Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced-practice registered nurses who provide comprehensive care to patients. Not only do nurse practitioners provide diagnostic care and treatment, they also focus on preventive health maintenance. Nurse practitioners are first and foremost nurses, which means patient education and holistic care is a large part of their practice. Depending on the state in which they practice, oversight by physicians may or may not be required.
Why Are Nurse Practitioners So Important?
Nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat patients as well as perform procedures. They differ from physicians in that their patient care approach is more holistic. Being nurses, they gather information about a patient not only to include physical symptoms, but psychosocial and environmental information as well. They are skilled in education, and therefore can spend time teaching patients and family about disease processes, treatments, and healthcare prevention as well as diagnosing acute health issues.
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, nurse practitioners can also help lower the cost of healthcare, as patients who use NPs as their primary care provider have fewer emergency room visits and shorter hospital stays. Additionally, they help to fill the gap with the primary care physician shortage in the United States. They also tend to have high patient satisfaction.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced-practice registered nurses who have completed a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice program (DNP).
To advance to a master's degree or doctoral in nursing, a student must complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). Upon graduating with a nursing degree, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is needed for licensure. The length of time it takes to obtain an MSN depends on the nurse's starting point:
Nursing students enrolled in a BSN program complete in about four years
RN to BSN takes about two years
BSN to MSN takes about two years
BSN to DNP takes three to four years
MSN to DNP takes one to two years
Additionally, both online programs and classroom programs are available to accommodate students. Both types have pros and cons depending on students' needs, therefore researching individual schools is encouraged.
Nurse Practitioner Schooling and Education Requirements
Nurses who enjoy practicing independently and who wish to diagnose and prescribe while still utilizing nursing skills can advance to the field of advanced-practice nursing. Nurses who seek to pursue their NP should value autonomy, integrity, and leadership.
Educational Prerequisites
Some graduate programs require nurses to gain a few years' clinical experience before enrollment. Some schools allow nurses to work concurrently during the program. Regardless, obtaining clinical experience is crucial as it prepares the future nurse practitioner to be able to address a multitude of medical concerns and situations.
Nurses are also required to have a baccalaureate nursing degree (BSN). Nurses who hold an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) will need to obtain a BSN. There are many opportunities to obtain a BSN. Many healthcare organizations also assist employees in advancing degrees and assist in tuition reimbursement, cost of books, and granting time off for nurses.
Nurse Practitioner Program Specialties
There are many clinical areas in which a nurse practitioner can work. From primary care to specialty care, acute care and long-term care, nurse practitioners are valuable members of the patient care team. Some NP programs include training in certain specialties; otherwise, certification can be obtained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Some areas include:
Acute Care
Gerontology
Family Medicine
Neonatal Care
Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Women's Health
Post-master's certificate programs are available for current NPs who wish to switch or expand specialties.
Examination, Licensure, and Certification
Certification in a specific specialty area can be completed concurrently within the MSN/DNP program, or obtained via independent study from the ANCC or other learning institute. Not all specialties offer formal certifications. In this case, the NP student can choose areas of specialization to work on during the program to obtain clinical competency. Eligibility for certifications obtained outside of an MSN/DNP program can differ and students are encouraged to research requirements when choosing a specialty.
Once a specialty program is completed, the nurse may take an examination for certification. For example, a nurse can take the Family Nurse Practitioner Exam to earn an FNP-C (Family Nurse Practitioner Certified) title.
Licensure and certification are different-certification means the NP is competent to perform care in their chosen specialty; licensure means they are legally permitted to practice in their state of residence. For example, a nurse living in California can obtain certification in acute care, but needs to apply for licensure to practice in the state of California. State nursing boards list the requirements for testing and can vary from state to state. The certified nurse practitioner can, after meeting the specified requirements, apply with the state board for licensure.
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