Nurse Practitioner

Initially education for the NP/ERN did not require a baccalaureate nursing degree, provided the registered nurse had experience in the area. Education consisted of on-the-job training for several months, followed by graduation with a certificate or diploma. Though this preparation continues in some areas of North America, Great Britain, and Australia, general agreement now is that educational preparation should be at a master's degree at the nursing level with specific proficiencies and standards, and should focus on advanced clinical and teaching skills. Candidates are limited to registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing and clinical experience in the field of study. This arrangement clearly establishes the NP program at the graduate level.