Nurse Practitioner

👤Patient Care💰High Pay💎Very High Pay

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

Similar Careers

Related Guides

nursing

How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Rhode Island

Learn the steps to become a Registered Nurse in Rhode Island, from choosing the right nursing program to passing the NCLEX exam. Explore licensure requirements, career options, and salary expectations to start your nursing career in the Ocean State.

nursing

How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Ohio

Want to become an RN in Ohio? Learn the steps: from picking a nursing program to passing the NCLEX and meeting Ohio Board of Nursing requirements. Explore options like ADN or BSN, and find out how Ohio's diverse healthcare settings offer unique career paths.

nursing

How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Massachusetts

Want to be an RN in Massachusetts? Start by choosing a Board-approved nursing program, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and apply for your state license. Learn about program options, licensure steps, and potential earnings to kickstart your nursing career in MA.