Rozina Aziz Are you looking to become a pulmonary nurse practitioner? This guide will walk you through the steps to achieve your goal, including education and certification requirements, job outlook, and salary expectations. Start your journey towards this rewarding career today.
What is a pulmonary nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners specializing in pulmonary medicine are deeply committed to helping those with acute or chronic respiratory conditions. Assessing, diagnosing, treating, and evaluating patients with respiratory illness or disease are all part of a pulmonary nurse practitioner’s job description.
Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, acute respiratory failure, Covid-19, and sleep apnea are all diseases they could focus on. Patients will also receive help quitting smoking. I’ve included more details about the requirements to become a pulmonary nurse practitioner, the tasks they perform on a daily basis, and the tools available to them below.
What does a pulmonary nurse do?
Patients with illnesses affecting either their upper or lower airways are the primary focus of pulmonary nurses. The nares, trachea, bronchi, sinuses, alveoli, and lungs all fall within this category. Nurses specializing in pulmonary care aim to improve the quality of life for people with asthma, COPD, and other chronic pulmonary diseases. Pulmonary nurses are trained to manage a variety of illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, COVID-19, bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer.
Daily, pulmonary nurses have a laundry list of tasks to ensure their patients’ well-being. Some of your primary responsibilities will include:
- Keeping an eye on patients’ vitals.
- Medication Administration.
- Providing respiratory therapies like oxygen therapy.
- Keeping an eye on tracheostomies and other breathing devices.
- Evaluating the Efficacy of Care.
- Assisting with life-saving measures.
- Understanding past medical records of patients.
- Patient and family education.
- Maintaining a tally.
- Participating in a group of pulmonary healthcare experts.
- Carrying out treatment plans.
- Patient Prioritization.
Where can you find a Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner?
Suppose you’re interested in becoming a pulmonary nurse practitioner. In that case, you can find work in various settings, such as clinics, hospitals, diagnostic centers, diagnostic laboratories, home health agencies, nursing homes, and pulmonary rehabilitation institutes. Additionally, such nurses can be in emergency rooms and intensive care units (ICUs), providing critical care.
When does a pulmonary nurse practitioner usually work?
A nurse’s schedule is highly variable, depending on the nature of their profession, the nature of their workplace, and the needs of their patients. As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, your typical work week will consist of 40 hours, which could be broken up into many 12-hour shifts or several shorter shifts throughout the week. Weekends and holidays may also be part of your work routine.
How to become A Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner?
There is no set curriculum for becoming a pulmonary nurse practitioner, which might make the field appear daunting. How to become a pulmonary nurse practitioner is outlined in detail below.
Completion of a nursing program:
To become a nurse practitioner, individuals can complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program or an Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) program, which typically takes four years. It’s important to note that a BSN is required to apply to NP school after completing an ADN degree.
Get your license by passing the NCLEX:
After completing an approved nursing program, the next step in obtaining a nursing license is taking and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
Experience in the field of nursing:
This is helpful but unnecessary in your pursuit of becoming a pulmonary nurse practitioner. A minimum of two years is recommended to acquire the knowledge, experience, and self-assurance necessary to make the shift to pulmonary nurse practitioner work smoothly.
Get your certificates:
All or nearly all NP programs have prerequisites that prospective students must meet before enrolling. I’ve included three of the most common verifications. Not all programs require advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) or pediatric advanced life support (PALS). Before sending in an application, make sure you’ve checked with the school for information.
- Certification in basic life support (BLS) is mandatory for all applicants.
- Applicants to a caregiving program for adults only need their Advanced Life Support (ACLS) certification.
- Applicants to programs providing care to children are almost exclusively needed to have Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
Join the NP Program:
Apply to NP programs once you’ve finished the prerequisites. Eligibility and prerequisites will change from institution to institution, as previously mentioned.
Complete a Nurse Practitioner Degree Program:
As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, you can specialize in pulmonary health in several ways. Family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and geriatrics are all examples of these subspecialties. Because there are so many options, it’s important to think about the kind of environment and clientele you want to serve. You can get a dual certification if you want even more leeway in your professional life.
Complete the state licensing process and the national certification exam:
After finishing your master’s degree, you must take the relevant certification exam. A state license as a nurse practitioner (NP) necessitates meeting standards set by your state’s nursing board. Maintaining an NP license is always contingent on maintaining a current RN license; therefore, earning either an MSN or DNP and passing the national certification exam are all prerequisites. To learn more, look for the nursing board in your state online.
Send in your resume for a job as a pulmonary nurse practitioner:
Find a place to practice, ensure you’re licensed, and polish up your résumé. Submit your resume for consideration for any pulmonary NP jobs. Prepare for the interview by practicing your answers and coming up with some questions to ask. It’s important to know if you need to get a DEA license before starting a new job and, if so, whether or not your employer would foot the bill. Thank you to everyone who helped you get this far after the interview.
Extra Measure:
If you’re interested, you can get your DNP degree in nursing. Earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a great way to gain expertise in healthcare system reform, leadership, and quality assurance. The prerequisites for a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree change depending on the institution and concentration chosen. Nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree might enter various fields, including direct patient care, university teaching, and administrative work.
How Much Does It Cost To Become A Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner?
The price tag for studying pulmonary nurse practitioner programs varies widely from one location and set of requirements to the next. A four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $200,000. One option is to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and then transfer credits to a bachelor’s degree in nursing (RN-BSN) program.
The specifics of graduate education will also differ by location, institution, and concentration. Compared to attending a public university from out of state or a private university, enrolling in a public program offered by your state will save you money. The program you choose—MSN vs. DNP and part-time vs. full-time—also makes a difference in price.
How Much Does a Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner Make?
Generally speaking, a pulmonary nurse practitioner’s salary will increase as they gain experience in their field. The median annual income for a pulmonary nurse practitioner is $108,199, or $52.02 per hour. A pulmonary NP’s income is dependent on several variables. The wage is determined solely by the number of years of NP or RN experience and the location, state, and practice setting in which they work.
What is Job Outlook for Pulmonary Nurse Practitioners?
A pulmonary nurse practitioner has a bright work outlook. Longer life expectancy means more people will need medical attention. As a result, there will be a higher demand for pulmonary NPs in the inpatient and outpatient care of people with respiratory disorders.
An adult-gerontology, family practice, or acute care specialty board certification is typical for a pulmonary nurse practitioner. For this reason, there is a constant need for new pulmonary NPs to replace those who have retired or chosen to practice in other specialties throughout a nurse practitioner’s career.
How Do Pulmonary Nurses Differ From Pulmonary Nurse Practitioners?
A pulmonary nurse treats patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, suffering from various respiratory conditions. They may also work on the medical-surgical (med surg) floor or in the emergency room (ER) or intensive care unit (ICU) with inpatients.
A pulmonary specialty clinic is hiring nurses with experience in pulmonary care. The pulmonary nurse will perform an evaluation and administer the necessary care. Patients are also counseled on how to stop smoking and other lifestyle changes that can improve their respiratory health.
The pulmonary nurse practitioner is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, treating, and evaluating a patient with a respiratory ailment or problem. They may work with other NPs or doctors to better their patients’ health. The pulmonary NP coordinates the patient’s care by writing prescriptions and discussing their condition with other healthcare team members.
FAQ’s
What is a pulmonary nurse practitioner?
A pulmonary nurse practitioner is a nurse practitioner who specializes in treating patients with lung-related conditions.
What are the educational requirements to become a pulmonary nurse practitioner?
To become a pulmonary nurse practitioner, you must first become a registered nurse (RN) by completing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. After obtaining an RN license, you can pursue a master’s degree or doctorate degree in nursing with a specialization in pulmonary care.
What skills are required to become a pulmonary nurse practitioner?
Pulmonary nurse practitioners must have excellent diagnostic and treatment skills and strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals.
What types of patients do pulmonary nurse practitioners work with?
Pulmonary nurse practitioners work with patients who have lung-related conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and lung cancer.
What is the role of a pulmonary nurse practitioner in patient care?
Pulmonary nurse practitioners diagnose and treat lung-related conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and provide patient education and support.
