The health care industry is composed of many professionals, each with their own titles and job specifications. One of them is a nurse practitioner – a registered nurse who gained higher a higher level of education such as a Master’s or Doctorate Degree.

Nurse practitioners are deemed by many job analysts as the health care sector’s answer to the ever-growing shortage of licensed physicians. NPs as nurse practitioners are commonly called are generally referred to as physician extenders because of some similarities of their works to the works of licensed physicians.

NPs are steps ahead to other classifications of nurses such as LVNs and nursing assistants. NPs can perform all the job duties of other nurses while being able to perform some of the jobs of a physician. Some of a physician’s job that can be performed by a NP includes diagnosing and treating of illnesses. With this authority, a NP is able to prescribe medicines and administer physical examinations to patients of varying ages.

The advanced education gained by the NP serves as the key to enable her to perform some of a physician’s duties. In the absence of physicians in a health care setting such as in urban areas, NPs can always step in the foot of a physician and perform medical duties.

Although NPs can perform some physician duties, there are also limitations to what they can do. In common settings, NPs are allowed to treat patients one at a time while doctors can treat many patients at once. But again much like the real doctors, NPs have also their own fields of specialization. There are nurse practitioners who focus on child care, neonatal care and adult care. Still there are some of them who found fulfillment in the fields of psychiatric care and clinical care. Practically, NPs can be found in any medical field much like where physicians are.

Like any other professionals of the health care industry, a nurse practitioner can land employment in a wide variety of work place where health care is necessitated. NPs can be found in clinics, hospitals, social welfare offices, private companies, academe, and nursing homes. With a wide variety of work place where they can seek jobs, NPs are given the chance to work with many other professionals towards the achievement of a healthier society.

Despite the presence of many work settings where they can fit in, NPs must abide by the rules and regulations set forth by specific nursing boards in their location. They must also comply to the policies set forth by the local government they are practicing their jobs.

Being a nurse practitioner entails more than treating the patients and helping them take the road of recovery faster. Aside from prescribing medications, they also offer counseling to the patients and to their respective families and friends. NPs contribute in educating persons of the importance of a healthy lifestyle towards the prevention of many chronic and contagious diseases. With all the tasks performed by NPs, it isn’t surprising why it is one of the most financially rewarding careers today. A 2009 survey revealed that NPs have average annual income of $81723. The figures were even higher for NPs with specialty in OB/gynecology that allowed them to reap an average yearly income of $87,584.

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Category: Education
Keywords: nurse practitioner