Non-nurse college graduates are admitted to the master's of science in nursing (MSN) degree program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). Over the years, a majority of these non-traditional students have chosen the family nurse practitioner clinical concentration. The purpose of this study was to compare non-traditional and traditional family nurse practitioner (FNP) graduates in terms of academic and career-development characteristics. The study population consisted of all 91 (48 non-traditional and 43 traditional) UTK FNP graduates from 1981 to 1986. Little difference was found between the two groups' academic success in the program, self-perceptions of clinical preparedness for practice, current participation in the workforce, and self-perceptions of acceptance from administrators, other nurses and physicians in current work settings. Several notable differences between the two groups were found. The non-traditional FNP graduates had higher Graduate Record Examination (GRE) mean scores. More non-traditional than traditional FNP graduates were employed initially as nurse practitioners. Similarly, more non-traditional FNP graduates were currently employed as nurse practitioners in primary health care settings. Fewer non-traditional FNP graduates expressed satisfaction with their initial or current nursing positions. In regard to career goals, however, more of the non-traditional FNP graduates stated their intent was to be functioning as nurse practitioners in the future. Non-nurse college graduates with an interest in health care are a rich resource from which to recruit practicing nurse practitioners for the future.