With the increasing demand for healthcare workers, now is a great time to pursue nursing. Learn about becoming a nurse practitioner, some common specialties, schooling, and their salaries in this article.
WHAT IS A NURSE PRACTITIONER?
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with an advanced degree, holding either a master’s or doctorate in nursing. The role of the nurse practitioner came to fruition in 1965 in Colorado, created by a nurse named Loretta Ford and a doctor, Henry Silver. The nurse practitioner program was created to bring more medical care to underprivileged areas. The scope of the job has been in an upward trajectory ever since, with the role expanding constantly.
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WHAT YOU'LL DO AS AN NP
What you’ll do as a nurse practitioner depends on what your area of specialty is. Generically speaking, you’ll be trained to diagnose and treat your patients’ illnesses, as well as relay important information to patients and family members. On any given day, you’ll be looking over patient medical records, performing physical exams, and ordering tests. Depending on the state you’re in, you may also be able to write prescriptions and act autonomously without the supervision of a physician.
Because laws for nurse practitioners vary by state, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners has three categories.
- Full practice: Full practice states allow nurse practitioners to diagnose, treat, test, prescribe, and manage patients all under the authority of the state board of nursing.
- Reduced practice: Reduced practice states limit the nurse practitioner’s scope of work, and you must collaborate with another healthcare provider in at least one facet of specialty.
- Restricted practice: In a restricted practice state such as Texas, California, and Florida, the nurse practitioner is completely supervised under a healthcare provider of the same specialty.
QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL NURSE PRACTITIONER
Going through the educational process toward becoming a nurse practitioner is a big deal, but it’s only one part of what makes a great NP. There are certain soft skills and personal qualities that will be effective in helping you excel in your career.
- Compassion: As a healthcare provider, you will be helping patients and families dealing with a wide range of illnesses. Part of your job is to guide and support them through their care.
- Communication: As an NP, you not only need to be a people person but also have great communication skills. You will be interacting with patients, their families, and other healthcare workers daily. Being an effective communicator is paramount.
- Ethical: Nurses of any type are expected to act a certain way. What will guide you best are your morals, principles, and desire to help others.
- Confidence: NPs have to know what they are doing. Of course, you'll have the support of your medical team backing you, but maintaining your confidence in front of your patients is essential.
- Adaptability: Long hours and crazy schedules are ahead when it comes to living the life of a nurse practitioner.
- Strong composure: Nurses come across many different cases throughout their careers. It’s important to have maintain your composure — even in difficult situations.
- Patience: You can have long, arduous days when you’re caring for patients. Taking the time to care for patients through each step of the process is crucial.
- Detail-oriented: You must be able to pay attention to every detail in regard to your patients and their care.
HOW TO BECOME A NURSE PRACTITIONER
No matter the nurse practitioner specialty you’ve decided to pursue, you’ll still have the same basic route to take:
- Graduate from high school with a bunch of science courses under your belt. Also, having volunteer experience from a hospital or other healthcare facility is recommended.
- Get your Bachelor’s of Science-Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited nursing program at the university or college of your choosing. You can also get an associate degree in nursing, but you will still have to get a bachelor’s degree to go onto your master’s program. Note: if you don’t graduate from an accredited program, you will not be allowed to sit for the RN certification. Which means you won’t be able to go on to become a nurse practitioner.
- Some classes you’ll take in your nursing program are:
- Understanding and applying nursing research: Learning basic research methodology as it applies to nursing
- Nursing roles: What is nursing and its process
- Intro to Pharmacological concepts: Finding out about and identifying all the major drug classifications, plus drug safety, precautions, interactions, and more
- Pathophysiology: How illnesses develop and spread
- Becoming a registered nurse is the first step you’ll take toward your goal of nurse practitioner. You’ll have to take and pass the NCLEx-RN. Once you do, you’ll work as an RN for 1-2 years before you can enter the graduate program.
- Go and get your Master’s of Science-Nursing. This is the absolute minimum of requirements for becoming a NP. This program prepares you for more in depth nursing roles and can take 1-4 years to complete. You’ll be ready to step into senior roles in hospitals, clinics, and other medical-related facilities by getting your master's. Courses in this program include:
- Application of Research to Practice: Readies you to step into leadership roles that are research-based
- Statistical Literacy: Establishes the foundation of nursing and ethics
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Hands-on learning in counselling, screening, and prevention as it relates to nursing and the communities
- Clinical Pharmacology: More in depth than the bachelor’s degree class of the same topic, focuses on groups of drugs and how they affect the body
- You’ll have to get a license to practice. All states require that of their nurse practitioners. You must have a master’s degree and a current RN license, plus pass the NCLEX exam in order to begin your education and training.
- From here, you can choose to train in one of the many areas of specialties (some are listed below).
Many courses can be done online and often through the hospital you’re training with. There are also hybrid programs which require your in-person attendance for certain classes.
SPECIALTIES AND SALARIES
There are so many different NP specialties, it can be hard to choose which one to go into. If you’re still struggling, there are a few questions you can ask yourself that can narrow down your options. Do you like working in or outpatient? What are the most available types of jobs open in your area? What population do you like working with: children, adults, families, psychiatric, etc.? How competitive is the job market in the areas of your choice? And which specialty aligns with where you see yourself in the future?
Some of the main NP specialties are:
- Urgent Care NP: Urgent care clinics are opening on every corner across the country, creating many positions for qualified nurse practitioners.
- Emergency Department NP: Nurse practitioners specializing in the emergency department will work in collaboration with a physician to assess the medical needs of patients admitted to the ER.
- Psychiatric NP: The role of a psychiatric nurse practitioner is to diagnose, examine, and help treat the psychiatric needs of patients. They may also prescribe medicine to patients as well.
- Hospital Based NP: Nurse practitioners based in the hospital care for the patients from admittance through to discharge.
- Women’s Health NP: Specializing in women's health, nurse practitioners will work to diagnose and treat the health care needs of women throughout their life, and provide preventative care too.
- Family Practice NP: In a family practice, nurse practitioners focus in the primary and specific care of patients of all ages.
- Cardiology NP: Nurse practitioners specializing in cardiology care for patients through ordering diagnostic testing and interpreting their results.
- Pain Management NP: Working in inpatient and outpatient settings, pain management nurse practitioners consult regarding their pain and condition and work to implement a treatment plan.
ASSOCIATIONS FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS
To keep up with trends, participate in continuing education, and have networking resources, many nurse practitioners join related professional organizations and associations. There are numerous organizations specifically for nurses, including nurse practitioners. Below are only a few of the many associations you could join.
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Founded in 1985, the AANP is the largest organization for NPs in all specialties.
- The National Organization of Nurse Practitioners Faculties: Founded in the mid-1970s, the NONPF helps to establish educational guidelines and curricula for NP programs.
- National Academy of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Established in 1973, NAPNAP has over 8,500 members, all pediatric nurses ranging from RNs to NPs.
- Doctors of Nursing Practice: DNP was founded in 2006 by a group of doctors of nursing students. It’s a not-for-profit organization that holds annual conferences for Doctors of Nursing Practice.
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association: The GAPNA began in 1981 with the intention of holding continuing education conferences.
- Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health: With the stated mission of ensuring the provision of quality primary and specialty healthcare to women everywhere, the NPWH was born in 1980.
YEARLY SALARY
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners made an average salary of $124,680 in 2022, with the top 10 percent averaging $165,240. Your pay may also vary depending on the industry you're employed in, as well as your location.
Highest Paying States in 2022
|
State |
Average Salary |
|
$158,130 |
|
|
$143,250 |
|
|
$138,700 |
|
|
$136,250 |
|
|
$136,230 |
JOB OUTLOOK
The job outlook for nurse practitioners between now and 2031 is strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for nurse practitioners is expected to increase 40 percent over the next decade, which is significantly faster than the national average.
As a nurse practitioner, you’ll be immersed in a career that can be as diverse as you’re willing to make it. Just like most other nursing careers, job satisfaction is high for most nurse practitioners. There’s nothing that beats helping people while remaining happy in your career choice!
References
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm#st
http://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/np-vs-rn
http://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/what-is-np
http://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/blog/np-associations-list