Why Pursue A Nurse Practitioner Career?

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced education and clinical training in a health care specialty. They deliver basic care for infants, children, adults, and families in a wide range of settings, both outpatient and inpatient. They also provide information needed to make informed decisions about health care and lifestyle choices, as well as focusing on health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, and the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illnesses. They may take patient histories, perform physical exams, provide immunizations, manage high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic health problems, order and interpret lab tests, prescribe medication, and counsel patients. They usually specialize in a specific area of care, such as pediatrics, family practice, adult health, women’s health, neonatal care, psychiatric/mental health, oncology, or emergency care, and are certified in their chosen area of expertise. They are also licensed to prescribe medication, and in certain states can do so without physician collaboration or supervision.

Nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings, such as clinics, community health centers, emergency rooms or critical care units, hospitals, school or college/university clinics, health departments, nursing homes or hospices, home health care agencies, or in nursing schools. Their work hours vary according to the capacity in which they are employed, but due to the nature of their work usually work evenings, weekends, and holidays. The demand for nurse practitioners may not be as high as in other specialties, but there are double the NPs working today than there were ten years ago. Their salaries also vary according to their experience and capacity of employment, but average between $50,000 to $70,000 per year.

In addition to being a registered nurse, nurse practitioners must take a two to three year master’s program in a variety of specialties in order to become licensed.

For more information, also see Registered Nurse.

Featured Nurse Practitioner Schools:

Online
University of Phoenix Online - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, MS in Nursing, Master of Health Administration
Kaplan University - BS in Nursing, Continuing Education in Legal Nurse Consulting, Forensic Nursing, Life Care Planning, and Case Management
Walden University - Master of Science in Nursing

Alabama

Arizona
Tucson College - Tucson - Certified Nursing Assistant
University of Phoenix - Phoenix - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - Ft. Huachuca / Southern Arizona - BS in Nursing (RN Required), Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics Certificate, School Nurse Certificate
University of Phoenix - Tucson / Southern Arizona - Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

California
Advanced College - South Gate - Vocational Nursing
Everest College - Alhambra , Anaheim - Vocational Nursing
Career Networks Institute - Costa Mesa - Vocational Nursing
Maric College - North Hollywood , Vista / North County , San Diego - Certificate: Vocational Nursing, Certificate: Nurse Assistant Training Program
Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield , Santa Barbara , Santa Maria , Ventura - Vocational Nursing
University of Phoenix - Fresno / Central Valley - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Sacramento - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - San Diego - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/MBA/Health Care Management
University of Phoenix - San Francisco - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - Southern California - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
West Coast University - Los Angeles - Associate: Nursing

Colorado
University of Phoenix - Aurora - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Colorado Springs * - Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Connecticut
Lincoln Technical Institute - Hamden , New Britain , Shelton - Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)

Florida
Angley College - DeLand - Nursing Assistant
Central Florida College - Winter Park - Certificate - Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide
Gulf Coast College - Tampa - Practical Nursing
Keiser University - Kendall , Lakeland , Melbourne , Sarasota , Tallahassee , West Palm Beach - Nursing
MedVance Institute - Miami , West Palm Beach , Stuart - Practical Nursing
University of Phoenix - Fort Lauderdale - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Nursing/Health Care Education
University of Phoenix - Jacksonville - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Nursing/Health Care Education, MS in Nursing / Master of Business Administration / Health Care Management
University of Phoenix - Orlando - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Nursing/Health Care Education, MS in Nursing / Master of Business Administration / Health Care Management
University of Phoenix - Tampa - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Nursing/Health Care Education
Virginia College - Pensacola - Practical Nursing (Diploma)

Georgia
University of Phoenix - Atlanta - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Columbus * - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Hawaii
University of Phoenix - Wailuku - Licensed Practical Nursing, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Indiana
Everest College - Merrillville - Practical Nursing
University of Phoenix - Indianapolis - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Iowa
Hamilton College - Cedar Falls , Cedar Rapids , Des Moines , Mason City - Practical Nursing
Kaplan University - Davenport - Nursing

Louisiana
Loyola University - New Orleans - MS in Nursing with a specialization in Healthcare Systems Management
University of Phoenix - Baton Rouge - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Michigan
Everest Institute - Grand Rapids - Practical Nurse
University of Phoenix - Detroit - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Portage / West Michigan - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Missouri
Sanford-Brown College - St. Peters - Associate in Nursing

Nebraska
Hamilton College - Lincoln , Omaha - Practical Nursing
Midland Lutheran College - Fremont - Nursing

New Jersey
CDM Institute - Wayne - Nurses Aid

New Mexico
University of Phoenix - Albuquerque - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

North Carolina
ECPI College of Technology - Charlotte , Raleigh - Practical Nursing

Ohio
University of Phoenix - Cleveland - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Oklahoma
University of Phoenix - Oklahoma City - BS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Tulsa - BS in Nursing (RN Required)

South Carolina
ECPI College of Technology - Greenville - Practical Nursing

Tennessee
University of Phoenix - Nashville - BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Texas
Texas Careers - San Antonio - Nurse's Aide, Vocational Nursing

Utah
Provo College - Provo - Nursing
University of Phoenix - Salt Lake City - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
Utah Career College - West Jordan - Nursing

Virginia
ECPI - Manassas - Practical Nursing
Medical Careers Institute - Virginia Beach , Richmond , Newport News - Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing
TESST College of Technology - Alexandria - Licensed Practical Nurse

Wisconsin

Canada
Vancouver Careers College - Burnaby , Chilliwack , Coquitlam , Kelowna , Surrey , Vancouver - Practical Nursing