Can You Be a Nurse Practitioner with an MSN?

Nursing isn't just a job, but rather a calling that requires individuals of extraordinary compassion, competence, and fortitude. It is a demanding occupation and there is always another step to take for those who want to challenge themselves and expand the scope of their duties in the healthcare industry. If you are currently working in the nursing profession and are ready for a greater challenge, you may be considering becoming a nurse practitioner.

For RNs who hold a Bachelor's in Nursing, Nurse Practitioner is a logical next step in a nursing career. However, there is a question regarding whether or not a working nurse will be able to successfully get hired as a practitioner after getting a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or if it will be necessary to achieve a doctorate before starting work.

While it is clear that a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) will be a competitive advantage for any candidate for a position as a Nurse Practitioner, there are many reasons why study further than an MSN is not strictly necessary to get started in their practice.

Can You Be A Nurse Practitioner With An MSN?

The training requirements for nurse practitioners vary by their particular specialty and the state in which they practice, but all practitioners must have an MSN as a minimum requirement. It is the most important step because all states require a licensure be completed before starting in an NP position and one cannot be a candidate for licensure if this degree is not completed.

What's more, the course of the degree often offers the best opportunities to meet other requirements including a number of hours working under clinical observation and completing required coursework. The MSN is the gateway to a successful career as a nurse practitioner and choosing a program to begin study should be considered the first step toward this significant career change.

What Do Employers Look For In Nurse Practitioners?

Hospitals, clinics, and private practices that are in the market to add a nurse practitioner to their team may find a DNP to be a feather in the cap, but given how competitive the healthcare industry is at this point finding the right candidate means more than just finding the right degree.

A candidate for a position as a nurse practitioner is more likely to be judged during the hiring process on how well they fit the position in question or on the attributes that make for a successful practitioner. Nurse practitioners need to demonstrate a number of qualities.

These including excellent communication skills, an ability to tolerate high stress, attention to detail, a diligent work ethic, a conscientious nature, and a surplus of compassion for people from all walks of life. Prior work history as an RN may do more to convince an employer of a candidate's qualifications than a doctoral degree would.

What Are The Prospects For A Nurse Practitioner With An MSN?

The employment prospects for nurse practitioners is especially rosy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for the occupation to grow by 31 percent in the next decade and this is considered much faster than the average for all occupations regardless of industry. This demand is driven by a surge in the need for personnel who can contribute not only to acute medical needs but also emphasize preventative care and the unique challenges that will come with an aging population in the United States.

They are an essential part of team-based models of health care and have the potential to work successfully in a wide variety of environments including clinics, primary care offices, large hospitals, veterans care facilities, and in private practice. As technology in the healthcare sector is increasing, nurse practitioners are often stepping in to fill the role of specialists when implementing new equipment and procedures. The need for these qualified professionals will be high throughout the nation, but especially in medically under-served and rural areas.

A Career As A Nurse Practitioner Begins With One Call

There may not be a better time than right now to begin the journey toward becoming a qualified nurse practitioner and fill the myriad positions that are opening up every day. Opportunities are open today but candidates are enrolling in programs every day to meet the rising demand.

If you want to become a family nurse practitioner and earn a Master of Science in Nursing, ECPI University offers this degree program at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting degree, connect with a skillful admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Master of Science in Nursing

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