Why Become A Nurse Practitioner?
ANurse Practitioner`s practice incorporates a special blend of medicine and nursing that helps bridge the gap between patient care and cure. With fewer physicians entering Family Practice, they fill a need for more accessible health care for all. In 1965, the University of Colorado became the birthplace of the nurse practitioner and caring movements, becoming one of the first schools to offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice(DNP) program. Born out of a need to bring more accessible care to children, it has blossomed into a practice that presents today`s nurse practitioners with unique advantages such as increased authority, freedom, income, and job satisfaction.
Registered nurses looking for a career option that offers a stimulating practice environment, challenges, and a large degree of autonomy will find becoming a nurse practitioner very rewarding. A Nurse Practitioner`s responsibilities include many duties once only performed by physicians. Some of these include patient examinations, going over medical history, diagnosing and treating injuries and infections, ordering and examining diagnostic tests, as well as writing prescriptions. With a little closer examination, we can see some of the tasks performed by Nurse Practitioners regularly.
Educating and advocating a healthier lifestyle are but two of the main objectives of the Nurse Practitioner. Communicating with empathy is important to narrow the divide between patient and professional also. Through their unique expertise and perspective, Nurse Practitioners meet comprehensive and complex patient needs through:
Assessment
- Obtaining medical history
- Physically examining the patient
- Conducting preventative tests such as for vision and hearing
- Recognizing any risks the patient may be exposed to and summarize the patients needs
Diagnosis
- Ordering any diagnostic tests the patient may need
- Assess patient health, medical history, and diagnostic tests
Developing And Administering Patient Health Care Plan
- Ascertain needs of patient and family based on subjective and objective information collected
- Actualizing a comprehensive care plan
- Provide and encourage positive health care education
- Regularly reassess and make modifications to plan of care in order to achieve health care goals
- When necessary, make referrals to appropriate health care professionals
Looking past technical skills, character traits play an integral role in deciding to further your career from Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner. The ability to exhibit maturity, sound judgment, compassion and understanding are all qualities of a good candidate. Inspiring both peers and patients positively and remaining calm in tense situations are additional hallmarks of an ideal candidate. Opportunity for professional independence is there for Nurse Practitioners that exhibit these qualities.
Nurse Practitioners specialize in practice areas that include:
1. Pediatrics Nurse Practitioners provide pediatric health care to well and ill infants, children and adolescents. PNP`s provide health maintenance care for children, including well child examinations, perform routine developmental screenings, diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses, provide anticipatory guidance regarding common child health concerns, provide childhood immunizations, perform school physicals, and provide individualized quality health care for children and families in an extensive range of practice settings.
2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, specialize in the advanced practice in providing care for newborns with a variety of conditions requiring individual treatment in in hospital neonatal intensive care units, or NICUs. Prematurity, sepsis, respiratory distress, and disorders or abnormalities requiring surgery are a few of the common diagnoses found among infants in NICUs. Neonatal Nurse Practitioners manage neonatal patients using extensive knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physiology, the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner exercises independent judgment in the assessment, diagnosis and initiation of nursing and delegated medical processes and procedures.
3. Adult/Family Nurse Practitioners provide primary nursing and medical services to individuals, families and groups, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention as well as the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases primarily in outpatient, ambulatory settings, and community health center settings. FNP`s provide comprehensive medical services in the health management of patients, coordinate referrals when needed, and provide follow-up care.
4. Nurse-Midwifery Practitioners provide primary as well as specialized care to antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum, and newborn patients across multiple locations such as birthing centers, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.
5. Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) are advanced practice nurses who administer anesthesia. CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is available and are the sole anesthesia providers in more than two-thirds of all rural hospitals. They administer every type of anesthetic, and provide care for every type of surgery or procedure, from open heart to cataract to pain management.
6. Gerontological Nurse Practitoners provide primary health care for older adults in a wide variety of practice settings. GNP`s diagnose and manage acute and chronic diseases, taking a holistic approach to meet the medical, psychosocial and functional needs of older persons.
Benefits Of Becoming A Nurse Practitioner Include
The benefits of advancing your career to a higher level of practice are many and varied. Increasing your level of autonomy and personal job satisfaction aside, Nurse practitioners earn anywhere from $72,000 to $100,000 plus per year depending on experience, specialty, and practice setting. Nurse Practitioners frequently work along side doctors in private practice settings, but also work in their own clinics, in hospitals, in government service, for corporations, and for major insurers.
Nurse Practitioners practice independently under the statutes of Nurse Practice Acts that govern their individual state, and can open their own practice or practice in groups just like physicians, unlike Physician Assistants, who must work under the direction of a physician. As health care needs grow more complex, the need for Nurse Practitioners to provide primary care services will continue growing as fewer and fewer physicians become general practitioners.
Salary is only one satisfying element of a Nurse Practitioner career. Being able to practice more independently and to provide more long term and comprehensive patient care provides a great deal of personal satisfaction. Knowing you make a real difference for the better in people`s lives is priceless.
Become a Nurse Practitioner Online
Achieve the education you need to turn your career dreams into reality. Explore our comprehensive directory of online and campus based accredited Nurse Practitioner degree programs and request free no-obligation information directly from any of our featured schools... Education is your key to a brighter future, and that key is just a mouse click away! Explore Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies
Online
Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today, Georgetown is a major international research university that embodies its founding principles in the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff, our commitment to justice and the common good, our intellectual openness, and our international character.
Programs:- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Midwifery/Womens Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
- MS in Nursing (RN Required)
- M.S. in Nursing
- Pasadena
- Los Angeles
- Sacramento
- Ontario
- Costa Mesa
- Diamond Bar
- Lathrop
- Salida
- San Francisco
- Elk Grove
- Woodland Hills
- Online
- Roseville
- San Jose
- Murrieta
- Fairfield
- Livermore
- Oakland
- Gardena
- Bakersfield
- Rancho Cordova
- Lancaster
- Fresno
- Palm Desert
Roseman University
Online
The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.
Programs:- Accelerated BSN
The College Network
Online
Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.
Programs:- LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
- LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
- Paramedic to RN
University of St. Mary
Online
Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Walden University
Online
Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.
Programs:- Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General
- M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Campus
Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.
Programs:- Master of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Addison
California College San Diego
Campus
California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
- Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration
- San Diego
- National City
- San Marcos
West Coast University
Campus
Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- LVN to BSN
- RN to BSN
- Anaheim
- Ontario
Career Colleges of America
Campus
Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.
Programs:- Vocational Nurse
- Nurse Assistant
- Los Angeles
- South Gate
- San Bernardino
- Gardena
Carrington College California
Campus
Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.
Programs:- AS in Registered Nursing
- AS in Vocational Nursing
- Certificate in Vocational Nursing
- Sacramento
- San Leandro
- Antioch
- San Jose
Grand Canyon University
Campus
Earn your degree online with Grand Canyon University. We offer approximately 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs that can be completed 100% online. Degree programs are available in the fields of education, nursing and health sciences, business, fine arts and production, and liberal arts.
Programs:- M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics (Bridge)
- M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics
- M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)
- Phoenix
Kaplan College - KHE
Campus
Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
Programs:- Diploma: Vocational Nursing
- Diploma: Nurse Assistant Training Program
- Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician
- Vista
- San Diego
American Career College
Campus
American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.
Programs:- Vocational Nursing
- Ontario
- Los Angeles
- Anaheim
Santa Barbara Business College
Campus
California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.
SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.
- Vocational Nursing
- Santa Maria
- Rancho Mirage
Intercoast Colleges
Campus
Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.
Programs:- Vocational Nursing
- Fairfield
Charter College
Campus
You can prepare for a new career with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find new opportunities after graduation.
Programs:- Diploma - Vocational Nursing
- Canyon Country
Institute of Technology
Campus
You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure
- Vocational Nursing-Diploma
- Redding
Summit College
Campus
Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.
Programs:- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Anaheim
- Colton
Keiser University
Campus
Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.
Programs:- Nursing, MS
- Fort Lauderdale
Saint Peter's College
Online
Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.
Programs:- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Saint Xavier University
Campus
“Success with Purpose” is the hallmark of a Saint Xavier University education that is grounded in the tradition of liberal arts. SXU offers graduate and post-graduate programs that are recognized and respected by employers and delivered by professional faculty who are experts in their fields. Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, SXU is Chicago's oldest Catholic University, and it is recognized as one of the top 40 comprehensive master's universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2010.
Programs:- MSN in Clinical Leadership
- MSN in Executive Leadership
- Nurse Educator Certificate
- Chicago
CBD College
Campus
Get career training with CBD College. We offer an associate degree in vocational nursing, plus diploma programs for careers in the fields of medical massage therapy/physical therapy, pharmacy tech, surgical technology, and vocational nursing.
Programs:- Associate of Applied Sciences in Vocational Nursing
- Vocational Nursing
- Los Angeles
Stratford Career Institute
Online
Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.
Programs:- Health Care Aide
