How to become a nurse practitioner

$132,300 median annual pay

Half of the people in this job earn more than the median and half earn less. Pay varies with location, industry and experience.

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, for the occupation Nurse Practitioners.

This person diagnoses and treats acute, episodic, or chronic illness, working independently or as part of a healthcare team. They may focus on health promotion and disease prevention. They may order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays, and they may prescribe medication. Anyone in this job must be a registered nurse with specialized graduate education.

• Keep complete, detailed records of patients' care plans and prognoses.
• Develop treatment plans based on science, standards of care, and practice guidelines.
• Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
• Interpret patient histories, symptoms, physical findings, and diagnostic information to make diagnoses.
• Diagnose and treat complex, unstable, or emergency conditions, working with other providers as needed.
• Prescribe medication doses, routes, and frequencies based on patient traits like age and gender.

Start with an entry exam, then add more as your role grows.

1. 1

   Entry

   For people just starting out.

   • ATI ATI TEAS TEAS exam prep 490 practice questions →
   • NCSBN National Council Licensure Examination - NCLEX-RN NCLEX-RN exam prep 860 practice questions →
2. 2

   Intermediate

   For people with some hands-on experience.

   • AACN CCRN (Adult) - Direct Care Eligibility Pathway CCRN exam prep 150 practice questions →