Nurses aspiring to do more with their careers and gain more autonomy often look to becoming a nurse practitioner as their next step. With good reason! Nurse practitioner is ranked the #1 job by U.S. News and World Report because of the growing demand in the field and the fulfillment nurse practitioners find in their role. This career move can provide nurses with a focused scope of patient care and enable them to move into a specialized role in healthcare.
To become a nurse practitioner (NP), you need to earn a Master of Science in Nursing and pass the Nurse Practitioner National Certification exam.
Let’s look at what the role of nurse practitioner is and the steps to becoming a nurse practitioner!
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced training, sometimes in a nursing specialization, and a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing. Nurse practitioners blend their expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions together into their patient practice. They prioritize disease prevention and health management, offering a personal approach to healthcare and helping their clients treat their health concerns.
Nurse practitioners share many of the same duties as traditional medical doctors. They can perform physical exams, diagnose and treat health conditions, and, in some states, prescribe medication to their patients. Because of their advanced training and specializations, they have more authority than registered nurses. Nurse practitioners can work independently or with medical doctors to provide a more extensive healthcare experience.
Because nurse practitioners have the opportunity to specialize in a facet of the nursing field, they can pursue roles dealing with specific groups of people and age ranges, making the career path of a nurse practitioner customizable to their interests and passions.
Examples of different types of nurse practitioners are:
There are a few traditional steps to becoming a nurse practitioner:
The best nurse practitioner programs have the following:
Beyond these factors, you should ensure any school you’re considering has the modality of a degree that suits you best. Whether you want to study online and reduce the need to relocate for a degree, or if you are looking for a program where you will meet and connect with your cohort, choosing a degree format that fits your needs and goals best is vital to your success.
Most nurse practitioner programs have courses that instruct in the following competencies:
The holistic and customizable nature of care from nurse practitioners also means these professionals can choose which areas to specialize in during their studies. Aspiring nurse practitioners can choose to focus on caring for a specific people group throughout their studies, like the elderly or disabled. They can also train to work with children at various stages of development or focus on women’s health.
The possibilities for nurse practitioner specialties are as diverse as the people they serve, making this profession ideal for those with a passion for patient groups and conditions.
At Neumann University, we are committed to equipping the next generation of nurse practitioners with the knowledge and skills they need to make a difference in their communities. Whether you want to work with elderly clients or help in prenatal care, earning your Master of Science in Nursing can help you become a nurse practitioner.
We have NP specializations in:
Our program also prepares you for post-master’s certificate programs, which give you a nurse practitioner certificate in one of the following concentrations:
To learn more about our online advanced nursing options, download our guide to becoming a nurse practitioner. Our guide can reinforce the deeply rewarding career of a nurse practitioner and help you make a plan to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing.
Neumann University has been educating nurses for decades—and we’ve mastered delivering a quality education in an online environment. Learn more about our program and get connected to our admission team!