To become a nurse practitioner (NP), students typically obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) and continue their studies to obtain a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN). But how do you become an NP if you didn’t obtain a BSN? Through nurse practitioner bridge programs, you can speed up the time it takes to become an NP if you already possess a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
It is possible to become a nurse practitioner if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and are looking for a way to become a nurse practitioner without starting from scratch, an accelerated program may be the right choice for you.
How to become a nurse practitioner without a nursing degree
Although some schools might label these programs differently, the concept is the same. Many colleges and universities have started to offer programs for those who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in another field of study but want to become a nurse practitioner.
Since some schools use “Accelerated” and “Direct Entry” interchangeably to describe a bridge program, you’ll need to do some research to make sure you are entering the correct program. An Accelerated nursing program could assume you already have an RN license whereas a Direct Entry program may not.
These learning institutions generally offer a pathway that allows students to obtain their BSN, typically in three semesters, then pursue an MSN, which generally takes another three semesters. This allows students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, to become an NP in only two years when attending on a full-time basis.
What are the requirements for acceptance into a nurse practitioner bridge program?
In order to be accepted into a nurse practitioner bridge program, you must already be a licensed practicing nurse. The schooling required to become an LPN takes about 18 months.
Once certified, an LPN works under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). It’s a task-focused job that deals more with skills and attending to immediate patient necessities than long-term care or medical treatment.
Direct entry nurse practitioner admissions requirements
While the admission requirements for a Direct Entry Nurse Practitioner Program will vary from state to state, there are some requirements and documents that all nursing applicants need to fulfill and submit along with their admission form. They include:
- An application to your nursing school of choice- A 3.0 GPA or above- GRE scores- Transcripts from your undergraduate experience- 2-3 recommendation letters- An essay or personal statement on why you wish to pursue a career as a nursing practitioner
Some colleges and universities that offer the Direct Entry NP will review your transcripts to ensure you have completed all the required prerequisite courses. These prerequisite courses may include biology, statistics, and human anatomy.
Things to consider
Oftentimes, these types of education solutions are restricted. There may be stipulations attached to them such as requiring students to be available on a full-time basis.
Some universities, community colleges, or technical schools may not allow you to study part-time or for you to earn your nursing degree online. If this is the case, you’ll have to make the necessary arrangements to support yourself while you’re attending classes. This might mean leaving your current job, or doubling up your schedule, and taking night classes.
Your financial situation and personal commitments will have a large influence on your ability to fully participate in a bridge program. However, for those committed to becoming a nurse practitioner, the temporary sacrifices prove worthwhile in the long term.
Nurse practitioner bridge programs online
The Internet provides millions of students the chance to study and earn their degrees or certification without having to rearrange their entire lives to attend on-site classes. Below you’ll find universities that offer online nursing practitioner bridge programs.
How to find a nurse practitioner bridge program near you
Finding the right NP bridge program takes more digging than a typical degree search, since these are graduate-level programs with clinical placement requirements layered on top of standard accreditation checks. Here’s a practical process for locating and vetting programs in your area.
Start with your state board of nursing. Every state board of nursing publishes a list of approved graduate nursing programs, and most maintain a searchable directory you can filter by degree level. Search “[your state] board of nursing approved graduate nursing programs” to pull the official list. Since NP graduates need APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) licensure to practice, confirm your target program’s graduates are eligible for APRN designation in your state before applying – a program based in a different state may not automatically qualify you for licensure where you plan to work.
Check accreditation at two levels. The nursing portion of a bridge program needs accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) – search ccneaccreditation.org or acenursing.org to confirm. But because these are advanced practice programs, you also need to verify the specific NP track (FNP, AGPCNP, PMHNP, and so on) is recognized by your state’s APRN board and by the national certifying body you plan to sit for (ANCC or AANPCB). A program can hold valid CCNE or ACEN accreditation and still not prepare you for certification in the specialty you want, so confirm both boxes are checked before enrolling.
Look for university-affiliated programs with clinical placement support, not just proximity. Unlike entry-level bridge programs, where a nearby hospital-affiliated track is often the deciding factor, NP bridge programs live or die on clinical placement and preceptor arrangements. Ask directly whether the university’s clinical placement team secures your preceptors and sites, or whether you’re responsible for finding your own. Programs that leave preceptor sourcing entirely to students can add months to your timeline, particularly in competitive specialties or saturated metro markets.
Consider online-hybrid programs with local clinical placement. Most NP bridge programs now deliver coursework online while requiring in-person clinical hours with a precepting NP or physician. If no on-campus program exists within a reasonable commute, a hybrid program that handles theory remotely while arranging – or helping you arrange – clinical placement near your home address can open up far more options. Confirm the program is approved to place students in your state before enrolling, since some university programs restrict enrollment by state due to preceptor partnership limits and state-specific APRN board requirements.
Verify state-specific APRN licensure requirements. Curriculum requirements are broadly similar across bridge programs, but each state’s APRN board sets its own rules for scope of practice, required supervised practice hours after graduation, and prescriptive authority. Confirm these requirements with your specific state board before narrowing your list of programs, since a track that looks ideal on paper may not align with the practice authority your state grants NP graduates. Our guides on NP prescribing authority by state and nurse practitioner independent practice states cover how this varies.
Compare three programs minimum before applying. Once you’ve identified two or three accredited options that fit your specialty and location, compare cohort start dates, clinical placement support, faculty-to-preceptor ratios, and total cost side by side. Ask each program directly how it supports preceptor sourcing – this single factor often matters more to your timeline than tuition.
Summary
A nurse practitioner must earn a BSN and then a master’s degree to prove knowledge in their field. Although these programs are rigorous, they are easily adaptable for passionate learners and can be taken by anyone, regardless of their age or prior professional experience.