How To Become An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Key Takeaways

• Becoming an APRN means earning a graduate degree, passing a national certification exam in your specialty, and getting licensed in your state.
• A BSN-prepared nurse can finish an MSN in about two years of full-time study. A DNP takes 2-4 years.
• APRNs average $109,039 a year and typically out-earn nurses who hold a graduate degree but work in non-APRN roles.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are nurses with training and authority well beyond an RN's. The minimum credential is a master of science in nursing (MSN) plus an APRN license. APRN roles sit between the RN and the physician: APRNs diagnose and treat conditions, and in many states they practice without physician supervision.

How Long to Become: 6-8 years Degree Required: MSN or DNP Certification: APRN specialty certification

What Is an APRN?

APRNs perform physical exams, order tests, prescribe medications, and counsel patients and families. Some states require physician supervision; many do not.

Every APRN holds a graduate degree and certification in one of four roles:

1. Certified nurse-midwife (CNM)
2. Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
3. Nurse practitioner (NP)
4. Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

That specialty certification is what separates an APRN from an RN who happens to hold a graduate degree. Most APRNs work in primary care and hospitals, and many serve rural and underserved areas. Many also focus on a population, such as older adults, children, or pregnant patients.

Steps to Becoming an APRN

You need an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree, an RN license earned by passing the NCLEX, clinical experience, and a national certification exam in your specialty. Some employers also want basic life support or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification. Specifics vary by state and school, but the path is consistent.

1. Earn a BSN from an accredited program. Full-time students finish in four years. RNs who hold an associate degree in nursing (ADN) can use an RN-to-BSN bridge to finish in about two years. Career changers with a non-nursing bachelor's degree can use an accelerated BSN and finish in as little as 12 months.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN. The Next Generation NCLEX, launched in April 2023, tests clinical judgment and decision-making, not rote recall.

3. Gain clinical experience. Most APRN programs want 1-2 years of nursing experience, though some admit new graduates. The amount depends on the school, your background, and your intended specialty.

4. Earn a graduate degree from an APRN program. An MSN typically takes two years. A DNP takes 2-4 years. ADN-prepared nurses can use RN-to-MSN bridges to skip the separate bachelor's step. Career changers with a non-nursing degree can use direct-entry programs and finish an MSN in 18-36 months.

5. Pass a national APRN certification exam in your specialty. Then apply for licensure where you plan to practice. Every state requires certification before licensure, but other requirements vary.

APRN Education

Becoming an APRN takes 6-8 years: general nursing coursework, then advanced courses and specialized clinical training. The minimum is an MSN. A BSN-prepared nurse can reach APRN status in about two years of full-time study, or 2-4 years through a DNP.

ADN holders can use RN-to-MSN bridges instead of earning a bachelor's and master's separately. Career changers can use direct-entry programs and finish an MSN in 18-36 months. In a direct-entry track, students complete the BSN curriculum and clinicals in year one, sit for the NCLEX-RN, then move into the MSN curriculum.

MSN Degree

The MSN is the floor for APRN practice. Accelerated MSN tracks offer a faster route, and the MSN is the minimum education for CNS and CNM roles.

An ADN qualifies you for RN licensure, but most employers prefer a BSN, so starting with a bachelor's usually pays off.

• Admission requirements: BSN, minimum 3.0 GPA, active RN license, one or more years of clinical experience
• Curriculum: epidemiology, nursing ethics, pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, specialty courses
• Time to complete: 18-36 months full-time with a BSN
• Skills: diagnose illness, prescribe medication, order and analyze tests, collaborate across teams, deliver clinical care, teach prevention and wellness

DNP Degree

A DNP carries higher earning potential, more responsibility, and an expanded leadership role. It suits RNs aiming for leadership, CRNA, and NP work. A doctoral degree is now the entry requirement for new certified registered nurse anesthetists, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties continues to push for the DNP as the entry-level degree for NPs.

You need a BSN to enter a DNP program. Plan on 3-4 years.

• Admission requirements: BSN, minimum 3.0 GPA, active RN license, one or more years of clinical experience
• Curriculum: biostatistics, pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, clinical pharmacology, project planning, management and data analysis, healthcare policy, specialty courses
• Time to complete: 3-4 years
• Skills: practice independently, apply evidence-based care, implement new policies, lead research projects, deliver clinical care, teach prevention and wellness

Licensure and Certification

Licensure and certification are separate requirements. To get an APRN license, earn a BSN, pass the NCLEX, become an RN, then complete a graduate program. Separate bodies certify CNMs, CNSs, CRNAs, and NPs. Most APRNs certify after passing their state board exam, but each state's process differs, so check with your board.

Each specialty has its own credentialing body. These are the main ones.

ANCC is the largest APRN certification board. It offers CNSs the adult-gerontology certification and credentials NPs in family practice, adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, and psychiatric-mental health.

AANPCB is the second-largest nonprofit APRN certifier, with exams in adult care, emergency care, adult-gerontology primary care, psychiatric-mental health, and family practice.

NBCRNA handles initial certification for nurse anesthetists. CRNAs renew every four years by completing 100 continuing education credits and four modules.

AMCB certifies CNMs who hold an MSN or DNP from an accredited nurse-midwifery program and pass its exam. Renewal requires three modules and 20 contact hours every five years.

AACN offers acute care certifications for CNSs and NPs. APRNs renew every five years with 150 clinical education credits and 1,000 hours of direct care. Its NP certifications are adult-gerontology acute care and adult acute care. Its CNS certifications cover adult-gerontology, pediatrics, neonatal, adult acute critical care, pediatric acute critical care, neonatal acute critical care, adult-gerontology acute care, and adult acute care.

After licensure, you renew both the RN and APRN licenses for the rest of your career. RNs renew every two years; APRN renewal varies by state.

Salary and Job Outlook

APRNs average $109,039 a year as of September 2025, according to Payscale.

Nurses with graduate degrees in non-APRN roles generally earn less. Nurse informaticists average $91,280 (Payscale, May 2025) and nurse educators average $86,300 (Payscale). Pay shifts with responsibilities, setting, and location.

Roles diverge in practice. NPs deliver primary care in physician offices; CRNAs deliver anesthesia in hospitals. Both prescribe and order tests. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% employment growth for NPs, CNMs, and CRNAs from 2024-2034, far above the national average.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an APRN? About 6-8 years. The BSN takes roughly four years (two for ADN holders bridging up), then two years for an MSN or 2-4 years for a DNP.

What are the four types of APRNs? Certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists.

What degree do you need? An MSN or DNP. From a BSN, expect two years of full-time study for an MSN or 2-4 years for a DNP.

What is the difference between an APRN and an NP? An NP is one type of APRN. The category also includes CNMs, CRNAs, and CNSs.