What exactly is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners are generally registered nurses (RN) who have completed advanced degrees and training in a variety of medical areas related to the management and diagnostic procedures of many illnesses and diseases. A nurse practitioner must be both skilled in individualized patient care and able to handle a plethora of medical responsibilities. Those interested in this field have many opportunities to specialize their skills including; becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner, travel nurse pratitioner, oncology nurse practitioner, women's health nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, and many more. Being able to accurately inform patients about their conditions, while providing support to better the lives of both patients and families is core to any successful nurse practitioner career.
What are the different types of degrees in this field?
If you are serious about joining this field, keep in mind that most nurse practitioner programs require prospective students to have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
- Master of Science in Nursing: An MSN is the most common degree obtained by those interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Programs generally last a minimum of two years and will provide degree candidates with a solid education that will prepare them to diagnose, and treat, many different illnesses and diseases.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Much like an MSN, this degree will often take a minimum of two years, and will prepare students to become an NP in different specialty areas, depending on the students desired focus. These specialty areas include, but are not limited to, training for becoming a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and more.
- ADN to MSN Bridge Programs: It is possible for persons without bachelor degrees in nursing to become nurse practitioners. However, degree programs of this type often take longer (typically four years) because of the additional education that is required. These programs are perfect for students who have a strong desire to become a nurse practitioner, but who have not previously taken advanced nursing courses.
- BSN to MSN Bridge Programs: If a student has a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, and wishes to further their education in order to obtain nurse practitioner certification, BSN to MSN programs are appropriate for accomplishing this goal. BSN to MSN programs typically take two years to complete and provide students with ample opportunities to specialize in their desired area of medical focus.
- MSN - Family Nursing: Family nurse practitioners are in high demand, and the best way to enter this field is through obtaining an MSN with a specialization in Family Nursing. This two-year degree serves to prepare students by offering a well-rounded education in all areas related to family nursing, including diagnosing illnesses, perscribing medications, as well as being a resource of both information and support for families who are dealing with illneses and diseases.
- MSN - Nurse Midwifery: Midwifery is another excellent focus for a career in nurse practitioning. A masters degree in nurse midwifery provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in caring for patients during, and immediately following, pregnancy.
What is the average salary of a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners are able to command highly competitive salaries in today's job market. Nurses who have specialized skill sets, such as emergency nurse practitioners, and family nurse practitioners, are in even higher demand. With healthcare demands expected to continually increase in the future, this trend should hold true. Currently, the average salary for a nurse practitioner in the United States is around $82,000 yearly with variations ranging from $75,000 to $89,000. More info.
What schools offer degrees for Nurse Practitioning?
There are a multitude of academic instutions that offer both traditional nursing degrees and online nurse practitioner degrees. Some of these schools include:
- University of Phoenix: The University of Phoenix offers several high quality programs for aspiring nurse practitioners such as; MSN for Nurse Practitioners, MSN in Nursing (General MSN), MSN - Health Care Edication, and MSN - Health Informatics.
- University of Cincinnati: UC offers MSN programs with many different choices for specializations. Students can obtain a degree in Clinical Nursing, Psychiatric Care, Adult Nursing, Family Nursing, Nurse Administration, Nurse Midwifery, and Women's Health.
- Walden University: Walden offers students a vast number of choices when it comes to nursing degrees. Walden students can become candidates for degrees such as, MSN - Nurse Practitioner, BSN to MSN - Nurse Education, BSN to MSN - Informatics, RN to MSN - Informatics, RN to MSN - Education, and RN to MSN - Leadership.
- Michigan State University: MSU has some excellent nursing programs tailored to meet the needs of students interested in entering the healthcare workforce. MSU Spartans can study in Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner programs, as well as Nursing Science Studies and RN Programs.
- Bringham Young University: One of the top universities in Utah offers several excellent nursing programs. Students can enroll in Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner Programs, as well as Registered Nurse Programs and Nutrition Services programs.
- North Dakota State University: North Dakota is home to a great school offering a top-notch education. Students at North Dakota State University can enroll in RN nursing programs which generally involve studies for two years.
- Texas Tech University: Students interested in becoming one of the many thousands of Red Raider alums can find a variety of nursing programs via Texas Tech. Texas Tech offers programs in nursing administration, becoming an RN, and becoming a family nurse practitioner.
- Northern Arizona University: Located in the beautiful state of Arizona, NAU offers students the opportunity to pursue their nursing degree in fantastic weather. NAU offers programs in Public Health Nursing, Community Nursing, and becoming an RN.
- University of Iowa: Becoming an Iowa Hawkeye is a great honor. To this end, the University of Iowa has many programs for persons interested in becoming nurse practitioners. Students can take programs in Nursing for Adults and Seniors, Nursing Administration, Nursing Science Studies, and can also study to become a family nurse practitioner.
What kinds of financial aid are available for nurse practitioning schools?
Financial aid is generally always available in the form of loans and grants for those who demonstrate need. There are also many scholarships available to those prospective students who meet the requirements for such an award. In fact, there are many nurse practitioner scholarships and grants that may be availabe to you. More info.
