The Path to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

658 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Basic competencies for nurses

Upon receiving their license, Registered Nurses have many options to continue their education and thus become and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). APRN education can be completed in any of following four general areas of specialization: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs). This paper will discuss the education requirements, skills and clinical competency requirements, and formal licensure, registration, certification and credentialing of a Nurse Practitioner.
The Nurse Practitioner occupation originated in the United States in the 1960s, and they are described as “advanced practice nurses who have completed additional training beyond that of a registered nurse. The NP roles has continued to develop and they now work in a range of health care settings in the US and other countries including Canada and the United Kingdom” (Li, Westbrook, Callen, Georgiou, & Braithwaite, 2013, p. 1). A few health care settings that NPs work in include cardiology, emergency, family practice, geriatrics, neonatology, nephrology, oncology, pediatrics, primary care, school health, and women’s health. Within these settings, the NP may work in clinics without doctor supervision or they can work together with doctors to form a joint health care team.
As far as licensure, registration, and certification, NPs are regulated at two different levels. Licensure is completed through a process that takes place within each states laws. These requirements vary greatly from state to state. However, more states are requiring NPs to have a master’s degree as well as national certification. As far as the national certification, it is offered by a ...

... middle of paper ...

...te of $42.51” and those “ who are practicing at least 35 hours a week report an annual base salary of $84,850 and an annual total income of $91,060” (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2013). NPs also usually enjoy several other benefits, including paid vacation, sick leave, educational allowance in order to complete their continued education requirements, professional leave, retirement, health insurance, and professional liability.
In conclusion, Nurse Practitioners carry a great amount of responsibility for their patients and therefore must be properly trained and proficient in their skills. A higher level of education and understanding is required of these professionals initially and also throughout their careers. However, just like a nurse, a Nurse Practitioner must always make prevention, wellness, and patient education one of their top priorities.

Show More
Related

  • Being a Nurse Practitioner

    1045 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every little kid has high exceptions for what they want to be when they grow up. Some dream of becoming president of the United States of America, or becoming an Astronaut, a lot of little kid’s say that they want to be a Doctor. What kids do not understand is that there are many types of doctors, like an orthopedic surgeon, they work with feet, or an oral surgeon, who work with the mouth. Another similarity to a doctor is a nurse practitioner. They do many of the same tasks, like performing minor surges, fixing broken bones, or simply giving a routine check up. Becoming a nurse practitioner takes many years of schooling, good grades, a lot of time and dedication, and money.

    Read More

  • APRN Case Study

    1064 Words  | 3 Pages

    I now that I have the knowledge to aspire to take up my role within one of the identified population foci. APRNs program developed my core competencies by allowing me to be more efficient adaptability with regards to newly emerging APRN roles or population focus. Furthermore, achieving my course objectives enable me to understand the specific APRN roles. For example, course objectives provide me with a better detail, and align my licensure goals with the responsibilities expected of each role. Licensure will provide me and my fellow APRN graduates with the full authority to practice. Also, certification is required to meet the highest possible standards as APRNs are expected to align knowledge, skills and experience with the standards of health care professionals. This field has very narrow margins for error, and it is therefore important, for APRNs to meet the highest and most stringent academic qualifications. In order to be a recognized as APRN graduate, one is required to complete formal education with a graduate degree or post-graduate certificate awarded by an academic institute and accredited by a recognized accrediting agency empowered by the relevant government education

    Read More

  • Essay On The Doctorate Of Nursing Practice

    3424 Words  | 7 Pages

    In fact, there have been numerous studies supporting the clinical performance and outcomes of NPs. A systematic review covering the literature from 1990-2008 found that patient outcomes of care provided by APRNs in collaboration with physicians were similar to and in some manners, exceeded those of physicians alone (Newhouse et al., 2011) Newhouse, et al’s review added to the available evidence that APRNs provide safe, effective, quality care to specific populations (2011). In their review, they did not separate outcomes of NPs with full practice authority from those with reduced or restricted practice. Due to the patchwork of state regulation and restrictions on NP practice, it may be challenging to compare the outcomes of NPs with full independent practice from those with reduced or restricted practice. Furthermore, the AANP states “there are numerous studies that demonstrate nurse practitioners consistently provided high-quality and safe care” (n.d.). They go on to state “in the more than 100 studies on care provided by both nurse practitioners and physicians, not a single study has found that nurse practitioners provide inferior services” (AANP, n.d.). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also reviewed the literature and determined there is not a significant difference in the outcome of NPs and physicians that would necessitate the anti-competitive nature of scope-of-practice regulations and restrictions on advanced practice nursing (Federal Trade Commission [FTC],

    Read More

  • Nurse Practitioner

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    Most APNs or NPs posses a master’s degree; however the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) member institutions voted to change the current level of preparation for advanced nursing practice from a masters degree to a doctorate level by 2015”. “An individual who wished to apply for a license must meet the following requirements; a complete application, pass the NCLEX, provide any felony or misdemeanor conviction information, any drug related behavior, functional ability deficit and license fee to Virginia State Board of Nursing”. Most RNs gain their clinical experience by working a staff nurse before entering into a graduate program for their nurse practitioners, but once they gain a significant of experience as a nurse t...

    Read More

  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Essay

    675 Words  | 2 Pages

    Advanced practice registered nurses play a significant part in extending access to health care by providing primary care and specialty care services to clients. Advanced practices registered are mentors, educators, researchers, and administrators. According to Health Resources and Services Administration, “Ninety-six percent of the NP workforce reported being in clinical practice, providing direct patient care” (Health Resources and Services Administration 2016). Furthermore, “Nearly three percentages were in faculty positions and approximately one percent was in administrative positions”(Health Resources and Services Administration 2016).

    Read More

  • The Role of the Family Nurse Practitioner

    1432 Words  | 3 Pages

    National Council for the State Boards of Nursing, APRN background, (2012). Report of the nursing policy and legislative efforts. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/428.htm#Nurse_Practitioner_Certification

    Read More

  • Essay On Core Competencies In Nursing

    1392 Words  | 3 Pages

    As an NP K.W. often needs to collaborate with other disciplines and thus this competency holds a major role in the care of patients to drive high-quality and cost-effective care (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2012).

    Read More

  • Research Paper On Becoming A Nurse

    1118 Words  | 3 Pages

    The type of education varies based on the type nurse one pursues to become. Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) requires you to attend a yearlong educational program. This program is offered at technical schools, vocational schools, or community colleges. At these various programs, the student will receive lectures and hands on clinical practice. However, those seeking to be become registered nurse (RN) must receive at the least, an associative degree in nursing. After obtaining an associative or bachelor’s degree in nursing, the graduate will have to pass the licensing exam to officially become a registered nurse. Being successful on the licensing exam is required to become a registered nurse. Becoming an advanced practical nurse (APN), requires the student to obtain a Master’s of Science in Nursing. After graduating, the graduate will have to successfully pass the licensing exam also. The type of nurse one chooses to become dictates the type of education he or she has to

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Nurse And Registered Nurse

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    While a nurse and nurse practitioner are different in several ways, the similarities between the two are irrefutable. When compared side-by-side you can see that both are a vital necessity to the healthcare system, working in many settings, such as hospitals, physician’s offices, and clinics. They both also interact and care for patients in settings, such as neonatal, intensive care, and geriatric units. Not only do they interact with patients, they also interact with a patient’s family during treatment. Another similarity between a nurse and

    Read More

  • Advanced Nursing Practice

    1233 Words  | 3 Pages

    Defining the role of an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) is complex and commonly open to interpretation. Internationally there are many variances in what the role of the advanced practitioner entails, and the characteristics of individual roles are often shaped by the country and particular speciality in which they are practising (Mantzoukas & Watkinson 2006), (Sheer & Wong 2008), (Stasa et al 2014), (ICN 2008), (Dalton 2013), (NHS Wales 2010), (Haidar 2014), (Lowe et al 2011), (Pearson 2011).

    Read More

  • Nurse Practitioner: My Personal Experience Of The Neonatal Nurse

    2110 Words  | 5 Pages

    Nurse Practitioners in Neonatal care are extraordinary individuals, who have studied hard, invested emotionally, worked alongside with doctors, saved many babies, and comforted those families who had to let their babies go. I have had my own personal experience in which I came into close contact with several of these kinds of nurses. With my personal experience, I have discovered this is the kind nurse I want to become. According to NANN, National Association of Neonatal Nurses, states that "Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP) are advanced practice nurses who work with the physicians and nursing staff to provide comprehensive critical care to the infants in the NICU." (Is) In my research in becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, I looked into the history of the role, my personal experience, educational requirements, schools, the workplace environment, salary, and responsibilities.

    Read More

  • Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, And Nurse Practitioners

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    In addition, they also diagnose and prescribes treatments and medication, are able to get advice from other health care professionals, and are trained to handle medical equipment (“Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners”, 2014).To be a nurse practitioner, many skills are required. A nurse practitioner needs to be a leader, work with others, have sympathy, likes to figure out problems , think critically, have good communication skills, and being resourceful (“Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners”, 2014). They must gain experience as working as nurse for a few years (“Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners”, 2014).The top organizations for nurse practitioners are American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN) (Career Information Center, 2014,

    Read More

  • The Iom's Four Key Messages Of The Future In Nursing

    1517 Words  | 4 Pages

    The first key message that is discussed is that nurses should practice to the fullest extent of their education and training. Most of the nurses that are in practice are registered nurses. Advanced nurse practitioners are nurses that hold a master’s or doctoral degree and include nurse midwifes, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists and consist of about two hundred and fifty thousand of the nurses currently working today. Advanced practice nurses are limited to what

    Read More

  • A Career To Be A Nurse

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    “To do what nobody else will do, a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through; is to be a nurse,” said Rawsi Williams, a registered RN. This quote completely captures the duties and responsibilities it takes to be in a healthcare profession. Like many health care occupations, nurse practitioners provide ‘patient-centered, accessible, high-quality health care’ (NP Public Awareness). They learn their roles by practicing in education facilities before heading out to the real world where everything they have learned help to save people’s lives. Now achieving doctorate degrees, nurse practitioners are slowly widening the professional field for nurses everywhere by continuing to maintain contact with

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Nurses In Nursing

    840 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to your specialty and demographic, your annual gross will fluctuate. "In 2015, the average registered nurse made fifty thousand dollars annually in North Dakota. "In the state of Minnesota, the average registered made a hundred thousand dollars per year. With experience, good performance, and continuous education, registered nurses can move to other setting or be promoted to positions with more responsibility".(Occupational Outlook) In the nursing field there is always an opportunity for professional and educational growth. Hospitals including, Sanford, Essentia, CHI, Mayo Clinic, and Avera, are the leading employers in the mid-west region. "These hospitals employ 60,000 registered every year, and always on the search for exceptional registered nurses that will be a great addition to their hospitals." (Registered Nurse)

    Read More

More about The Path to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

Open Document