1. Are there other options at the master’s level of nursing other than a nurse practitioner? 

Yes. You may get a master's degree in nursing as a Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Leader/ Health Leadership, Nursing/ Health Care Administration. Visit the page on career alternatives for a more thorough discussion.

2. What is does APN mean? 

Advanced Practice Nurse is a catch-all/umbrella term for master’s nurses. It can also be used interchangeably with APRN, meaning Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

3. What does it take to get into a master’s program? 

Programs differ but generally speaking applicants are usually evaluated based on grades, Graduate Record Examination (GRE), letters of recommendation, personal statement, and experience. Some schools have specific course requirements.  

4. Will I have to take call? 

It all depends on the job you take. There are NP jobs that don’t require you to be on-call.

5. Does it matter if I chose a BS to MSN program that doesn’t award the BSN? 

I’m not sure that it really matters.  You will have earned a higher degree than the BSN in the end and already had to pass the NCLEX exam to become an RN.  You will have the requirements needed for a job.  It is really more a matter of preference.

6. Are there options for entering nursing as a second career? 

If you are unsure of a master’s specialty yet, or are entering as a second career, you may want to start off applying only for a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).  There are accelerated BSN programs designed specifically for this group of students, and is in fact, how I entered nursing.  This is for folks with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and you can complete a BSN in as little as 12 months, such as at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  If you have a BS in another field and think you know which specialty you want, consider the BS to MSN pathway mentioned in the education section.

7. What does it mean to be board certified?

Once you complete your MSN, you are qualified to sit for the national certification exam in your specialty area. This is a standardized exam that certifies you have met certain standards for practice. Not all states yet require you to be nationally certified; however, many jobs will still require it regardless. The certifying organization specific to your area can be found under your specialty description.

8. What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant?

Nurse practitioners (NP) train under the nursing model while physicain assistants (PA) train under the medical model. Day-to-day, the job appears very similar, however the approach and view of clinical situations vary due to the difference in training. PAs tend to have more technical skills training, such as suturing. NPs often come into NP practice with RN experience. Both are licensed, but PAs must work with a supervising physician whereas NPs can practice independently. Both have prescriptive authority in certain states. Salary is similar; some states NPs make more and in others PAs make more. PAs are also mentioned on the career alternatives page.