From RN to NP: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting This Journey
Real Talk from a Certified Nurse Practitioner
By Wes Clayton, MSN, FNP-BC
Founder of Next-NP: The Affordable, All-in-One NP Board Review
Becoming a Nurse Practitioner is one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made—but if I’m honest, the journey from RN to NP came with its fair share of surprises.
Between working full-time, going to grad school, and trying to pass boards while holding the rest of life together, I learned a few hard-earned lessons along the way. Whether you’re just starting your NP program or deep in clinical rotations, I want to share what I wish someone had told me before I made the leap.
This one’s for the future NPs—you’ve got this, and I’ve got your back.
1. Being an RN and Being an NP Are Two Very Different Worlds
When you’re an RN, your role is clear: implement care plans, follow provider orders, and provide bedside nursing expertise. But as an NP? You become the provider—the clinical decision-maker responsible for diagnosis, treatment, and patient education.
This shift in mindset—from following orders to making orders—takes time, patience, and practice. I didn’t expect how uncertain I’d feel during clinicals. It’s humbling. Suddenly, you’re not just “doing the task”—you’re deciding what needs to be done, why, and when.
If you feel unsure or overwhelmed at first, that’s normal. You’re learning to think differently—developing clinical judgment and autonomy.
✅ Pro Tip: Ask lots of questions during clinicals. Don’t be afraid to slow down and truly understand the “why” behind every diagnosis or treatment plan. This is how confident decision-making is born.
2. You Don’t Have to Know Everything (But You Need to Know How to Find It)
NP school can feel like drinking from a firehose. From hypertension guidelines to pediatric milestones to pharmacokinetics, the volume of information is staggering.
Here’s the truth: you won’t remember it all. And that’s okay. What matters more is knowing where to find reliable, evidence-based information quickly—and how to apply it safely in clinical practice.
Your ability to look up and evaluate information is just as valuable—if not more so—than memorizing every detail.
✅ Pro Tip: Get comfortable using trusted resources like UpToDate, Epocrates, CDC guidelines, and your old textbooks. Build your personal “cheat sheet” of go-to tools you can rely on during and after school.
3. Board Prep Is Its Own Battle—Start Sooner Than You Think
I underestimated how mentally demanding board exam prep would be. I thought, “I’ve been in school for years; I just need to review what I learned.” But school content is broad—boards are laser-focused on what matters clinically.
If I could do it again, I’d start reviewing for boards earlier, with a structured course that mirrors the exam content blueprint. That way, you avoid cramming and reduce stress.
That’s exactly why I created Next-NP: to save you time, reduce overwhelm, and focus your energy on what really counts.
✅ Pro Tip: You don’t need 10 resources. You need one solid, up-to-date course that breaks down content clearly and aligns with the exam.
4. Imposter Syndrome Is Real—And It Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Ready
I’ll never forget the first time I introduced myself as a Nurse Practitioner—I felt like I was pretending, like someone would find out I didn’t belong.
Imposter syndrome hits hard when you graduate. Suddenly, people are looking to you for answers, and self-doubt can be crushing. But here’s the truth: you’ve trained, studied, and earned your place. Confidence grows with every patient encounter and every clinical success.
✅ Pro Tip: Normalize doubt, but don’t let it stop you. You’re not alone—and it gets better with experience.
5. You Deserve Support That Actually Fits Your Life
NP school is demanding. Life doesn’t pause because you’re studying. Between jobs, family, and everything else, time is your most precious resource.
When I prepared for boards, I didn’t have hours to waste on complicated subscriptions or outdated, overpriced review books. I needed something efficient, affordable, and practical—something that fit my schedule.
That’s why I created Next-NP: a review course built for busy nurses, with clear, concise content that respects your time and budget.
✅ Pro Tip: Invest in resources that meet you where you are—high quality, flexible, and no fluff.
Final Thoughts: You’re More Ready Than You Think
If no one’s told you yet: you’re doing amazing. The NP journey is hard, but it’s powerful, transformative, and absolutely worth it. You’re learning to lead, advocate, and heal in new, deeper ways.
And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone. I’m proud of you already—and I can’t wait to see you certified, confident, and caring for patients at the next level.
🧠 Ready to Prep Smarter, Not Harder?
Check out Next-NP — the most affordable, all-in-one NP board review course designed to help you pass on the first try.
✅ No fluff
✅ Real content
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Because you deserve study tools that work as hard as you do.
Written by Wes Clayton, MSN, FNP-BC
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner | Founder of Next-NP