Three Nurse Practitioner Specialties
In addition to being a general nurse practitioner, NPs can also specialize in a specific population. They will often attend a nursing program that allows them to specialize in this area and obtain clinical competency. If they choose a specialization, they’ll also need to become certified in the specific specialty area.
What Degrees Do I Need
Before you pursue a masters or doctoral degree, youll need an RN-level nursing degree. You can apply to an MSN program if you already have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing . You can also apply to special MSN programs known as bridge programs if you have an Associate Degree in Nursing . In either case, youll need to meet the requirements of your desired MSN program. In many cases, this means youll need to have an active RN license in good standing. Some programs will also ask that you have some professional experience working as an RN.
Start Your Path To Becoming A Nurse Practitioner
If youre interested in becoming a nurse practitioner without a nursing degree, your first step should be to attain a BSN. And the ABSN program at CSP can get you there in as few as 16 months. Reach out to us today, and well have a dedicated admissions counselor contact you right away. Theyll be able to determine your eligibility for our accelerated nursing program. And theyll work with you to develop a personalized academic plan to meet any outstanding prerequisite requirements. Your counselor will also assist you throughout the admissions process, ensuring that you dont miss any important steps.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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How Much Will An Np Degree Cost
Tuition at nurse practitioner schools varies significantly depending on factors. Degree level , type of college , residency status , and program length all affect cost. Other considerations include school prestige, program format , and credit requirements.
Nurse practitioner candidates may pay around $30,000-$98,000 in tuition to earn their degrees. Attending a public university and paying in-state tuition typically offers a more affordable option than enrolling in a private institution and paying out-of-state tuition.
Prospective students need to consider other costs they may incur during their studies, including housing, travel, books, and tech-related expenses. Financing options for nurse practitioner degrees include scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans. Nursing majors can also pursue student loan forgiveness programs.
For The High Schooler Or Graduate
Lets say you are not a nurse and not yet in nursing school. It may seem like a far-off goal to become an NP, but taking a stepwise approach will break your long-term goal into smaller, more attainable ones.
Here are your basic steps to take:
- Finish high school and graduate
- Apply to nursing schools
- You will need to decide whether you want to pursue a 4-year Bachelors degree in a traditional college setting. Alternatively, you can go to a community college nursing program that will give you an Associate degree or certificate. You will eventually need a BSN to apply to NP schools, and this can be done online once you complete your RN program.
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Earn Your Degree From Bradley
The road to becoming a nurse practitioner may be a multiyear and multistep process, but it can also be rewarding. NPs are depended on to deliver high-quality care, provide leadership, educate patients and their families, and coordinate with other stakeholders as autonomous care professionals. Financially, NPs also stand to earn a higher salary as APRNs.
When assessing the steps you need to take to become an NP, depending on where you are in your career, consider Bradley for your graduate education. As mentioned, nurses with a BSN can enter the MSN-FNP or DNP-FNP program, while those with an MSN can enter the DNP leadership track, and those with an ADN, nursing diploma or non-nursing bachelors can enter the RN-MSN-FNP program. Another way to prepare for becoming a nurse practitioner is an FNP certificate with an MSN entry, like the type Bradley offers.
Overall, there are many education decisions to make on the path to becoming an NP. Choosing the best degree programs for your needs is essential. Bradleys nursing programs are offered online and allow students to pick their own approved site supervisors. Want to learn more about the MSN-FNP program or another track? Contact an enrollment advisor today.
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Doctorate Degrees In Nursing
The DNP degree program is a practice doctorate, which means graduates focus on using research and findings to influence their practice. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has proposed that this degree be the requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015.
At this level, students measure outcomes of various clinical initiatives on patient groups and populations, and learn critical skills to focus their research and reporting efforts on ways to improve healthcare systems and care delivery. Completing a doctoral program prepares students to serve as leaders in the healthcare setting by providing scientific, research-based knowledge to healthcare providers, researchers, and community leaders.
Understanding the distinction between a DNP degree program and a Ph.D. in nursing is important. While a DNP focuses on practical application of nursing practice theories and research, a PhD in Nursing prepares students for scholarly research to advance the field.
| DNP |
|---|
| Completion and defense of a dissertation |
Doctoral Level Skills
Practice-Oriented Leadership
DNP degree programs are designed for nursing executives. It provides a h5 focus on developing leadership skills for clinical practice. Students learn how to influence and manage teams to reach a common goal, how to motivate groups, and how to share and communicate research data effectively.
Advanced Research Methods
Translating Evidence-Based Care into Practice
Team-Based Collaboration
Organizational Leadership
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So What Are My Other Options
There are many potential pathways besides direct-entry programs current non-nurses can pursue to become a nurse practitioner. We offer a wide variety of options for students new to nursing who are ready to take big steps down a new career pathand many online nurse practitioner programs to help you choose your unique educational pathway.
- Earn an Associate of Science in Nursing and become an RN. Hit the ground running and earn a nursing degree in as few as 20 months in an associate degree program.
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and become an RN. Earning a BSN can take more time, but there are many potential benefits, including qualifying for jobs, greater opportunity for specialization, and higher potential salary. We now offer an online BSN program for non-nurses, available in select U.S. states.
- Additional bridge options for Paramedics/Emergency Medical Technicians , Cardiovascular Technicians and Respiratory Therapists . Current practicing paramedics/EMTs, CVTs and RTs may be eligible to enroll in our Bridge to ASN or Bridge to BSN programs and earn their nursing degree faster.
Once youve earned an undergraduate nursing degree, you can potentially begin working towards an online masters degree in an NP specialty, including:
Cardiac Nurse Practitioner Overview
The cardiology nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse . In this position, the cardiac NP cares for patients with heart conditions. They perform in-depth physical examinations and orders and interpret diagnostic testing.
The cardiology NP also prescribes and monitors medications to treat heart conditions. In addition to traditional medical care, the nurse practitioner will counsel patients on lifestyle changes that have an impact on heart health. Since heart patients may have other medical conditions, the cardiac NP may also collaborate and consult with other healthcare practitioners to ensure the best possible care for their patients.
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, most cardiac NPs work in hospital inpatient units and outpatient clinics. The National Council on Aging reports that heart conditions comprise four of the top ten most common chronic health conditions in adults over 65 years.
Cardiac nurse practitioners must be adept at IV insertion, EKG interpretation, crisis management, communication, interpreting 2D echocardiograms, and understanding cardiac procedures. Clinical environments vary between employers. However, in a hospital setting, the cardiac NP may work under high-pressure situations and spend significant time in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Cardiac NPs may also work in the cardiac “step-down” unit or outpatient cardiac rehabilitation clinic.
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Youll Have A Real Impact
Few career paths allow you to positively impact peoples lives. As an NP, youll care for people at their most vulnerable. Youll be instrumental in improving and sometimes saving the lives of your patients. With your advanced clinical training and practice, youll be given the authority to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, provide evidence-based preventive education and even prescribe medications .
Did you know? Care by nurse practitioners is correlated with better patient outcomes. Choosing an NP for care leads to higher patient satisfaction, increased health counseling, more emphasis on prevention, better provider-patient communication, improved follow-up, fewer visits to the emergency department and increased time spent with patients. States that allow NPs full practice authority see fewer hospitalizations and better outcomes for Medicare and Medicaid patients, which is especially important for our aging population .
Complete Your Graduate Education
In order to become a nurse practitioner, you will need to complete an accredited, graduate-level nursing degree. The two options you can choose from include your Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice .
Which degree is right for you will depend on a number of factors, including where you wish to work and the role you want to play.
In some states, it is possible to work as a nurse practitioner after earning your MSN. Increasingly, however, states are requiring NPs earn their DNP in order to practice.
In general, earning an MSN prepares students for direct clinical practice and patient care. A DNP, on the other hand, will often focus on research, education, and healthcare policy in addition to clinical practice. For this reason, even if you can become an NP in your state with just earning an MSN, if your end goal is to take on a position of leadership then earning a DNP may be the better option for you.
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Earn Specialty Certification And Np Licensure
NPs become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses . While some licensing criteria may vary by state, all states require a passing score on a national board certification examination in the applicant’s specialty area, such as critical care, family nurse practitioner, pediatrics, or women’s health. Administered by accredited certifying organizations, the rigorous exams test general advanced practice nursing competency and specialty population knowledge. Candidates can only register for exams in the areas in which they earned their degrees.
Securing National Board Certification
The penultimate step to becoming a nurse practitioner is being certified by a national board. Certification is the process by which a non-governmental body attests to a nurses ability to meet qualification standards for practice. There are multiple certifications for NPs, as well as multiple certifying boards, which can make the overall process difficult to understand.
As identified by the AANP, the most-recognized NP types of certification are :
- Family
- Gerontology
The major certifying bodies are listed below:
- The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board : Family Nurse Practitioner Certification , Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification and Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification Program: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification , Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification , Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification , Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification , Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification , Advanced Diabetes Management Certification , Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification , Family Nurse Practitioner Certification , Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certification , Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification , Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification , School Nurse Practitioner Certification
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Five What Is The Career Outlook For Emergency Nurse Practitioners
Amidst the continued national nursing shortage, emergency departments are at the top of the list for having the most critical and enduring need for highly skilled nursing professionals.
The growing demand for emergency room services has made emergency advanced practice nurses even more valuable. This is particularly true in rural communities where the national physician shortage has left many towns without a doctor to provide this essential function and has opened opportunities for emergency nurse practitioners to establish themselves as local leaders in urgent care.
What Certification And Licensing Will I Need
Once youve earned your MSN or DNP in a nurse practitioner-focused program, youre ready to take your certification exam and become certified. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center both offer nationally recognized certification exams for NPs. Your specialization will dictate which organization you can be certified by, although there is some overlap within a few specialties. There are additional certifying agenciessuch as the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board , the National Certification Corporation , and othersthat offer certification to NPs who subspecialize.
Once youve been certified, youll be able to pursue a NP license in your state. NPs must renew their certification and state licenses periodically, typically by completing continuing education courses and fulfilling other requirements.
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Nurse Practitioner Job Opportunities And Outlook
U.S. News & World Report ranks the nurse practitioner profession as #4 in its 2020 Best Healthcare Jobs list, highlighting the projected employment growth for this career.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for nurse practitioners was $107,030 in 2018. Employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 28.2 percent from 2018 to 2028, with an estimated 53,300 jobs added during that period. The BLS ranks this as the ninth fastest-growing profession.
Nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings, the most common being physicians offices. They also work in general medical and surgical hospitals, outpatient care centers, clinics, and offices of other health practitioners.
Education And Training Requirements To Become A Nurse Practitioner
As noted previously, an MSN degree is the minimum requirement to become a nurse practitioner. However, some candidates choose to pursue a DNP, either as the initial path to meeting the educational and training requirements to become an NP or as additional education beyond the MSN. Both are popular options to meet NP education requirements, with many MSN programs available and the number of DNP programs growing.
When you are researching MSN programs, it is important to find one that offers your preferred area of focus. To determine the right specialty for you, consider the following tips:
- Gain clinical experience to help you determine which area may be a good fit.
- Understand the education and certification requirements for the specialty you desire.
- Research salary and work settings for various specialty areas.
- Talk to NPs who work in various specialties to better understand their roles.
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Two What Do Nurse Practitioners Do
NPs are health care providers that can prescribe medication, examine patients, order diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses, and provide treatment, much like physicians do.
Their experience as working nurses gives them a unique approach to patient care, while their advanced studies qualify them to take on additional duties that are usually left to physicians.
In fact, as reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation , its estimated that NPs can provide 80-90 percent of the care that primary care physicians offer.
Advantages Of Being A Surgical Nursing Practitioner
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Stony Brook University Stony Brook Ny
To become a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner, students can get a 45-credit Master of Science in Nursing degree at Stony Brook University.
In this course, students will learn how to identify health risks, assess and diagnose acute and chronic disorders that are frequent in primary care, and promote, maintain, supervise, and restore health.
There are specific on-campus prerequisites for this program, which is primarily online-based. As a nurse practitioners, graduates of this program will be qualified for licensure and registration and National Certification as a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
Clinical pharmacology, pediatric pathophysiology, healthcare reform and advocacy, and leadership and role change are just a few examples of the courses offered.
The curriculum has 45 credits and lasts for 5-6 semesters. The in-state tuition rate is $471 per credit, while the out-of-state rate is $963. . This program is accredited by both MSCHE and CCNE.
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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