A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse, which means that he or she has advanced training and experience that make her more or less like a physician. Although most of a nurse practitioner’s responsibilities are focused on basic nursing care, the job of a nurse practitioner encompasses a broader range of care than that of a Registered Nurse. For example, unlike an RN or LPN, a Nurse Practitioner is fully qualified to perform diagnostic procedures, prescribe and administer medications and perform physical examinations. There are even some minor surgical procedures that nurse practitioners are occasionally called upon to perform. People who work Nurse Practitioner (NP) jobs often specialize in other areas of nursing.
If you are planning to follow this nursing career path, you may be encouraged by the fact that nurse practitioner employment opportunities are abundant. This is a great place to get tips on the required nurse practitioner education and the practical experience needed to excel as a nurse practitioner.
Here’s what you need to know if you are considering studying to become a nurse practitioner.
- Complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The first thing you need to do is get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). It can be completed within four years and should be obtained from an accredited nursing school. There are several different paths towards completing a BSN and you will need to choose the option that best suits your life and career goals. You can choose to get an Associate’s degree and then Bachelors first, or simply go for your Bachelors. The important thing to realize is that nothing less than a Bachelor’s degree is acceptable to continue your educational path towards becoming a Nurse Practitioner. This is because, ultimately, you are going to need a Master’s degree and therefore must complete undergraduate courses. Some people choose to pursue an associate’s degree first and then get a job and then work towards their BSN over time. Others are able to enter school and aim for a four-year degree directly.
- Get registered. After completing your educational training, you need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Passing the exam means you will become a Registered Nurse (RN).
- Get significant experience. Start earning professional experience as soon as you are legally allowed to practice nursing. You will most likely be assigned in different units, so take these nursing job opportunities as avenues for you to grow professionally.
- Earn a master’s degree. To be a nurse practitioner, you need to at least have a Master’s degree, which takes two years to complete. This degree program will expose you to health sciences such as anatomy, diagnosis, pharmacology, medical ethics, and supervised clinical training. It is also during the Master’s degree program that you need to choose your specialty in the nursing profession. Specialties include women’s health, family primary care, public health, geriatrics, pediatrics and psychiatric. Admission requirements for a Master’s degree program include an RN license and a few years of RN experience. Other requirements are determined by the individual states.
- Master the required skills and character traits. You must meet more than just educational requirements to work as a nurse. As a nurse practitioner, you need to be analytical, observant and think critically as you will have to interpret records and data to make a diagnosis and treatment plan. Additionally, you need to have exceptional communication skills, since you will have to deal with patients most of the time. You also have to be patient, understanding, emphatic and gentle.
As in the case of most healthcare professions, the demand for nurse practitioners is likely to increase until 2016 due to the patient population growth and the current emphasis on preventative care. This means you can look forward to a plethora of job opportunities in your chosen profession. According to the American Nurse’s Association somewhere between 60-80% of primary and preventative medical care can be provided by Nurse Practitioners. Because the profession is so highly valued, you can expect to be paid a rewarding salary. Reports indicate that nurse practitioners earned, on average, $86,000 to $96,000, making the average salary of a Nurse Practitioner in the range of $93,000. Some even had incomes over $100,000 per year depending on area of practice.
Overall, pursuing a career as a Nurse Practitioner is a wise choice and sets the foundation for an exciting and rewarding career. In today’s society, job security is as high a priority as job satisfaction and a career as a Nurse Practitioner ensures both. Change the world one compassionate gesture at a time and become a Nurse Practitioner.