Medical professionals with advanced degrees in nursing Nurse practitioners, advanced practice RNs, or registered nurses work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to offer direct patient care. Their training allows them to identify health issues, recommend treatments, write prescriptions, and advise patients. An advanced degree and licensing are necessary for entry into the nurse practitioner field. Here we’ll go over what it takes to become a nurse practitioner, how much you can expect to make, and what kinds of credentials you may get.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
1. Register as a Nurse
The first step in the journey to becoming a nurse practitioner is by first becoming a registered nurse. This may be accomplished by enrolling in a program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an Associate of Science in Nursing.
2. Get a Bachelor’s Degree
The next thing to do is get a four-year degree in nursing. Nurses with Associate Degrees in Nursing who wish to become nurse practitioners can get into an accelerated Registered Nurse-Bachelor’s Science in Nursing program. However, those with Associate degrees in Nursing can navigate to a Master of Science in Nursing while skipping the Bachelor’s degree option.
3. Get an Experience
While some job requirements require an individual to have nursing experience to get a job, in some instances, nurses can only get jobs after completing a bachelor’s degree. It is worth noting that, even without some healthcare facilities not requiring applicants for nursing practitioner positions to have experience, some graduates prefer having experience before proceeding to the next phase.
4. Get into a Graduate Program
This is the quickest journey to becoming a nurse practitioner, especially for those with Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Registered nurses without Bachelor’s degrees can enroll in Master of Science in Nursing programs. Moreover, some learning institutions also offer other doctoral degrees, such as Doctor of Nursing Practice which can be held with the same regard as a Master of Science in Nursing or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. There are many different ways to obtain a degree as a nurse practitioner. Family nurse practitioner degrees can be obtained through online courses and programs such as Purdue University and various other online courses. You can also obtain your nurse practitioner degree at a university close to home or in a different state. Many universities have a hybrid program where a portion of the program is done online and another portion of the program is done in person. Depending on your preference you can choose accordingly.
5. Earn an Advanced Practice Nursing License in Practical Nursing
Getting a license in practical nursing differs from state to state in the United States. Getting the same license is also different in other countries. An individual must meet all the requirements and conditions set by a specific country or state to earn a license to practice nursing.
6. Get a Job as a Nurse Practitioner
This is the final phase in the journey to becoming a nurse practitioner. With a degree in practical nursing, an individual can apply for jobs and receive job offers for nursing practitioner positions.
Nursing Practitioner Salary
Salary levels for nurse practitioners vary by region, employer, level of experience, and specialty. Additional specialties can increase your compensation when you become an NP and open up more job alternatives. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2022, nurse practitioners make a median average yearly compensation of $120,680 in the United States, which is more than double the average annual wage for all other occupations. The annual salary difference between nurse practitioners and registered nurses is approximately $30,000. Additionally, if you become an NP, your salary would be more than DOUBLE from the $46,240 that an LPN earns annually.
Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
Twenty-five states in the US allow nurse practitioners to practice their profession fully. Nurse practitioners in such states are not required to report to a medical director. In the remaining states, nurse practitioners have greater autonomy than RNs but still often work under the supervision of MDs when making medical decisions for patients.
In addition to general nurse practitioners, nurses might focus on a subset of patients. Some nurses focus on a certain population or illness, such as newborns, adults, those with mental illness, or women’s health. They typically pursue nursing degrees to further their clinical expertise and focus on this area of medicine. They will also need to be certified in their chosen area of specialization.
Work as a Nurse Practitioner
Nursing practitioner graduates have different opportunities to work as nurse practitioners. Regardless of their specialization, they are usually eligible to work in private group practices, hospitals, and community health centers.
References
Deering M., (2022). How to Become a Nurse Practitioner. NurseJournal. https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/how-to-become-a-np/
Oppenheimer T. H., (2022). How to Become a Nurse Practitioner | Salary & Programs. Nurse.org. https://nurse.org/resources/nurse-practitioner/
About the Author
Priscilla Is a nurse practitioner that has been working in healthcare for over 10 years. She started working as a patient care tech, a Certified nursing assistant, A Licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, and a board-certified Family Nurse practitioner. She has worked in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and homes as well as working in the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatrics, maternal, and adult care, Military nursing, immediate care, and family practice.
