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Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses (RNs) who have received master's-level education and clinical training in a particular area, such as acute care, oncology, community health, pediatrics or psychiatric health. As advanced practice (AP) nurses, NPs take an integrative approach, focusing on holistic, preventive care tailored to each individual patient's needs. NPs were originally designed as "physician extenders" to provide primary care to improve the health of children. But since today's NPs tailor their care to individual patient needs, they are now able to offer a more skilled nursing approach—rather than just substituting for a physician.  Nurse Practitioner Career Overview Like physicians, nurse practitioners are responsible for the overall management of a patient's treatment regimen. From diagnosing and treating patient conditions to ordering tests and procedures to writing prescriptions and counseling patients, NPs provide extensive patient services. Because they maintain such a strong focus on promoting health and preventing disease, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) refers to NPs as true "Partners in Health." You will find NPs practicing in a variety of health care settings, including clinics, hospitals, schools, public health departments, emergency rooms and private practice. Nurse Practitioner Career Outlook A 2009 AANP report indicates that 125,000 NPs practice in the U.S., with nearly half of those nurses working in family practice. Other popular specialties for practicing NPs are adult care, pediatrics and women's health. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that RN employment would grow 23 percent through 2016. And the AANP finds that the solid reputation NPs have built for delivering high-quality, personalized care translates to strong job opportunities. But with 88 percent of NPs holding advanced degrees and 92 percent nationally certified, competing for the best career opportunities will usually require aspiring NPs to earn the necessary educational and professional credentials. Nurse Practitioner Salary According to 2008 data from the AANP, NPs across all specialties earn an average base salary of $84,250. Total average income for full-time NPs is $92,100. And PayScale.com shows that some of the NP specialties (and sub-specialties) that pay the highest include OR, ER, case management, intensive care, acute care, surgery and geriatrics. Nurse Practitioners Deliver High-Quality, Cost-Effective Care Between the ongoing nursing shortage and the cost-effectiveness that NPs bring to health care, the future for nurse practitioners looks as bright as it could be. If a nurse practitioner career interests you, learn more about your advanced nursing education options. Then find the nursing school that offers the right training program for you.  Sources:
AANP.org, 2009
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009
PayScale.com, 2009 |
