Nurse practitioners exist with one foot in the world of nursing and another foot in the world of general practice care. They’re a little like nurses, a little like doctors, and a lot like what the healthcare system needs for a healthy and productive future.
To become a nurse practitioner, job candidates need both a BSN and an MSN, meaning training takes a total of six to seven years of higher education for most people. While this isn’t insignificant, it’s more streamlined than the 13 to 15 years it takes to become a general practitioner. For these reasons, the position is in such high demand nationwide.
In this article, we examine what that means for both patients and providers.
Overview: What Do Nurse Practitioners Do?
Nurse practitioners can write prescriptions, diagnose patients, and develop long-term care plans and goals. In this way, they perform many of the same responsibilities as a GP or non-surgical doctor.
The exact scope of their responsibilities will depend on their focus area. Some practice family medicine, while others are focused on specific medical niches.
For example, some people with an MSN will work on psychiatric floors or in neonatal units, depending on their interests.
It’s a great way for nurses to focus very specifically on the areas of medicine that they most enjoy and appreciate.
They also have the benefit of better hours, at least most of the time, and a higher salary. Many nurse practitioners work nine-to-five office hours, allowing them to exit the chaotic workflow of a typical nurse’s 12-hour shift.
In some states, nurse practitioners can even run their own practices, effectively operating as small business owners. It’s a great opportunity for the professional. What benefits do NPs have for the communities that they serve?
Why Communities Need Nurse Practitioners
We alluded earlier to why NPs, or for that matter, Advanced Practice Nurses in general, are of importance.
They are (relatively) easy to make.
Ok. It doesn’t feel that way when you are in the throes of getting your master’s degree (most probably while also working a full-time job).
But compared to the time it takes to become a doctor, the input is modest compared to the potential output.
Nurse practitioners fill important gaps within local healthcare systems. They help to eliminate bottlenecks and accelerate access to care.
They also give patients something that many people in the United States lack: Options. People achieve better outcomes and experience less healthcare-related stress when they feel like they have control over their experiences.
If they can go to a nurse practitioner for their general care needs, or maybe a presurgical consultation, it not only reduces the overall strain put on the healthcare system, but it also gives the patient a little bit of leeway to make a choice.
How Nurse Practitioners Benefit Healthcare Systems
The ways in which nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses benefit the healthcare system are similar to the ways they positively influence patients’ lives. More options and higher levels of care put less stress on everyone.
Healthcare shortages in the United States are placing a tremendous burden on the doctors and nurses currently working in the field. They work longer hours. They see more patients. And because the system is so chaotic, there is a much higher volume of problems.
Nurse practitioners can provide high-quality care that reduces stress on everyone. They can also reduce turnover by offering nurses an attractive career development option. Statistically speaking, people leave jobs for a few reasons: lack of autonomy, inadequate compensation, and an inability to advance. These are issues that regular nurses face, and they can also be addressed by becoming a nurse practitioner.
Why Becoming a Nurse Practitioner Is a Good Idea
We’ve already explained why nurse practitioners are beneficial to the communities they serve, but what makes the job worthwhile for nurses who are considering graduate school? After all, this involves an investment of several years and tens of thousands of dollars. Is it worth your time and effort?
From a simple job outlook perspective, the answer is absolutely yes. The need for nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 46% over the next five or so years. In terms of job security, healthcare is already very strong, but particularly so for nurse practitioners.
It’s also a more exciting opportunity than traditional nursing, at least for many people. If you want work with greater responsibility, autonomy, and higher compensation, this is the best way to get it. Becoming a nurse practitioner is not necessarily easy, but it is achievable for anyone who is capable of working as a nurse.
If you’re still working on your bachelor’s degree, it may even be possible to get your MSN a little faster. Some schools allow you to essentially bundle a bachelor’s and master’s education, making it possible to achieve both in five to six years.
Is Becoming a Nurse Practitioner Right for You?
If you are a nurse who is interested in expanding your career opportunities, increasing your salary, and engaging with work you care about at a higher level, becoming a nurse practitioner is an excellent way to do it. It’s a role genuinely needed by both patients and providers, and it is a career with incredible potential.
If you are interested in nursing at the highest possible level, consider an MSN program. There are many different ways to pursue it, from traditional brick-and-mortar learning environments to online classrooms. Find the option that makes the most sense for you.
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