Nurse Practitioner
Description of job
Analyze patient's symptoms, physical findings, and develop appropriate diagnoses
Diagnose or treat health care problems such as injuries, illnesses, and infections
Recommend diagnostic with safety and cost in mind
Prescribe medications based on efficacy and safety
Educate patients to take care of themselves
Work Enviroment
Very diverse settings:
Hospitals, health maintenance organizations, freestanding nurse-run primary care clinics, private practice offices, extended-care facilities,
Home health organizations, and schools
Yearly average salary
$57,000- $75,000
Employment outlook
127,000 employees- 2013
% of Respondents & Education Level Required
83%
Master’s degree
7%
Doctoral degree
3%
Post-baccalaureate
Required Training & Education
Length of Training 6+ years
Required to have Master’s
- Pass certification exam conducted by an appropriate specialty board
Required license & Certification
Completed a BSN
- Have RN license
Three reasons why you are interested in this career
I find enjoyment in diagnosing illnesses
I would like to be in control of what treatment the patient gets without supervision of doctor
I also like to help people
Three reasons this career might not be so great
All the years of school and college you have to take
Certain tests, applications you have to have
It’s hard to stay determined to get down to every detail