SELECTING A NP PROGRAM: WHAT PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
As the first entry dedicated to students, we start with discussing how to approach selecting an NP program. Selecting a nurse-practitioner (NP) program may be the most important decision a nurse can make along their nursing journey.
With approximately 400 academic institutions with nurse-practitioner programs, selecting the one to pursue can be overwhelming, but is done thoughtfully can save perspective NPs time and money. Although there isn’t an exact science to choosing the right NP school, here are 5-things perspective NPs should examine when selecting a NP program.
1. Program Accreditation
Ensuring your programs of interest are accredited is the first step to selecting the right NP program. Accreditation is the review process nursing institutions undergo to meet state and national standards for nursing education and training. Academic nursing programs are accredited by either of the two accrediting bodies:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
In their various capacities, the ACEN and CCNE evaluate nursing programs for all nursing levels, from practical to doctoral levels, and ensure standards are the same within programs across the country. Be very cautious and make sure any potential NP program is accredited. Attending an accredited program is required to sit for board and licensing examinations. So, attending a non-accredited NP program will inhibit your goal of becoming a licensed nurse-practitioners. You can go to this website to see if the school you are considering is accredited.
2. Nurse-Practitioner Specialty
Consider the patient population you would want to serve, not just the school you want to attend. This will guide you to knowing what specialty of NP practice you want to pursue, and will in turn assist with determining what NP programs you should consider.
As you know, I am certified primary care pediatric nurse practitioner. However, there a many NPs whose scope include the management pediatric health.
The most common nurse-practitioner roles are:
Family Nurse-Practitioner (FNP)- deliver primary healthcare to individuals across the lifespan.
Adult Gerontology Nurse-Practitioner (AGNP)- deliver primary health care to adolescents, adults and the elderly.
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)- deliver full range of primary mental health care services.
Pediatric Nurse-Practitioner (PNP)- deliver primary health care to infants, children, adolescents and young adults up to age 21.
3. PREREQUISITES
Consider the courses needed to be admitted into the program you are considering. If you have fulfilled most or all the prerequisites, make certain they were completed within required time frame. For example, some programs require that prerequisites be taken no sooner than 5-years prior to when you would start your program.
Some programs require all prerequisites be met prior to admissions, while others others will admit students conditionally if one of two prerequisites are pending. Take advantage of you schools of interest information sessions. They often provide valuable information regarding admission requirements that are not necessarily outlined publically.
4. Didactic/Clinical Curriculum
Consider how the NP program didactic (in-classroom) and clinical curriculum is structured.
Ideally, programs align in-classroom learning with the hands on experience received during clinical rotations/preceptorships. Similarly, consider whether the program does the work of coordinating clinical rotations/preceptorships.
Some programs put the owness of locating and coordinating clinical rotations and/or preceptors on the NP student.
This puts a lot of pressure on the student to initiate relationships with clinical institutions, and NP clinicians they may not have, and this may require addition costs outside of the costs of the NP program itself.
5. Nursing Experience
Consider your nursing experience and your overall career goals. The scope of nurse-practitioners is considered advanced practice nursing. Serving as a NP requires a solid foundation as a registered nurse.
Most NP programs require 2-3 years of nursing experience prior to admission. If you have less than 2-years experience allow yourself a little more time to develop as a registered nurse before transitioning as nurse practitioner.
It is also important to consider your overall career goals. There are many paths within the nursing profession beyond becoming a nurse practitioner. Some nurses take on a career path of law and become lawyers, some earn their masters and become educators, and others business.
Whatever NP program you choose, my wish is that you thrive in all your gifts including those outside of nursing, and bring those gifts to your nursing role. That is how we will continue to innovate the nursing profession at all levels. Good luck on your journey!
May this always be where all the children are well.
I would love to hear from you. Comment below. What questions do you have about selecting a NP program?
References:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Search ACEN accredited nursing programs. http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020, October 27). Nurse-practitioner education. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/advocacy-resource/position-statements/nurse-practitioner-education
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Your nurse practitioner (NP) education begin your journey to become patients’ partner in health. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. https://www.aanp.org/student-resources/planning-your-np-education
Gaines, K. (2019, November 13). Why nursing school accreditation matters. Nurse.org. ://nurse.org/education/nursing-school-accreditation/
