All About Nurse Practitioners
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Example Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
Life As a Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Maintain departmental policies and procedures in areas such as safety and infection control.
- Diagnose or treat chronic health care problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Keep abreast of regulatory processes and payer systems, such as Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, and private sources.
- Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
- Maintain complete and detailed records of patients’ health care plans and prognoses.
- Consult with, or refer patients to, appropriate specialists when conditions exceed the scope of practice or expertise.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Needed Skills
These are the skills Nurse Practitioners say are the most useful in their careers:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner
- Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner
- Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Job Outlook for Nurse Practitioners
There were about 155,500 jobs for Nurse Practitioner in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 36.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 56,100 new jobs for Nurse Practitioner by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,400 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Nurse Practitioner (NP) are Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Nebraska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary
The typical yearly salary for Nurse Practitioners is somewhere between $78,300 and $150,320.
Nurse Practitioners who work in California, Hawaii, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Nurse Practitioners make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $95,970 |
| Alaska | $122,880 |
| Arizona | $110,750 |
| Arkansas | $104,300 |
| California | $133,780 |
| Colorado | $111,210 |
| Connecticut | $118,020 |
| Delaware | $108,340 |
| District of Columbia | $109,800 |
| Florida | $101,100 |
| Georgia | $106,750 |
| Hawaii | $120,570 |
| Idaho | $102,600 |
| Illinois | $105,800 |
| Indiana | $103,200 |
| Iowa | $106,290 |
| Kansas | $99,430 |
| Kentucky | $99,790 |
| Louisiana | $105,340 |
| Maine | $103,220 |
| Maryland | $115,060 |
| Massachusetts | $122,740 |
| Michigan | $106,880 |
| Minnesota | $119,160 |
| Mississippi | $109,700 |
| Missouri | $102,470 |
| Montana | $103,510 |
| Nebraska | $103,800 |
| Nevada | $112,540 |
| New Hampshire | $109,460 |
| New Jersey | $122,100 |
| New Mexico | $109,810 |
| New York | $120,970 |
| North Carolina | $104,100 |
| North Dakota | $106,200 |
| Ohio | $101,970 |
| Oklahoma | $103,280 |
| Oregon | $110,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,250 |
| Rhode Island | $109,290 |
| South Carolina | $99,910 |
| South Dakota | $100,690 |
| Tennessee | $95,990 |
| Texas | $111,060 |
| Utah | $105,840 |
| Vermont | $106,000 |
| Virginia | $105,170 |
| Washington | $117,650 |
| West Virginia | $100,690 |
| Wisconsin | $106,790 |
| Wyoming | $116,030 |
What Tools & Technology do Nurse Practitioners Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Nurse Practitioners may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft SharePoint
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Medical procedure coding software
- Epic Systems
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Medical condition coding software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
- eClinicalWorks
- Allscripts Professional EHR
- SOAPware EMR
- e-MDs software
How do I Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Nurse Practitioner?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Nurse Practitioners Sector
Below are examples of industries where Nurse Practitioners work:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Nurse Practitioner might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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