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 - NP Center for Addiction Baptist Health Montgomery, AL 12.06.2019
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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,...
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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...
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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
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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
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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...
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  1. Nurse Practitioner - NP Center for Addiction Montgomery, AL Baptist Health
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  3. 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,...
  4. 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...
  5. 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...
  6. 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...
  7. 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...
  8. 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....
  9. Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Cardiology Service Plymouth, MA Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Plymouth
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  10. 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...
  11. Nurse Practitioner -Family Medicine Sanford Portland, ME MaineHealth
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  12. Nurse Practitioner Family Medicine Kennebunk Portland, ME MaineHealth
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  14. 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...
  15. Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Southport, NC Dosher Memorial Hospital
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