Education Requirements
NPs must complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and successfully pass the state's NCLEX-RN exam. Nurses with ADN degrees will need to obtain their BSN first or attend either a BSN to MSN or BSN to doctoral degree program. Before attending NP school, a nurse should gain experience in their desired interest area.
Certified nurse practitioners must complete an MSN or doctorate degree. There has been a push to require NPs to have DNPs, so starting on that path is worth considering.
Each NP specialty area requires clinical hours. Each state has different rules about licensing and certification. You can check your state here and here.