Recession-Proof — Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
This post is a work-in-progress
NP At-a-Glance
Training Costs
- $15k-$150k
Total Comp (TC)
- $103,720 to $161,540 (Range is Average Annual Salary from lowest-paying state to highest)
Pros
- Job stability
- Get to deal with people rather than just sit at a desk all day
Cons
- Emotionally and physically demanding
- Get to deal with people rather than just sit at a desk all day
Intro
First off, if you hate people and can't deal with them, then this is not the career path for you. If you can't imagine NOT working a cushy desk job, then this path is not it. Being a nurse practitioner is emotionally and physically demanding. There are plenty of burnt-out nurses that hate people out there working already. But if layoffs are the monster under your bed and you would like to gain Immunity to Unemployment, then nursing is one of the best fields to go into.
Why make this transition? And how feasible is it to pivot from writing code to providing clinical care? Below, I'll explore the reasons behind this growing trend, along with concrete steps on how to make the leap from SWE to NP.
1. Nurse Practitioners Are in High Demand
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that nurse practitioner positions will grow by 46% between 2023 and 2033—far faster than the average for all occupations. This explosive growth places NPs near the top of the BLS’s Fastest Growing Occupations list.
In addition to fast growth, nurse practitioners also appear on the BLS’s Most New Jobs list, with a projected 135,500 new positions from 2023 to 2033. In other words, this is double whammy—meaning plenty of opportunities for incoming professionals.
What’s fueling this demand?
- Aging Population: With more Americans reaching retirement age, the healthcare system needs more healthcare providers to manage chronic diseases and preventive care.
- Healthcare Accessibility: Nurse practitioners can help address physician shortages in primary care settings, especially in underserved or rural areas.
- Cost-Effective Care: Many healthcare systems rely on NPs to provide high-quality, cost-effective patient care.
2. Why Switch?
A. Career Stability
Ding ding ding! We have a winner here, folks! Recent tech layoffs and market volatility have many of us reconsidering our long-term career goals. Leaders in the tech industry seem hell-bent on replacing us with AI and doing round after round of layoffs while reporting record earnings. Healthcare, on the other hand, remains a rock-steady stable sector—particularly for clinical roles like nurse practitioners.
B. Meaningful Work & A Sense of Pride and Accomplishment
Beyond job security, NPs often enjoy a sense of purpose through direct patient interaction and making a tangible difference in people’s health. In tech, fast-paced projects, ever-changing frameworks, and high-pressure product cycles have us burning out left and right. We work on boring legacy projects no one cares about anymore or spend our time cavorting to whatever whims management/leadership have this quarter. Transitioning into a patient-facing role can offer a different kind of challenge—rewarding and intellectually stimulating. Some people will find deeper satisfaction working in healthcare, compared to churning out code for yet another software product.
Conclusion
Switching to becoming a nurse practitioner might seem like a radical left turn. Yet the data on occupational growth, combined with personal factors—like the desire for a stable, meaningful profession—makes the journey worthwhile for many. Nurse Practitioners are among the top fastest growing and most in-demand roles.
If you feel a strong draw to make a difference in healthcare—and are prepared to invest in the necessary training—a move from tech to nurse practitioner could bring you long-term career fulfillment, financial stability, and a chance to positively impact lives every single day.
If you are still interested, then read on:
The Road to Nurse Practitioner
This depends on three factors: how much time you have, how much money you have, and what your current education level is.
To become an NP, you generally need:
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- A registered nursing (RN) license (obtained by passing the NCLEX exam)
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
I say "generally" because you can by pass the BSN requirement (if you have an existing Bachelor's) by getting into a direct-entry MSN program. They can streamline the process so you can earn both an RN license and an MSN in a shorter timeframe. Otherwise, if you have no college degree, your path will start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Below is a sample framework you can use to understand different paths toward becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP) if you are changing careers and currently have no nursing credentials. The table considers three axes:
- Current Education Level (High School Diploma vs. Bachelor’s in a non-nursing field)
- Available Time (Part-Time vs. Full-Time study)
- Budget (Low, Moderate, High)
Note: All timelines and cost ranges are estimates. Actual costs and durations vary widely by institution, program type, transfer credits, and your personal pace.
Legend for the Table
- ADN: Associate Degree in Nursing
- BSN: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- NCLEX-RN: National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
- MSN: Master of Science in Nursing
- DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Direct-Entry MSN: A program designed for individuals who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree but wish to enter nursing at the graduate level.
Current Education Level
Sections:
- High School Diploma
- Bachelor’s in a Non-Nursing Field
High School Diploma
You have no college degree and no nursing experience. Typical paths involve:
- Earning an ADN or BSN (to become an RN).
- Gaining clinical experience.
- Enrolling in a graduate NP program (MSN or DNP).
| Available Time | Budget | Recommended Path | Approx. Time to Become NP | Approx. Total Cost | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part-Time | Low | - Start with a community college ADN program.- Pass NCLEX-RN and work as an RN while completing a part-time RN-BSN bridge program.- Move on to a part-time MSN or post-BSN NP program after BSN completion. | 7–9 years | $15k–$40k (ADN + BSN + MSN), leaning toward lower end if you use in-state/community college. | - Longest route but typically the most cost-effective.- Working as an RN can help cover later costs.- Flexibility comes with part-time study. |
| Part-Time | Moderate | - Could still do the ADN → RN-BSN route but at slightly more expensive schools or faster tracks.- Potentially pursue an RN-MSN (some programs offer a direct bridge) part-time. | 6–8 years | $30k–$60k | - More school options may reduce time somewhat.- Balancing work & school is still possible.- Bridge programs can shorten total credits. |
| Part-Time | High | - Consider an accelerated BSN (even without a prior degree, some private schools offer “fast-track” programs for non-nursing backgrounds) but still do it part-time if available.- Then complete a part-time NP program. | 5–7 years | $60k–$100k+ (private fast-tracks can be pricey) | - Paying more for private or accelerated programs can speed up the process but is expensive.- Part-time still spreads out the timeline. |
| Full-Time | Low | - ADN at a community college full-time.- Work as an RN (to save money) while later completing an RN-BSN or RN-MSN bridge part-time or full-time. | 5–7 years | $15k–$40k | - Going full-time for ADN shortens the initial RN path.- You can then switch to part-time or continue full-time for NP if funds allow. |
| Full-Time | Moderate | - BSN directly at a public university or an accelerated route (if you can find a suitable program accepting high school grads with some prerequisites).- After BSN, enroll in a full-time MSN NP program. | 5–6 years | $40k–$80k | - A direct BSN may be faster than ADN + bridge in some cases.- State schools help keep costs moderate.- Full-time study reduces overall timeline. |
| Full-Time | High | - Private or accelerated BSN program full-time (2–3 years).- Then a fast-track MSN or BSN-to-DNP NP program full-time (2–3 years). | 4–6 years | $80k–$150k+ | - Rapid but expensive.- More likely at private universities with robust accelerated tracks.- Potential for higher student loan debt. |
2. Bachelor’s in a Non-Nursing Field
You already have a bachelor’s degree, but not in nursing. Typical paths involve:
- Completing either an Accelerated BSN or a Direct-Entry MSN program.
- Becoming a licensed RN.
- Entering an NP specialization track (which may be part of a direct-entry MSN or a subsequent post-master’s certificate/DNP).
| Available Time | Budget | Recommended Path | Approx. Time to Become NP | Approx. Total Cost | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part-Time | Low | - Many Accelerated BSN programs don’t offer a true part-time option, but you can find some flexible Direct-Entry MSN or hybrid programs.- After initial RN portion, work as RN and finish MSN/NP part-time. | 4–6 years (after bachelor’s) | $25k–$50k (state schools, scholarships) | - Part-time can help you keep earning while studying.- Public universities or online programs may keep costs down.- Clinical placements still needed. |
| Part-Time | Moderate | - Hybrid Accelerated BSN or Direct-Entry MSN with a part-time track at mid-range schools.- Potentially proceed directly into an NP specialization (MSN or post-master’s). | 3–5 years | $40k–$80k | - Faster than the low-budget route but more expensive schools.- May have more scheduling options or supportive services. |
| Part-Time | High | - Private Direct-Entry MSN programs with greater scheduling flexibility.- Start RN portion part-time, transition immediately to NP specialization. | 3–5 years | $70k–$120k+ | - High cost, but often have dedicated clinical placement assistance.- Part-time track means earning potential as an RN once licensure is achieved. |
| Full-Time | Low | - Accelerated BSN at a public university (12–18 months).- Work as an RN (to reduce debt) then MSN NP (another 2 years full-time, possibly online or hybrid). | 3–4 years total | $25k–$50k+ | - One of the quickest, least expensive ways if you can get into an in-state accelerated BSN.- You’ll need a strong GPA and prerequisites in science. |
| Full-Time | Moderate | - Direct-Entry MSN at a mid-range school: ~2–3 years to RN + NP track (some programs seamlessly transition you to NP specialization). | 2.5–4 years | $50k–$80k | - Streamlined route: become an RN and NP in one continuous program.- Usually requires meeting certain prerequisites (science courses, etc.). |
| Full-Time | High | - Private Direct-Entry MSN or BSN-to-DNP track full-time. | 2.5–4 years | $80k–$140k+ | - Fastest route but very expensive.- Some BSN-to-DNP programs admit students without a nursing bachelor’s if it’s a direct-entry structure. |
General Tips & Considerations
- Prerequisites
- Even with a bachelor’s (non-nursing) or a high school diploma, programs often require specific prerequisite coursework (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, etc.). Build in time/cost for these.
- Licensure Exams
- You must pass the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse before you can practice and eventually move into an NP role.
- Experience Requirements
- Some NP programs require or strongly prefer 1–2 years of RN clinical experience before admission. Direct-entry MSN programs may incorporate clinical practice that can stand in for experience, but requirements vary.
- Online vs. On-Campus
- Part-time or flexible online/hybrid programs can help you keep working, but ensure they are accredited and meet clinical placement requirements in your area.
- Accreditation & State Licensure
- Always verify that the program is accredited (e.g., CCNE or ACEN) and check your state’s Board of Nursing requirements.
- Financial Aid
- Even “high cost” routes may be offset by scholarships, grants, loan repayment programs, employer tuition assistance, or sign-on bonuses.
Summary
- High School Diploma → Usually requires a stepwise progression:
- ADN or BSN → RN
- BSN (if not already earned) → NP (MSN or DNP)
- Non-Nursing Bachelor’s → Often best to look at Accelerated BSN or Direct-Entry MSN programs, which streamline the path to RN + NP.
- Part-Time vs. Full-Time → Part-time offers flexibility and the ability to work while studying, but can extend the total timeline. Full-time is faster but requires more up-front resources.
- Low, Moderate, High Budgets → Community colleges, in-state public universities, and online/hybrid programs can be more affordable. Private, accelerated, or direct-entry tracks are typically more expensive but shorten the path.
Use this table as a starting point to explore program options, keeping in mind your specific state and school requirements. From there, speak with admissions counselors and current nurses/NPs to refine your plan.