What is Nurse Practitioner| How to Become Nurse Practitioner,5 Steps

What is nurse practitioner?

Nurse practitioners work primarily in hospitals and clinics, occupying leadership roles in the delivery and coordination of primary and emergency care.  regular RNs, NPs authorise to diagnose conditions and write prescriptions. They may also order and review the results of medical tests and They also provide care for patients with long-term or complicated illnesses and medical conditions, in addition to participating in research initiatives. 

salary for nurse practitioner

2020 Median Pay$117,670 per year
$56.57 per hour
Typical Entry-Level EducationMaster’s degree
Job Outlook2019-29 45% (Much faster than average)
Sources

how to become a nurse practitioner

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners cites two key educational requirements for NP.

  • candidate must have at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to enter the graduate-level NP school.
  • candidates must complete a general or specialized master’s degree in nursing science (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree because MSN is the minimum education needed to qualify for the np license.

Note-  Nurses with an RN credential may opt for an RN-to-BSN “bridge” program, which could take more or less time depending on whether students continue to work as they progress toward their degree. 

Steps to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

there are 5 steps for becoming a nurse practitioner

  • Obtain the RN license:- Registered nurses obtain the initial license by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Candidates must have at least an associate degree in nursing to take the exam. However, some states are moving toward requiring RNs to have at least one BSN.
  • Gain experience in RN:- Those who start their RN careers with an associate’s degree can improve their employment prospects by gaining experience.
  • Upgrade to a BSN title:-Registered nurses who entered the profession with an associate’s degree must upgrade to a BSN to qualify requirements of the practising nursing school.
  • Complete a graduate degree in nursing:- Nurse practitioner education includes an MSN or DNP degree.
  • Get certifications and NP licensing:-  To pass the np license exam for an aspiring nurse, it is necessary to have a certification, the requirement of which may vary from state to state. After passing the Nurse Practitioner Exam, you qualify to work as a Nurse Practitioner.

Nurse practitioner types

11 Most common types of a nurse practitioners are below

 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Those who wish to work primarily with children, from childhood to adolescence, can choose this study. This Courses may include. pediatric primary care, child development. psychopharmacology.

Students may need to complete  620 clinical hours in pediatric primary care and will take core courses in advanced physiology, pharmacology, and pediatric care.

The National Average Salary for pediatric nurse practitioners is about  $121,659 per year.

 The role of pediatric nurse practitioners is treating children from infancy to the time they become adults. offering care ranging from well checkups and immunizations to diagnosing diseases and treating chronic and acute conditions of children’s.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner  

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide care to patients in hospital. Acute care NPs see patients when they are sick, admitted to the hospital, or after a surgical procedure or trauma.

The National Average Salary for Acute Care Nurse practitioners is about  $110,076 per year. 

Family Nurse Practitioner

People who are interested in serving primarily families, younger children, and women can choose this type of study. Courses may include theoretical and the application of nursing care principles specifically for families and pediatric primary care. aspirants need to complete up to 700 clinical hours along with courses covering key topics such as primary care for adolescents and adults, pediatric primary care, and advanced physiology etc. 

The National Average Salary for Family nurse practitioners is about  $101,361 per year.

The role of Family nurse practitioners is

provides primary health care services for individuals and families throughout life.  Family nurse practitioners provide family-centred care. They help patients by diagnosing and treating acute and chronic diseases from childhood to adulthood. They also perform and review diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and treatment plans, and consult with patients and their families. 

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

People who want to work with older patients can pursue this speciality, as well as the acute care of adult and elderly patients. Students may need to complete up to 700 clinical hours with a number of courses focused on pharmacology, health assessments, public policy in health care, and physiology. 

 Adult gerontology nurse practitioners specialize in adult care from adolescence to geriatric care and They also work with patients and their caregivers in the management of chronic conditions, illnesses, and other health conditions.

The National Average Salary for an Adult gerontology nurse is about  $90,102 per year.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal patients need very specialized care. aspirants nurses must complete extensive clinical work and speciality courses in advanced pediatric health, pharmacology, and nursing care for high-risk newborns. Students usually complete up to 1000 clinical hours. This is one of the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialities in the United States. 

The National Average Salary for neonatal nurse practitioners is about  $124,726  per year.

The role of Neonatal nurse practitioners is Neonatal nurse practitioners care for premature and sick newborns, including diagnosis, provision of treatment plans, and prescription of medications.  

Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner focuses on the care and treatment of patients suffering from musculoskeletal system problems. These may include diseases or injuries to the bones, muscles, joints, and supporting connective tissue.  

The National Average Salary for orthopedic Nurse Practitioners is about  $100,035 per year. 

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Students interested in serving as mental health, that nurse practitioners can complete advanced courses in areas of mental health disorders and psychiatric nursing practice. Psychiatric nurse practitioners specialize in the mental health needs of adults, children, families, groups, or communities. They can also help people deal with different psychiatric disorders and illnesses and can also help people with substance abuse disorders.  

The National Average Salary for psychiatric nurse practitioners is about  $115,068  per year.

The role of the psychiatric nurse is:- Psychiatric nurse practitioners, evaluate patients to diagnose mental illness, assist in treatment planning, and prescribe medication. They also work to educate patients and their families members about their mental illness diagnosis and treatment.  

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

A women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) specializes in the comprehensive care of women throughout life.

The role of Family nurse practitioners is:- WHNP  focus on reproductive, obstetric, and gynaecological health and typically work in a primary care office setting, rather than in a hospital or delivery room. 

Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner

The National Average Salary for Family nurse practitioners is about  $113,840 per year. 

The role of emergency nurse practitioners is:- Emergency nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and manage injuries and illnesses that need urgent care. They can work with or without supervision, determining which patients need the most immediate care, making decisions about treatment, monitoring patient conditions, and providing health education.

Oncology Nurse Practitioner

The National Average Salary for Oncology Nurse practitioners is about  $108,840 per year. 

The role of emergency nurse practitioners is:- An oncology nurse practitioner provides comprehensive care to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and collaborate with other health care providers, including doctors, to develop treatment plans for cancer patients.  

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners specialize in cosmetic medical procedures that improve the appearance of their patients. They access patients, advise them on a variety of procedures, perform those procedures, and care for them as they recover.  With this greater responsibility, Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner comes to a higher salary. According to  2020, the BLS reports 2020 an average annual salary of $75,330 for RNs, while APRNs earned $117,670.

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