Nurse Practitioner Career Overview
A nurse practitioner provides medical care to patients in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Nurse practitioners go through advanced nursing training, generally in the form of a master's degree, to learn how to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions. They are responsible for understanding a patient's history, performing physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing physical therapy and more.
Five Steps for Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
- Step One: Earn a High School Diploma: One of the first nurse practitioner education requirements is to graduate from high school. This is a necessary step for students wishing to go on to nursing programs at accredited colleges and universities.
- Step Two: Earn a Nursing Degree: All nurse practitioners must first become registered nurses, and all registered nurses must graduate from nursing programs at accredited colleges and universities. Registered nurses can either receive an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree or a diploma in order to practice in the field.
- Step Three: Earn a Master's Degree: In most all states, a master's degree in nursing is a prerequisite for nurse practitioners. Such programs focus on one specialty of nursing, such as family practice, women's health, children's health or acute care.
- Step Four: Become a Licensed Nurse: All U.S. states require that nurse practitioners receive a license in order to practice nursing professionally in a hospital or healthcare facility. This involves passing the NCLEX-RN exam and renewing state licensure periodically.
- Step Five: Apply for Certification: After receiving state licensure, registered nurses should become certified by an organization such as the
Source: education-portal.com
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