6 Reasons to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Once you become an NP, you must specialize in an area of care. Fortunately, there are a variety of available specializations. Nurses have the flexibility to focus on areas of care that inspire them and align with their healthcare experience.

NP specializations are often categorized by population and work environment. Population foci involve working with a group with similar health concerns or characteristics (i.e., age and gender), while the work environment consists of the practice setting.

Being able to focus on a specific area of medicine allows NPs to hone their skills and demonstrate expertise. Workers more passionate and committed to their jobs tend to have more motivation to be successful. Working with a specific population also allows NPs to build deeper connections with their patients as they focus on a specific population.

Some of the more popular specializations include the following:

• Adult-Gerontology
• Pediatrics
• Family
• Neonatal
• Psychiatric-Mental Health
• Women’s Health

Due to their advanced education and training, NPs receive much more autonomy than they would typically experience as an RN. While RNs work under an expert clinician, such as a physician, NPs can work much more independently.

In some states, NPs are qualified to run their own practice and serve as primary care providers without the oversight of a doctor. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provides information practice authority guidelines for each state. The American Medical Association also tracks the authority of an NP in each state.

While some states restrict the role of an NP, those with full practice authority may assess, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medications. Given their autonomy, NPs have been able to fill vacancies in rural and underserved areas with physician shortages.

According to theBureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), NPs are the 4th fastest-growing occupation in the country. While the average growth rate is around 9% for all occupations, the growth for NPs is exponentially higher, at a rate of 52%.

One of the reasons behind the projected increase is the aging population. As the large baby-boomer generation ages, they require experienced practitioners who can help them manage any ailments or conditions. NPs can continue to take advantage of this growing number of patients.

There is also an increased need for more services, stemming from a greater emphasis on preventative and primary care. Since NPs can offer many of the same services as a physician, they can help fill those roles. As states continue to update regulations that allow NPs greater autonomy, more positions become available for states to fill.

RNs who decide to become an NP can expect, on average, to earn almost 44% more than their current pay. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for an RN is $77,600, while an NP earns $123,780.

While NPs are required to complete more schooling, which does come at a cost, becoming a nurse practitioner could be a worthwhile path. NP earning potential, coupled with the need for advanced practice nurses, can make a future as an NP financially sound.

Outside of the increased salary due to their education and training, an NP’s pay is also influenced by specialization, practice setting, and location. Nurses who pursue a specialization in psychiatry-mental health and neonatal can expect to earn a higher salary than some of the other specialties.

With regard to practice settings,the BLS lists home healthcare services, psychiatric and substance use hospitals, and outpatient care centers as some of the locations that earn NPs the highest annual wage.

There are a variety of paths nurses can take to become an NP, providing them with flexibility while earning their advanced degrees. Learners can enroll in online, part-time, bridge, and direct-entry programs depending on their personal needs.