Have you decided to become a nurse practitioner? If so, congratulation!
This is the first step to becoming a part of one of the fastest-growing professions globally, especially after the pandemic. The United States has more than 325,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) on board, including LPN programs in Columbus Ohio.
In the academic year 2019 to 2020, 36,000 new nurse practitioners completed their education.
So, once you become an NP, appreciate yourself for becoming a member of the largest group of healthcare professionals in the US.
Nurse practitioners have made significant contributions to healthcare by focusing on holistic care.
They take preventive measures, plan and achieve wellness goals, and educate the patients about staying healthy. They perform these duties apart from taking up diagnostic and patient care duties.
Here are some thought-provoking facts about nurse practitioners that you must know.
These things are beneficial whether you are an RN planning to advance your career or someone aspiring to become Nurse Practitioner in the future.
- Build on the education of a Registered Nurse
For everyone wanting to become a Nurse practitioner, becoming a registered nurse is mandatory.
You can become a registered nurse with a nursing diploma or a BSN degree.
In both cases, you will have to pass the state license test for practicing as a nurse. Later you can advance your education with MSN or a DNP degree and get higher skills to perform specialized roles.
Most states allow masters nurse practitioners to start practicing if they have the license.
But many other hospitals and states may prefer nurses to have a DNP to work as a nurse practitioner.
So, you must check the requirements of the individual state.
- Diagnose, treat and prescribe medication
Many states allow nurse practitioners to diagnose, treat and prescribe medications without the direct oversight of a physician.
Therefore, NPs also rival the authority of physicians due to their higher education and skills.
They can also call for medical tests and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions.
You will see the NPs providing care to their patients from all dimensions: mental, physical, social, and others.
Independent research has also confirmed the safety of their practice and the efficacy of their service.
- Get multiple certifications
While you can pick your patient population and decide who you will treat before enrolling in a nursing school, it does not mean that you need to stick to one.
An NP can work in various areas of the hospital by earning multiple certifications.
Some nursing institutions even allow them to get two nursing certifications in one go.
- Nurse practitioners are finding more job opportunities
Nurse practitioners are in demand, and many factors contribute to this upsurge.
The major driver is the plethora of healthcare issues plaguing healthcare that also describe a 45% increase in NP employment through 2030.
NPs have more demand in rural areas where they might be filling the gap for the absence of an adequate number of primary care physicians.
Moreover, an increasing baby boomer population needs more patient care services over a longer span.
Thanks to current healthcare medications and treatments, the life expectancy of people has considerably improved.
The team-based model of working has also significantly benefited the nurse practitioners.
In this setup, various healthcare providers work together and create the best healthcare plans for the population.
In team-based working, NPs play a significant role in receiving positive patient outcomes by working in place of physicians or leading their independent teams.
- Opportunity to earn a higher salary
Nurse practitioners can earn a better salary than registered nurses due to their higher qualifications and skills.
According to 2020 estimates, a nurse practitioner can earn an average salary of $110,000, though the amount can vary depending on the certification and specialization.
With time, your salary also increases as you gain more experience.
- Low malpractice rate
Nurse practitioners make fewer medical mistakes, so they have a low malpractice rate of 1.1%, where they are considered the primary defendants.
Therefore, nursing is also regarded as the most trusted profession.
Patients show more willingness to get treated by experienced nurses.
Consequently, it is highly improbable that hospitals get entwined in medical malpractice cases due to nurses.
- They are becoming more independent
Today nurses are working in various capacities. They are even taking up leadership positions. As a result, the autonomy of nurse practitioners is increasing.
They can take crucial decisions without constant approval from the doctors and management.
It has also been seen that nurses who have more autonomy can make fewer mistakes and reduce patient mortality rates in a care facility.
The ascension of nurses to management roles is in favor of both management and patients.
- Major focus is on primary care
Nurse practitioners specialize in many areas, but most focus on primary care. Under primary care, family care is the work area for most NPS.
This highlights the popularity of FNP among nurses and more demand posed by this area in healthcare.
If you are thinking about choosing a specialized area of care in nursing, FNP can be your choice too. It is respectful, lucrative, and in-demand.
Conclusion
The job of a nurse practitioner is very important for healthcare, especially because they are making up for the shortage of physicians in far-flung areas.
Nurse practitioners are also more in demand because many studies have vouched for their reliable service and better patient outcomes.