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.
Types Of Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners can choose to work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient centers, or schools. Specific types of nurse practitioners include:
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Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner: This type of nurse practitioner works within a hospital, offering immediate care to injured or ill elderly patients.
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Certified registered nurse anesthetist: Anesthetists administer anesthesia to patients during medical procedures.
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Family nurse practitioners: One of the most common types of nurse practitioners. Family NPs provide primary care to people of all ages.
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Neonatal nurse practitioner: Neonatal nurse practitioners offer advanced care to newborns who are sick, injured, or born prematurely.
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Pediatric nurse practitioner: Pediatric nurse practitioners provide primary care to patients under the age of 21.
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Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner: These NPs offer primary mental health care to patients.
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Women’s health nurse practitioner: These NPs provide primary, acute, and OB/GYN care specifically to females.
Should I Become A Nurse Practitioner
Prospective nurse practitioners should evaluate whether the role matches their personal and professional goals. Experienced RNs with BSNs typically need to pursue an additional 2-4 years of education to acquire the necessary degrees and certifications. Nurse practitioners also carry more responsibility than RNs, which can cause stress.
With this increased responsibility comes higher pay. As of May 2020, the BLS reports a median annual salary of $75,330 per year for RNs, while APRNs earned $117,670. Over a 25-year career, that can translate to more than $1 million in additional earning potential at current rates.
Aspiring nurse practitioners must display high levels of drive and commitment to succeed. As such, becoming a nurse practitioner generally appeals to ambitious RNs seeking to advance to their professionâs highest level.
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What’s The Difference Between Fnp
Do Credentials Differ By State
All nurse practitioners must pass an exam that leads to a national certification. While credentials are awarded by a national organization, its important to note that licensing varies by state. At SNHU, we teach to the highest-level national standards, said Dr. Jequie Dixon, APRN, AGACNP-BC, clinical coordinator of MSN programs at SNHU.** That way, nurses who graduate from our nurse practitioner program have the knowledge and skills needed to begin a new career” and become nurse practitioners who are well-trained and ready to work.
Some states allow nurse practitioners to practice independently. Others require them to work under the oversight of a physician. Every state can set its standards for licensure in terms of clinical hours and type of training needed beyond the masters degree as well as for continuing education and national certification.
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Is A Doctorate Required To Become An Np
It is not a requirement that Nurse Practitioners earn a doctorate degree unless they are pursuing a CRNA certification.
As of January 2022, it will be required that all CRNA school applicants enter into a doctorate program, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. And in 2025, all CRNAs will need to have a doctorate in nurse anesthesia to enter the field.
Outside of working as a CRNA, however, NPs can have a masters-level education. There may also be additional educational requirements if you plan on working as an NP educator and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is often discussing the future possibility of transitioning all NP programs into doctoral-level programs, although there is not a final decision that has been made on that switch.
Plan Your Graduate Studies
After deciding to become a nurse practitioner, degree seekers can choose from several different paths to reach their end goal. In addition to deciding which degree type best fits with their existing education, students need to figure out if they want to specialize and, if so, which focus area appeals to them most. Lastly, learners need to decide which mode of learning best suits their place in life. Some may feel like campus-based programs provide the best path forward, while others really enjoy the flexibility and lower costs of online programs. Think you might enjoy a mix of the two? Look for hybrid programs that mix classes at the brick-and-mortar location with distance learning.
- The Master of Science in Nursing :MSN programs appeal to two types of NPs-in-training: those entering the field with an unrelated undergraduate degree and those moving straight from a BSN to an MSN. Students working as RNs with an ASN degree are not eligible for this path. These programs typically take two years. Review some of todays best .
- The RN to MSN bridge:RN to MSN programs appeal to learners who possess an ASN degree and work as RNs but do not qualify for MSN programs. These degrees also appeal to those who initially completed LPN training but then did an LPN-to-RN bridge program. These programs usually take three years of study. Get details on the .
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Find Your First Np Job
After earning an education, getting certified, and becoming licensed in your state, youve taken every step needed to qualify for jobs as a nurse practitioner.
The road to becoming a nurse practitioner navigates many challenges and obstacles. Nurse practitioner school demands fierce commitment, discipline, and a desire for learning.
On the other side you can discover an engaging, rewarding career helping people become healthier, happier, and better prepared to find their own path.
We exist to help you get there.
Explore Herzing Universitys nurse practitioner program options
Where Is The Best Place To Work As A Nurse Practitioner
The best place to work as an NP is dependent upon the nurse’s personal and professional goals. For those looking to maximize their pay, California, New York, and Texas offer the highest average annual salary. The top-paying industries include community food and housing and emergency and other relief services, or religious organizations.
For those looking for areas that have the highest demand, California, Texas, and Florida are projected to have the highest need for NPs over the course of the next decade.
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Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
In order to become a nurse practitioner, youll first need to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing . Earning your BSN prepares you for a career as a NP in a few ways.
First, like earning an associates degree in nursing, it will prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, which you must pass before you can become a registered nurse. You must be a registered nurse in order to become a nurse practitioner.
Second, as you will see below, becoming a nurse practitioner will require you to earn a graduate degree, and virtually all graduate nursing degrees will require you to hold a bachelors degree before you can enroll.
Of course, in some states you can become a registered nurse by only earning an associates degree in nursing. In these cases, you will need to complete your bachelors degree before enrolling in a graduate program. There are, however, many accelerated nursing programs that you can consider to make this process as quick as possible.
After becoming an RN, you can choose to work in the field as an RN for a time , or you can immediately continue your education to become a nurse practitioner.
Obtain A Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Once you have a year of experience, you can pursue certification as an advanced practice nurse . At Marquette University, we offer a number of certificate options, including:
- Acute care nurse practitioner certificate
- Primary care nurse practitioner certificate
- Adult-older adult clinical nurse specialist certificate
- Nurse-midwife certificate
- Systems leadership and healthcare quality certificate
Typically, certificate programs require about 13 credits of graduate coursework , though this and the time it takes to earn a certificate vary from school to school. In addition, you will need to complete a preceptorship in which you work under the direction of a nurse practitioner in a clinical setting. Typically, students are responsible for lining up their own preceptorships however, some, like , take care of finding preceptors for you.
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Four How To Become A Family Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner requires a commitment of time and resources, taking 8 to 10 years for many nurses, but it is an investment in your future that will reward you in many different ways. Though the path to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner can vary depending upon whether you choose to pursue your degree full time or part-time, in person or online, for most people the journey will follow these steps:
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
Primary care pediatric nurse practitioners provide ongoing health care support to children and their families to help them maintain optimal health and development. Their responsibilities include conducting health assessments, developing patient care strategies, helping patients manage chronic illnesses, diagnosing illnesses, conducting tests, and prescribing medications.
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Enroll In A Nursing Graduate Program
Currently, a master of science in nursing comprises the minimum educational requirement to become an NP. However, there are many advantages to pursuing a doctor of nursing practice . These include adapting to a possible shift to the DNP as the minimum NP degree, higher earning potential, and increased job opportunities.
MSN programs last 1-2 years, and DNPs take 3-6 years to complete. Both degree tracks require students to focus on a population specialty.
Three Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Salary
In addition to being a great career, you also have the ability to earn a high salary as an Aesthetic NP. The BLS reports that Nurse Practitioners earn an average annual salary of $117,670 as of May 2020. While they don’t have specific salaries for Aesthetic NPs, according to Payscale.com, the average national salary for an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner is $85,360 or $47.92 per hour.
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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
Requirements: What You Need To Know Before You Begin
There are many different pathways to becoming a nurse practitioner with several different entry points depending on where you are in your career right now. To practice as a nurse practitioner, you must earn:
- A Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Board certification
- Licensure in your state of practice
Well teach you what you need to do to meet these requirements.
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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
Are The Steps To Becoming A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Worth Taking
This job is best suited for career-driven nurses who prefer clinical nursing roles and working with children. Pediatric NP positions typically involve working in health care facilities, such as hospitals and private practices. These nurses take pride in providing care to the most vulnerable of patients children and their services are in demand. Family and pediatric physicians are in short supply, especially in rural areas, so nurse practitioners who can provide medical care for children in these underserved areas are needed, the Washington Post reports. In fact, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, infant mortality rates in rural areas are higher than in urban areas where children have more access to health care providers. A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a correlation between access to health care providers and childrens physical and mental health and development. Pediatric nurse practitioners who work in these areas as primary care providers have opportunities to improve childrens health and save lives. Because NPs are young peoples first point of contact in health care, they can prevent illness and refer pediatric patients to mental health care providers so they can receive the care they need.
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Find The Program That Works For You And Your Schedule
Yes, you can get your nurse practitioner degree online! Both the Accelerated RN to FNP and MSN FNP program for BSN holders at Herzing are delivered online and therefore allows working nurses the ability to manage their coursework without disrupting their current work responsibilities.
Are you ready to start focusing on your long-term career goals? If so, you should know it’s possible to become a family nurse practitioner in as few as 20 months. Herzings curriculum is based on a five-semester calendar for full-time students. Your situation may vary based on transfer credits and whether you choose a full or part-time schedule.
One significant advantage of choosing Herzing is that our program has six start dates throughout the year, ensuring you can start soon, but allowing enough time to make any necessary adjustments to your personal and work schedules to accommodate your studies.
What To Expect On A Day
Post nurse practitioners work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including physicians offices, hospitals and outpatient care centers.6 Nurse practitioners working in administrative or clinical areas tend to have a routine Monday through Friday work schedule. Those working in hospitals have varying day, evening and weekend scheduling, and may work in shifts to provide patients with round-the-clock care.2
A nurse practitioners or other ARPNs primary job duties may include taking patient history, performing physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, diagnosing health problems, and giving patients medicine. They may also be responsible for evaluating a patients response to treatments, consulting with doctors and healthcare professionals, counseling patients and families on managing illnesses or injuries, and conducting research.1
The daily activities of nurse practitioners can vary depending on their specialty job description. However, what remains constant is a nurse practitioners ability to specialize in providing individualized, all-encompassing care.2
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Nurse Practitioner Basics: A Few Things To Know
Usual responsibilities for NPs include:
- Managing the overall care of clients
- Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, including lab work and x-rays
- Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and injuries
- Prescribing medications and other treatments
- Counseling
- Educating clients on disease prevention, health, and lifestyle choices
NPs can work in any healthcare setting. Depending on the area of specialization, NPs might work in hospitals, clinics, physician practices, hospice services, nursing homes, or public health. In some states, NPs can also open their own practices.
Job growth for NPs is outstanding. The need for NPs is expected to increase by 26% through 2028. The outlook for RNs is 12%, which is still significantly better than the average outlook of 7% for all occupations. Salaries for PNs are higher than for RNs, too. Although salaries vary by location, experience, and other factors, the national PN average is $105,546 per year, compared to $71,730 for RNs.