Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced their education to a master's level, as well as completed training in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Created by state medical boards to free up physicians, they provide a wide variety of health care services, even providing the same care and performing the same duties as physicians, such as diagnosing and treating common illnesses, conducting physical examinations, and prescribing medicine. Nurse Practitioners also provide health counseling and educate their patients about health and treatment options. They are closely involved with physicians, working specifically under a medical doctor, although they tend to work independently on a regular basis and can serve as a patient's regular health care provider.
For Registered Nurses, the benefits of completing some extra education to become a Nurse Practitioner are many. First, you can expect a pay raise. According to Salary.com, Registered Nurses earn from $56,000 to $68,000 annually. Depending on experience, setting, and specialty Nurse Practitioners can earn from $72,000 to $100,000 a year. Second, you will be able to advance your career. Nurse Practitioners are able to work more independently than Registered Nurses and have the opportunity to provide comprehensive patient care for the long term. If you are the type of person who likes to see how you can influence a person's life in the long run and not just one office visit, advancing to a Nurse Practitioner may be worth it. Third, you can specialize. As a Nurse Practitioner, along with family practice, you will still be able to specialize in areas such as neonatal, pediatrics, and geriatrics, allowing you to work in your area of interest at a higher level.
If you want to begin your career as a Nurse Practitioner, you must first complete the right education and training to become a Registered Nurse. In most states, you will be required to continue your education on a master's level through a state-approved advanced training program. These programs typically specialize in the areas of family practice, women's health, and internal medicine. Commonly, several years of nursing experience as a Registered Nurse are required before one is accepted into a Nurse Practitioner program at a university or hospital. After completing your education, you must be licensed by the state you want to work in, each of which has its own licensing and certification criteria that typically include completion of a nursing program along with clinical experience.
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
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LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
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Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
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Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
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Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
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Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
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Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
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Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
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Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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