What Skills Does An Lnp Need
Because LPNS interact with RNs, doctors, patients and their families, it is important that they have solid communication skills and are able to effectively and compassionately convey important information. A good bedside manner is a part of providing care and putting patients at ease. The best LPNs have a genuine passion for caring for others.
As an LPN, you will also need to have strong organizational skills. Nursing is a demanding, fast-paced job where peoples health and well-being depends on your ability to manage information and multi-task. It can be easy to get frazzled and make simple mistakes if you dont have an organizational method in place.
Perhaps most importantly, you need to have a certain tolerance for blood, bodily fluids and all the different things you will see, touch and smell while dealing with the human body. Not everyone is cut out for dealing with these challenges and it is important to be aware if you have any limits.
Begin Your Journey Today
If you are looking for online nursing courses that can lead you towards a career as a nurse practitioner, then Stonebridge Associated Colleges can help. As one of the UKs leading distance learning providers, we offer a range of nationally recognised qualifications that help learners achieve their career goals.
If you want to kick-start your academic journey, or you want more information about nursing courses, UK learners should speak to one of our Course Executives on . Alternatively, you can contact us online or click below to find out more.
Eight Which Schools Have The Best Np Programs
There are numerous NP programs throughout the country, so our panel of nurses ranked them based on reputation, certification pass rate, cost, accreditation, and acceptance rates to determine that these are some of the best options out there. Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 NP programs are ranked in no particular order.
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Six Career Outlook For Lpns/lvns
One reason that becoming an LPN is an attractive career option is that the profession is forecasted to experience double-digit growth over the next few years. Some experts put the growth rate at as high as 25%.
That means that LPNs will be in demand and able to command higher salaries as healthcare facilities try to fill positions. This tremendous growth is due largely to an aging population that requires medical attention as they live longer, yet experience more chronic health problems.
For those who want to start building a fulfilling career without having to complete extensive schooling, becoming an LPN offers a practical solution.
Instead of acquiring lots of student loan debt, nurses can quickly complete a degree and start earning money. Once they begin working, they can choose to further their education and take on additional responsibilities in order to earn more money and have access to additional professional opportunities.
While there is a $20,000+ difference between the median starting pay of an LPN and an RN, some people find that working as an LPN is more fulfilling because they are able to interact with patients and their families and offer important care that provides comfort during vulnerable and stressful times.
History Of The Nurse Practitioner Role
The nurse practitioner profession is more than 50 years old. From its inception in 1965 to today, the role of nurse practitioner has transformed health care in the United States.
In 1965, the U.S. government expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage to include low-income women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. With such a large influx of people qualifying for health insurance coverage, the country did not have enough physicians to meet the needs of the population. The nurse practitioner profession began in response to this physician shortage, concentrated especially in rural areas.
In 1974, the American Nurses Association founded the Council of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, which helped legitimize the nurse practitioner role. Three years later, it began offering NP certification exams. Another professional organization, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners , was established in 1985 and began tracking the number of NPs in a national database.
In the 1990s, the number of nurse practitioners rose from about 40,000 in 1995 to 68,000 by 1999. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 made nurse practitioners eligible for direct reimbursement, and by 2000, nurse practitioners were able to legally practice in all 50 states.
Today, there are more than 325,000 licensed nurse practitioners in the United States, 69.7% of whom are certified in family care. The AANP continues to advocate for increasing the number of NPs and granting them full practice authority.
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Associate Degree In Nursing Requirements
NP programs for individuals with an associate degree in nursing typically require an RN license. While other admission requirements depend on the individual school, applicants are often required to hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Additional admissions materials may include GRE test scores, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a completed application, and a statement of purpose. Learners can also explore RN-to-NP bridge programs and ADN-to-NP bridge programs, allowing students to satisfy degree requirements at an accelerated pace.
Family Nurse Practitioner Work Hours
Family nurse practitioner work hours differ depending on the setting that the FNP works in. FNPs who work in private practice often have standard 9-5 work hours, Monday through Friday. Family nurse practitioners who work in retail or urgent care clinics may work later hours and/or weekends, while those who work in hospitals may have non-traditional hours.
FNPs who work in school settings adhere to typical school hours .
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The University Of Southern California
In order to train nurse practitioners to support patients across the lifetime, USC provides part-time and full-time online NP degree choices. USC assists in securing 748 clinical hours in addition to the 49 credits of live, online coursework that make up the programme.
The curriculum includes courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and community-based research. Two on-campus intensives are a requirement for the programme.
Programs: Master of science in nursing
Campus: Los Angeles, CA
Fulfill Safe Nursing Practice Requirements
One of the requirements to become registered as a NP in Ontario is to demonstrate safe nursing practice. This entails proving that you have been practicing nursing safely for at least two years of the past five years. At least one of those years must have consisted of you practicing in an advanced practice nursing role.
Your advanced practice nursing experience must include demonstration of the following advanced practice clinical competencies:
- Health assessment and diagnosis
- Health promotion
- Prevention of injury, illness and complications
Additionally, you must be able to provide an employer reference attesting to your fulfillment of the safe nursing practice hours requirement. This reference must include numeration of hours practiced, the safety of your practice, your role, a copy of your job description, and must meet the advanced practice competencies above.
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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.
Get Your Graduate Degree
You must complete an NP educational program that has been approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario Council before you may register in Ontario as an NP. These programs are at the graduate level and usually result in a masters degree or post-masters diploma/certificate. If you do not graduate from an approved program, you must be assessed by the Colleges Registration Committee.
If the NP program you graduate from is not Council-approved, the Registration Committee must assess your competencies. This process begins when you submit your application packet for registration as an NP in Ontario. The Committee will focus on your demonstration of knowledge of the NP Core Competencies as defined by the Canadian Nurses Association. Further information may be required from you as your application is evaluated, such as a resume, job description or a list of medical directives you have used.
Course Requirements
Because the College of Nurses of Ontario does not assess credentials, only competencies, course requirements for NP programs have not been specified. However, if you look at the NP core competencies, you can surmise that the following topics must be covered in any NP educational program. These competencies are common to all specialty certificates:
Prescriptive Authority
Specialization for NPs
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Are Online Programs Available
There are online programs available for nursing students at all levels, including students pursuing an MSN or a DNP. In many cases, youll take your classes online, then be placed at in-person, clinical locations in the community to get the hours you need. You might have the option to use on-campus resources like libraries, study groups, and more when you need them.
Nurse Practitioner Prerequisite Courses
A licensed RN will not generally need to demonstrate a lot in the way of specific coursework. It is generally assumed that these requirements were met at the pre-nursing or nursing level. The admissions department, though, may want to see coursework in statistics, completed in the relatively recent past. There are statistics courses designed specifically to address the needs of healthcare professionals. However, the student may be allowed to matriculate on the strength of other statistics coursework.
A career changer, on the other hand, may need to provide transcripts for a number of specific prerequisite courses . Typical requirements include the following:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Psychology
Having a strong anatomy and physiology background is crucial. The student will likely need a two semester sequence of anatomy and physiology or two discrete courses before matriculation advanced physiology and pathophysiology will be included in the NP course of study.
Grades are a factor, but this isnt medical school. The minimum GPA may be a 3.0. Weakness in one area is sometimes negated by strength in another. Whatever his or her background, the future nurse practitioner should be aware that the process is competitive. When assessing readiness for application, one may want to take into account the description of the typical admitted student, not just the minimums.
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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:
- Nurse Anesthetist
Sources: payscale.combls.gov
Qualities Of A Family Nurse Practitioner
Succeeding as a family nurse practitioner requires a unique set of skills and personal attributes. In addition to the hard skills obtained through education and certification, an FNP must possess soft skills like communication, active listening and empathy.
Common traits and skills possessed by successful FNPs include:
- Compassion
Learn more about the qualities of a successful nurse practitioner.
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Apply For Nurse Practitioner Licensure
This is the final step to getting licensed and beginning your nurse practitioner career. There are typically fees required to get licensed.
Research the nurse practitioner requirements for the state you want to work in so you can stay on track as you work toward licensure. Once you have your nurse practitioner license, its important to meet renewal requirements to stay active.
Information on this page was retrieved in August 2020.
Reach Greater Career Heights As An Np
No matter who you are, what education youve earned, or where youre working today, your career as a nurse practitioner is possible.
U.S. News and World report ranks nurse practitioner as the #1 best healthcare job and #2 best job overall in 2022, due to its high marks in terms of salary, job market, and future growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nurse practitioners is expected to rise 52% from 2020-2030, representing one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States.*
Walk this growing career path to advance your skills in nursing practice, compete for a higher salary, and take your career to the next level.
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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 :
- 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
What Is The Career Potential For A Nurse Practitioner
The career potential for a nurse practitioner is quite strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the nurse practitioner profession is expected to grow as much as 52% over the next 10 years. The median salary is $111,680 per year.
As part of your educational journey, you must choose a population that you wish to focus on, such as pediatrics, adult-gerontology, women, neonatal, psychiatric/mental health or family practice . If you decide to become an FNP, for example, you may work to assess patients, diagnose and treat illness, and providepatient education about medication and treatment plans to patients of all ages.
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What Is A Dnp Degree
Nurse practitioners who are interested in continuing to advance their careers may consider pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The DNP degree program is the highest degree level available for nurses and typically takes between two or three years to complete.
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Alternate Routes To Becoming An Np
There are four additional routes to becoming an NP that are worth noting. The first applies to bachelors program graduates who would like to enter the nursing field without having to repeat bachelors program general education requirements. These are students who have not yet trained for RN licensure and thus qualify for what are often called Accelerated BSN programs. An Accelerated BSN program provides students who have a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field with only the coursework and clinical training necessary to qualify for RN licensure. Once they earn their BSN and RN license, students can then pursue an MSN program for training in an NP specialty.
There are also Direct Entry MSN programs, which are similar to Accelerated BSN programs, but combine BSN and MSN training into one program. Students in these programs typically earn their BSN, become licensed as an RN, and then continue on through their MSN coursework. These programs, which require a non-nursing bachelor degree, often have strict admissions requirements as they are fast paced and academically challenging.
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Where Do Nurse Practitioners Work
Depending on their specialty area of care, skilled nurse practitioners can provide services to adults, children and families in a variety of medical settings in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These may include:
- Community clinics: serving individuals from the community who may have fewer resources or be uninsured.
- Hospitals: staffing emergency rooms, maternity wards, critical care units or another area depending on their specialization.
- Private practices: delivering family, pediatric and womens healthcare and providing personal attention to patients who a doctor may not have the time to attend to.
- Long-term care facilities: delivering geriatric, hospice and palliative care services.
- Health departments: working alongside government leaders in handling public health concerns.
- Schools: providing care onsite, as well as visiting classrooms and helping students understand various health care topics.
- Home health care agencies: caring for an in-home patient who requires intensive or specialty care.
- Mental health care facilities: overseeing patients in mental health centers, psychiatric facilities, correctional facilities and schools.