{"id":17964,"date":"2023-02-01T09:13:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T09:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.picmonic.com\/pages\/?p=17964"},"modified":"2025-03-04T21:48:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T21:48:27","slug":"np-school-is-hard-make-sure-youre-prepared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.picmonic.com\/pages\/np-school-is-hard-make-sure-youre-prepared\/","title":{"rendered":"NP School is Hard. Make Sure You\u2019re Prepared."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nurse practitioners go through a significant amount of schooling, exams, certifications, and good old hard work. There\u2019s no doubt that the journey to becoming an NP is long and can get a little bumpy, but it\u2019s more than worth it. No matter what kind of NP you want to be, we\u2019re here to tell you that NP school is hard, but it\u2019s not impossible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How hard is NP school, you ask? Well, let\u2019s dive into the reality of pursuing your NP certification and how you can prepare for NP school.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"nurse<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Why NP school is notoriously difficult<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a competitive and comprehensive process to get into an NP program. Whether you\u2019re pursuing your MSN or DNP, your GPA, application, interview, letters of recommendation, completion of prerequisites, GRE<\/a> (Graduate Record Exam) score, and clinical experience will be considered for getting into your desired NP program. Talk about lots to do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Difficult Coursework <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re in NP school, be prepared to be met with a challenging curriculum. As an NP, patient management and care are of utmost importance. Everything you learn in NP school will teach you how to be an independent and successful NP. While you may be familiar with some concepts thanks to your previous RN experience or schooling, this coursework is way more rigorous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Specialization <\/strong>Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several NP specializations you can choose from. You can be a Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. However, if you choose a specialization, there will be additional requirements you need to meet. You\u2019ll have to take additional courses or tests and take the AANP or ANCC certification exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Course and Graduation Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

NP students must meet their course requirements and graduation requirements. This typically includes completion of clinical hours, final projects, a DNP capstone project for DNP students, or more depending on your program. Some NP programs can help you search for clinical placement or assign you one, but you may have to search for one on your own which is a lengthy process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Difference Between NP and Nursing school<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"medical<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In nursing school, you\u2019re learning the foundational skills to be a nurse and absorbing completely (or somewhat) new knowledge. In NP school, you\u2019ll deep dive into concepts you\u2019ve already learned in nursing school and learn how to apply them in real-world situations. It is much more advanced and in-depth. Overall, both are complex and challenging, but in different ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 essential tips you need for NP school<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now what you\u2019ve come here for! Here are some recommended NP study tips and resources to help you in NP school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Grab a planner to craft your schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With clinical hours, studying, exams, classes, and maybe even work, every NP student has a demanding, busy schedule. Your NP program will take up a lot of your time, so it’s best to stay organized as you juggle your schooling with other responsibilities. Grab a planner<\/a> or use Google Calendar to create your weekly plan and never miss important dates for exams. Be sure to pencil in some me time too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Ask for help when you need it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take advantage of the services available at your school! You can reach out to your instructors, use tutoring services, or visit the writing center. You should also ask questions at your clinical site and be extremely attentive. This is your time to learn and absorb information, so don\u2019t be afraid to actively engage wherever you are. This is a learning environment and an opportunity to take advantage of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Use these tools for success<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s time to get studying and get organized! Use the helpful tools below in your journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n