Becoming a Nurse Practitioner with a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree

Lindsay Smith

Last updated at September 14, 2021

It is possible to become a nurse practitioner (NP) after getting a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. While there are no shortcuts to becoming a nurse practitioner, there are streamlined learning options you can take advantage of. If you have a non-nursing bachelor's degree and want to become an NP, read on to learn more.

Here’s how you can become a nurse practitioner while having graduated with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

How to Become an NP With a Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree

The Direct Entry Nurse Practitioner programs are the best choice for aspiring NPs who have a bachelor's degree in an area other than nursing. The best part of entering a Direct Entry nursing program is that you do not need to have a BSN degree. In fact, you can hold any bachelor’s degree in any major and still enroll in the Direct Entry Nurse Practitioner program.

How Long Does it Take?

It will only take you a little over two years to earn your credentials as a nurse practitioner through a Direct Entry nurse practitioner program. However, the duration of the program ultimately depends on which school and program you choose.

Direct Entry NP Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements for a Direct Entry NP program will vary from state to state. However, there are some requirements and documents that all nursing applicants need to fulfill and submit. 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 program may also require you to submit your transcripts. This is done to show proof you completed the required prerequisite courses. These prerequisite courses may include biology, statistics, and human anatomy.

While the Direct Entry NP program is a great choice for a nurse practitioner with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you will still have to complete certain courses as a prerequisite for admission in a Direct Entry NP program. These requirements will depend on your undergraduate degree.

Important Notes

Since some schools use “accelerated” and “Direct Entry” interchangeably when it comes to the context of advanced nursing programs, an “Accelerated” nursing program could mean you already have an RN license. Therefore, you will need to do some research to make sure you’re going for the right program.

Nurse practitioners are always in high demand in the US. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45 percent from 2020 to 2030.

If you’re interested in becoming a nurse practitioner with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, then we’ve also compiled a list of the best choices for Direct Entry NP admissions right here.

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Categorised in: How-to

Lindsay Smith

Lindsay is an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Nephrology Associates in Nashville, Tennessee. She is passionate about working with patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) to maximize their function and wellness.