Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Job Description, Duties, Education, Skills, Salary, & Growth

Nurse Practitioner (NP)




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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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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. 

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Salary Outlook

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary
$91,486 25th Percentile
$98,600 50th Percentile
$107,113 75th Percentile
$43.98 Hourly
$47.40 Hourly
$51.50 Hourly
Estimated Annual Salary Average Hourly Wage Positions Nationwide
$99,000.00 $47.60 127,000
Title Company Location Posted
NURSE PRACTITIONER St. Francis Hospital Greenville, SC 04.20.2018
The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
NURSE PRACTITIONER St. Francis Hospital Greenville, SC 04.20.2018
The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to patients, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
NURSE PRACTITIONER St. Francis Hospital Greenville, SC 04.20.2018
The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
NURSE PRACTITIONER St. Francis Hospital Greenville, SC 04.20.2018
The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
SPECIALTY NURSE PRACTITIONER St. Francis Hospital Greenville, SC 04.20.2018
The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
SPECIALTY NURSE PRACTITIONER St. Francis Hospital Greenville, SC 04.20.2018
The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
SPECIALTY NURSE PRACTITIONER St. Francis Hospital Greenville, SC 04.20.2018
The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
NP/PA-Oncology, Brainerd Essentia Health Brainerd, MN 04.20.2018
NP/PA - Oncology, Brainerd Essentia Health is seeking an NP/PA to join the growing Cancer Center team in providing exceptional healthcare to our community and the surrounding area. Great teamwork and mentoring provide candidates with an ideal...
Nurse Practitioner New England Baptist Hospital Boston, MA 04.20.2018
The nurse practitioner in Pre-admission Screening independently develops a comprehensive data base on patient by obtaining a health history, completing a physical examination, ordering testing and consultation per guidelines, identifying problems...
Nurse Practitioner Tufts Medical Center Boston, MA 01.24.2018
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for providing primary care for a caseload of patients in the Ambulatory Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. As an advanced practice nurse, the NP has received specialized training and education in the...
Nurse Practitioner II - OB/GYN WakeMed Health & Hospitals Raleigh, NC 03.19.2018
The Nurse Practitioner, under the supervision and direction of the Medical Director of OB/GYN and other attending physicians, the Nurse Practitioner, provides high-risk prenatal care, postpartum, and gynecological care in the OB/GYN outpatient...
Nurse Practitioner-Hospitalist Facility MaineHealth Biddeford, ME 04.20.2018
The Hospitalist Service Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides patient care services under the supervision of the Hospitalist Physician or Special Care Unit attending physician. This involves the...
Nurse Practitioner-Cardiology Inpatient MaineHealth Biddeford, ME 04.20.2018
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 Centra Health Lynchburg, VA 04.20.2018
Master's Degree Nurse Practitioner - Pulmonary Opportunity in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Bedford, VA Centra Medical Group has a new and exciting NP opportunity to work with our Pulmonary patients in the Bedford, VA area. Our...
Nurse Practitioner - Family Medicine Adams Health Network Decatur, IN 04.20.2018
Nurse Practitioner - Family Medicine Full Time 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Woodcrest Family Medicine Current NP License
  1. NURSE PRACTITIONER Greenville, SC St. Francis Hospital
    The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
  2. NURSE PRACTITIONER Greenville, SC St. Francis Hospital
    The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to patients, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
  3. NURSE PRACTITIONER Greenville, SC St. Francis Hospital
    The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
  4. NURSE PRACTITIONER Greenville, SC St. Francis Hospital
    The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
  5. SPECIALTY NURSE PRACTITIONER Greenville, SC St. Francis Hospital
    The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
  6. SPECIALTY NURSE PRACTITIONER Greenville, SC St. Francis Hospital
    The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
  7. SPECIALTY NURSE PRACTITIONER Greenville, SC St. Francis Hospital
    The Nurse Practitioner provides health care services to individuals, families and communities. The Nurse Practitioner is both an independent and collaborative health care provider who works independently with a physician preceptor. The primary...
  8. NP/PA-Oncology, Brainerd Duluth, MN Essentia Health
    NP/PA - Oncology, Brainerd Essentia Health is seeking an NP/PA to join the growing Cancer Center team in providing exceptional healthcare to our community and the surrounding area. Great teamwork and mentoring provide candidates with an ideal...
  9. Nurse Practitioner Boston, MA New England Baptist Hospital
    The nurse practitioner in Pre-admission Screening independently develops a comprehensive data base on patient by obtaining a health history, completing a physical examination, ordering testing and consultation per guidelines, identifying problems...
  10. Nurse Practitioner Boston, MA Tufts Medical Center
    The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for providing primary care for a caseload of patients in the Ambulatory Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. As an advanced practice nurse, the NP has received specialized training and education in the...
  11. Nurse Practitioner II - OB/GYN Raleigh, NC WakeMed Health & Hospitals
    The Nurse Practitioner, under the supervision and direction of the Medical Director of OB/GYN and other attending physicians, the Nurse Practitioner, provides high-risk prenatal care, postpartum, and gynecological care in the OB/GYN outpatient...
  12. Nurse Practitioner-Hospitalist Facility Portland, ME MaineHealth
    The Hospitalist Service Nurse Practitioner (NP) also known as Advanced Practice Provider (APP) provides patient care services under the supervision of the Hospitalist Physician or Special Care Unit attending physician. This involves the...
  13. Nurse Practitioner-Cardiology Inpatient 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...
  14. NURSE PRACTITIONER Lynchburg, VA Centra Health
    Master's Degree Nurse Practitioner - Pulmonary Opportunity in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Bedford, VA Centra Medical Group has a new and exciting NP opportunity to work with our Pulmonary patients in the Bedford, VA area. Our...
  15. Nurse Practitioner - Family Medicine Decatur, IN Adams Health Network
    Nurse Practitioner - Family Medicine Full Time 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Woodcrest Family Medicine Current NP License

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