The Growing Need for Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners are qualified to handle a vast array of health-related issues, including the diagnosis and treatment of common minor illnesses and injuries. Besides providing a lower-cost alternative to seeing a doctor, they offer patients a number of benefits:

• Taking the patient's history, performing physical exams and ordering appropriate laboratory tests and procedures
• Diagnosing, treating and managing acute and chronic diseases
• Providing prescriptions and coordinating referrals
• Executing certain procedures, such as a bone marrow biopsy or lumbar puncture
• Teaming with physicians and other health professionals as needed
• Counseling and educating patients on self-care skills and treatment options
• Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic studies such as lab tests, x-rays and EKGs
• Prescribing physical therapy and other rehabilitation treatments
• Providing prenatal care and family planning services
• Providing well-child care, including screening and immunizations
• Providing health maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals

Because of the versatility of the profession, nurse practitioners can work in a wide variety of settings, including the following:

• Community clinics and health centers
• Health departments
• Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
• Home health care agencies
• Hospitals and hospital clinics
• Hospice centers
• Nurse practitioner offices
• Nursing homes
• Nursing schools
• Physician offices
• Private offices
• Public health departments
• School/college clinics
• Veterans Administration facilities
• Walk-in clinics

According to Salary.com's 2011 salary report, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners in the U.S. is $89,787. Of course, geography and experience also factor into NPs salary opportunities.

Nurse practitioners are required to be registered nurses, must graduate from an approved nurse practitioner program, and must have a master's degree before sitting for the national certification exam. They are also required to be re-certified every five years through nursing continuing education and training programs.

To be licensed as a nurse practitioner, you must first complete the education and training necessary to be a registered nurse. This education includes the following:

• An Associate's Degree in Nursing. These programs are offered by community and junior colleges and usually take two to three years.
• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing or completion of a diploma program. BSN programs are offered by colleges and universities and usually take four to five years; diploma programs are administered in hospitals and usually take two to three years.
• Direct patient care for acutely or chronically ill patients.

Laws specific to NP licensure vary greatly from state to state, but the current trend is for states to require master's degree educational preparation and national certification. National certification is offered through various nursing organizations, including the American Nurses' Association and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Most of these organizations require completion of an approved master's-level NP program prior to taking the certification exam. Re-certification involves proof of continuing education.