Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice nurses who have completed additional graduate training beyond their baccalaureate degree. Their specific scope of practice depends on the state in which they are licensed. NPs are licensed and utilized in all fifty states and work either in collaborative arrangements or as an independent practitioner.
Find Nurse Practitioner Programs in Your State:
NPs provide primary, and in some cases, acute care using an approach that focuses on health and wellbeing. NPs may work in any setting, but are especially in demand in rural or urban areas and in underserved communities.
NPs work autonomously. They see patients in clinics or offices and either performs routine physical exams, or focused assessments for patients with a specific complaint. They can send patients for diagnostic testing and even develop a treatment plan. In many states, they are able to write prescriptions for most medications. NPs provide patient education and can refer patients to other specialists.
Nurse practitioners even have the option of specializing, earning their degree and a national board certification in pediatrics (PNP), women’s health (WHNP), acute care (ACNP) or psychiatric and health care (PMHNP). Once a Master’s of Science in Nursing is earned, it is possible to switch specialties by earning a post-graduate certificate.
Many colleges have developed programs that allow candidates to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees in a seamless fashion so that they can move directly into the graduate program without taking time off from school. Another option, one that many experienced nurses recommend is to become a registered nurse and work for a few years before beginning graduate school. This gives the nurse a chance to gain experience and be more prepared for the rigors of independent practice.
There are many different professional organizations that serve Nurse Practitioners, depending on the specialty and population treated. However, The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners is one of the largest national organizations, and represents NPs of all interests and specialties.
