A nurse practitioner or ARNP as they are titled in some states is a vital part of today’s health care scene. With doctors averaging 18 minutes per patient the Nurse Practitioner is able to help close the health care gap. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with specific advanced education in nursing. Usually they will hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree. They have been trained in diagnosing and managing both common and complex medical conditions. They are considered to be mid level medical practitioners, just as Physician’s Assistants are. Nurse Practitioners function within the scope of practice of their individual states. Some of them operate without direct association with a specific doctor. They may be seen in their own agencies or as a part of a physician’s practice. It is not unusual to see an NP in a family practice clinic. Their expertise allows them to see routine cases and offer treatment and medication for diseases. They have the option of calling in a Physician for any complex need.
Women’s Health is one area that has truly benefited from the NP designation. Many women are more comfortable if they can access another woman for their reproductive health needs. The Nurse Practitioner in this field will have taken extra course work in gynecological health and women’s health. PNP nurses can work with pediatric patients, including acute and chronic care, pediatric critical care, pediatric oncology as well as general pediatrics. A special designation and training is necessary for a Nurse Practitioner to work with newborns which is a Neonatology certification (NNP). These are all National Board Certifications with specific training and testing.
Other places that Nurse Practitioners practice are in settings like long term care homes and assisted living establishments. Those NP’s will have a GNP designation, indicating a specialization in the aging, or Gerontology. Mental Health facilities often employ board certified PMHNP’s. These nurses have trained in Psychiatry and Mental Health and are vital in the care of mentally ill patients.
The job outlook for nurse practitioners is very good, due to the role they play alongside the physician. They deliver thorough, quality healthcare in an economical manner. They work as an extension of the physician and can provide full primary care for all types of patients, depending on their specialization and training. The average salary for a Nurse Practitioner is $65,000 with an expected increase of 8% within the next two years. The facility an NP works at as well as the advanced training governs the salary expectations. In some fields of expertise the average salary approaches $85,000, while NP’s working for a franchise or in schools will probably draw closer to $58,000.
Like all other nursing related careers, the Nurse Practitioner is a job that will continue to be in good demand. One reason is the aging of the general population. More people need care daily. Another reason a Nurse Practitioner might be in demand is that they are perceived as being more patient oriented and listening more carefully to the patient. The care from a nurse practitioner is quality care. It can be delivered at a more economical rate than physician provided care. That is a good reason for a nurse to consider pursuing training as a Nurse Practitioner.