship.
The Hardest Job I’ve Ever Had—And the Most Rewarding
Being a Nurse Practitioner is the hardest job I’ve ever done—and that includes my time in the U.S. Army. As an NP, you carry clinical responsibility, you make decisions that impact lives, and you do it while balancing time, documentation, standards of care, and the human reality of what patients are going through.
And still—I love this work. I love being an RN. I love being an NP. I love educating patients, making care accessible, and helping people feel seen and supported.
If You’re Considering NP School, Here’s What I Want You to Remember
- Your path does not have to be traditional to be respected.
- Choose an accredited program and prioritize strong clinical training.
- Find mentors—don’t do it alone.
- Stay humble, stay curious, and stay committed to safe practice.
- This career is demanding—but it’s deeply meaningful.
If you’re on this journey now, I’m proud of you. Nursing needs thoughtful, prepared clinicians—and the world needs more providers who lead with both competence and compassion.