is np school easier than nursing school

If your goal is to obtain a Masters of Science in Nursing – becoming a Nurse Practitioner – and you have already obtained your Bachelors of Science in Nursing, then becoming a Nurse Practitioner will not be much harder than nursing school.

If your goal is to obtain a Masters of Science in Nursing – becoming a Nurse Practitioner – and you have already obtained your Bachelors of Science in Nursing, then becoming a Nurse Practitioner will not be much harder than nursing school. There are many similarities between the two, but there are some key differences that will make NP school more difficult.

Similarities

Both require intense study and hard work. Both require certain classes in order to graduate. Both require clinicals to graduate – working with patients or simulation using a mannequin or volunteer. Nurses are required by their employer to take continuing education (CE) periodically to maintain licensure; NP’s must also obtain CE hours for continued certification as an NP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners).

Differences

Although there is overlap in basic courses such as anatomy and physiology, health assessment, and pharmacology, an NP course will be more complex and comprehensive than a nursing course at the undergraduate level. In addition, students who do not have adequate science knowledge from previous college experience may need additional science classes before starting the MSN program.

You will need to take additional science courses such as Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Lab values (in depth), Pathophysiology and the advanced physical assessment course.

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NP school is generally designed with working nurses in mind so that it can be completed on a part-time basis.

NP school is designed with the working nurse in mind. Most people who go back to school for their NP degree continue working as a registered nurse while they complete their program, which can be done on either a part-time or a full-time basis.

You will benefit from having hands on clinical experience when you get into the core didactic courses.

You will benefit from having hands on clinical experience when you get into the core didactic courses.

Clinical experience coupled with theory will help you to understand the WHY behind the WHAT. You are going to be expected to know the theory and pathophysiology, pharmacology, and disease processes for every disease process. When you are studying for exams, these concepts will make more sense if you have been clinically exposed to them. Theory is hard enough without being able to apply it concretely first. Plus it is always easier to learn when you can relate it back to a human patient example or scenario

NP school is similar to but more difficult than nursing school if you want to become an NP

In some ways, NP school is easier than nursing school. In other ways, it’s much harder.

NP school is more difficult because it’s more specific than nursing school.

Nursing schools train you to be a well-rounded generalist nurse who can fill many roles and work in many specialties.

NP school trains you to be an expert in one specialty only (or perhaps two). It’s more focused than nursing school.

Nursing schools expect you to learn a broad range of topics and skills within the context of your training as a nurse practitioner. NP schools expect you to become an expert on one particular topic.