Nurse Practitioner Career

If you enjoy helping people and place value in physical wellness, an aptitude test may direct you toward careers in medicine and health care. For the truly dedicated individuals who wish to practice in a variety of different fields, a career as a nurse practitioner may be right for you.

Possible duties of a nurse practicioner
As a nurse practitioner, you will be trained under the nursing theory and learn to provide your patients with holistic and preventive care in addition to most aspects of primary health care, and depending on the state from which you receive your national board certification, you may be qualified to practice independently of physicians in your chosen area of certification. Examples of specific fields that a nurse practitioner may choose to specialize include pediatrics, gerontology, women's health, and oncology.

Educational information for a nurse practicioner:
Registered nurses are required to complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSM), but as a nurse practitioner, you will also be required to complete a graduate-level nurse practitioner's program. A Master's will do, but you may pursue a doctoral degree if you wish. The extra time spent in a graduate-level degree program will give you more freedom and a wider scope than a registered nurse, teaching you how to provide a more comprehensive range of health care akin to the kind a patient might receive from a primary care physician.

As a nurse practitioner, you will participate in the rewarding field of medicine by providing your patients with the caring, compassionate health care on the level of primary physicians. With all the training of a registered nurse and the benefit of a graduate-level degree to broaden your scope, you will be licensed to conduct physical examinations to properly diagnose and treat your patients. Furthermore, you will have the option of prescribing physical therapy, medication, and immunizations as necessary. You will also be qualified to assist in some surgeries.

Why nursing?
The field of nursing is genuinely rewarding because of its direct connection with helping people. A nurse practitioner can make a difference in the lives of patients by providing the care that patients have come to expect from nurses with the broader range of expertise expected of primary care physicians.

Medical and healthcare careers related to the nurse practitioner field:

• CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Medical Assistant
• Nursing
• Nursing Aid
• Physician Assistant
• Physician