Career Path For Nurse Practitioner

Pass The Nurse Practitioner Examination

A Day in the Life of a Nurse Practitioner | Indeed

After earning your master’s degree in nursing or nursing science, you are eligible to apply for the nurse practitioner certification. The eligibility requirements can depend on the organization and province of residence. In general, the certification process involves an assessment test of nursing skills and knowledge, proof of clinical experience, and an examination. The exams can differ depending on your choice of specialization. Once you complete all these requirements, you can apply for registration and begin your career as a nurse practitioner.

Yacht Medical Staff/crew Nurse

Chartered luxury yacht staff members get to travel the world while catering to clients. Crew nurses often serve as deckhands or stews in addition to providing on-demand medical care to everyone on the vessel. Although living quarters for staff are often tight, the earning potential and opportunity to visit new and exotic locations are what draw nurse practitioners to this profession.

What Is A Nurse Practitioner Your Career Guide

Learn what types of skills and education you’ll need to embark on a rewarding health care career as a nurse practitioner.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for health care workers has grown significantly. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics , health care jobs are expected to grow 16 percent between 2020 and 2030 .

Of those health care jobs, nurses make up the largest group of employees within the health care system . A registered nurse can go on to be an advanced practice registered nurse , and then eventually a nurse practitioner with similar responsibilities to physicians and doctors.

Is this rewarding career in your future? Here’s a guide to becoming a nurse practitioner.

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Top Nurse Practitioner Career Paths

This section includes median national salary information, duties and educational requirements for a variety of nurse practitioner career options. No matter which nurse practitioner career options interest you, job growth looks strong.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall openings for nurse practitioner jobs should grow by 28% over the 2018-2028 period, adding approximately 53,300 new positions at the national level. The national median salary for all types of nurse practitioners was $107,030 in May 2018.

Every NP has a specific population focus. Find nurse practitioner career options youre passionate about with this look at seven of the top NP specialties. All salary information for the NP specialties below comes from PayScale.com surveys and is current as of October 2019.

Why Are Nurse Practitioners Leaving Traditional Clinical Roles

After a strenuous year for healthcare professionals, many nurse practitioners are burned out and in need of a change of scenery. With high education costs, time-consuming bureaucratic tasks, and long working hours associated with the job, nurse practitioners are reconsidering the trajectory of their chosen profession.

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make

Nurse practitioners salaries may range depending on years of experience and the fields in which they work. But on average, nurse practitioners earn $117,292 each year, Glassdoor data shows. With seven to nine years of experience, that number jumps to $118,262 per yearand with 15-plus experience, inures practitioners yearly salaries reach $121,919.

Start Your Path To Nursing Career Advancement

Ready to take a bold step to prepare to advance your career and help tackle the nations healthcare challenges? Explore , which offers specializations in family nursing, adult-gerontology, adult-gerontology acute care, pediatrics, and psychiatric mental health. Maryvilles programs feature high-quality, flexible curricula that are ideal for mid-level professionals ready to advance their careers.

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Consider A Career As A Family Nurse Practitioner

Learn about the family nurse practitioner career path and discover how you can become an FNP.

A family nurse practitioner, or FNP, is an advanced practice registered nurse who focuses their specialty training on the care of patients across the lifespan, from infants to adults to seniors1 .

Nursing statistics reveal that more than 325,000 nurse practitioners are licensed in the United States, and almost 70% of NPs specialize in family healthcare2 .

Benefits For The Healthcare System

Career Path: Paramedic or Nurse?

The U.S. is likely to experience a shortage of RNs due to an aging population and increasing need for preventive healthcare, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing .

Additionally, advanced practice nursing is a growing component of the team-based approach to healthcare offered in hospitals, physicians offices, clinics, and other ambulatory care facilities.

The BLS projects a 45% increase in the employment of advanced nursing roles between 2019 and 2029. That growth, also fueled by retirement and other departures from the profession, is much faster than the average for all occupations .

COVID-19 has exacerbated the already growing need for nurses in the U.S., particularly those who can provide leadership. APRNs can lend their experience and expertise to tackle the challenges of handling a pandemic. They can provide a steady hand for nurses entering the field to replace those who are leaving it.

Corporate Health Nurse Practitioner

Many companies offer employee wellness programs to give employees access to a range of basic health services. These corporate clinics often hire nurse practitioners to assess, treat, and help prevent acute illnesses and conditions of employees so they dont have to miss time at work for off-site appointments.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Acute care nurse practitioners deal with patients who experience sudden critical illnesses or injuries. They work in a variety of environments, including emergency rooms, urgent-care clinics, and operating rooms. ACNPs focus on the short-term care of adults and children.

Prescribe medication and therapy treatments
Stabilize patients in critical conditions
Collaborate with healthcare teams

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Six Steps To Become A Nurse Practitioner

In the medical field, nurse practitioners are in increasingly high demand. Many clinics and hospitals recognize the value of these advanced practice nurses, and many registered nurses are jumping on board to earn their advanced practice credentials so they can fill these gaps. Whether you are already practicing as a nurse and are thinking about advancement opportunities, or you are looking ahead to your career path and think that nursing might be the right fit, consider nurse practitioner instruction. Here is a closer look at what a nurse practitioner does, how much they can potentially earn and what opportunities exist within this field.

What Is a Nurse Practitioner ?

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who can perform many of the same functions as a doctor. They may work with other healthcare professionals or independently, depending on the laws in their state. They often focus on treating the whole person, disease prevention and health education in addition to diagnosing and treating conditions.

What Do Nurse Practitioners Do?

The services a nurse practitioner provides will depend on where they practice and what the rules and regulations are in their geographic area. In general, nurse practitioners may:

Order and perform diagnostic tests
Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
Prescribe medications
Manage patient care
Provide health education and counseling

Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice

Nurse Practitioner Skills

How To Become An Np

Understand The Background Of Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements ...

Similar to an RN, becoming an NP starts with education. The main difference is that NPs are required to have at least a Master of Science in Nursing degree.

MSN program length and coursework vary by specialty, but you should expect to invest two to three years in graduate coursework. After completing a graduate education, youll need to take a national board certification exam specific to your area of focus. Five NP certification boards administer exams:

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification Program American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation Pediatric Nursing Certification Board National Certification Corporation

After passing the exam for your specialty, youll need to apply for NP licensure in your state. Make sure to consult your states specific NP requirements, as they vary. Then, youll need to meet renewal requirements and continuing education hours to maintain a valid credential.

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What Is A Nurse Practitioner

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who has earned a master’s degree and additional training in a specialty area, such as geriatrics or mental health. The skills of the nurse practitioner go beyond those of a registered nurse and often mimic what doctors do.

Like physicians, nurse practitioners can treat patients by diagnosing illnesses, ordering and interpreting diagnostic or laboratory tests, and prescribing medicine. NPs may also focus on educating their patients to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Much of the work you can do as a nurse practitioner is determined by state guidelines. In many states, you can work independently of a physician but can consult with a medical doctor when needed. NPs can serve as both primary and specialty care providers.

Nurse Practitioner Skills To Acquire

Along with your medical training there are many skills a nurse practitioner must have or develop in order to perform their job. Here are some of the most common skills you should acquire before you enter the field:

Reading comprehension: must be able to research and comprehend diverse topics related to patient care
Social perceptiveness: reading body language and other reactions of patients
Active listening: the ability to listen and understand what people are trying to relay and asking pertinent questions to glean more information
Speaking: able to clearly convey ideas and directions so others understand
Active learning: absorbing new ideas and advances within the field of medicine
Critical thinking: being able to reach a conclusion by looking at all sides of an issue
Ethical decision making: required to make a confident diagnosis on each patient
Effective communication: ability to communicate verbally and in writing, in person and via phone or computer
Attention to details: in the patient-nurse practitioner relationship
Ability to work: with a wide range of personalities and ethnic populations
Working independently: must be able to perform duties without direct supervision of a doctor
Highly organized: must be able to utilize time to maximize each day
Leadership skills: will be supervisor to nurses and others within an office, clinic, or hospital

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Family Nurse Practitioner Careers

Average Salary: $92,878 Educational Requirements: MSN Degree plus FNP certificationSummary of Responsibilities: Provide primary care to patients across the lifespan.

One of the most popular types of nurse practitioner is the family nurse practitioner . FNPs provide family primary care to patients of all ages, usually within a primary care setting. FNPs can treat patients from birth to the elder years, including frail elderly patients.

FNPs also play an important role in empowering patients to care for themselves by educating patients and their families about managing conditions, caring for injuries, or making healthier lifestyle choices.

RNs who want to become FNPs should complete an MSN-FNP program and seek board certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center .

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Careers

My Career Path to Pediatric Nursing: Georgette Young, RN

Average Salary: $99,205 Educational Requirements: MSN plus a minimum of two years experience in an NICU and certificationSummary of Responsibilities: Provide advanced care for newborns, particularly those born prematurely, during high-risk deliveries, or with post-birth complications.

Neonatal nurse practitioners care for the very youngest and most vulnerable patients: newborn infants who are very sick, premature, or injured after birth. NNPs take complete responsibility for their patients, monitoring specialist equipment such as incubators, assessing the infants physical condition, prescribing medications and administering interventions.

This type of nurse practitioner has knowledge and skills to cope with neonates who need resuscitation, neonates who were exposed to drugs in utero, and ensuring parents can bond with their seriously ill child.

RNs interested in this nurse practitioner career option should have at least two years of work experience in an NICU, an MSN-NP degree, and seek board certification as a neonatal NP from the National Credentialing Center . More information about neonatal nurse practitioner jobs is available from the National Association of Neonatal Nurses .

What Are Popular Choices For Family Nurse Practitioners Careers

FNPs often work in doctors offices or private practice. Many also work for healthcare agencies, social assistance agencies, outpatient care centers, school-based health centers, and psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals.

Texas, which faces a nursing shortage, is one of the biggest employers of nurse practitioners, trailing only California and New York. The growth in family nurse practitioner careers in Texas is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

Pursuing Leadership Roles In Nursing

Two of the most important aspects of nurses progress toward their nursing goals are their role in mentoring and educating new nurses and their input and influence in shaping local and national health policy. Preparing to apply for a nurse leadership position starts by determining the qualifications for the job and understanding all the responsibilities and duties.

Nurse leaders must be able to anticipate and prevent conflict when possible and know techniques for mitigating conflicts when they arise.
Nurse leaders need first-rate writing and speaking skills and should be adept at presenting medical information clearly, concisely, and completely.
Nurse leaders must commit to their own long-term success in terms of keeping abreast of developments in their field and learning useful new skills.
Nurse leaders must be committed to the short- and long-term success of their employees, departments, and organizations.

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Earn A Bachelor Of Science Degree In Nursing

Anyone interested in becoming a nurse practitioner must earn a bachelor of science in nursing. There are three paths to earning a BSN:

College/University: Attend a traditional four-year college or university and graduate with a BSN.
Accelerated BSN: If you have an undergraduate degree in another field, you can apply for an accelerated BSN program. In addition to the prerequisite science coursework, you can expect to spend two years completing an accelerated BSN.
RN-BSN: Nurses with an Associate degree in nursing can attend a Registered Nurse BSN program. Programs vary in length.

What type of degree should you pursue to become a Nurse Practitioner?

83% of people working as a Nurse Practitioner earned a Bachelor’s Degree

What skills do you need to be a Nurse Practitioner?

Excellent Communication

Top Colleges For Nurse Practitioners

6 Advantages of Becoming a Nurse Practitioner [Infographic]

1. Duke University

4. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI Private

6. University of California – Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA Private

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC Private

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY Private

10. Chamberlain College of Nursing – Arlington

Arlington, VA Private

Nurse Practitioner Salary And Job Outlook

Nurse practitioners can earn a quite a high income. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median salary for a nurse practitioner in the United States is $123,780 . Salary will vary depending on your location, education and certifications, and specialization.

The BLS predicts that job growth for nurse practitioners will rise 45 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than average for all occupations . If you are seeking an in-demand job in health care, training to become a nurse practitioner may be a good option for you.

What Is The Difference Between A Nurse Practitioner And A Registered Nurse

The main differences between these two careers are the amount of education and scope of work. An RN must be a graduate of a school of nursing and may only have an Associate’s degree . A nurse’s primary role is to provide care to patients in a hospital setting in a physician’s office it is their responsibility to prepare the patient for their visit by taking basic information as well as simple checks such as blood pressure and weight of the patient.

A nurse practitioner must already be an RN, complete at least a Master’s degree, and hold national certification as well as state certification in their area of expertise. They examine patients the same way doctors do and hold most of the same duties, such as prescribing medicine and ordering tests in order to make a diagnosis of an ailment. In some states they may open their own practice and work independently in other states they must be under the general supervision of a licensed physician.

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Types Of Degrees Available For Nurse Practitioners

To become a nurse practitioner, students must first get their basic nursing education by obtaining an associate in science degree to become a registered nurse or by completing a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing . Once they have completed their undergraduate education, students can enroll in a graduate program to obtain a master’s degree in nursing , which is required to become a licensed nurse practitioner.

Admission into a master’s degree program typically requires clinical experience, letters of reference, and a declaration of a specialty. Coursework in specialty areas can vary but typically include lab work and a comprehensive exam. Upon completion of a master’s degree, students must pass the national certification exam and obtain a license to practice.

Womens Health Nurse Practitioner

NP vs PA

Womens health nurse practitioners specialize in gynecological, obstetric, and reproductive care, which means thatwhile they dont deliver babiesthey help patients before and after giving birth.

Currently, the average annual salary for womens health nurse practitioners in the United States is $100,000.

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Bachelor Of Science In Nursing

In addition to the science topics listed above, the curriculum of BSN degree programs includes courses in physical and social sciences, communication, critical thinking, and leadership. In the past, a bachelors degree in nursing was considered the minimum education requirement to qualify for nurse administrator positions as well as for work as a nursing researcher, consultant or teacher. However, a growing number of employers now consider a masters degree in nursing to be a prerequisite to qualify for nurse manager roles.

To receive a state-issued nursing license, RNs must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses .

Many hospitals and other health care providers now require that candidates for entry-level RN positions have a bachelors degree. RN-to-BSN programs allow RNs with an associate degree or diploma to earn their bachelors degree. Holding a BSN degree qualifies RNs for work in specialties such as genetics and public health. RNs are also able to take on more responsibilities for treating and diagnosing patients in clinical settings.