Posts Tagged ‘medical careers’

How To Get A Job As A Nurse Practitioner

A Nurse Practitioner is someone, male or female, who first became a Registered Nurse and then, after a period of clinical experience, went on to complete a Master’s Degree.  Nurse Practitioners pay a vital role in the medical community.  They work independently and can perform all the functions of a registered physician with the exception of surgery.  Nurse practitioners may choose general practice or any specialty open to all physicians, except surgery.

Nurse Practitioners  can take medical histories, order and interpret tests, diagnose diseases and medical conditions,  treat common diseases and illnesses, provide referrals, counsel patients, perform some medical procedures, and prescribe medication.  Specifically what a Nurse Practitioner can and cannot do, may vary slightly from state to state.  Nurse Practitioners work in every state, as an integral part of the medical field.

Nurse Practitioners must be patient, compassionate, hard working, able to work under stress,  and able to work independently or as part of a team.  They must have good people skills, and be able to keep up with all the modern advances in their area of expertise.

Nurse Practitioners work in clinics, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, hospices, hospitals, veterans’ facilities,  in the military, and often, where allowed, in private practice.

Education

If you are still in High School, you should be enrolled in mathematics, English, health, and any science courses available.  After you graduate from High School you must take a degree in nursing and then become a Registered Nurse.

Once you become a Registered Nurse, you must get at least two years of practical clinical experience.  Having the clinical experience, you are ready to enroll in a Master’s Program at an accredited faculty.   Here you will take courses in your chosen field.  This may be Pediatrics, Woman’s Health, Oncology, Acute Care, Mental Health, or wherever your interests lie.

After obtaining your Master’s Degree, you must then get your state license.  State requirements vary so make sure you understand fully what is required in the state in which you intend to practice.

Licensed Nurse Practitioners are eligible to apply for National Certification.  This certification is necessary if you wish to practice in the United States.  National Certification is a testament to your knowledge, skill, and experience.

As the Medical Field continues to grow, so do the demands for Nurse Practitioners.  This career, as with most careers in medicine,  is demanding, and stressful.  It is also highly rewarding personally.