The healthcare industry offers a wealth of possibilities for personal and professional development. Careers as nurse practitioners, a subset of APRNs who are qualified to provide both primary and specialty care, are one option to consider in this sector. The decision to become a nurse practitioner is one that can be aided by research into the field. Read further to know more about how to become a nurse practitioner, their salary and what a psychology nurse practitioner is. We also added a list of some of the best nurse practitioner schools you can attend to become one. So, why not dive in now?
What Is Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is a doctoral-level nurse who practices independent medicine. Specialization is common for nurse practitioners, who may focus on either pediatrics, obstetrics, or gerontology. They are capable of working independently and often do so in their own clinics, however some do collaborate with physicians and other medical experts or serve as consultants. The autonomy with which a nurse practitioner can deliver treatment differs 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 nurse practitioners, which may require working in a high-stress workplace.
What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners describes nurse practitioners (NPs) as educated, certified, and independent health care providers who focus on managing patients’ health conditions by treating illnesses and injuries as well as assisting in injury and disease prevention. APRNs have much more authority in the medical profession than RNs do because they have completed additional education and training beyond that required for an NP licensure. They share many of the same duties as physicians and medical assistants.
The role of nurse practitioners is more advanced than that of the nurses. They’re industry heavyweights who cut down on patient costs through study, mentoring of junior employees, and addressing the primary care crisis in the United States. Primary care, as well as specialist care, is provided by NPs in many different medical fields, including family medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, and emergency medicine. Because of the critical shortage of doctors, NPs are the rapidly expanding field of primary care in the United States.
Nurse Practitioner Career Options
The following are the nurse practitioner career options you can pick from:
#1. Emergency Nurse Practitioner
An emergency NP’s day is filled with patients of various ages who require rapid attention. In emergency settings including hospitals, trauma centers, urgent care centers, and ambulances, they perform symptom assessments, diagnose conditions, and administer emergency care.
#2. Telehealth (Virtual) Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners who work in the field of virtual health are able to help their patients and work whenever it is convenient for them. A virtual nurse practitioner (NP) typically provides the following services to patients through phone, messaging, or video chat:
- Advice for patients
- Identify whether the patient requires immediate attention, a scheduled office visit, or whether they may continue therapy online.
- Surgery preparation and recovery
- Patient education
The need for telehealth NP services is increasing as more people opt for remote treatments.
#3. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners who specializes in orthopedics treats patients who have issues related to their skeleton and muscles. They assist doctors and nurses in providing medical care to patients in a variety of settings. You can also choose to specialize.
#4. Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners who specialize in oncology treat people who have been diagnosed with cancer. They play a wide variety of roles, many of which involve caring for patients and their loved ones. Oncology nurse practitioners (NPs) perform a wide variety of duties every day, including patient education, physical examinations, therapy administration, and treatment plan management.
#5. Nursing Professor
As was mentioned before, a nursing professor is responsible for imparting fundamental nursing knowledge to aspiring nurses. Professors of nursing can also use their practical knowledge to instruct the next generation of nurses.
#6. Psychology Nurse Practitioner
A psychology nurse practitioner is an APRN with specialized training in caring for people with mental health issues. In contrast to registered nurses, these professionals have the training and experience to assist individuals of all ages who are experiencing mental health issues. Psychology nurse practitioner is also able to diagnose and treat people suffering from mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
How To Become a Nurse Practitioner
The following are the steps you need to take to become one:
#1. Get Your Degree
To become a nurse practitioner, one must first graduate from an accredited nursing program. Nursing programs at some schools only go up to the associate degree level, while others go all the way up to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) level. Courses in biology, human anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology are sometimes required for nursing students.
#2. Become a Registered Nurse
Passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a requirement for becoming a registered nurse after completing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in nursing that was recognized by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Those interested in becoming nurse practitioners would benefit from the practical experience gained while working as a registered nurse. Candidates for nurse practitioner positions typically have experience as registered nurses.
#3. Get a Degree from a University or College
Nurse practitioners are required to hold a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) at the very least. You can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree after finishing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). It takes between two and four years to earn an MSN, depending on whether you go to school full- or part-time.
A doctor of nursing practice (DNP) is a terminal degree pursued by some NPs. After obtaining a master’s degree, you may choose to continue your study in order to specialize in a particular field and give the highest possible level of treatment to patients.
#4. Become Licensed
In order to practice as a nurse practitioner, a license is required in every state. Among the usual necessities for obtaining a license are:
- possessing a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Having a current nursing license from a recognized jurisdiction
- Having logged a certain amount of time in a clinical setting
- Having successfully completed a national certification exam
#5. Become Certified
Depending on your desired field of specialization, a number of different professional organizations offer national certificates for nurse practitioners. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) are just a few examples of certification bodies. Additional certifications are a great way to show employers your expertise in your field.
#6. Consider Your Work Environment
Nurse practitioners can find employment in a wide range of medical settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private practices, and doctor’s offices. Some nurse practitioner employment includes night, weekend, holiday, and on-call hours in addition to the typical Monday-Friday workweek.
It’s important to consider the type of workplace environment you want before you start searching for jobs. The kind of patients you see, the level of physician oversight, and your expected schedule may all change depending on where you choose to work.
#7. Search for Available Jobs
You can start applying for nurse practitioner positions once you have completed the required coursework, clinical rotations, and exams. To begin, you might check online for nurse practitioner openings in your area. It is recommended that you tailor your resume to each position you apply for by highlighting your most relevant skills and experience.
Nurse Practitioner Salary
The average annual salary of a nurse practitioner in the United States is $121,979. Full-time employment is the norm for nurse practitioners. The salary of a nurse practitioner can range from low to high depending on factors such as their amount of education, years of experience, speciality, and location.
Nurse Practitioner Schools
You might be confused about the nurse practitioner schools to choose from. Worry not! Here is a list of some nurse practitioner schools you can choose from:
#1. Duke University – Durham, North Carolina
Patients in urgent care, emergency rooms, hospitalist services, intensive care units, and step-down units in academic, community, or critical access settings are the focus of Duke University’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, which provides intensive courses, cutting-edge simulation techniques, and immersion in clinical rotations.
#2. Yale University – New Haven. CT
Through a partnership with the Connecticut Older Adult Collaboration for Health (COACH) program, Yale University’s Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (NP) program educates students in the development and upkeep of health care systems that are friendly to people of all ages by focusing on four key areas: mentation (cognition and mood), medication (appropriate medication use), mobility (mobility both inside and outside the home and fall prevention), and matters most (patient health care goals and preferences).
#3. University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
In order to offer students with the best possible education, the University of Iowa’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program combines classroom instruction with carefully chosen clinical rotations. The university’s certification exam pass record is perfect, and all of its alumni find employment immediately upon graduation. It takes three to four years to complete the course.
#4. Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN
As one of the best academic medical centers in the country, Vanderbilt University Medical Center is an integral part of the curriculum at Vanderbilt University. The small number of students to teachers ensures that each learner gets the attention they deserve. However, it one of the nurse practitioner schools you can go to.
#5. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
Graduates of Emory University’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program are well-equipped to care for patients of all ages. The curriculum places an emphasis on primary care in the community, providing students with multidisciplinary experiences in the classroom and in clinical settings that serve underserved populations like as rural and migrant communities. In order to give students a well-rounded education, the program places them in over 40 different community-based venues and private clinics.
#6. University of California, San Francisco, CA
The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program at the University of California, San Francisco requires students to have a master’s degree in nursing. Students are able to perform clinical rotations at different psychiatric hospitals throughout the Bay Area. Psychiatric evaluation and symptom management, psychopharmacology, and other types of therapy are only few of the topics covered in this program’s curriculum.
#7. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Graduates from the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are equipped to meet the psychiatric and mental health care requirements of people, families, groups, and communities across the lifespan and in a variety of clinical and community settings. Cultural competence and the capacity to comprehend and integrate issues of mental and physical health are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Clinical hours should ideally be completed by students in their home communities.
Can a Nurse Practitioner Perform Surgery?
Nurse practitioners don’t undertake major surgery on their own, but they can do limited incisions and may work side-by-side with surgeons throughout the entire surgical process. During surgical procedures, nurse practitioners frequently spend extra time talking to patients and their loved ones. Nurse practitioners are medical professional who may examine and advise patients on the day before surgery.
Nurse practitioners may be asked to help in the operating room by cutting the patient open, guiding the laparoscopic camera, controlling the suction, and stitching up any wounds. A nurse practitioner’s postoperative duties may include medication prescription and administration, monitoring the patient’s progress in recovery, and providing additional care as needed.
Can a Nurse Practitioner Deliver Babies?
Nurse midwifery is one area of expertise for a nurse practitioner. If you decide to specialize in caring for pregnant women, you can become a certified nurse midwife by completing the required education, training, and certification. When compared to an obstetrician or gynecologist, a certified nurse midwife’s treatment is more patient-centered and relies less on medical interventions.
A nurse practitioner can specialize as a certified nurse midwife (CNM) by taking and passing the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) test; both careers require a master’s degree in nursing.
Is a Nurse Practitioner Basically a Doctor?
There are certain key distinctions between medical doctors and nurse practitioners, despite the fact that they share many similarities. The major difference between the two is the quantity of time spent on training. However, while NPs receive more education than registered nurses, they get less than medical doctors. They also are licensed differently.
What Is the Difference Between a Doctor and Nurse Practitioner?
Care for patients can also be provided by a team of these experts working in tandem. However, nurse practitioners differ significantly from doctors in one crucial respect. While doctors are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients with complex conditions, nurse practitioners focus on primary care.
What Is the Difference Between a RN and Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered nurses (RNs) have a common focus on patient monitoring and care, but NPs are authorized to do physician-level tasks such prescribing medications, ordering diagnostic tests, and making medical diagnoses.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse Practitioner?
Becoming a nurse practitioner requires a minimum of six years of education. The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree, and the second is to earn a master’s degree in nursing (MSN). While earning your Master of Science in Nursing, you can get the necessary clinical experience and credentials.
What’s the Difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse?
The level of care provided by a nurse practitioner without the supervision of a physician is the primary distinction between a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner. Registered nurses can’t always give the same degree of care that nurse practitioners can. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who possesses the education and training to diagnose and treat common medical conditions, as well as write prescriptions for more serious conditions.
Final Thoughts
The role of the nurse practitioner is to aid patients in need. If you decide to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do meaningful work in the field you’re most interested in, whether that’s academia, hospital administration, pharmaceutical research, public health, or something else entirely. This might be your dream job. So, why not take that bold step today?
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