Nurse Practitioner Training

Answer 1

Nurse Practitioners are highly qualified Nurses who have not only completed their Registered Nursing requirements, but who have furthered their education at a graduate level and attained a Masters Degree in Nursing. They must be licensed as both a Registered Nurse, or RN, and a Nurse Practitioner.

The difference between a Registered Nurse and a Certified Nurse Practitioner is that Nurse Practitioners can see patients, much like a physician. They can diagnose conditions and provide prescriptions to patients, order lab tests and help to interpret the results.

Nurse practitioners work under the supervision of physicians to provide a high level of skilled patient care. Frequently, Nurse Practitioners work in doctors' offices and hospitals to offer patients access to better care.

Some Nurse Practitioners are qualified to work in general surgery situations and to perform minor procedures, much as a doctor could. But it takes much less training to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Nurse Practitioners often start in the healthcare field as LPNs or RNs and while working, study to complete their Certified Nurse Practitioner qualifications. This will generally include intensive academic studies as well as a myriad of clinical requirements. The work is intense and only very dedicated students will complete the requirements.

Nurse practitioner training must take place at an accredited university in order for graduates to qualify to take the required licensing examination. Depending on the program, students might be required to complete a Bachelor's Degree program prior to starting on their Master's Degree. Some programs are actually designed to take students with LPN certification or an Associate's Degree in Nursing straight to a Nurse Practitioner certification.

For this reason, depending on your educational background, it is important to talk to several schools to determine what sort of Nurse Practitioner Training will work best for you. It will take several years of work to complete this training program, however it will offer excellent salary and benefits once you have completed the requirements.

If you are interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner, be aware that the health care industry is in need of qualified professionals with the training and experience necessary to extend excellent patients care in many different settings. There has never been a better time to get started. Finding financial assistance to complete the training has never been easier either. Talk to schools offering Nurse Practitioner Training to find out how you can get moving on a new career path today.