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How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Posted on September 24, 2022 by Allen Brown

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are health care providers that examine patients, prescribe medication and diagnostic tests, and treat ailments after diagnosing a condition.

NPs are very similar to a physician. However, as working nurses, they have a unique and special approach to patient care. Advanced studies such as this post master’s certificate nurse practitioner online for California students enable them to perform additional duties often expected of physicians.

The KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) estimated that nurse practitioners could provide around 80% to 90% similar care as physicians. If you are interested in becoming an NP, we’ll be examining how to start your career below:

What Is an NP?

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) that has a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Nurse practitioners can serve as primary care providers or specialized NP.

  • They have more authority as compared to a registered nurse
  • Handle similar responsibilities to that of a physician
  • They provide care for the elderly, children, and families
  • They ensure good patient health and develop plans to prevent diseases

Steps You Can Follow to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Even though the process is not complicated, ensuring you follow the proper steps will allow you to pursue your career tension-free:

Obtain the Correct Education

To become a nurse practitioner, you can enroll in an institute of your choice or complete a course online. Make sure to opt for an ADN or BSN program.

These are a Nursing Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Nursing Degree, respectively. This way, you will have the right knowledge of nursing, treatments, medicine, and prevention practices. 

Once you have a BSN degree, you need to enroll for a Nursing Science bachelor’s degree. You can opt for accelerated programs such as the RN-BSN if you have an ADN degree. These can also be easily completed online.You can also skip to an MSN Degree from an ADN degree without getting a Bachelor’s degree first.

Gain Experience

Most students opt for graduate programs without gathering experience first. However, it is a good idea to train under various medical doctors for a few years to gain a better understanding. Years of experience with the proper education make you more credible. It also enables you to land a good job as you launch your career. Some places also offer paid internships, so you may want to consider them to make money during training. You can train and study together if you are up for it. Online degrees and accelerated courses make this possible.

Take a Shortcut

If you wish to become a registered nurse or RN sooner, you can opt directly for a master’s degree. However, you need to ensure that you have a relevant bachelor’s degree before doing so. In case of a missing bachelor’s degree, you can opt for an RN-to-MSN program. Alternatively, this is also known as the ADN-to-MSN program (Nursing Associate Degree to Master’s).

If you still wish to continue learning after getting your master’s education, you can consider a DNP program (Doctor of Nursing Practice) or similar. These programs offer the highest level of education an RN can attain.

Earn NP Licensure

The requirements for NP licensure are different for each state and region. You must thoroughly research the rules based on your location. This may also vary if you wish to relocate or work in another region. Even though there is speculation that a National model for NP licensure is in the works, it still has not emerged. You must study state-by-state requirements and match them up with the program or syllabus you are going to choose.

Get a Job

Once you figure out and get the correct education to become a nurse practitioner, you can start applying for jobs straight away. With a degree and license in hand, you can reach out to clinics, and hospitals, work with a nurse recruiter or use online job boards to find a suitable post. Remember to mention your qualifications and any prior training experience in your resume. It is also a good idea to only apply to regions that will accept your NP license without any issues.

What Can Nurse Practitioners Specialize In?

Besides being registered general nurse practitioners, nurses can also opt to cater to a specific age or type of patient.Several nursing programs offer specialization courses to enable this. Catering to one particular set of patients also helps a nurse achieve clinical competency. These include:

  • Aesthetic nurse practitioner
  • Pediatric nurse practitioner
  • Neonatal nurse practitioner
  • Family nurse practitioner
  • Oncology nurse practitioner
  • Emergency nurse practitioner
  • Acute Care nurse practitioner
  • Women’s health nurse practitioner
  • Orthopedic nurse practitioner
  • Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner

What Is a Nurse Practitioner’s Salary?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics of May 2022, nurse practitioners earn a median average of $120,680 yearly. This is nearly double the average salary.

  • NPs make $30,000 more than RPs
  • Being an NP pays twice the amount earned by an LPN ($46,000 yearly).
  • NP salary can vary based on specialty, region, employment place, and total experience
  • Additional specializations allow NPs to earn even more than usual

Nursing is a stable career, but becoming a nurse practitioner adds even more job security. Nurse practitioner careers have been estimated to increase by 45% between 2020 and 2030. This is a lot faster compared to other careers. Due to a rise in the aging population, the next five years will see a greater demand for NPs, specifically in underserved departments.

Endnote

If you are hoping to become a nurse practitioner soon, you have made the right choice. The job roles are increasing rapidly, and higher salaries along with job security make this career enjoyable.

 

 

 




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