Can you become a nurse practitioner without a BSN?

The experience will also give you the chance to observe how a medical facility runs. Once you complete your education, you'll need to take an exam to demonstrate your knowledge and nursing skills. Nurses also need to be licensed to practice and exams are the prerequisite to licensing.

Many schools have an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program for those who already have a bachelor's degree in another area. Accelerated programs typically take 16 months and once they are completed, graduates can complete the licensing requirements to become an RN.

Depending on how long it has been since you earned your bachelor's degree, some programs may require you to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) before being accepted into the accelerated program. This test is used to determine your readiness for a healthcare-related college program.

The test is similar to most other standardized tests you have probably taken. It consists of 170 multiple choice questions and you have 209 minutes to answer. The bulk of the TEAS test is tied to the foundational education you received in high school and what you were expected to learn in your secondary education.

After completing your undergrad, you will have to undergo a graduate NP program. This education builds upon the foundational knowledge obtained during undergraduate work. NPs will give advanced clinical knowledge and skills to diagnose, manage, and prescribe medications for patients.

NP students will also determine their patient population at the time of entry into an NP program. This will help the NP match their education to the knowledge and skills needed for their career. For example, a primary care pediatric NP will spend their time in didactic and clinical education dedicated to the needs of pediatric patients.