Every year, thousands of nurses make the transition from registered nurse to nurse practitioner. Like any change, shifting career paths can be both rewarding and challenging. But knowing what to expect will make your transition more comfortable.

Read on if you are ready to advance your career from RN to NP. This blog will help you learn the benefits of switching from RN to NP, the challenges your new role may bring and ways to prepare for a successful transition.

Technology has transformed nearly every aspect of our lives—at home, at work and in the health care setting. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, developing and applying nursing technology has become a top priority in the health care industry, and this trend is expected to continue for decades to come.

Whether in the process of obtaining a nursing diploma, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing — Family Nurse Practitioner degree, students participate in clinicals. Despite their excitement for their future career, students new to health care may feel intimidated by the idea. 

Nursing is a rewarding profession with career opportunities around the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6% growth in positions for registered nurses (RNs) between 2021 and 2031. Those who are interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree can find even more opportunities, with positions for advanced nursing roles such as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives expected to experience a significant growth of 40% between 2021 and 2031.

From the time we are children, we learn that teamwork is important. But does teamwork make a real difference in people's lives? How about in the workplace? What about high-stakes industries like healthcare, where life and death are truly on the line? The answer is an overwhelming "yes" — teamwork in healthcare matters a great deal and makes fundamental differences in people's lives. 

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are highly educated professionals who provide clinical care to patients from all walks of life. Possessing a graduate degree, nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with additional education beyond that of registered nurses (RNs) to enable them to provide holistic patient-centered care including diagnosis and management.

Nurse Practitioner clinicals are an integral part of advanced practice nursing education and help students gain experience as they prepare to transition into a new role. Clinical rotations require a certain number of direct patient care hours. The minimum number of nursing clinical hours that Walsh University advanced practice nursing students complete is 650 hours. 

The role of a family nurse practitioner (FNP) is one of today’s fastest-growing professions. FNPs are increasingly recognized for their critical contributions to modern health care, and the rise of the FNP specialization is helping to shape the future of patient care. The Walsh University Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner program equips nurses for the tremendous opportunities in the field.