How Long Does it Take to Be a Nurse Practitioner?
The role of nurse practitioner was established more than 40 years ago, according to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. An NP is an advanced practice nurse who can take on most of the responsibilities of a doctor. Many have master's degrees and some even have doctoral degrees. To be a nurse practitioner, you need at least six years of post-high school education.
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Undergraduate Work
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Becoming a registered nurse (RN) through an accredited nursing school is the first step. The American Nurses Association recommends entry-level candidates have at least a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, according to the University of Georgia. The university also states that four-year degrees give nurses a "larger theoretical base" than those who have only an associate degree in nursing. A bachelor's degree is often necessary for admission to graduate-level NP programs, according to the U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics (BLS).
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Master's Level
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In most states, a master's degree is required to become a nurse practitioner, according to Education Portal. Students in the two-year nurse practitioner programs choose a specialty, ranging from geriatrics to family practice to emergency care.
Doctorate Degree
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Doctoral degrees are not required to become a nurse practitioner at this time, but according to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, an increasing number of NP programs are awarding doctoral degrees. The academy reports that it is part of a task force considering a proposal that nurse practitioners be required reach the doctoral level, graduating with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
Licensing and Certification
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Regardless of whether an NP candidate graduates with a master's or doctorate, all nursing graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. After passing the NCLEX-RN, NPs are usually required to apply for certification in their specialty, reports the BLS. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing Center offer such certifications, says Education Portal.
Job Outlook and Salary
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According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, NPs offer an approach preferred by a growing number of patients, because of their "unique blend of nursing and medical care." The BLS predicts nursing will be one of the fastest growing U.S. careers through 2016, with nearly 600,000 new jobs generated. According to Salary.com, the average income of a nurse practitioner in 2009 was around $82,600.
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Gilberto Santa Rosa
