Career Planning for RNs Who Want to Become NPs Within 5 Years

Last Updated/Verified: Nov 4, 2025
From RN to NP in 5 Years: Career Planning

If you're a registered nurse (RN) with your sights set on becoming a nurse practitioner (NP), the five-year window is an excellent planning horizon. It gives you enough time to strengthen your clinical experience, meet education requirements, and complete a graduate-level NP program, all while managing your career and personal goals.

Below, we'll walk through the steps, timelines, and decisions that can help you strategically progress from RN to NP within five years.

Step 1: Assess Where You Are and Define Your NP Goal

Every RN's journey to becoming an NP looks different depending on current education, experience, and desired specialty.

Start by clarifying three key questions:

  • What type of nurse practitioner do you want to become? (e.g., Family NP, Psychiatric-Mental Health NP, Adult-Gerontology NP)
  • What is your highest degree right now, ADN or BSN?
  • Do you plan to study full-time, part-time, or online while continuing to work?

Tip: Explore specialty tracks and corresponding degree options on the NP Specialties & Careers page.

Step 2: Map Out Your 5-Year Education Timeline

Your timeline depends heavily on your starting point. Here's an example of how your five-year plan might look based on your current credentials.

Starting PointRecommended PathwayTypical Duration
ADN-prepared RNComplete RN to BSN (1–2 years), then MSN or BSN to DNP (2–3 years)4–5 years
BSN-prepared RNEnroll directly in MSN NP or BSN to DNP program2–4 years
MSN-prepared RN (non-NP)Pursue Post-Master's NP Certificate1–2 years

Accelerated or bridge programs may shorten your timeline, particularly if you transfer previous coursework or attend full-time.

Step 3: Choose the Right NP Specialty

Selecting a specialty early can help align your clinical and academic experiences. Common NP specialties include:

Each specialty has its own certification requirements, so aligning your graduate coursework and clinicals accordingly will save time later.

Step 4: Gain the Right Type of RN Experience

Strong clinical experience lays the foundation for advanced practice. Use your RN years to gain exposure to patient populations and care settings relevant to your desired NP specialty.

Examples:

  • Future FNPs: Work in family practice, community health, or internal medicine.
  • Future PMHNPs: Seek positions in behavioral health or psychiatric units.
  • Future AGNPs: Gain experience in geriatric or long-term care facilities.
  • Future ACNPs: Focus on ICU, ER, or hospital acute-care settings.

Pro Tip: Supervisors often become valuable references for NP program applications and later serve as preceptors for clinical rotations.

Step 5: Understand Admission Requirements Early

Most NP programs require:

  • An active, unencumbered RN license
  • A BSN degree (or equivalent for bridge programs)
  • A minimum GPA (often 3.0 or higher)
  • 1–2 years of nursing experience
  • Letters of recommendation and personal statement

Some programs also require specific prerequisite courses such as statistics or advanced pathophysiology. Reviewing admission requirements now ensures you won't lose time later.

You can compare admission standards by browsing online NP programs by state.

Step 6: Plan Financially for Graduate Education

Nurse practitioner programs are a significant investment; tuition can range from $30,000 to $100,000+ depending on degree level and format.

Ways to offset costs:

  • Employer tuition reimbursement or loan-forgiveness programs
  • Federal student loans and HRSA nurse education grants
  • Scholarships for nurses pursuing advanced practice
  • Working part-time while enrolled in a flexible online program

Many RNs choose online MSN or DNP programs to maintain employment and income while earning their degree.

Step 7: Prepare for Certification & Licensure

Once you complete your NP degree, the next step is national certification in your specialty. Common certifying bodies include:

SpecialtyCertification ExamOrganization
Family NPFNP-BC / FNP-CANCC / AANP
Psychiatric-Mental Health NPPMHNP-BCANCC
Adult-Gerontology NPAGNP-BC / AGPCNP-BCANCC
Pediatric NPCPNP-PC / CPNP-ACPNCB
Women's Health NPWHNP-BCNCC

After certification, you must apply for state NP licensure. Requirements vary by state.

Step 8: Build Professional Connections

Networking is key to long-term success. During your NP journey, consider:

  • Joining organizations like AANP or specialty-specific associations
  • Attending virtual or regional NP conferences
  • Finding mentors in your clinical setting or graduate program

These connections can help you find preceptors, job leads, and continuing-education opportunities once you're certified.

Example 5-Year RN to NP Plan

YearMilestone
Year 1Research NP specialties and programs, gain clinical experience in chosen field
Year 2Begin RN to BSN or BSN coursework; maintain GPA for graduate admissions
Year 3Complete BSN and apply to MSN or DNP NP program
Year 4Begin NP coursework and complete early clinical hours
Year 5Finish degree, take national certification exam, apply for NP licensure

FAQs

Q: Can I work full-time while earning my NP degree?
A: Yes. Many programs are designed for working nurses, offering part-time or online formats that let you balance employment with coursework.

Q: What's the fastest path from RN to NP?
A: RNs with a BSN can complete an accelerated MSN-NP program in as little as two years. Those starting from an ADN typically take about four to five years total.

Q: Do I need to decide on my NP specialty before enrolling?
A: Yes, most programs require you to select a specialty track at admission since coursework and clinicals are aligned to that focus.

Q: How much can new NPs expect to earn?
A: According to current data, NPs earn a median annual salary of around $125,000, depending on state, specialty, and practice setting.

Erin Doyle, MSN, FNP-BC
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