Nurse Practitioner Careers Information
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who have specialized in overall patient care. They are licensed independent practitioners that provide services similar to physicians, as they diagnose and treat patients’ health problems. Nurse practitioners also offer advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and knowledge on disease prevention.
Nurse Practitioner Careers & Degrees
- South University: Online
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree completion program
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator Specialization
- Master of Science in Nursing Specialization in Adult Health Nurse Practitioner
Grand Canyon University: Online
- M.B.A. and M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge)
- M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge)
- M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Education (Bridge)
- M.S. in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN)
Colorado Technical University - Undergraduate: Undergraduate - Online
Nurse practitioners order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medication, and manage overall care. They work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and clinics to colleges and public health departments; they also can work at a specific nurse practitioner practice.
A nurse practitioner may choose a specialty based on the setting they are working in, and the particular client demographic, or they may specialize in a field, which would then dictate the type of setting.
Nurse practitioners can specialize in an area, such as family medicine, acute care, and oncology, as well as in a subspecialty, such as dermatology, immunology, or sports medicine.
Nurse Practitioner Careers Path
In order to become a certified nurse practitioner, you must have either a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), an associate’s degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Here students gain fundamental knowledge needed for a career in nursing, with classes centered on the sciences.
According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), a master’s, post-master’s, or doctoral degree is required for entry-level practice depending on the level of education a nurse already has.
A graduate nurse practitioner program provides students with the clinical knowledge necessary for a career in primary care, and the professional expertise required of an independent practitioner working as an educator, researcher, consultant, and mentor. These programs generally take 2 to 4 years to complete, depending on an individual’s specialty and particular course load.
Nurse practitioners are licensed by the state in which they practice, and also have national board certification as Certified Nurse Practitioners.
Nurse Practitioner Careers: Compatibly Personality Traits
Compassionate, detail oriented, good-spirited, helpful, great communication skills, and a love for working with people
Nurse Practitioner Careers: Salary Expectations
According to the AANP National Nurse Practitioner Compensation Survey of 2008, the mean base salary for nurse practitioners was roughly $84,250 from their main practice, with an average total income of $92,110.
Salaries of nurse practitioners vary depending on geographic region, responsibility, and experience level. Other factors include practice setting, hours per week, benefit packages offered with salary, and rural or urban settings.
Nurse practitioners had the highest salaries in the acute care and adult medicine specialties, and in Urgent Care facilities and private nurse practitioner settings.
Nurse Practitioner Careers: Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for nurses is expected to rise 22 percent over the 2008-2018 decade, which is much faster than average for all occupations. Technological advances will drive this growth in patient care, and an increased emphasis on preventative health.
Advance practice nurses will be in high demand, as these nurses serve as lower-cost primary care providers, in comparison with physicians and specialists. The largest specialties of nurse practitioners were family and adult medicine.
Though positions are expected to expand in doctors offices and outpatient care centers, these jobs will be competitive as they usually offer a more comfortable work environment and regular work hours.
Slightly Off the Footpath
- Registered Nurse
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Public Health Administrator
Sources: bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm; aanp.org/AANPCMS2
