| Nurse practitioners are advanced-level nurses that | | | | expect to work from 9 to 5. NPs are often called |
| are responsible for the care of their patients in a | | | | in at odd hours when there are fewer physicians |
| very similar manner to a physician. In fact, most | | | | available and the clinic or hospital requires |
| states permit nurse practitioners (NPs) to act | | | | someone with physician-like authority, without the |
| completely independently of a physician, however, | | | | costs or burden. |
| some states require that NPs work collaboratively | | | | However, much of the freedom that nurse |
| with licensed doctors. This is in contrast to lower | | | | practitioners currently enjoy may be coming to a |
| level nurses, such as registered or licensed | | | | close. There have been debates in recent years |
| vocational nurses, who are often not given the | | | | as to the validity of permitting a NP (who does |
| same level of freedom and responsibilities. Should | | | | significantly less schooling) to act reasonably |
| you decide to become a nurse practitioner, you'll | | | | independently of a physician. On the one hand, the |
| likely find that it is a great way to gain the | | | | job outlook remains very bright because of the |
| satisfaction that comes with helping people, while | | | | thought that NPs will be able to act as "physician |
| at the same time being your own boss. | | | | extenders" and will be able to help alleviate the |
| So, how exactly does one achieve this goal? | | | | growing shortage of qualified doctors. This kind of |
| Obtaining both your BSN (bachelor's of science in | | | | role will help to ensure greater levels of job |
| nursing), your designation as a registered nurse, | | | | security than regular nurses. Opponents of this |
| and your master's in nursing with an accredited | | | | theory are weary that, due to the disparity |
| nurse practitioner specialization are the only | | | | between schooling levels, NPs may not be fully |
| requirements to become a nurse practitioner. | | | | qualified to act in this capacity. |
| Most, if not all, NP programs will have you focus | | | | All in all, a decision to become a nurse practitioner, |
| on a specialized area, such as adult, neonatal, or | | | | is bright for your career. It isn't that much harder, |
| pediatric care. As was mentioned before, there is | | | | only requiring a master's degree above the usual |
| no formal examination required to be recognized | | | | BSN and registered nurse designation. Yet the |
| as a full-fledged NP. | | | | salary is 1.5x to 2x higher than typical nurses with |
| The salary and benefits of being a nurse | | | | six figures certainly not out of the question. |
| practitioner are also much higher than being simply | | | | Factor into the equation greater levels of control, |
| a registered nurse. In 2008 the average income | | | | better job security, and a greater ability to |
| for a NP was around $81,000 although this | | | | practice in the areas you want (such as |
| profession certainly has the potential to earn | | | | pediatrics), makes this a large step up from lower |
| much more. In fact, the highest average earning | | | | nursing positions. Indeed, if you're already a nurse |
| salary was a little over $90,000 in the specialty of | | | | or even if you're just thinking about getting into |
| hematology/oncology. Like many nursing jobs, | | | | the field, becoming a NP is a very excellent move |
| you can't become a nurse practitioner if you | | | | for your career. |
