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.
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:
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Identification and treatment of common acute illnesses and injuries
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Provide necessary immunizations
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Management of chronic health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and depression
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Order and evaluate diagnostic tests such as EKGs, X-rays and laboratory tests
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Prescribe therapies and routine medications
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Perform medical procedures
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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
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Mental Endurance |
Must be able to handle pressure and the demanding work and long hours that comes with their job title. |
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Physical Endurance |
NPs are on their feet all the time and need to be able to respond quickly to situations as they arise. |
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Stress Management |
They must manage the stress and pressure that comes with their job. |
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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. |
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Organization |
Must be able to situate tasks and documents so as not to mix up records or medications. |
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Communication |
They must communicate between patients and their families so they have to communicate clearly and relay information at a high level. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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:
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Medical clinics
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Doctor’s offices
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Hospitals
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Managed care organizations
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Service organizations focusing on rural areas
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Community health centers in urban areas
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Community college and university campuses
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Employee wellness and health care centers
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Health care technology companies, such as pharmaceutical manufacturers
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Health care research facilities
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Educational roles in schools and universities
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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
Accelerated Master's Nursing Degree Programs
Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs
American Nurses Credentialling Center (ANCC)
| Title | Company | Location | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner NP or PA Family Medicine | Holy Rosary Healthcare - SCL Health | Miles City, MT | 06.10.2019 |
| Join the Holy Rosary Team! We are looking for a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner with a strong work ethic and positive attitude to join our team! Full-time Day position Clinic Hours 7:30am - 5:30pm Open 7 days a week 1.0FTE... | |||
| Nurse Practitioner - NP or PA - Neurosurgery | St Vincent - SCL Health | Billings, MT | 04.22.2019 |
| Position Summary Join our Neurosurgery Team! We are looking for a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant with a strong work ethic and positive attitude to join our team! Full-time position-1.0 FTE 40 hours a week with... | |||
| Nurse Practitioner - OBGYN | WakeMed Health & Hospitals | Raleigh, NC | 06.20.2019 |
| 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, Behavioral Services | FirstHealth of the Carolinas | Pinehurst, NC | 06.26.2019 |
| Nurse Practitioner needed for collaborative Behavioral Services group. PMH-NP certification and the ability to obtain a NC Nurse Practitioner license are required. Two or more years of NP experience is preferred. Experience with child/adolescent... | |||
| Nurse Practitioner - Geriatrics | Boston Medical Center | Boston, MA | 06.26.2019 |
| Nurse Practitioner - Geriatrics The Section of Geriatric at Boston University and Boston Medical Center is an academic medical practice committed to excellence in clinical care, teaching, and research of older adults. We provide the utmost... | |||
| Nurse Practitioner - OBGYN NP | Baptist Health | Montgomery, AL | 05.10.2019 |
| Nurse Practitioner- NP or PA - Hospitalist | St Vincent - SCL Health | Billings, MT | 04.22.2019 |
| About Us: St. Vincent Healthcare is part of SCL Health, a faith-based, nonprofit health care organization. Interested in making a difference? Then check us out. Our rich heritage and mission, and our focus on health care... | |||
| Surgical Documentation Nurse Practitioner | FirstHealth of the Carolinas | Pinehurst, NC | 06.26.2019 |
| Seeking an experienced NP/PA for a new, innovative role. Primarily responsible for supporting surgeons with documentation. NP must be a graduate of a nurse practitioner education program and have national certification. PA must be a graduate of... | |||
| Psychiatric Services Nurse Practitioner | Lakewood Health System | Staples, MN | 06.26.2019 |
| Lakewood Health System has an opening for a Full-time Psychiatric Services Nurse Practitioner. The Psychiatric Services Nurse Practitioner will provide direct and indirect care to patients experiencing a broad range of psychiatric and mental... | |||
| Nurse Practitioner-Hospitalist Facility | MaineHealth | Biddeford, ME | 06.26.2019 |
| Southern Maine Health Care Department: MaineHealth Southern Maine Health Care/Hospitalist Facility BMCD Std Hrs/Wk: Temporary Full Time, Day/Evening Shift: Day/Evening Full/Part Time: 38.5 Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add... | |||
| NURSE PRACTITIONER(X201) | North MS Medical Center | Tupelo, MS | 06.26.2019 |
| Requires Master's Degree in nursing with appropriate licensure as a Nurse Practitioner. Minimum of 2 to 5 years RN clinical experience in setting appropriate to practice. Maintains and enhances knowledge and skills in current technology and... | |||
| Nurse Practitioner- Damariscotta- Outpatient | MaineHealth | Damariscotta, ME | 06.26.2019 |
| Maine Behavioral Healthcare Department: MaineHealth Maine Behavioral Healthcare/Psych DAMR Std Hrs/Wk: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Full/Part Time: 40 Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add to Cart Job Details: Damariscotta, ME... | |||
| Nurse Practitioner - Employee Health | Baton Rouge General Medical Center | Baton Rouge, LA | 06.26.2019 |
| Establishment and management of Employee Health program services. Provide first aide/refer for minor work-related injuries/illnesses to appropriate practitioner, perform screenings/vaccinations, provide case management, manage workers... | |||
| NURSE PRACTITIONER | Bozeman Health | Bozeman, MT | 06.26.2019 |
| Provides quality, efficient and effective patient care in accordance with standards/guidelines, applicable statutory requirements and accepted clinical practice for the nurse practitioner profession. Is engaged in consulting and advising... | |||
| Nurse Practitioner, Nocturnist | WakeMed Health & Hospitals | Raleigh, NC | 05.07.2019 |
| The Nurse Practitioner will work in collaboration with the Hospitalist physicians. The NP will provide cross-coverage services for a diverse inpatient census as well as supporting admissions and consultations. May function as an educator and... | |||
-
Nurse Practitioner NP or PA Family Medicine
Miles City, MT
Holy Rosary Healthcare - SCL Health
Join the Holy Rosary Team! We are looking for a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner with a strong work ethic and positive attitude to join our team! Full-time Day position Clinic Hours 7:30am - 5:30pm Open 7 days a week 1.0FTE...
-
Nurse Practitioner - NP or PA - Neurosurgery
Billings, MT
St Vincent - SCL Health
Position Summary Join our Neurosurgery Team! We are looking for a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant with a strong work ethic and positive attitude to join our team! Full-time position-1.0 FTE 40 hours a week with...
-
Nurse Practitioner - OBGYN
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...
-
Nurse Practitioner, Behavioral Services
Pinehurst, NC
FirstHealth of the Carolinas
Nurse Practitioner needed for collaborative Behavioral Services group. PMH-NP certification and the ability to obtain a NC Nurse Practitioner license are required. Two or more years of NP experience is preferred. Experience with child/adolescent...
-
Nurse Practitioner - Geriatrics
Boston, MA
Boston Medical Center
Nurse Practitioner - Geriatrics The Section of Geriatric at Boston University and Boston Medical Center is an academic medical practice committed to excellence in clinical care, teaching, and research of older adults. We provide the utmost...
- Nurse Practitioner - OBGYN NP Montgomery, AL Baptist Health
-
Nurse Practitioner- NP or PA - Hospitalist
Billings, MT
St Vincent - SCL Health
About Us: St. Vincent Healthcare is part of SCL Health, a faith-based, nonprofit health care organization. Interested in making a difference? Then check us out. Our rich heritage and mission, and our focus on health care...
-
Surgical Documentation Nurse Practitioner
Pinehurst, NC
FirstHealth of the Carolinas
Seeking an experienced NP/PA for a new, innovative role. Primarily responsible for supporting surgeons with documentation. NP must be a graduate of a nurse practitioner education program and have national certification. PA must be a graduate of...
-
Psychiatric Services Nurse Practitioner
Staples, MN
Lakewood Health System
Lakewood Health System has an opening for a Full-time Psychiatric Services Nurse Practitioner. The Psychiatric Services Nurse Practitioner will provide direct and indirect care to patients experiencing a broad range of psychiatric and mental...
-
Nurse Practitioner-Hospitalist Facility
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
Southern Maine Health Care Department: MaineHealth Southern Maine Health Care/Hospitalist Facility BMCD Std Hrs/Wk: Temporary Full Time, Day/Evening Shift: Day/Evening Full/Part Time: 38.5 Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add...
-
NURSE PRACTITIONER(X201)
Tupelo, MS
North MS Medical Center
Requires Master's Degree in nursing with appropriate licensure as a Nurse Practitioner. Minimum of 2 to 5 years RN clinical experience in setting appropriate to practice. Maintains and enhances knowledge and skills in current technology and...
-
Nurse Practitioner- Damariscotta- Outpatient
Portland, ME
MaineHealth
Maine Behavioral Healthcare Department: MaineHealth Maine Behavioral Healthcare/Psych DAMR Std Hrs/Wk: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Full/Part Time: 40 Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add to Cart Job Details: Damariscotta, ME...
-
Nurse Practitioner - Employee Health
Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Establishment and management of Employee Health program services. Provide first aide/refer for minor work-related injuries/illnesses to appropriate practitioner, perform screenings/vaccinations, provide case management, manage workers...
-
NURSE PRACTITIONER
Bozeman, MT
Bozeman Health
Provides quality, efficient and effective patient care in accordance with standards/guidelines, applicable statutory requirements and accepted clinical practice for the nurse practitioner profession. Is engaged in consulting and advising...
-
Nurse Practitioner, Nocturnist
Raleigh, NC
WakeMed Health & Hospitals
The Nurse Practitioner will work in collaboration with the Hospitalist physicians. The NP will provide cross-coverage services for a diverse inpatient census as well as supporting admissions and consultations. May function as an educator and...