What Is A Nurse Practitioner And How Do You Become One?

Nurse Practitioner; A World To Explore

Setting foot in the world of healthcare is an adventure where you get opportunities to make a real difference. In this diverse field, only a few roles are as versatile and impactful as a nurse practitioner. If you have ever wanted to combine your passion for patient care with medical technology, being a nurse practitioner is the only right path for you. 

In today’s fast-paced world, nurse practitioners play an extremely important role where they bridge the gap between patients and doctors. With the increasing demand for healthcare and new diseases popping up every second, NPs are the supporting pillars of healthcare where they provide high-quality and patient-centric care. 

If you have ever been tempted to ask “What Is a Nurse Practitioner?”, read this blog to get the full scoop of information about the profession. 

Who is a Nurse Practitioner?

According to the Nurse Practitioner definition, NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) with a graduate level education, generally a master’s or a doctorate in nursing with considerable experience in clinical training. They perform some duties similar to those of a doctor such as performing physical exams, diagnosis, prescribing medication, etc. 

They are trained in a variety of areas including health promotion, health management, and disease prevention. This equips them with the knowledge and experience to take on some of the very complex tasks handled by doctors. 

Roles of a Nurse Practitioner:

NPs are multitasking powerhouses, wearing many hats throughout their service.  Here are some of their roles and responsibilities: 

• Patient Assessment: NPs are allowed to conduct physical exams of patients, review their history, and assess patient health by looking at the symptoms.

• Diagnosing Illnesses: They are licensed to check acute and chronic diseases, which can range from as small as infections to diabetes and hypertension. 

• Prescribing Medications: With the power that is rarely possessed by anyone other than doctors, NPs are also authorized to prescribe medications such as pain relievers, antibiotics, and, in some cases, more advanced treatments, depending on state regulations.

• Developing Treatment Plans: NPs can create and implement treatment plans. They can even modify them based on the evolving needs of the patients. These plans cover aspects like lifestyle changes and follow-up care. 

• Performing Procedures: A little controversial but NPs can actually perform small medical procedures like suturing wounds, draining abscesses, and injecting vaccines or other types of injections. 

• Patient Education: As most nurses, they have to educate their patients about the dos and don’ts of their condition. This may include instructions on how to manage their health, prevent disease, and adopt a healthier lifestyle. 

• Collaborative Care: Their job often requires them to collaborate with doctors and other nurses to provide better services.

• Patient Advocacy: NPs ensure that patients know that they are being heard and understood and that they have a say in their healthcare decisions. 

Education and Training Requirements for Nurse Practitioners

Since the job is so demanding, NPs need to fulfill some Nurse Practitioner education requirements. Take a look at the detailed guides provided below;

Educational Pathways

Becoming an NP is a long journey with a few different educational routes depending on where you start and the level of practice you are aiming for. 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The first route in the journey is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN program is typically 4 years and provides the foundation in nursing theory, healthcare practice, and clinical skills. Generally, many Registered Nurses start their careers as RNs after completing a BSN program. Courses in a BSN program may deal with the following subjects;

• Anatomy and physiology
• Microbiology
• Nursing ethics and leadership
• Pharmacology
• Patient assessment and care planning

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

After completing a BSN and becoming a licensed RN, your second stop is a Masters of Science Nursing (MSN). An MSN takes 2-3 years to complete and offers specialized training in many areas such as family practice, pediatrics, and mental health. 

This advanced course helps RNs to prepare for the demanding role of an NP by providing them with not only the knowledge but hands-on clinical experience too. Coursework in an MSN deals with the following areas; 

• Advanced pathophysiology
• Advanced pharmacology
• Advanced health assessment
• Clinical management of patients
• Specialty-specific courses (e.g., family practice, pediatrics)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

While not a strict requirement to become an NP, DNP is for all those individuals seeking the highest level of nursing education. It is the last nursing destination and takes an additional 2-4 years to complete. The course of DNP includes; 

• Healthcare leadership and policy
• Advanced clinical practice
• Quality improvement in healthcare
• Population health
• Research methods and evidence-based practice

Importance of Accredited Programs

Choosing an accredited program is very important for anyone wanting to set foot in the healthcare field as a nurse practitioner. Accreditation is crucial as it makes sure that the chosen program meets the standards as well as is recognized by certifying bodies.

The two main accrediting bodies for nursing programs in the U.S. are the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accreditation provides the following benefits;

• Graduates from accredited programs are allowed to take NP certification exams.
• Most states make it compulsory to graduate from an accredited program to be able to sit for NP certification exams.
• Employers favor accredited program graduates.

Typical Coursework and Clinical Experience

Along with nurse practitioner education requirements, you will also need to complete extensive clinical training.

Classroom Coursework

Coursework in NP programs goes beyond just the basics of nursing practice. It deals with topics that prepare nurses for the grand responsibility of diagnosing and treating patients. Some common subjects are:

• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Healthcare Policy and Ethics
• Specialty-Specific Courses like family and pediatrics 

Clinical Experience

Clinical experience is the heart and soul of NP education as it allows students to apply their knowledge to real-world settings. This includes clinical rotations under the supervision of doctors or NPs. Clinical rotation may constitute the following;

• Physical exams
• Diagnosis of diseases
• Interpretation diagnostic tests
• Making treatment plans
• Prescribing medications

Steps to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

If you are racking your brain over How to become a Nurse Practitioner, we’ve got you covered! Follow the steps mentioned below to secure your position as a nurse practitioner.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Your opening move on this road is earning a BSN first. It is an undergraduate program that takes up to 4 years to complete. It paves the foundation for more advanced topics. Typically, a BSN covers a range of topics starting from nursing theory and practice to patient care.

Step 2: Obtain RN Licensure

Getting a BSN is just the beginning. After completing this four-year education, you will have to obtain a Registered Nurse licensure by taking an NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). This license is issued by the state nursing board where you plan to continue working. 

Step 3: Gain Clinical Experience as an RN

Getting an RN license was just a warm-up, it’s still a long journey ahead! Gaining clinical experience after becoming an RN is an important step that you can’t miss. Most NP programs mandate clinical training of at least 2 years. 

Clinical experience is vital because it provides hands-on experience and strengthens your decision-making skills. 

Step 4: Enroll in a Graduate Nurse Practitioner Program (MSN or DNP)

Among the steps to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, this might be the toughest step for some people as it requires choosing between two potential options. Now, you have to enroll in a graduate-level NP program and you have two options to choose from. These are listed below; 

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

MSN takes 2-3 years to complete and offers specialized training in many areas such as family practice, pediatrics, and mental health. 

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Good news! This is the last degree you would require to become an NP. It takes 2-4 years to complete and prepares you for more advanced roles. 

Step 5: Complete Clinical Hours and Specialized Training

The story is far from over yet! The next step is completing your clinical hours and training. Students must complete a fixed number of clinical hours under the supervision of an experienced healthcare professional. 

Depending on the type of program you choose, the number of clinical hours can vary. An MSN program generally requires you to complete 500 – 700 hours while a DNP can require more.

Step 6: Obtain Nurse Practitioner Certification

After the clinical hours, you are now eligible to obtain your Nurse practitioner certificate from governmental bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).

Obtaining a certificate is not easy. You will have to pass a national certificate exam that is relevant to an NP. 

Step 7: Obtain State Licensure and Start Practicing

Finally, you’re at the finish line! The last step demands you to obtain state licensure so that you can start to practice legally in your state. 

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Types of Nurse Practitioners (NPs)

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Family nurse practitioners deal with healthcare services offered to individuals and families of all ages, from infants to older patients. These NPs take care of long-term chronic conditions and educate patients about preventive care. Here are a few roles and responsibilities they take care of;

• Perform routine checkups
• Diagnose acute conditions like infections or minor injuries.
• Manage chronic illnesses like diabetes.
• Prenatal and postnatal care
• Educate patients on how to implement changes in their lifestyle.
• Prescribe medicines

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Pediatric nurse practitioners deal with the health situation of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. They are trained to assess and diagnose children. Here’s what they do;

• Conduct well-child exams and check their development.
• Diagnose common issues such as ear infections or colds and treat them.
• Administer vaccines and educate the families about them.
• Manage chronic pediatric conditions such as diabetes.
• Educate parents on nutrition and safety.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

ACNPs commonly handle serious, complex, or acute medical conditions. They generally oversee emergencies and are found in ICUs or emergency rooms. Following is the list of their responsibilities;

• They oversee critical patients such as those with heart attacks, respiratory distress, or trauma.
• Deal with life-threatening conditions.
• They can order as well as interpret tests such as MRIs or blood tests.
• Prescribe medicines and perform procedures like intubation and central line placement.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

As the name suggests, PMHNPs typically work on mental health patients treating their psychiatric disorders. Here’s what they do in detail:

• Conduct psychiatric evaluations
• Diagnose and treat mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
• Prescribe psychotropic medicines and closely observe their patients to see their effects.
• Give psychotherapy 
• Educate families about mental illnesses.

Other NP Specializations

• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
• Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP)
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
• Oncology Nurse Practitioner (ONP)

Nurse Practitioner Salary and Job Outlook

Average Salary of Nurse Practitioners in the U.S

As of 2024, Nurse practitioners enjoy an annual salary of $125,460. This figure can vary based on different factors such as location, specialty, and experience. 

In a comparison of Nurse Practitioner vs. Registered Nurse, an NP typically earns a larger sum of money annually than an RN.

Factors Influencing NP Salaries

• Location: The state you are practicing in significantly influences your salary. For instance, states like California or Texas generally pay higher than less populated or rural areas.
• Specialization: Specialization matters a lot. For instance, NPs who have specialized in psychiatric or acute care earn a higher salary than those in family care.
• Experience: Like most professions, the more experience an NP has, the more he earns. 

Conclusion

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner is like leveling up in the field of healthcare. It comes with tangible benefits as it rewards you with satisfaction as well as financial stability. Without a doubt, this career path offers you growth and security. The journey is long and laborious but the rewards are more than worth it! 

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