Becoming A Nurse Practitioner Could Be The Perfect Career For You

By Adriana Noton

Many people today are facing unemployment or the threat of a job loss. If you are searching for a profession that will give you more stability in your life, you might consider nursing. There are many types of nursing to choose from, and one you might consider is nurse practitioner.

The role of a nurse practitioner is not the same as other types of nursing. The nurse practitioner is involved in many levels that others are not. A masters degree or even higher is required, but along with more education, the nurse practitioner has the opportunity to participate more in the care process.

A nurse practitioner can not only diagnose, but also treat most illnesses. This is a big difference in the field of nursing. Other nursing positions are heavily dependent on the instructions of a doctor, but that is not the case with a nurse practitioner. Those decisions are the responsibility of the nurse practitioner and they work hard to provide the care a patient needs individually.

In the U. S. A., a nurse practitioner is required to be licensed in the state he or she is working in. When that license is acquired, they will then be able to apply for a license on a national level. National certification will allow the nurse practitioner the recognition in specific types of medicine, depending on their course of study.

The way a nurse practitioner practices is different, depending on where they live. In many states, nurse practitioners are able to work completely independently. This allows them to work with patients without the need for any association with a doctor. In other states, nurse practitioners are required to be associated with a licensed doctor.

The work the nurse practitioner does with a patient is very much like the work a physician would do. The diagnosis, course of treatment and management of the treatment is all administered by the nurse practitioner. Additionally they can prescribe medications or other therapies that might be needed. Most nurses working in the field are not able to do any of this.

The independence of a nurse practitioner is far greater than most, and many often have a practice that is all their own. But because of this independence they also carry responsibility that other nurses do not. Much of the responsibility they shoulder is just like that of an attending doctor.

Nancy was laid off from a job at a mortgage company. It was the third time it had happened in her career. It was almost like a blessing in disguise because the job had lost the challenge she once felt. Faced with a declining job market, Nancy decided to go back to school and become a nurse practitioner. She has now opened her own private practice and has never been happier in her life. She loves the daily interaction with patients and feels like she is making a difference in the lives of other.

Rewards received in the career of a nurse practitioner cannot be counted. If you want something that is equally rewarding and challenging, considering a career as a nurse practitioner could be right up your alley. - 30453

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