Many Registered Nurses are looking for a way to further their careers, and one way to accomplish this is through Nurse Practitioner Programs. In order to obtain this degree, a Registered Nurse will go back to school in order to get a Master of Science in Nursing, or sometimes even a doctorate in nursing specialization. A nurse practitioner will be able to receive training to advance their skills and deal with medical issues that tend to get more complex. They will be able to offer a diagnosis and begin treatment for the patient. In many cases, a NP will work as a substitute for an actual Doctor.

In the 1960’s there was a major shortage of qualified Doctors. This was especially true for neighborhoods that tended to have a lower level of income. At this point, nurses took it upon themselves to open up clinics where basic conditions could be treated. The nurses working at these clinics had the ability to prescribe medications and offer physicals to the patients who attended. They could additionally look into the medical history of their patients in order to more accurately determine the proper plan for treatment. This is how Nurse Practitioners first appeared on the scene.

The most common services provided by a Nurse Practitioner are prenatal care and family planning services, as well as general well-child care. This includes administering immunizations. However, there are certain regulations that differ from state to state regarding what a Nurse Practitioner is or isn’t allowed to do. There are also differences in the licensing requirements and what has to be done in order for a Nurse Practitioner to legally practice and become licensed in their particular state of residence.

Of course, there are some things that will be required no matter what state you live in. For example, everyone must have already acquired a Bachelor of Science and Nursing and successfully passed all examinations in order to even begin one of the Nurse Practitioner Programs. Additionally, many nurses will decide to get some hands-on experience in their field before they take the steps to go back to college to advance their skills with an additional Master’s Degree.

You should also be aware that once you have successfully completed all of the requirements in order to receive your advanced degree, it will be required that you pass a board examination. This examination will either be administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

You have several choices of graduate degree programs that will enable you to become a Nurse Practitioner. You don’t necessarily have to go back to the college where you received your initial nursing degree either. There is a huge selection of Universities that you could choose from to get the degree that you need. Many technical colleges offer such programs, and you can even choose to get your degree online. Nurse Practitioner programs are available to anyone who wishes to take their nursing career to a new level.

Author Bio: Nurse Practitioner Programs are extremely demanding and often difficult to complete! There is a huge demand for qualified medical professionals and you will definitely find something rewarding to do in your chosen niche.

Category: Education
Keywords: Nurse Practitioner Programs