Why Did You Become a Nurse Practitioner? We Asked the SMNP Reviews Team 💜

So…why did you become a nurse practitioner? With Nurse Practitioner Week coming up (November 9–15, 2025), we thought it was the perfect time to ask our own team that question!

What’s cool about our team (and the NP profession as a whole!) is that everyone came to this practice from a different path. For example, Kaitlyn came from the CVICU to focus on prevention, while Pam transitioned from a military CNS to provide advanced psychiatric care as an NP. Some always knew they wanted to be an NP, while some stepped up to the plate after realizing they wanted to take the next step in their nursing career.

Each NP has their own story with different backgrounds and experiences, but they’re all driven by the same goal: providing amazing, compassionate care for patients.

This Nurse Practitioner Week, we wanted to celebrate that and spotlight the people who make our team what it is! Here’s what 11 of our NPs had to say about why they became nurse practitioners. 💜

Why Did You Become a Nurse Practitioner? 11 Stories from Our Team

We asked the team behind your favorite SMNP Reviews board prep resources about why they felt called to become a nurse practitioner. Here’s what they said!

Kaitlyn, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C

FNP Content Lead

When I worked as an RN in the CVICU, I witnessed patients and families face devastating outcomes from diseases that were sometimes preventable, and it broke my heart. Standing at the bedside in those moments made me realize I wanted to be part of the story before the crisis, helping people stay healthy and treating disease early rather than fighting to bring them back from the edge.

I also found so much joy in teaching, whether guiding a new nurse through their first code or helping a patient understand their condition, and I wanted to take that passion further as a family nurse practitioner (FNP). My years in the ICU taught me compassion, resilience, and the power of prevention, and becoming an NP has allowed me to truly live out that purpose.

Jackie, EdD, CRNP, FNP-C

Associate NP Editor

I didn’t have any great “a-ha” moment. I worked on a telemetry/step down unit and just realized that I knew I could do more for my patients. I didn’t want to rely on calling providers for orders, but instead that I wanted to be one! Being able to care for my patients on a higher, more independent level was why I became a nurse practitioner.

Pam, PhD, PMHNP/CNS, FAANP

PMHNP Content Lead

I was a CNS in the military during the war and wanted to provide advanced psychiatric care for the significant trauma that I witnessed in servicemembers. The only way I was able to do that was by obtaining my postmaster’s certificate as an NP. It was the best decision that I ever made!

Lyndsay, DNP, ACNPC, FNP-BC, ENP-BC, CCRN, CNE

AGACNP & ENP Content Lead

I decided to be an acute care NP (ACNP) because the best critical care decisions come from understanding what the patients experience—and ICU RNs know that best. Back in 2004, that perspective was rare among providers and I wanted to change that. I felt like bringing ACNPs into ICUs could do that!

Anna, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Senior Director, Nursing Content

I’ve always known I wanted to teach and help others learn, so even back in undergraduate nursing school, I knew I’d eventually pursue an advanced degree. After spending a few years working in high-risk women’s health, I realized I wanted to better understand the full picture of a person’s health, which led me to the FNP path.

I was drawn to the flexibility of the degree as it opens doors to so many opportunities, from clinical practice to education. I also really loved that it emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention. Teaching and developing educational content have always been passions of mine, and becoming an NP allowed me to combine that with caring for patients in a meaningful way.

Courtney, MSN, AGNP-C, AGPCNP-BC

Senior NP Content Editor

Many years ago, I was working as a CTICU nurse and loved being able to make a meaningful difference in the care of patients during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. I quickly realized that whenever I had the opportunity to educate patients and families about medications or procedures, I took it.

I wanted to channel that passion earlier in the health continuum, starting in primary care as an NP, to promote preventive health measures that protect the heart and help reduce the need for future hospitalizations. Over time, that passion has evolved into a commitment to creating high-quality education for NP learners and clinicians to empower them to deliver exceptional patient care.

Sheena, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

PMHNP Content Author

I became an NP because I like problem-solving and enjoy the one-on-one connection I can form with my patients in this role. I like working with patients to understand their strengths, challenges, what gives their life meaning, and taking all that information to work together to find ways to improve the quality of their lives. What could be better than that?

Jenna, ANP, CPNP-PC

PNP Content Lead

I wanted to become a pediatric nurse practitioner because I wanted to have a lifelong connection with my patients and their families. I have been at my practice for 18 years and have been so lucky to help my first patients navigate through all of the different stages of life.

This summer, I cried with parents who were sending their children off to college, knowing that they will forever be a part of my life and I will be forever a part of theirs. I haven’t had it happen yet, but I cannot wait for one of my patients to start coming to the practice when they have their own child! The deep personal connections are really what I enjoy the most.

Briana Clarke, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

NP Instructor

I became interested in becoming a nurse practitioner after working as a nurse and seeing the health disparities my patients faced, especially in rural areas. I noticed gaps in education, communication, and treatment, and I wanted to be part of the solution. Becoming an NP felt like the right path to help bridge those gaps and provide better care.

I truly enjoy being a part of SMNP Reviews. Education is something I’m passionate about, and as a former SMNP Reviews student, I know how impactful this program is. It helped me, and now I’m grateful to help other NP students prepare, build confidence, and pass their boards. My goal is to support future NPs in becoming the “Real Deal NPs” they’re meant to be.

Caroline, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

NP Instructor

I became a nurse practitioner because I wanted a career that offered flexibility and allowed me to combine my love for teaching with meaningful patient relationships. I’ve always enjoyed helping others learn, whether guiding students or explaining something to a patient. I was also drawn to the FNP role because it allows you to care for patients and families over time and be part of their lives through every stage.

Ashley, DNP, MSN, FNP-C

NP Instructor

I became a nurse practitioner because I enjoyed interacting with patients and realized I could still offer the compassion that nursing gives to patients while being in the advanced practice provider role. Before becoming a FNP, I completed my MSN as a nurse educator.  And, I have since found the opportunity to incorporate what I learned as a FNP with my nursing education roles to be so rewarding!

Brittney, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

NP Instructor

I became a nurse practitioner because I realized the part I loved most about my nursing career was working one-on-one with patients on how to improve their health. I loved the teaching aspect of the NP role as well as the focus on preventative health care. The NP role also comes with a lot of flexibility and opportunities to work in many interesting aspects of education and healthcare!

Further Reading

Turns out, “Why did you become a nurse practitioner?” doesn’t have a single answer—each NP came to this career from a different path, with their own experiences and “aha” moments along the way. 💜

If you’re ready to embark on your own NP journey, check out these other resources on the blog to get you started:

What Are the Different Nurse Practitioner Specialties and How Do You Choose One?
How Much is NP School (& How Do I Pay for It)?
NP School Applications 101: How to Prepare & When to Apply

And for NP students, join the fun at SMNP Reviews for NP board prep courses, Qbanks, live study groups, and more!

Happy Nurse Practitioner Week from all of us at SMNP Reviews! 💜