While nursing is often a popular career choice, not many people think of becoming nurse practitioners. However, it is a rewarding career that offers autonomy, specialization, and the benefits of an advanced career. Here are five reasons to consider becoming a nurse practitioner.
1. More Expertise – To become a nurse practitioner, you must have a master’s degree. This means that you will have more knowledge and training than registered nurses (RNs). In fact, nurse practitioners can even serve as primary care providers. They can diagnose illnesses, prescribe drugs and treatments, examine and treat patients, similar to doctors. However, nurses focus on educating patients so that they can prevent illness in the future and live healthier lives.
2. More Responsibility – As mentioned above, nurse practitioners have more responsibilities than RNs and other nurses. Instead of working under the supervision of a doctor, they have the option of working independently and supervising other nurses. Even those that do work with doctors are given more autonomy with patients than lower-tier nurses would have.
3. Treat Patients Quickly – Nurse practitioners help alleviate the long wait people must sometimes face when trying to see a care provider. If they must wait a few days to see a physician, sometimes they are given the option to meet with a nurse practitioner instead. This usually allows patients to receive care sooner than they would otherwise, especially if their illness is not serious.
4. Variety – Nurse practitioners can work in a wide variety of health care settings. Many specialize in a certain population group, such as women, children, adults, families, the elderly, or those with a specific type of condition. They might even work in the field of mental health. Nurse practitioners can also serve as primary care providers or specialty care providers in their own clinic, but many work under doctors as well. The career options available for nurse practitioners allows them to follow their passions and work with those they want to help most.
5. Advanced Career – Due to the high level of education and knowledge required to be a nurse practitioner, they earn much higher salaries than registered nurses. The options for specialization and independent practicing allows nurse practitioners to advance rapidly in their career as health professionals. Some may even go on to earn doctoral degrees, usually a Doctor of Nursing Practice. In fact, it is expected that more nurse practitioners will be expected to earn doctoral degrees in the future.
For more information about nurse practitioner programs, visit the site Online Nurse Practitioner Programs.
This article was written by Erin McKinney, who is a licensed nurse practitioner. Erin also owns the site Masters of Nursing for students interested in getting an advanced degree in the nursing field.