Nurse Practitioner
Diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and provide comprehensive primary and specialty healthcare services.
| Median Salary | $132,050 per year |
| Job Growth (10yr) | +46%Excellent |
| Education | Master's Degree |
| Time to Start | 6-8 years |
Work Settings
- •Primary care clinics and physician offices
- •Hospitals (inpatient units, ICUs, outpatient centers)
- •Urgent care centers
- •Specialty practices (cardiology, dermatology, oncology, psychiatry)
- •Telehealth platforms
- •Retail clinics
- •Independent NP-owned practices
- •Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
- •School and college health centers
- •Public health departments
- •Home health services
Primary Duties
- •Conduct comprehensive physical examinations and take detailed patient health histories
- •Order, perform, supervise, and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests
- •Diagnose acute illnesses, injuries, and chronic health conditions
- •Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans tailored to individual patients
- •Prescribe medications, including controlled substances where authorized
- •Coordinate patient care across multiple providers and healthcare settings
- •Provide patient and family education on disease prevention, health promotion, and wellness
- •Maintain accurate and detailed electronic medical records and documentation
How to Become Nurse Practitioner
Earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Complete undergraduate nursing education at an accredited institution. Accelerated BSN programs for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree take 12-18 months.
Duration: 48 months
Pass NCLEX-RN and obtain RN license
Apply for and pass the national licensure exam to become a Registered Nurse.
Duration: 3 months
Gain clinical experience as an RN
Work in a clinical setting to build foundational skills. This experience is highly recommended and often required for NP program admission.
Duration: 24 months
Complete graduate NP program (MSN or DNP)
MSN programs typically take 2-3 years; DNP programs take 3-4 years. Select your patient population focus during program entry.
Duration: 48 months
Pass national certification exam
Apply for and pass certification exam from AANPCB, ANCC, or other specialty-specific certifying body.
Duration: 2 months
Obtain state APRN licensure and credentials
Apply for state licensure, prescriptive authority, NPI, and DEA registration. Complete employer credentialing process (60-120 days).
Duration: 4 months
Continuing Education
All Nurse Practitioners must maintain their national board certification through continuing education. Certification renewal is required every 5 years and typically involves completing a specified number of continuing education hours (often 75-100 hours) and maintaining an active RN license. Many states also require continuing education for APRN license renewal. NPs must stay current with evidence-based practices, clinical guidelines, and advances in their specialty area through conferences, online courses, and professional development activities.
Certifications & Licenses
- •National board certification from AANPCB, ANCC, PNCB, NCC, or AACN Certification Corporation (required, specialty-specific)
- •State APRN licensure (required)
- •DEA registration for prescribing controlled substances (required for most positions)
- •National Provider Identifier (NPI) (required)
- •Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (often required)
- •Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) (specialty-dependent)
- •Additional specialty certifications in areas like diabetes education or wound care (optional)
Citations
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners ↗
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) ↗
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) ↗
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) ↗
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) ↗
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) - APRN Consensus Model ↗
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