NP Education

The entry-level training for NPs is a graduate degree.  At this time, NPs complete a master’s or doctoral degree program.  This means that  NPs earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (4 years of education), then their graduate NP degree (2-4 years of education). Both types of programs provide the knowledge and clinical skills needed by NPs to perform as independent healthcare providers.  Almost 350 universities and colleges have one or more NP programs. 

If you are interested in learning more about becoming an NP or how they are educated, AANP has a database of NP Programs and a paper discussing NP Curricula.