Why Would You Consider An Msn
Becoming a nurse practitioner gives you more autonomy as a nurse and allows you to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications under the guidance of a licensed physician. Nurse practitioners work in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, physician offices, and clinics. Once your MSN-NP degree is earned and you have passed the national licensing exam, you can refer to yourself as an advanced practice registered nurse .
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners median pay is $115,800 per year and is growing 45% faster than the national average for all occupations. Growth is occurring due to an increased emphasis on preventative care and demand for healthcare services for aging populations.
Consider A Dermatology Residency Or Fellowship Program
Though few dermatology NP residency and fellowship programs exist in the United States, consider applying to one to build specialized skills in dermatology. These programs offer typical 40-hour workweeks and compensation and may include lectures or classes in addition to direct patient care. Many programs last one year.
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Where To Start: Are You Wondering How To Become An Np
Becoming an NP is a rigorous educational process underpinned with evidence-based coursework and clinical rotations. To become an NP, one must be a registered nurse , hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing , complete an NP-focused graduate masters or doctoral nursing program and successfully pass a national NP board certification exam.
In addition to core science and math coursework, such as a pre-health sciences core, the baseline prerequisites for acceptance into an NP program include the requirements that potential students hold a BSN degree and be actively licensed as an RN.
NPs are classified as advanced practice registered nurses along with certified registered nurse anesthetists , certified nurse-midwives and clinical nurse specialists . Graduate NP education builds upon the foundational knowledge obtained in undergraduate BSN-registered nursing education. During graduate school, NPs gain the advanced clinical knowledge and skills to diagnose, manage and prescribe medications and other treatments for patients.
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How Important Is Accreditation
Attending an accredited nursing school opens many doors for students, since its often a gateway for students to study in federally funded and state entitlement programs. In fact, you cant apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid unless you attend an accredited school. Secondly, a degree from an accredited school and program allows a student to pursue further education at other accredited schools.
There are two agencies that accredit nursing programs:
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing : Accredits bachelors masters, and doctorate programs.
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education : Accredits bachelor and masters degree level programs.
While each agencys accreditation process differs, they both meet national standards.
What if My Program or School Isnt Accredited?
If youre thinking of attending a non-accredited but state board-approved school, there can be drawbacks.
While you can still take the NCLEX, your nursing profession may stall out if youre seeking additional education. Generally, education from a non-accredited school doesnt qualify students for acceptance at an accredited school. If youre thinking about a career as a nurse practitioner where an MSN is necessary, attending a non-accredited undergraduate school can limit your options in the future. Furthermore, employers might not consider you for employment with a degree from an unaccredited school.
Choose The Right Dnp Concentration For Your Dnp Degree
If obtaining a DNP degree is your preferred choice for meeting the NP graduate education requirement, it is important to understand how this compares with the MSN option already discussed.
The DNP is a post-BSN or post-MSN medical practice degree. This means that it includes advanced training in specific nursing skills and disciplines for use in the field. Some NPs with DNP degrees move on to health leadership roles. Others specialize in a specific area of focus, similar to NPs with an MSN. Since the DNP degree is recommended as the graduate degree for advanced nursing practice by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing , it can be a suitable option for nurses interested in advancing in their careers.
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Career Trends In The Nurse Practitioner Field
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for nurse practitioners and related occupations is expected to grow 31 percent from 2012 to 2022. Nurse practitioners may find more employment opportunities in areas of healthcare legislation, preventive care and healthcare services targeting the baby boomer population.
Some of the most in-demand career paths and specialties for nurse practitioners and related healthcare professionals in 2015 and beyond include:
Sources: payscale.combls.gov
How Are Nurse Practitioners Credentialed
States require different requirements for APRNs. In general, nurse practitioners need the following completed prior to practicing as a credentialed healthcare provider:
There are several licensing bodies for nurse practitioners. Each of these require periodic renewal similar to a registered nurse license. The licensing bodies for nurse practitioners include:
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Nurse Practitioner Licensure And Certification
NPs must earn and maintain two types of credentials: state licensure and national board certification. Candidates seeking board certification take an exam that tests their competency in her or his specialty area, and the certification and graduate education specialties must match. State nursing boards require national certification for NP licensure.
What Are The Education Requirements For A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Some graduate programs require nurses to gain a few years of clinical experience before enrollment. Some schools allow nurses to work concurrently during the program. Regardless, obtaining clinical experience in mental health is crucial as it prepares the future PMHNP to be able to address a multitude of psychiatric as well as medical concerns and situations.
Master’s degree programs require completion of general advanced-practice courses, as well as courses specific to the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner track. General advanced-practice courses include concepts such as:
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Pharmacology for advanced practice nurses
Depending on the school, the curriculum for PMHNP can vary, but core concepts include:
- Individual and family psychotherapy
- Psychiatric-mental health nursing across the lifespan
- Advanced assessment in psychiatric-mental health nursing
- Psychopharmacology
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Achieve State License And Certification
Every state requires that nurse practitioners be licensed. Since the Board of Nursing in each state governs the specific licensing requirements, it is important to know what the requirements are before starting your education and training. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing provides contact information for each state BON across the United States, where specific licensure requirements can be obtained.
In addition to RN licensure and a graduate degree from an accredited institution, NP candidates are typically required to have a certain number of supervised clinical hours. How much time will be needed to achieve licensure and certification? That will vary depending upon completion of eligibility requirement, the specific examination schedules of each certifying body, and the amount of time needed for a candidate to prepare for the certifying exam.
Get Your State Rn License
After youve passed the NCLEX, youll need to get approved by your states board of nursing. Each state has slightly different requirements for their nurses, so check your states department of health website for more information.
Once you get approved by your state and receive your nursing license, you can start working as a professional nurse.
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How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Practitioner
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The nurse practitioner role is one of the more influential positions in healthcare. These skilled and knowledgeable nurses are depended on to provide primary care to diverse patient populations, and can be found in hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, community health centers, government and even independent practices .
As such, many nursing students with ambitions of delivering and improving care at an advanced level strive to become a nurse practitioner. Yet the question on nearly all of their minds, and potentially yours as well, is, How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?
Its a fair question to ask. As advanced practice registered nurses , NPs must first satisfy education, experience, and state and national certification requirements before they can practice. The first essential step to becoming a nurse practitioner is to earn a graduate degree.
Completing a Master of Science in Nursing program will have to be factored into your timeline. Read on for more information on how to become a nurse practitioner, how to become a family nurse practitioner and the years to complete a graduate degree.
Nurse Practitioner Schooling Options
Accreditation is fundamental. There are a lot of accredited programs . The choices are many. Nurse practitioner programs may be cohort-based with lockstep progression or may be very flexible, with opportunities to adjust pacing.
While education can be very flexible, it can also place high demands for academic and professional maturity. In some cases, students will locate their own clinical sites and preceptors. A practicing nurse may be granted the opportunity to use his or her own workplace as a clinical site, provided that the clinical experience is separate from normal work experience and duties are appropriate for the course of study.
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Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
An acute care nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides care to patients with acute, chronic or critical conditions. Working in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team, ACNPs can provide care to adult or pediatric populations. They might work in an emergency room or short-term care facility. An acute care nurse practitioner is trained to make difficult, life-altering decisions that are in the best interest of patients, which can make it both a challenging and gratifying career path. Acute care nurse practitioner programs can be completed online, providing flexibility for working professionals.
Where Do Nps Work
Nurse practitioners are in high demand across America. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that nurse practitioner positions will grow 28% between 2018 and 2028, well above the national average for all occupations of 5%. According to the AANP, in 2019, there were 270,000 NPs nationwide a number thats grown from 171,000 in 2013 and 82,000 in 2001.
Given that NPs specialize in a number of care areas, they can find employment in numerous different settings, including, but not limited to:
- Hospitals and medical clinics
- Primary care private practices
- Community clinics
Overall, the median national salary for NPs in 2018, according to the BLS, was just more than $107,000. However, that figure could increase depending on the work setting, with the highest salaries for NPs available in state, local and private hospitals.
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What Is A Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are licensed clinicians who provide comprehensive care to patients. The best nurse practitioners are understanding and compassionate people who enjoy solving complex problems and helping others.
Nurse practitioners focus on preventative and holistic care, as well as treating acute and chronic conditions. Responsibilities vary depending on their area of practice. For example, a neonatal nurse practitioner works with neonatologists to treat newborns and infants, whereas a family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner works with patients of all ages who need mental health treatment.
In general, responsibilities of nurse practitioners may include:
- Providing primary and emergency care to patients
- Performing physical exams and recording patient medical histories
- Ordering and conducting diagnostic tests
- Developing appropriate patient treatment plans
- Prescribing and administering medications and treatments
- Evaluating the patients response to treatment plans and making adjustments as necessary
- Providing mental health counseling
- Educating patients on healthy lifestyle choices and how to prevent injury and disease
Aanp Is A Pearl Advancing Np Practice Education Advocacy Research And Leadership
As an NP, you become an advocate of wellness. You listen to and partner with your patients. You provide lifesaving care. AANP is here to support you every step of the way from your start as an NP student to your retirement. Now, join 119,000 in strengthening The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® by becoming an AANP member or renewing your membership.
No one represents you like AANP does. AANP is working hard in Washington, D.C., and across the nation, taking a stand for NPs and patients, raising awareness of the NP role and championing regulatory improvements to allow for direct access to NP care. Together, we can continue to help lawmakers increase their understanding of the core issues influencing NP practice.
AANP makes learning easier. AANP understands the challenges you face as an NP from staying on top of the latest research and treatments to meeting the demands of running a practice, earning continuing education credit and maintaining your certification. The AANP CE Center offers convenient access to hundreds of contact hours, made available completely free to members! Explore the AANP CE Center. Register for the 2021 AANP National Conference, where you can earn more than 100 contact hours of CE online, plus save $160 on your registration fees as an AANP NP member.
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Attend Nurse Practitioner School
You may choose to pursue a Master’s of Science in Nursing and/or a nursing doctoral program. To attend nurse practitioner school, you need a BSN and experience in the nursing field. Some programs offer RN to MSN bridge programs for those who have not yet received a BSN. Ask your program or school if this option is available to you.
Consider receiving your NP specialization in an area such as family or adult medicine. Only a few Dermatology NP degree and certificate programs exist in the United States, so choosing a related specialty can help you learn the basic skills needed to be a DNP with the option to learn more targeted skills later in your career.
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% Ncc Certification Exam Pass Rate
Our high-tech, learner-centered curriculum focuses on your development towards advanced nursing practice. You will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to manage acute chronic conditions, promote health, prevent disease, educate, and provide counseling services to individuals and families across the lifespan.
At the core of the curriculum is teamwork and collaboration, providing you with the opportunity to develop a peer network a valuable career resource.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible to sit for board certification as a family nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners . The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
The curriculum for the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program meets the requirements for national board certification and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
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What Are The Continuing Education Requirements For Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
After starting work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, you must renew your certification every five years. But before you can start the renewal process, youll have to prove that youre developing professionally and continuing education for psychiatric NPs can help you do that.
What you focus on is up to you, but there are some minimum requirements. First, you must complete a mandatory 75 hours of education in psychiatric nursing. At least 25 of those hours will be in pharmacotherapeutics, and at least 37.5 hours are expected to be formally approved continuing education hours.
Your continued studies must also be provided by one of several accepted agencies, including the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. In short: continuing education for psychiatric nurses is a fundamental part of the process, so make sure you do your research before you start studying!
Apart from continuing your education, renewing your certification requires you to finish one or more of the eight ANCC renewal categories in your chosen field. In practice, theres a broad scope here, from volunteering to completing academic research.
Popular Nurse Practitioner Courses
Courses vary among the best NP schools, but most programs require core and elective classes, along with clinical/practicum hours. Degree level and specialization will influence coursework.
An NP curriculum usually covers advanced health evaluation, nursing ethics, advanced pharmacology, and issues in healthcare policy. Below, we describe five common courses for nurse practitioner students.
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Next Steps To Become An Np
Nurse practitioners help patients in need of care. As an NP, you will have numerous options and opportunities to perform this rewarding work in the health care setting to which you feel called, whether that is teaching at a college or university, leading a department at a hospital, running clinical trials for a new life-saving drug, or working in public health to serve your community.
Learn more about how you can get your MSN through Point Loma Nazarene University. You can also contact PLNU for more information, or if you are ready, you can apply now.
Millions Of Americans Seek Out Nps For Their Health Care The Unique Ability Of Nps To Blend Clinical Excellence And Personalized Care With An Emphasis On Prevention Is A Key Reason Why Patients Choose Nps As It Turns Out Those Are Also Reasons Why More Individuals Are Choosing A Career As An Np
The NP community reflects the diversity of the U.S. representing a multitude of backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders and life experiences. NPs can be found in every health care setting: from private NP-owned practices to large, multistate health care systems in outpatient primary care offices and the intensive care unit and from small frontier communities to large urban cities. Building on the strength of that diversity and continuing to meet the needs of patients and our health care system will require a robust NP workforce.
Whether you are just beginning your NP education or are a seasoned professional in a different field who is considering becoming an NP, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® has the resources to help you plan for your future and join the ranks of over a quarter million NPs as we improve the health of our nation.
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