Synonyms: Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), Nurse Clinician, Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Registered Nurse (RN)

Table of Contents

• Quick Facts
• Day in the Life
• Common Characteristics
• How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
• Career Promotion Path
• Specialties and Similar Career Paths
• Advice from Margaret

Quick Facts

What nurse practitioners do:

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with advanced education and clinical training. They are licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat patients. They often prescribe medications and focus on health promotion and disease prevention.

Median income:

$129,480 annually or $62.25 per hour.

Lifestyle:

Nurse practitioners often work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and community health centers with schedules that can include regular hours, evenings, weekends, and on-call duties.

Education requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in nursing followed by a master’s degree in nursing, along with clinical experience and advanced certifications, is typically required (see “How to Become a Nurse Practitioner” below).

Job outlook:

The future for nurse practitioners is bright, with projected growth of 9% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

This is perfect for you if:

• You enjoy helping others.
• You are empathetic and enjoy listening to people’s concerns.
• You are comfortable working with a team.
• You can work long, shifting hours.

If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Margaret de la Cruz to learn more about being a nurse practitioner here!

Day in the Life

Schedule:

Can vary based on their specialty and the healthcare setting. Typical work hours include weekdays with occasional evenings or weekends, especially in settings like hospitals or urgent care clinics that require round-the-clock coverage. They may also have on-call duties depending on the practice and patient needs.

Setting:

Hospitals, clinics, private practices, community health centers, and nursing homes.

Tasks:

Assessing patients, diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, educating patients on health management, and collaborating with healthcare teams. Administrative tasks to support patient care also occupy a substantial part of their schedule.

Topics:

Advancements in medical treatments, new medications, updated clinical guidelines, and emerging healthcare technologies. They also stay updated on changes in healthcare policies and regulations to provide the best possible care to their patients.

Skills:

Strong communication and critical thinking skills. They are good listeners, proficient in patient education, and excel in teamwork to provide the best patient care.

Tools:

Medical tools to assess and monitor patients daily. Basic tools include a stethoscope, blood pressure machine, pulse oximeter, calipers, and more.

Common Characteristics

Natural Talents (strengths):

Attentive to detail, which makes them good at providing holistic and patient-centered care. They often have a compassionate nature and can remain calm under pressure.

Interests:

Hands-on activities, diagnosing health issues, solving complex problems, and helping others by educating patients and providing care.

Personality:

Realistic, investigative, and social personality types. They are very practical, analytical, and empathetic, which helps them give the best care to patients.

Values:

Patient-centered care, compassion, integrity, professionalism, collaboration and staying updated with medical advancements.

*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Education requirements:

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) followed by a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), along with clinical experience as a registered nurse and certification, is typically required.

Preferred majors:

Pursuing majors in nursing, biology, or other related healthcare fields can be helpful.

Career Promotion Path

Specialties and Similar Career Paths

Advice from Margaret

Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:

Get certifications relevant to your specialty area and start researching healthcare facilities that align with your career goals. Always build connections within the healthcare industry for better chances.

Fastest way to get your foot in the door:

Complete an accelerated program designed for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, as these programs often combine foundational nursing courses with advanced practice education allowing graduates to earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). 

Recommended resources:

Margaret recommends the Amelie Hollier Nurse Practitioner Review and the Epocrates application. These resources have been helpful for exam preparation and clinical practice.

What Margaret would tell her younger self if she was just getting started:

“Don’t get discouraged. One day, you’ll be in their shoes. But don’t be mean to the newbies.”

Watch the full interview with Margaret:

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Data on job profiles is based on information supplied by the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, My Next Move from the National Center for O*NET Development, and the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. Accessed 27 June 2024.

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