A Guide To Nurse Practitioner Jobs

With advanced nursing education and clinical training, a registered nurse can broaden his or her career by becoming a nurse practitioner. Figures from a 2004 poll by the American College of Nurse Practitioners Association showed that the average salary of full-time nurse practitioners, regardless of specialization, is $73,235 per annum.

As an NP, which is short for nurse practitioner, you can have not only a higher salary, but also a great sense of fulfillment for being able to provide primary medical services even without the supervision of a medical doctor.  Moreover, nurse practitioner jobs are on the rise because of the soaring demand for primary health services in the country.

Benefits of Being A Nurse Practitioner

As mentioned earlier, one of the primary advantages of being an NP is its high salary. Depending on the area of expertise, location and years of experience, a nurse practitioner can earn as much as $120,000 annually.

Another benefit of being a nurse practitioner is the abundance of available jobs. The demand for primary care, especially in rural and depressed areas, will continue to rise because there are only a few general practitioners in the country.

Another key benefit that nurse practitioners enjoy is the high level of autonomy. Nurse practitioners, compared with other caregivers, midwives or physician assistants, have a certain degree of independence when it comes to treating and managing common problems and diseases. Furthermore, by virtue of the Nurse Practice Acts, NPs can set up clinics and practice their profession independently, much like physicians and dentists.

Qualities Needed To Get A Nurse Practitioner Job

Aside from ample education, years of experience and extensive training, there are other characteristics needed to qualify for a nurse practitioner job. First, you should display good judgment and excellent analytical skills. Since NPs can work even without the supervision of physicians, people who are interested in an NP job should also be responsible, well organized and must be willing to be accountable for their actions. Furthermore, an NP must have outstanding communication skills, a genuine aspiration to help people, and a capability to act responsibly during emergencies.

Institutions Where Nurse Practitioner Jobs Are Available

Health Maintenance Organizations

One of the institutions that require an abundant number of nurse practitioners is the HMOs. Actually, the rise of health maintenance organizations, such as Medicare and Medicaid, was one of the reasons why the NP profession was created. Since the cost of health services have become more affordable because of HMO, the need for individuals that will provide primary care to patients have dramatically increased. With the steady decline in the number of general practitioners, NPs will surely have abundant job opportunities in HMOs.

Health Centers and Community Clinics

As mentioned earlier, nurse practitioner jobs are more plentiful in rural areas and far flung communities. Therefore, NPs will surely find employment in state-owned community clinics and health centers. It is important to note, however, that nurse practitioners that should work in these institutions must be ready to face huge responsibilities and full accountability because general practitioner's guidance will be scarce.

Hospitals

Naturally, one option for nurse practitioners is to work in hospitals. However, if you decide to work in a hospital as an NP, you need to be ready to subject yourself to the supervision, although minimal, of a doctor or superior. Of course, the degree of supervision is dependent on the reputation, size and location of the hospital.

Nursing Homes And Hospice Centers

There is also a great demand for nursing practitioners in nursing homes and hospice centers. Although some large and expensive hospice centers and nursing homes have resident physicians, some smaller institutions are run solely by nurse practitioners. An NP who intends to work for these institutions must have an affinity to taking care of the elderly or terminally sick individuals. Jobs in such places are usually hard but definitely rewarding.

School Clinics

There are also a lot of nurse practitioner jobs available at clinics of schools and colleges. NPs who decide to work in such institutions must prefer to work with students.

Nursing Schools

Nurse practitioners could also opt to work at nursing schools as professors or instructors. However, nurse practitioners that usually get the job at nursing schools have excellent academic background and strong clinical experience.

Whatever field you specialize in or health organization you decide to join, you will find that a nurse practitioner job is just within your reach.