Nurse practitioners are advanced registered nurses who provide healthcare services. Nurse Practitioners specialize in a particular area, such as pediatrics, oncology or women’s health. From performing comprehensive physical examinations to identifying and treating common acute illnesses and injuries, NPs can order the test and write prescriptions, diagnose conditions and develop treatment plans. Advanced practice registered nurses, nurse practitioners provide care to patients throughout the lifespan, from premature newborns to the elderly. The essence of nursing lies in the fact that it allows one to work directly with patients and gives the chance to make a big difference in the lives of entire communities.

Top Global Nurse Practicing Centers

• IOM Future of Nursing
• Duke University School of Nursing
• AACN Doctor of Nursing Practice Fact Sheet
• IHI Triple AIM
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•  IOM Future of Nursing
• The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing
• The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing

Advantages of pursuing Nurse Practitioner Online Program:

Nurse practitioners are high in demand as they are trained to take care for a patient and develop treatment plans in partnership with them. Besides job stability and handsome packages, here are some of the other benefits of pursuing NP program:

• Students enjoy the convenience of online study with the career-boosting advantages of clinical residencies.
• It allows one to maintain a full-time job while taking classes.
• One can take on a variety of leadership and direct patient care roles, and those with entrepreneurial spirit can set up their own practice.

Few specializations of this profession are:

• Acute care
• Adult-Gerontology
• Emergency Nurse practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse practitioner
• Psychiatric Nurse practitioner
• Women’s Health

Nurse and Nurse Practitioner Online Program is different in some ways.

Both the above mentioned courses prepare aspirants to provide quality health care to the patients. However, the two differ in their educational and eligibility criteria. While, a Registered nurse may complete his/her associates or bachelor degree, the Nurse Practitioner must have MSN degree (Master of Science in Nursing).

More than 60 % of RNs work in hospital, while nearly half of NPs work in private practice and community health clinic. Also, the level of autonomy granted to nurse practitioner this is the biggest difference. They can check patients, and can also refer to a physician or specialist as a case requires. On the other side RNs, a Nurse practitioner can diagnose and treat acute illnesses, and recommend the better medications.

Here are a few steps one needs to follow to become a nurse practitioner:

• Graduate from high school.
• Pursue a bachelor of science in nursing (4 years)
• Complete NPs in courses, including biology, psychology, chemistry, and statistics. Some people choose to work in a hospital to gain experience
• Become a registered nurse and garner experience (1-2 years)

For RN:

• Pursue a graduate degree in nursing (1.5 – 4 years)
• Get certified by specialty nursing board

Types of Nurse Practitioner:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

• Pursue an MSN with a family NP specialization (2 -3 years)
• Obtain certification
• Maintain certification (every 5 years)

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

• Pursue an MSN with a neonatal NP specialization (1-3 years)
• Obtain certification (time line varies)
• Maintain certification ( every three years)

Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP)

• Pursue an MSN with a pediatric NP specialization (2years)
• Maintain certification (every 1 -5 years, depending on credential)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Working conditions in Nurse practitioner

• Interpersonal Relationship: Nurse Practitioners constantly work with doctors, patients, other medical staff, and have a high level of social interaction.
• Physical Work conditions: Nurse practitioners usually work indoors and wear protective gloves and masks to ensure complete safety.
• Work Performance: NPs usually communicate via phone, memos, letters, and in person. They are responsible for making decisions that substantially impact patients and their families
• Hours/Travel: Working in a set schedule, nurse practitioners usually work more than 40 hours per week and they have to report to handle emergencies.