Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Jump to:
Job Description
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse trained in advanced practice who can provide care to patients throughout the span of years, from premature newborns to the elderly.
Nurse practitioners are an integral part of the overall health care provider system.
Responsibilities
Nurse practitioners must utilize critical thinking skills when obtaining relevant information about their patient’s health status.
They may sometimes need to consult a wide variety of sources, such as the patient’s verbal responses to interrogatories, the clinical examination of the patient and the results of diagnostic tests.
They must make use of the acquired data to independently make evidence-based decisions about their patient’s conditions and potential treatments.
A nurse practitioner must be able to cope well with stress, as their work places them in a position of direct involvement with human suffering, life-threatening emergencies and other pressures.
Nurse practitioners can perform any of the following comprehensive and focused health care interventions:
-
Identification and treatment of common acute illnesses and injuries
-
Provide necessary immunizations
-
Management of chronic health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and depression
-
Order and evaluate diagnostic tests such as EKGs, X-rays and laboratory tests
-
Prescribe therapies and routine medications
-
Perform medical procedures
-
Providing counseling and educational services to patients and their families and caregivers about healthy lifestyle choices and health care options
Nurse practitioners have the authority to practice independently in 26 states. They can prescribe medications in all 50 states, including controlled substances.
Skills
Mental Endurance |
Must be able to handle pressure and the demanding work and long hours that comes with their job title. |
Physical Endurance |
NPs are on their feet all the time and need to be able to respond quickly to situations as they arise. |
Stress Management |
They must manage the stress and pressure that comes with their job. |
Empathy |
Being able to relate to patients on an emotional level and understand what they go through is super important for NPs because interact with patients constantly. |
Organization |
Must be able to situate tasks and documents so as not to mix up records or medications. |
Communication |
They must communicate between patients and their families so they have to communicate clearly and relay information at a high level. |
Patience |
Becoming a nurse practitioner and advancing in the field takes time, so it's important to take it slow and easy and save yourself a ton of anxiety. |
Detail-Oriented |
NPs have a ton of tasks they must perform, so they have to pay attention so as not to mix up medications and seriously injure or harm a patient. |
Critical Thinking |
Must constantly be devising new ways of interacting with people, adapt to changes, and learn about the things a medical professional needs to know. |
Working Conditions
There are approximately 15 percent of all nurse practitioners providing health care services in their own private practices.
There are also a growing number of nurse-managed health care centers across the United States.
In these facilities, all of the health care is provided by and directed by nurse practitioners working in collaboration with other health care professionals.
In addition to private practice, nurse practitioners may find employment opportunities in the following areas:
-
Medical clinics
-
Doctor’s offices
-
Hospitals
-
Managed care organizations
-
Service organizations focusing on rural areas
-
Community health centers in urban areas
-
Community college and university campuses
-
Employee wellness and health care centers
-
Health care technology companies, such as pharmaceutical manufacturers
-
Health care research facilities
-
Educational roles in schools and universities
-
Governmental agencies, such as health departments or military service
Depending on the area where he or she is working, the nurse practitioner’s work schedule may be a standard workweek, or it may include weekend and holiday rotations. There may be on-call hours required, as well.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are highly and actively recruited as the number of primary care physicians decreases nationwide. NPs will continue to be sought after as the demand for health care services continues to increase.
Salary Outlook

Estimated Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage | Positions Nationwide |
---|---|---|
$99,000.00 | $47.60 | 127,000 |
Resources
NP vs DNP: What's the Difference and Which Degree Should You Pursue?
Nursing Associate's Degree Programs
Accelerated Nursing Bachelor's Degree Programs
Nursing Bachelor's Degree Programs
Nursing Master's Degree Programs
Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs
American Nurses Credentialling Center (ANCC)
Title | Company | Location | Posted |
---|---|---|---|
Nurse Practitioner - NP Center for Addiction | Baptist Health | Montgomery, AL | 12.06.2019 |
Nurse Practitioner - NP Center for Addiction-(26-6471-NP-112019) Description Baptist Health is the largest healthcare system serving central Alabama, providing comprehensive hospital-based and outpatient services to nearly 60 percent of the... | |||
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Primary Care | MaineHealth | North Conway, ME | 12.09.2019 |
The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices autonomously and in collaboration with health care professionals and other individuals to diagnose, treat and manage the patients health problems. Serves as health care researcher,... | |||
NURSE PRACTITIONER | Bozeman Health | Belgrade, MT | 12.09.2019 |
Family nurse practitioner provides healthcare to the full spectrum of the lifespan of patients. Provides patient care, within the scope of practice of the NP license, in the arenas of urgent care and retail care. NP services include assessment,... | |||
Nurse Practitioner-Wound Clinic | MaineHealth | Biddeford, ME | 12.09.2019 |
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum... | |||
Nurse Practitioner Dermatology Kennebunk | MaineHealth | Kennebunk, ME | 12.09.2019 |
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum... | |||
NP II - Nurse Practitioner Venice Family Clinic | UCLA Health | Venice, CA | 11.22.2019 |
Responsibilities The NP functions in an interdependent role by implementing the appropriate "standardized procedures" (SP). By using the SPs the NP is able to change treatment regimen after observing signs and symptoms of illness, reactions to... | |||
Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner | FirstHealth of the Carolinas | Pinehurst, NC | 12.09.2019 |
Experienced Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner needed for thriving primary care practice. This 100% outpatient position is part of a collegial team of providers. Seasoned hospitalist service offers direct admit, consult, and inpatient... | |||
Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Northfield Hospital & Clinics | Northfield, MN | 11.27.2019 |
This part-time position provides patient care to students at St. Olaf College in the on-campus Student Health Services clinic. Responsibilities: Evaluate, diagnose and treat illnesses, minor injuries, and manage most chronic illnesses.... | |||
Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Cardiology Service | Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Plymouth | Plymouth, MA | 11.08.2019 |
Duties/Responsibilities Clinical The Nurse Practitioner shall provide the following clinical services to patients of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth and the HMFP/JPA Cardiology Practice: Manage inpatient consult service and hand-off... | |||
Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Northfield Hospital & Clinics | Lakeville, MN | 11.04.2019 |
We are seeking a casual/call Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner to join our Urgent Care in our Lakeville Clinic. You'll provide urgent care services including medical, orthopedic and minor surgical care, treatment for illnesses and... | |||
Nurse Practitioner -Family Medicine Sanford | MaineHealth | Sanford, ME | 12.09.2019 |
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum... | |||
Nurse Practitioner Family Medicine Kennebunk | MaineHealth | Kennebunk, ME | 12.09.2019 |
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum... | |||
Nurse Practitioner - Walk In Care | MaineHealth | Saco, ME | 12.09.2019 |
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum... | |||
Nurse Practitioner II - Cardiothoracic ICU | UCLA Health | Los Angeles, CA | 11.22.2019 |
Responsibilities Please join our Cardiothoracic ICU Nurse Practitioner team at UCLA Health! UCan make a difference in patients’ lives! The NP functions in an interdependent role by implementing the appropriate Standardized Procedures (SPs). By... | |||
Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner | Dosher Memorial Hospital | Southport, NC | 12.09.2019 |
Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner - Dosher Medical Urgent Care PRN (as needed) The Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner will gather data on all new patients or established patients with new or existing problems which may include a... |
-
Nurse Practitioner - NP Center for Addiction
Montgomery, AL
Baptist Health
Nurse Practitioner - NP Center for Addiction-(26-6471-NP-112019) Description Baptist Health is the largest healthcare system serving central Alabama, providing comprehensive hospital-based and outpatient services to nearly 60 percent of the...
-
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Primary Care
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices autonomously and in collaboration with health care professionals and other individuals to diagnose, treat and manage the patients health problems. Serves as health care researcher,...
-
NURSE PRACTITIONER
Bozeman, MT
Bozeman Health
Family nurse practitioner provides healthcare to the full spectrum of the lifespan of patients. Provides patient care, within the scope of practice of the NP license, in the arenas of urgent care and retail care. NP services include assessment,...
-
Nurse Practitioner-Wound Clinic
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum...
-
Nurse Practitioner Dermatology Kennebunk
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum...
-
NP II - Nurse Practitioner Venice Family Clinic
Los Angeles, CA
UCLA Health
Responsibilities The NP functions in an interdependent role by implementing the appropriate "standardized procedures" (SP). By using the SPs the NP is able to change treatment regimen after observing signs and symptoms of illness, reactions to...
-
Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
Pinehurst, NC
FirstHealth of the Carolinas
Experienced Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner needed for thriving primary care practice. This 100% outpatient position is part of a collegial team of providers. Seasoned hospitalist service offers direct admit, consult, and inpatient...
-
Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Northfield, MN
Northfield Hospital & Clinics
This part-time position provides patient care to students at St. Olaf College in the on-campus Student Health Services clinic. Responsibilities: Evaluate, diagnose and treat illnesses, minor injuries, and manage most chronic illnesses....
-
Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Cardiology Service
Plymouth, MA
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Plymouth
Duties/Responsibilities Clinical The Nurse Practitioner shall provide the following clinical services to patients of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth and the HMFP/JPA Cardiology Practice: Manage inpatient consult service and hand-off...
-
Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Northfield, MN
Northfield Hospital & Clinics
We are seeking a casual/call Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner to join our Urgent Care in our Lakeville Clinic. You'll provide urgent care services including medical, orthopedic and minor surgical care, treatment for illnesses and...
-
Nurse Practitioner -Family Medicine Sanford
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum...
-
Nurse Practitioner Family Medicine Kennebunk
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum...
-
Nurse Practitioner - Walk In Care
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides primary care to patients under the supervision of the Supervising Physician in the clinic following established standards and practices. Required Minimum...
-
Nurse Practitioner II - Cardiothoracic ICU
Los Angeles, CA
UCLA Health
Responsibilities Please join our Cardiothoracic ICU Nurse Practitioner team at UCLA Health! UCan make a difference in patients’ lives! The NP functions in an interdependent role by implementing the appropriate Standardized Procedures (SPs). By...
-
Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
Southport, NC
Dosher Memorial Hospital
Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner - Dosher Medical Urgent Care PRN (as needed) The Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner will gather data on all new patients or established patients with new or existing problems which may include a...