Join the demanding, rewarding, and high paying career in the health care field as a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners work independently of doctors and are responsible for all areas of patient care, yet don’t have the years of education and training required of physicians. They receive the same education and training a registered nurse does, but then further their education and obtain a master’s degree. Nurse practitioners can perform many of the same functions and tasks as physicians, including writing out medical prescriptions. Registered nurses cannot.

Nurse practitioners are in high demand, especially in areas that need experienced health care professionals but a physician is not available or not financially practical. Many clinics and hospitals hire nurse practitioners. A plus for patients, nurse practitioners are readily available while you may have to wait weeks to see a physician because the of the physician’s patient load.

Nurse practitioners see and treat variety of patient needs. They can treat mental and physical conditions, and patients of all ages. The job may include providing physical exams and well-child checks and immunizations, assisting physicians in minor procedures and surgeries, prenatal care services, diagnosing and treating chronic illnesses and diseases, prescribing medications and counseling patients.

Nurse practitioners can work in a number of healthcare facilities. They are found in community clinics, urgent care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, private medical practices and hospice care. Having the experience, compassion and bedside manner of a registered nurse gives an excellent vantage point to the nurse practitioner as far as seeing and treating patients. In patient care, they serve an important role. They have more training in personal skills like counseling and bedside manner than do physicians. This helps focus on patient-centered care-more about the patient and less about procedures.

To become a nurse practitioner you first need to become a certified registered nurse. This is usually done through a bachelor’s program at a college or university. Then you will need to complete a Master’s of Science Degree in nursing. This is typically a two year program that expands on treatment and management of patient care. Courses of study will include advanced anatomy, medical ethics and law, diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses and ailments, and pharmacology. These will enhance the education and experience of a registered nurse.

During the master’s degree program, you will choose a specialty such as gynecology, pediatrics, cardiology, family practice, or mental health. This will focus and apply your studies to the field that you are most interested in. Graduate students will spend a lot working with doctors and experienced nurse practitioners in the hospital or medical clinic setting gaining valuable real-life experience.

After you complete the master’s degree program, you must take and pass a state licensing exam to become a licensed nurse practitioner. There are also national certifications and accreditations you may receive to go with your state certificate.

The profession of nurse practitioner was created in 1965 when the creation of Medicare brought a need for primary-care providers. In the healthcare world today, where the focus is shifting on prevention and wellness, but physicians are not choosing to be primary care providers, nurse practitioners are filling in the gap.

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Category: Career
Keywords: nurse practitioners,nurse practitioner,registered nurse