RN to Nurse Practitioner: Your Guide to Career Advancement

As a registered nurse (RN), there may come a point when you feel called to deepen your impact and step into a more advanced role in patient care. Maybe you're seeking greater autonomy. Perhaps you’re looking to build long-term relationships with patients. Or maybe you feel called to help fill the growing need for accessible primary care.

If you’ve wondered whether becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) could be your next step, you’re not alone. The path from RN to NP has become one of the most sought-after routes to career growth in nursing. This guide will walk you through what the journey looks like, what to expect academically and professionally and how to choose a program that fits your goals and your life.

Why Many RNs Choose to Become Nurse Practitioners

There are many reasons an RN might consider advancing into a nurse practitioner role. Here are a few common motivations:

Expanded Scope and Clinical Autonomy

Nurse practitioners serve as advanced clinicians with the authority to diagnose, treat, prescribe medications, and lead care across the lifespan. This expanded scope allows nurses to take on a more active role in decision-making and create a deeper impact on patient outcomes.

Versatility Across Care Settings

Nurse practitioners are prepared to practice in a wide range of outpatient and community-based settings, including primary care, urgent care, pediatrics, women’s health, hospice and palliative care and specialty clinics. This versatility allows nurses to adapt their careers as interests evolve and as community healthcare needs change over time.

More Meaningful Patient-Centered Care

Many RNs pursue NP roles because they want to care for patients more holistically. Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs), in particular, are trained to consider the entire person — body, mind, and circumstances — echoing the Jesuit value of cura personalis, or care for the whole person.

This relational approach helps NPs support individuals and families through every stage of life.

Strong Career Demand and Long-Term Stability

As the healthcare system continues to experience shortages in primary and specialty care, NPs play a crucial role in expanding access. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for nurse practitioners is expected to increase 35% through 2034 – more than ten times the average for all occupations.

A Purpose-Driven Career Rooted in Service

Becoming a nurse practitioner isn’t only a practical career move; it can also be an expression of purpose. The Jesuit commitment to service, ethical leadership, academic excellence and contributing to the greater good resonates strongly with nurses who want to address health disparities, improve care access and advocate for their communities.

 

What Does the RN-to-NP Pathway Look Like?

If you're exploring the next steps toward advanced practice, here’s a simple look at what the RN-to-NP pathway usually requires.

Educational Requirements

Most RNs follow a BSN to MSN-NP (or FNP) pathway. Some universities also offer RN-to-MSN bridge routes for RNs without a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The University of Scranton’s online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner program welcomes BSN-prepared nurses as well as post-master’s students seeking an FNP certificate. Students can choose full- or part-time study options. The full-time pathway can be completed in as few as 21 months, while part-time students typically complete the program in about three years, allowing flexibility for working nurses.

Core Coursework and Skill Development

NP programs include advanced clinical science and leadership coursework, such as:

• Advanced health assessment
• Pathophysiology and pharmacology
• Primary care across the lifespan
• Evidence-based practice
• Population health

Students also develop essential skills in communication, ethical decision-making, and whole-person care.

Scranton’s FNP prepares students for national certification and advanced practice through a comprehensive 36-credit program led by scholar-practitioners who actively work in clinical settings.

Clinical Hours and Hands-On Training

Accredited NP programs require a minimum of 750 supervised clinical direct patient care hours.

Scranton students benefit from robust clinical preparation, including virtual and in-person simulations and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) designed to build confidence and readiness for advanced practice.

Certification and Licensure

After earning your degree, you’ll take a national certification exam (usually ANCC or AANP), then apply for state licensure.

Scranton’s graduates continuously experience standout outcomes, including a 100% first-time FNP certification exam pass rate — a powerful indicator of program quality.

Choosing the Right Nurse Practitioner Program

Finding a program that fits your goals, schedule and values is essential. Consider the following factors:

Accreditation and Academic Excellence

Accreditation ensures your degree meets professional standards and prepares you for licensure. Scranton’s program is CCNE-accredited and designed to foster academic and professional excellence. 

Flexibility for Working Nurses

Look for programs that offer online coursework, part-time options or multiple start dates. Scranton offers both part-time and full-time pathways, with a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning designed around the needs of working professionals.

Students participate in weekly live class sessions that encourage collaboration, discussion and connection with faculty and peers. This reflects Scranton’s emphasis on engaged, community-centered learning.

Clinical Placement Support 

On top of it all, it’s important to be confident you’re enrolling in a program that has a track record of student success. Pay attention to the following indicators:

• Certification pass rates
• Job placement rates
• Employer partnerships
• Alumni success stories

Scranton shines in this area with a 95% employment rate and strong relationships with regional healthcare organizations like Geisinger, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers, The Wright Center and the Guthrie Clinic.

 

Is Becoming an NP the Right Path for You?

Every RN has a unique path, and understanding whether an NP role is the right fit often begins with honest self-reflection. As you explore this possibility, here are a few questions that may help you better understand what you’re looking for:

• Do you feel drawn to provide more autonomous, holistic care?
• Are you eager to build long-term patient relationships?
• Do you want to address gaps in primary or specialty care in your community?
• Are you motivated by leadership and the desire to do more for others?

If you answered yes to many of these, the RN-to-NP journey may be a strong fit.

Why Choose The University of Scranton for Your NP Journey?

The University of Scranton’s online Family Nurse Practitioner program blends rigorous clinical preparation with the Jesuit values that have guided the institution for over a century.

Scranton has been preparing advanced practice nurses since 1995, building a long-standing reputation for excellence in nursing education and graduating hundreds of accomplished clinicians who serve communities across the region and beyond.

Here are a few more notable ways Scranton stands out:

• A Jesuit approach to compassionate care: Students learn to deliver ethical, patient-centered care that attends to both clinical and emotional needs — reflecting the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis (care of the whole person).
• Designed for working professionals: With no entrance exams or application fees, plus flexible program pacing, Scranton removes barriers so you can focus on learning.
• Exceptional clinical preparation: Students complete high-quality clinical experiences, advanced simulations and hands-on intensives, supported by personalized placement assistance.
• Outstanding outcomes: A 100% first-time certification pass rate and 95% employment rate show that graduates are exceptionally well-prepared for practice.

Take the Next Step Toward Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

Advancing from RN to NP is more than a career decision — it’s a commitment to leadership, compassionate care, and serving individuals, families and communities in deeper, more meaningful ways.

If you're ready to explore what’s possible, The University of Scranton offers the flexibility, support, and Jesuit foundation to help you grow into a confident, compassionate advanced-practice nurse.

Learn more by exploring our online FNP Program today.