Nurse Practitioner
Job Description
A Nurse Practitioner is an individual who has completed nursing school and also received advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of illness. Nurse practitioners receive the same level of training in patient care as a Registered Nurse. Because of the additional training they receive, nurse practitioners can also perform some of the same tasks as a medical doctor, including performing patient examinations and prescribing medication. Highly experienced nurse practitioners are also in demand as teachers and medical researchers. Nurse practitioners require compassion, patience, good communication skills, and an ability to think on their feet. In some cases, nurse practitioners might deal with patients who are dying, and will require mental and emotional strength to cope with treating such patients.
Nurse Practitioner Salary Statistics as of 2015
Median annual salary for a Nurse Practitioner is $87,283 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $109,421. The lowest salary reported was $65,144. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Median hourly wage for a Nurse Practitioner is $47based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly wage recorded was $55. The lowest hourly wage recorded was $39. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Bonuses for a Nurse Practitioner are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The biggest bonus recorded was $1,219 from someone with 15+ years of experience. The smallest bonus recorded was $310 from someone with under 1 year of experience.
These are the top 5 highest paying states for a Nurse Practitioner. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
1. California – $64,991 – $117,059
2. Ohio – $65,011 – $96,092
3. New York – $67,667 – $112,076
4. Massachusetts – $69,965 – $111,192
5. North Carolina – $63,193 – $97,876
These are the top 5 highest paying cities for a Nurse Practitioner. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
1. New York, New York – $72,765 – $118,769
2. Chicago, Illinois – $57,221 – $104,221
3. Boston, Massachusetts – $98,198 – $121,031
4. Atlanta, Georgia – $65,712 – $109,964
5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – $59,117 – $111,895
This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Nurse Practitioner from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $84,000 while in 2008 it was just $81,300
Specialized Fields
The following are only a few of the dozens of specialized fields that nurse practitioners can pursue:
• General/Family Practice—This is a very general medical field that treats common illnesses and peforms routine medical care for patients of all ages.
• Internal Medicine—This discipline is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases specific to adults.
• Home Health—This field involves caring for homebound patients in their homes.
• Urgent Care—Similar to general practice, urgent care deals mainly with acute illnesses and minor injuries in people of all ages.
• Women’s Health—This field covers a wide range of women’s health and reproductive issues.
• Pediatrics—This area of specialization is concerned with the care and treatment of children from birth through young adulthood.
• Psychiatry—Psychiatrics is the care and treatment of people with behavioral and mental health disorders.
• Oncology—This specialization concerns the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer.
• Hospice—This is special care provided for patients in their final days of life. Patients could be suffering from cancer or another terminal illness.
Work Environment
Nurse practitioners generally work in clinics, medical offices, convalescent homes, hospitals or other medical settings. In some cases, a large organization, such as a corporation or university, might hire their own nurse practitioner to exclusively treat their employees or students. Nurse practitioners can also provide care in the homes of their patients. Many nurse practitioners work long hours. Some nurse practitioners who work for a clinic or medical office might have a regular Monday through Friday job during normal business hours; but night, weekend, and extended shift hours are normal for individuals in this field. Some travel may be required if the nurse practitioner works for a mobile clinic, a medical office with multiple locations or as an in-home care provider. The stress levels can be high, but most nurse practitioners report satisfaction with their choice of career. On the job, most nurse practitioners wear medical scrubs, office attire or other clothing required by their place of employment.
How To Become a Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a nurse practitioner is a very lengthy process. A nurse practitioner must first become a registered nurse (RN) before becoming a nurse practitioner. To become an RN, an individual must receive a diploma of Nursing, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited organization. After receiving a degree or diploma, the individual must pass the National Council Licensure Examination to receive an RN license. In order to become a nurse practitioner, a licensed RN must then pursue a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Upon graduation with a master’s or doctorate, nurse practitioners must receive certification in one or more areas of specialization through a professional association.
Job Outlook
Future prospects for nurse practitioners appear positive. General demand for nurses is expected to rise by around 20 percent in the coming decade. With their specialized expertise and ability to work independently of a doctor, the demand for nurse practitioners is also expected to increase in the coming years.
Gender Statistics
Nurse Practitioner Health Benefits
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