Key Takeaways
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who work with specialized populations and are authorized to diagnose health conditions and prescribe medications.
Licensed registered nurses must complete an MSN or DNP program and pass the national board exam to practice as an NP in their state.
NPs typically earn around $130,000 annually, though salaries vary depending on their location, experience, and specialization.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) often specialize in specific patient populations and hold advanced nursing degrees. Depending on their choosen specialty, NPs may focus on areas like acute care, family healthcare, oncology, or mental health. NPs are licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and can earn national board certification in their nursing specialty areas.
NPs can also serve as primary care providers who perform many of the same services as physicians. They often have greater autonomy than registered nurses (RNs). Depending on state regulations, some jurisdictions allow full practice authority, while others require a collaborative agreement with a doctor.
Continue reading to learn more about NP careers.
Nurse Practitioner Careers at a Glance
| How Long to Become | 6-8 Years |
| Job Outlook, 2024-2034 | 40% growth |
| Median Annual Salary | $129,210 |
What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?
NPs provide clinical care for patients and are authorized to diagnose health conditions, order tests, and prescribe medications. Their scope of work varies depending on their specialization area, the population they serve, and the state where they practice. In many places, NPs help address the nation's ongoing shortage of physicians and other healthcare professionals.
In some states, NPs must work under the supervision of a physician or in collaboration with one. In other states, they have full practice authority, which gives them professional autonomy. Check your state to learn more about NP practice authority for your area.
NP specializations often correspond to specific patient populations. For example, pediatric nurse practitioners work with patients from birth to age 21, and women's health nurse practitioners serve women.
Depending on the setting, an NP's key skills and responsibilities may include:
Key Responsibilities
Ordering medical tests
Diagnosing medical conditions
Prescribing treatment, including medication
Counseling and educating patients
Leading nursing departments or teams
Supervising the work of other clinical staff
Promoting community and population health
Career Traits
Clear communication
Clinical knowledge
Compassion
Integrity
Judgment under pressure
Where Do Nurse Practitioners Work?
Medical offices employ more than 46% of nurse practitioners in the U.S., followed by hospitals at 25% and outpatient care centers at 9%. However, NPs can pursue significant diversity in work settings, including in-home healthcare. Examples include:
Hospital Outpatient: NPs generally serve as primary care providers or specialists in hospital outpatient settings. They assess and diagnose patients, prescribe treatment, advise patients on care, and refer patients to physicians for additional care.
Hospital Inpatient: In a hospital inpatient setting, NPs assess and diagnose patients and prescribe treatment as part of a patient's ongoing care. They may also lead nursing teams and oversee the work of other clinical staff.
Private Group Practices: In a private group practice, NPs may serve as primary care providers or specialists. They see patients, assess conditions, and prescribe treatments, referring patients to a physician or specialist NP as necessary.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a nurse practitioner is a multi-step process that starts with an undergraduate nursing degree and an RN license. After gaining experience as an RN, aspiring NPs complete a graduate nursing program, followed by board certification and advanced practice licensing.
Earn an ADN or a BSN
Pass the NCLEX-RN to become an RN
Earn an MSN
Pass the national NP certification board exam
Get state licensure as an NP
Nurse Practitioner Specializations and Concentrations
Popular NP specializations focus on women's health, family health, and neonatal health. Salary and certification requirements vary by state, specialization, and work setting, among other factors.
Salary figures for the positions listed below were sourced from Payscale (July 2026).
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) comprise the largest percentage of NPs. FNPs care for patients of all ages and life stages, providing preventative care and treatment for illnesses, conditions, and injuries. They work in clinics, hospitals, and private practice.
Average Salary: $110,460
Nurse Practitioner Subspecialties
After choosing a main specialty, NPs can also get certified in various subspecialties, including:
Orthopedics
Emergency care
Hospice and palliative care
Oncology
Dermatology
Nephrology
Cardiology
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make?
NPs are among the highest-paid nursing professionals. They earn a median annual salary near $130,000, although exact figures vary based on factors like experience and specialty.
For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NPs at hospitals make a median salary of $137,790, while those employed at physicians' offices earn $129,820.
NPs in California earn the highest salaries in the U.S. However, the cost of living in the Golden State is the highest in the nation.
Job prospects look especially promising for NPs. The BLS projects a 40% rise in employment for NPs from 2024-2034, the third-fastest growth rate among occupations nationwide.
The table below lists the top five states in terms of average NP salaries.
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $173,190 |
| New York | $148,410 |
| Oregon | $148,030 |
| Massachusetts | $145,145 |
| Washington | $143,620 |
Source: BLS
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes at least six years of school to become an NP, plus time working as an RN. Most full-time students need four years to earn a BSN degree and two years to earn a master's degree. Most schools require or strongly recommend at least two years of nursing experience before applying to an MSN-NP program.
