Becoming a Nurse Practitioner: MSN and DNP Routes After the BSN

The route from RN to NP

Becoming a nurse practitioner starts with an RN license and a BSN. From there you apply to a graduate NP program in a specific population focus: family, adult-gerontology, pediatric, psychiatric-mental health, neonatal, or women's health. The program you choose determines which patients you get certified to treat.

MSN track

A Master of Science in Nursing with an NP concentration usually takes about 2 to 3 years of full-time study. NP programs generally require a minimum of 600 to 750 supervised direct patient care clinical hours across the program, per the 2022 NTF Standards facilitated by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), a step up from the earlier 500-hour standard. Note that 500 hours is a separate figure, the ANCC/AANP minimum to sit for certification, not the NONPF program standard, according to nurse practitioner clinical rotation guidance . This route has been the standard entry point into NP practice for decades and remains the most common one.

DNP track

A Doctor of Nursing Practice adds coursework in systems leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice on top of NP clinical training. A BSN-to-DNP program usually runs 3 to 4 years full time. A post-master's DNP, for nurses who already hold an MSN, usually takes 1 to 2 years.

DNP programs generally require a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. If you complete a post-master's DNP, the 600-750 hours from your MSN typically count toward that 1,000-hour total, so the doctoral coursework adds roughly 250-400 more clinical hours on top of what you already logged.

Why the DNP is not mandatory

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and NONPF both proposed making the DNP the entry-level degree for NP practice by 2025. That deadline passed without the change taking effect. As of 2026, no state licensing board requires a DNP for NP licensure , and certification bodies ANCC and AANP accept both MSN and DNP graduates for the same certification exam and the same credential. MSN programs still enroll far more students nationwide than DNP programs.

A DNP matters for specific goals. Some faculty positions, leadership roles, and a growing share of employers favor it. It does not change your scope of practice or your certification eligibility compared with an MSN.

Getting into an NP program

Most programs require an active RN license, a BSN from an accredited program, and a minimum GPA, often around 3.0. Many programs also want at least one year of clinical RN experience before you start, though this varies by school and specialty. You apply directly to each school. Nursing has no single centralized application system like PTCAS or OTCAS.

Program format

Many MSN and DNP programs run online or hybrid, with coursework delivered remotely and clinical hours arranged at approved sites near you. Full-time and part-time tracks both exist, so working RNs often stretch a 2-3 year full-time MSN into 3-4 years part time.

Certification exam by specialty

Your certification exam depends on your population focus. Family nurse practitioners sit for the FNP exam through ANCC or AANP. Adult-gerontology, pediatric, psychiatric-mental health, and other specialties each have their own exam, tied to the population focus your program certified you in. You cannot sit for a certification exam outside the population focus your degree program covered, so pick your specialty before you apply, not after you graduate.

Adding a specialty later

An RN who already holds an MSN in a non-NP nursing specialty, such as nursing education or nursing administration, adds NP credentials through a post-graduate certificate program instead of repeating a full MSN. These certificate programs focus only on the NP coursework and clinical hours needed for the new population focus.

Certification and licensure after the degree

After finishing either track, you sit for a national certification exam matched to your population focus, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) depending on the specialty. Passing the exam and applying to your state board of nursing gets you an APRN license, which authorizes you to practice as a nurse practitioner within that state's scope-of-practice rules.

Choosing between MSN and DNP

Pick the MSN to start practicing sooner, with the option to add a post-master's DNP later. Pick the DNP if you already know you want the extra systems and leadership coursework, or you are eyeing a faculty or administrative role down the line.