How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse Practitioners diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
What degree do you need
Master’s Degree
One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Nurse Practitioners or what courses do I need to take.
We also asked Nurse Practitioners what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.
Adult Health Nursing |
Family Practice Nurse or Nursing |
Maternal or Child Health and Neonatal Nursing |
Pediatric Nursing |
Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse or Nursing |
Nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses, must earn at least a master’s degree in one of the specialty roles. APRNs must also be licensed registered nurses in their state and pass a national certification exam.
How hard is it
You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge and experience to be a Nurse Practitioner. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, a surgeon must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Careers in this difficulty category may need some on-the-job-training, but most of these careers assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, and work-related experience and training. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, neurologists, and veterinarians.
License and certifications
Most states recognize all of the APRN roles. In states that recognize some or all of the roles, APRNs must have a registered nursing license, complete an approved graduate-level program, and pass a national certification exam. Each state’s board of nursing can provide details.
Skills required
We asked other Nurse Practitioners if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.
1. | Reading Comprehension what does this mean |
2. | Active Listening what does this mean |
3. | Speaking what does this mean |
4. | Critical Thinking what does this mean |
5. | Active Learning what does this mean |
= Hot in-demand that most employers are looking for
Knowledge required
Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Nurse Practitioners are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.
1. | Medicine and Dentistry what does this mean |
2. | Psychology what does this mean |
3. | Customer and Personal Service what does this mean |
4. | Therapy and Counseling what does this mean |
5. | English Language what does this mean |
Learn more about Nurse Practitioners
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Related to Nurse Practitioners Requirements
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