Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing
Nurse Practitioner Career Guide
Nurse Practitioner Career Guide
Job Description
What Is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a type of nurse who provides hands-on, direct patient care. This role is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). All APRNs, including nurse practitioners, must complete advanced education and training beyond that of registered nurses (RNs), and as a result, they can practice with a higher degree of autonomy. Nurse practitioners also have a broader scope of responsibilities, allowing them to serve as nurse leaders and mentors when necessary.
Nurse practitioners may focus on caring for specific patient populations, working within practice areas such as pediatrics, women’s health, family health and psychiatric mental health. Within their practice area, NPs prioritize a holistic approach to care, often focusing on health promotion, disease prevention and patient education.
Role
What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?
A nurse practitioner can provide primary and specialty patient-centered care. They manage patient health, conducting physical exams, making diagnoses, developing patient care plans and administering treatments.
A nurse practitioner often performs the following daily responsibilities:
Diagnostics
Nurse practitioners make nursing diagnoses based on physical examinations, symptoms and diagnostic test results.
Treatments
An NP can provide curative, palliative and preventive treatments for acute and chronic health conditions.
Education
They educate patients and family caregivers about disease prevention, condition management and healthy lifestyle choices.
Nurse Practitioner vs. RN vs. Physician Assistant: What’s the Difference?
If you’re exploring how to become a nurse practitioner, it can help to compare the NP role with related healthcare careers. While registered nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants may all work directly with patients, NPs typically complete advanced nursing education and may diagnose conditions, create care plans and prescribe medications, depending on state regulations. The table below highlights key differences between these roles.
Role
Registered Nurse
Education
ADN or BSN
Main Responsibilities
Patient care, care coordination, medication administration
Level of Autonomy
Works under nursing scope and care team structure
Best For
Starting a nursing career
Role
Nurse Practitioner
Education
MSN or DNP, certification, APRN licensure
Main Responsibilities
Diagnose conditions, create treatment plans, prescribe where permitted, provide primary or specialty care
Level of Autonomy
Higher autonomy; varies by state
Best For
Advanced nursing practice
Role
Physician Assistant
Education
Master’s-level PA program and certification
Main Responsibilities
Diagnose, treat, prescribe, assist physicians across specialties
Level of Autonomy
Practices in collaboration with physicians
Best For
Medical-model advanced practice
Role
Education
Main Responsibilities
Level of Autonomy
Best For
Registered Nurse
ADN or BSN
Patient care, care coordination, medication administration
Works under nursing scope and care team structure
Starting a nursing career
Nurse Practitioner
MSN or DNP, certification, APRN licensure
Diagnose conditions, create treatment plans, prescribe where permitted, provide primary or specialty care
Higher autonomy; varies by state
Advanced nursing practice
Physician Assistant
Master’s-level PA program and certification
Diagnose, treat, prescribe, assist physicians across specialties
Practices in collaboration with physicians
Medical-model advanced practice
Outlook
Is Becoming a Nurse Practitioner Worth It?
Learning how to become a nurse practitioner can be worth it if you value a strong job growth outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for nurse practitioners is expected to be 40% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 128,400 new jobs in the field.(See disclaimer 1) Additionally, the median annual wage for nurse practitioners was $129,210 as of May 2024.(See disclaimer 2)
Additionally, fulfilling the nurse practitioner education requirements and advancing into this APRN role can enable you to have a profound impact on patient care. You’ll practice with a high degree of autonomy while embracing a broad scope of responsibility.
Workplace
Where Does a Nurse Practitioner Work?
Nurse practitioners can work in a variety of settings, including outpatient care centers and inpatient departments in hospitals. Their available work settings may be influenced by their chosen practice area.(See disclaimer 3)
A nurse practitioner's work environment may include these common settings:(See disclaimer 3)
Hospitals
Nurse practitioners provide nursing leadership in hospital settings, along with care in a variety of practice areas.
Physicians’ Offices
In physicians’ offices, NPs may be primary care providers, working with patients across the lifespan.
Outpatient Care Centers
At outpatient care centers, NPs can treat patients with acute or chronic health conditions.
Schools
Some nurse practitioners may work in schools providing direct patient care to students, while others may become nurse educators.
Career Path
How To Become a Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are experienced clinicians with advanced training. Before you become an NP, you will first need to become a registered nurse (RN). Then, you can explore new career opportunities with additional education, training and certification.(See disclaimer 4)
Follow these steps to become a nurse practitioner:(See disclaimer 4)
Become an RN
Become a registered nurse by earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and passing the NCLEX-RN(See disclaimer ®) to obtain an RN license.
Earn a Graduate Degree
After gaining clinical experience in nursing, pursue a graduate degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a nurse practitioner specialization.
Pass an NP Certification Exam
Pass a national certification exam for nurse practitioners and obtain state licensure as an APRN.
Education
What Are Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements?
High School Diploma
The path to becoming a nurse practitioner starts with earning a high school diploma. Focus on getting good grades and consider taking advanced classes, if possible. Helpful electives can include anatomy and physiology, health education, computer applications, first aid and introductory nursing.
College Degree
You can begin your nursing career by earning either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to earn your RN credential. However, because nurse practitioner programs typically require a BSN for admission, earning a bachelor's degree is an important step toward becoming an NP. From there, you can pursue a graduate nursing degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), in the specialty area that aligns with your career goals.(See disclaimer 4)
Internships
Nursing education requires a combination of didactic coursework and immersive clinical experience, the latter of which can be considered similar to an internship. As an MSN student, you will complete specialized clinical experiences in your chosen practice area.(See disclaimer 5)
Entry-Level Roles
The role of an NP is not an entry-level one. You will first need to become an RN and obtain a few years of clinical nursing experience before beginning the education and training necessary to become an NP.(See disclaimer 5)
Professional Certifications
Multiple professional certifications and licenses are required for NPs. You will first need an RN license, followed by an APRN license. You may also obtain specialty-specific professional certifications, as well as certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).(See disclaimer 4)
Degrees for Aspiring Nurse Practitioners
12 Matching Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Pre-Licensure, Accelerated (ABSN)
Accelerated
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Master of Science in Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
with an Emphasis in Adult-Gerontology
Post-Master of Science in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
with an Emphasis in Adult-Gerontology Certificate
Post-Master of Science in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
with an Emphasis in Adult-Gerontology Certificate
Skills
What Nurse Practitioner Skills Are Most Important?
Nurse practitioners need mastery of nursing concepts in advanced health assessment, pharmacology and pathophysiology, among other clinical areas. They can also benefit from a diverse blend of soft skills, such as communication skills, that facilitate effective nursing care.(See disclaimer 4)
Some of a nurse practitioner’s most important skills are:(See disclaimer 4)
Communication Skills
NPs must communicate health information clearly to patients, as well as communicate effectively with colleagues.
Critical Thinking Skills
Nurses rely on critical thinking skills to assess patients, make nursing diagnoses and develop appropriate nursing responses.
Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills help these professionals work as collaborative members of the healthcare team.
Leadership
Nurse practitioners can serve as nurse leaders who counsel and mentor fellow nurses while elevating the standard of care.
FAQ
Nurse Practitioner Career FAQs
Get quick answers to some of the most common topics about the nurse practitioner career path, from required education to how this role compares to others in healthcare.
What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a doctor?
What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a registered nurse?
What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant?
Can a nurse practitioner prescribe medication?
Can a nurse practitioner serve as a primary care provider?
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?
What degree do you need to become a nurse practitioner?
How do you address a nurse practitioner?
Career Fit
Is Becoming a Nurse Practitioner Right for You?
Becoming a nurse practitioner may be a rewarding career fit if you are a registered nurse who wants to take on advanced clinical responsibilities, provide direct patient care and help guide treatment decisions. Nurse practitioners often assess patients, diagnose conditions, develop care plans, prescribe medications when permitted by state law and educate patients on managing their health.
This career path can also come with challenges, including graduate-level education, certification, state licensure and responsibility for complex patient care decisions. Understanding your strengths, interests and long-term goals can help you decide whether becoming a nurse practitioner is the right next step in your nursing career.
Becoming a nurse practitioner may be a good fit if you:
The role of a nurse practitioner may not be the best fit if you:
Explore More on Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Learn more about becoming an advanced practice registered nurse with the following curated blogs.
Types of Master’s in Nursing Specialties and Degree Paths
Explore Master of Science in Nursing degree options and consider possible career outcomes in nursing.
Why Continue Your Nursing Education: Benefits and Opportunities
Learn why and how advanced education in nursing may lead to better patient outcomes and career benefits.
Can a Family Nurse Practitioner Prescribe Medication?
Take a closer look at the role and responsibilities of an FNP, including prescribing authority in different states.
Take the Next Step Toward Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Take your nursing education further at GCU, with nursing degree options for aspiring nurse practitioners.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Practitioners, retrieved June 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Nurse Practitioners as of May 2024, retrieved June 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Nurse Practitioners, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved June 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife or Nurse Practitioner. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved June 2026.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023, Jan. 26). Nurse Practitioner. Retrieved June 2026.