Rozina Aziz Becoming a nurse practitioner opens the door to a rewarding career in healthcare. Discover the education and training required, job outlook, and steps to take to pursue this career path. Our comprehensive guide has everything you need to know.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners are trained to diagnose and treat acute and chronic diseases, emphasizing the whole patient. The duties of a clinical nurse specialist change according to the specialty in which they work. For instance, a family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner collaborates with psychiatrists and psychologists to provide mental health care to patients of all ages.
In contrast, a neonatal nurse practitioner cares for newborns and babies. The terms “psychiatric nurse practitioner,” “emergency nurse practitioner,” “family nurse,” and “nurse midwife” all refer to specialized nursing positions. Certified nurse practitioners (NPs) are highly trained medical professionals. The most effective nurse practitioners have a deep capacity for empathy and a genuine interest in helping others.
What are the specialties of a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (NP) might focus on a particular group in addition to being a general nurse. They typically earn their clinical experience and competence through a nursing program offering a specialty. If they decide to specialize, it will be incumbent upon them to earn credentials in that area.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner:
Pediatric nurse practitioners are APRNs that specialize in caring for patients of all ages, from infants to young adults. Individualized care, including preventative exams, vaccines, disease diagnosis, and treatment, is provided to patients.
Emergency Nurse Practitioner:
Emergency nurse practitioners evaluate patients, make diagnoses, and treat those with life-threatening conditions. They can make treatment plans and decisions, monitor patients’ situations, educate and consult with other healthcare professionals, and identify those who require emergency attention.
Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioners:
Nurse practitioners in adult gerontology are experts in treating patients of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly. They assist patients and family members in handling long-term diseases and ailments.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner:
Into the world of mental health care with the specialized expertise of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). From individuals to communities, they masterfully manage mental conditions and tackle substance abuse problems with ease.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner:
A neonatal nurse practitioner specializes in the care of neonates, particularly those born prematurely or with serious illnesses. In some cases, they can even help deliver patients.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner:
A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) has advanced training in women’s health. They treat women for reproduction, pregnancy, and childbirth issues in a primary care office rather than a hospital or birthing center.
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner:
Regarding musculoskeletal issues, Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner knows what they’re doing. Conditions and injuries affecting the skeletal system and its supporting connective tissues are examples.
Family Nurse Practitioner:
Family nurse practitioners, often known as FNPs or family practice nurse practitioners, are primary care physicians who treat patients of all ages. They frequently take on the role of primary care physician, which can be satisfying for individuals who thrive on building lasting bonds with their patients.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner:
Registered nurses with advanced practice roles in acute care settings, such as hospitals, are known as acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs). Patients see Acute Care NPs when unwell, hospitalized, or recovering from surgery or trauma. They specialize in treating adults who have many chronic conditions.
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner:
Aesthetic nurse practitioners are medical professionals who focus on aesthetic enhancements. They do everything from examining and evaluating patients to advising them on procedures, performing those procedures, and caring for them afterward.
Oncology Nurse Practitioner:
When a patient has been diagnosed with cancer, an oncology nurse practitioner is there to help them in every way possible. They work with doctors and other medical professionals to devise strategies for treating patients with cancer.
What does a nurse practitioner do?
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has advanced clinical training and provides direct patient care. Nurse practitioners frequently specialize in treating patients of a certain age group or gender. In addition to working alone or in private offices, several professionals collaborate with medical doctors or serve in advisory capacities.
The scope of care that a nurse practitioner can deliver independently varies from one state to the next. The capacity to think rapidly on one’s feet and maintain composure under pressure is an asset in the employment of a nurse practitioner, which may require working in a high-stress workplace.
Many of a physician’s duties are within the scope of practice for a nurse practitioner.
- First-line medical support.
- Taking a patient’s vital signs.
- Keeping watch on a patient as they receive care.
- Documenting a patient’s medical background and present condition.
- Carrying out, arranging for, and analyzing diagnostic tests.
- Health diagnosis of a wide range of conditions.
- Making new plans for patient care and implementing existing ones.
- Medication prescription and administration.
- Patient referrals to experts.
- Assessing how well a patient is responding to treatment.
- Informing patients and their loved ones about their health and treatment options.
- Performing studies.
Can a nurse practitioner perform surgery?
In addition to assisting surgeons before, during, and after surgery, nurse practitioners can also undertake limited invasive operations. Nurse practitioners frequently spend extra time talking to patients and their loved ones during surgical procedures. A nurse practitioner is a medical professional who may examine and advise patients the day before surgery.
Nurse practitioners may be asked to help in the operating room by cutting through tissue, controlling a laparoscopic camera, removing blood and other fluids, administering suction, suturing wounds, and performing other tasks as the surgeon needs. As the patient recovers from surgery, a nurse practitioner may be responsible for prescribing and giving medication, monitoring the patient’s condition, and providing postoperative care.
How quickly can one become a Nurse Practitioner?
The path to becoming an NP takes work. However, there are methods to maximize your time studying for the certification. Methods include:
Meet with an admissions officer at the college of your choice:
You can ask an admissions advisor about your credit transfer options. They are useful for laying out a schedule and educational path. They will be able to inform you about the program’s prerequisites, special characteristics, and how the institution can help you achieve your professional goals.
Check into your potential sources of financial assistance:
No one wants to graduate with a mountain of student loan debt, so it’s important to plan out your degree’s required curriculum and completion timetable along with the associated costs. If you need assistance finding ways to make college more affordable for you, the financial aid office at your school is there to help.
Consultation with a career counselor at the institution of choice:
A wonderful strategy to learn more about your chosen program is to contact the school’s career services office before enrolling. Ask about the school’s alum services and job-placement statistics for recent grads.
Doing actual work on the topic of your passion:
Consider volunteering at a local family practice clinic if you’re an ER nurse interested in becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Gaining relevant experience will allow you to investigate several nursing subfields and improve your nursing abilities generally.
How to become a nurse practitioner?
Here are seven recommendations for anyone interested in becoming a nurse practitioner:
Finish your schooling:
To become a nurse practitioner, one must graduate from an accredited nursing program. Some nursing programs are limited to just an associate degree, while others elevate you all the way to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Courses in biology, human anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology are sometimes required for nursing students.
Train to be a nurse:
You can become a registered nurse (RN) by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) after completing an approved 2- or 4-year nursing degree program. Practical experience gained while working as a registered nurse is excellent preparation for a career as a nurse practitioner. Candidates for nurse practitioner positions typically have experience as registered nurses.
Get a degree from a university or college:
A master’s degree in nursing (MSN) is a requirement for all nurse practitioners. You can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree after finishing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Earning your Master of Science in Nursing might take two to four years of full- or part-time study.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree that some nurse practitioners pursue after graduation. If you want to work in a particular field or give a particularly high standard of care to your patients, you might wish to pursue additional training beyond a master’s degree.
Become licensed:
License criteria for nurse practitioners are similar across states. Usually, the following are needed to apply for a license:
- Has an MSN degree.
- Possessing a current license to practice as a nurse in one’s state.
- Accumulating a certain amount of time in a clinical setting.
- Having completed a national certification exam.
Obtain Credentials:
If you’re a nurse practitioner, get ready to boost your career. The ANCC, AANP, and PNCB are just a few national certification organizations waiting to recognize your skills. Level up your game and show employers your expertise with additional certifications!
Choose Work Environment:
Healthcare establishments, both public and private that employ nurse practitioners range from inpatient hospitals to outpatient clinics to private practices. However, certain roles need night, weekend, holiday, and on-call hours in addition to the typical Monday-Friday workweek for nurse practitioners.
Think about the type of environment you want to work in before you start applying for jobs. Depending on where you work, you may see different types of patients and have different levels of supervision from doctors.
Apply for Jobs:
You can apply for nurse practitioner positions after completing the required coursework, clinical rotations, and exams. You could begin by looking for nurse practitioner jobs in your area online. It would help if you tailored your resume to each position you apply for by highlighting your most relevant skills and experience.
How much does a Nurse Practitioner make?
Here is a list of the average hourly, weekly, monthly, and yearly salaries of nurse practitioners in each state of the United States:
| State | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
| Alabama | $47.12 | $1,884 | $8,167 | $98,000 |
| Alaska | $57.38 | $2,295 | $9,944 | $119,333 |
| Arizona | $50.39 | $2,015 | $8,722 | $104,667 |
| Arkansas | $46.34 | $1,854 | $8,029 | $96,333 |
| California | $63.04 | $2,522 | $10,917 | $131,000 |
| Colorado | $50.65 | $2,026 | $8,772 | $105,267 |
| Connecticut | $54.60 | $2,184 | $9,448 | $113,383 |
| Delaware | $52.65 | $2,106 | $9,118 | $109,400 |
| Florida | $47.16 | $1,886 | $8,171 | $98,047 |
| Georgia | $49.50 | $1,980 | $8,573 | $102,870 |
| Hawaii | $52.00 | $2,080 | $9,004 | $108,050 |
| Idaho | $45.53 | $1,821 | $7,878 | $94,533 |
| Illinois | $52.18 | $2,087 | $9,041 | $108,500 |
| Indiana | $47.58 | $1,903 | $8,241 | $98,900 |
| Iowa | $47.06 | $1,882 | $8,138 | $97,650 |
| Kansas | $46.80 | $1,872 | $8,107 | $97,283 |
| Kentucky | $45.69 | $1,827 | $7,917 | $95,000 |
| Louisiana | $47.90 | $1,916 | $8,301 | $99,609 |
| Maine | $48.04 | $1,922 | $8,326 | $99,900 |
| Maryland | $54.11 | $2,164 | $9,376 | $112,500 |
| Massachusetts | $56.53 | $2,261 | $9,792 | $117,500 |
| Michigan | $47.77 | $1,911 | $8,276 | $99,313 |
| Minnesota | $51.01 | $2,040 | $8,835 | $106,000 |
| Mississippi | $44.48 | $1,779 | $7,703 | $92,437 |
| Missouri | $47.05 | $1,882 | $8,137 | $97,625 |
| Montana | $46.23 | $1,849 | $8,003 | $96,000 |
| Nebraska | $47.28 | $1,891 | $8,181 | $98,167 |
| Nevada | $55.93 | $2,237 | $9,690 | $116,280 |
| New Hampshire | $51.54 | $2,062 | $8,938 | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $57.68 | $2,307 | $9,995 | $120,000 |
| New Mexico | $48.23 | $1,929 | $8,355 | $100,267 |
| New York | $57.56 | $2,302 | $9,967 | $119,600 |
| North Carolina | $47.73 | $1,909 | $8,264 | $99,167 |
| North Dakota | $45.79 | $1,832 | $7,932 | $95,200 |
What is the Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners?
The nursing profession is secure and growing. Becoming a Nurse Practitioner, however, might increase your career security even more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a substantially faster-than-average growth of 45 percent for nurse practitioner positions between 2020 and 2030. The aging of the population is forecast to increase the demand for primary care in the coming years. This growing need will be met in part by NPs, particularly in underserved regions.
How do nurse practitioners differ from registered nurses?
Registered nurses and nurse practitioners have different levels of autonomy in providing patient care, with nurse practitioners being able to provide care without physician supervision. Nurse practitioners are capable of delivering exceptional care to their patients. In terms of primary care, a nurse practitioner possesses the same qualifications as a doctor about diagnosing and treating acute illnesses and prescribing medication.
FAQ’s
What qualifications do I need to become a nurse practitioner?
To become a nurse practitioner, you need to have a registered nurse (RN) license and a master’s degree in nursing. Some programs also require specific coursework and clinical hours.
When can I become a nurse practitioner?
The duration of becoming a nurse practitioner varies depending on educational and professional background. Typically, a master’s degree program in nursing takes 2-3 years to complete.
What kind of job opportunities are available for nurse practitioners?
Nurse practitioners can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and long-term care facilities. They can also specialize in areas such as pediatrics, gerontology, and mental health.
What kind of salary can I expect as a nurse practitioner?
The median annual salary for nurse practitioners is approximately $115,800, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Variations in pay may occur due to factors such as location, experience, and specialty.
How can I prepare for a career as a nurse practitioner?
To prepare for a career as a nurse practitioner, you should focus on gaining experience as a registered nurse and pursuing advanced education in nursing. You can also network with other healthcare professionals and research job opportunities in your area.
