ADN to MSN (RN to NP)
Our healthcare system relies heavily on registered nurses (RNs) who provide advanced nursing care to patients in various healthcare settings. Their role is crucial in ensuring that patients receive the best care possible. After working as a registered nurse and gaining experience, many RNs choose to further their education at the graduate level by obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and becoming a nurse practitioner (NP).
This guide will discuss the nurse practitioner specialty and the different paths an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can take to become an NP.
What is a Registered Nurse (RN)?
A registered nurse is a highly educated and licensed healthcare professional who is trained to provide multifaceted and complex nursing care to patients. They are capable of providing care to patients who require advanced nursing interventions, even if they are medically unstable. Registered nurses do not require direct supervision to perform tasks within their scope of practice since they operate under their own licenses. They work closely with mid-level providers, including physician assistants and nurse practitioners, as well as physicians.
In order to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), you must have completed at least an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
Registered nurses are a critical part of the healthcare team and can be found in a diverse range of workplaces, such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, educational institutions, outpatient centers, and more.
RNs perform a variety of clinical tasks depending on their workplace, such as:
- Preparing patients for exams
- Administering treatments and medications
- Monitoring patients for side effects
- Recording medical history
- Obtaining vital signs and monitoring patients for changes in condition
- Collaborating with teams to provide patient care
- Drawing blood for lab work
- Perform diagnostic tests
- Providing basic and advanced first aid
- Providing support and advice to patients and their families
What is a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
A nurse practitioner, also known as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), is a type of healthcare provider. NPs can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, long-term care facilities, and more. They tend to collaborate closely with other members of the healthcare team, including physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and nurses.
The specific scope of practice for nurse practitioners varies by state. Some states provide NPs with a high level of autonomy and allow them to act as primary care providers, while other states require NPs to practice with varying degrees of physician oversight by law.
In general, common tasks performed by NPs include:
- Obtaining and analyzing patient medical history information
- Performing physical assessments
- Ordering and interpreting test results, including lab tests and imaging
- Diagnosing patients based on assessment findings, medical history, and test results
- Prescribing medications or other treatment therapies
- Educating patients on diagnoses and plans of care
The role of an NP is unique because it combines patient-focused nursing care with the responsibilities of a physician. NPs must be detail-oriented and have excellent critical thinking skills in order to diagnose and treat patients effectively.
NPs often focus on caring for a specific patient population. This choice is usually made when they attend school, as most nurse practitioner programs require you to choose a specialty when applying. There are several different nurse practitioner specialties to choose from, including:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP or A-GPCNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GACNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
Like RNs, NPs are required to complete continuing education requirements in order to renew their licenses. The total number of hours of continuing education required per year varies by state. Failing to complete these education requirements will make the NP ineligible to practice as an APRN.
Nurse practitioners must hold a minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing, although some NPs hold terminal degrees, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). After completing their MSN or DNP program, nurse practitioner students must pass either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) exam or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) exam in their respective specialty in order to become licensed to practice as an NP.
How to Transition From ADN to MSN
Option #1: ADN to BSN to MSN
As an ADN–prepared nurse, you can choose to pursue your BSN first, then obtain your MSN at a later time. Most ADN nurses who go this route choose to enroll in an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, which is specifically designed for students who are already registered nurses. RN-to-BSN programs can be completed in as little as 1 year of full-time study.
After obtaining your BSN, you can then enroll in a traditional MSN program with the nurse practitioner concentration of your choosing. Most BSN-to-MSN programs take around 2-3 years to complete. Because of the hands-on nature of the nurse practitioner profession, MSN programs with an APRN track require many in-person lab, clinical, and/or preceptorship hours. Lectures and classwork are usually completed in an online hybrid format.
Option #2: ADN to MSN
If you are starting off with an ADN degree, you can enroll in an RN-to-MSN program. On this track, you will complete an accelerated BSN and MSN curriculum concurrently, awarding you both degrees when you are done. Most RN-to-MSN programs with a nurse practitioner focus take around 3-4 years to complete. These programs will require a significant amount of lab, clinical, and/or preceptorship hours that must be completed in person. Lectures and classwork are usually completed in an online hybrid format.
When pursuing an MSN with an APRN track, you will be required to take an additional examination after graduation in order to become licensed to practice as a nurse practitioner. Whether or not you pass or fail your respective exam does not affect your RN license in any way. You will still be allowed to practice as an RN while in school and while you are studying for your APRN licensing exam.
