Nurse Practitioner Training Programs and Classes

<h3 id="section---WhatYouNeedToKnow">What You Need to Know</h3> <p>A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who has completed an accredited post-baccalaureate degree or certificate program that prepares them to provide primary or specialized medical care to patients. Programs cover all aspects of providing health care and require clinical rotations in a variety of medical specialties. Before practicing, NP graduates may obtain professional certification. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Programs</b></td><td> Master's and doctoral degrees and post-graduate certificates</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Classes</b></td><td> Disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, medical specialties, pharmacology</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Responsibilities</b></td><td> Perform examinations and make diagnoses; order tests and analyze results; prescribe medical testing, medication and treatment</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2021)*</b></td><td> $120,680 for nurse practitioners</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2021-2031)*</b></td><td> 46% growth for nurse practitioners</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)*</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheResponsibilitiesOfNursePractitioners">What are the Responsibilities of Nurse Practitioners?</h3> <p>Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who, through advanced education, are qualified to treat the majority of primary and acute healthcare needs. As an NP, you may perform various duties to ensure the health of your patients. NPs also assess patient health histories and analyze lab results in order to create a treatment plan for each patient. They further advise patients on health and wellness and act as an advocate for patients' general medical needs. </p> <p>Similar to doctors, NPs provide preventative health care services, prescribe medication, perform physical examinations and diagnose health conditions. Through graduate education, you could specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as: </p> <ul><li>Adult/geriatric care </li><li>Pediatrics </li><li>Mental health </li><li>Obstetrics/gynecology </li><li>Oncology </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatCertificateProgramsAreAvailable">What Certificate Programs are Available?</h3> <p>You must first fulfill the training and requirements for becoming a registered nurse to enroll in an NP training program. NP programs can award graduate certificates and post-masters certificates. Post-masters's certificate programs might focus solely on specific areas, like family or mental health nursing. A Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate is one example of a program option, in addition to an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate program. </p> <p>Programs are typically designed to meet the requirements for professional certification. According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 97% of NPs are nationally certified (<i>www.aanp.org</i>). The completion of a graduate-level program is required to attain national certification. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAboutGraduateDegreePrograms">What About Graduate Degree Programs?</h3> <p>Master's degrees or doctoral degrees and are designed to provide clinical and medical skills specific to your area of focus, including full semesters of specialized study. For example, a Master of Science in Nurse Practitioner program might offer specializations in areas like pediatric or neonatal nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care or acute care nurse practitioner, or family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Doctoral programs will award a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and they offer similar specialty tracks. A DNP program will include abundant clinical work, and it may culminate in a final project. </p> <h3 id="section---WhichClassesWillITake">Which Classes Will I Take?</h3> <p>Classes will vary depending on your level of graduate study and your area of specialty. In addition to your coursework, you will learn clinical skills and participate in simulation exercises. Clinical placement/rotations and the completion of a residency will also likely be required. Additional classes may include subjects like the following: </p> <ul><li>Disease prevention </li><li>Sexual and reproductive health </li><li>Diagnosis and management </li><li>Health promotion </li><li>Research methods </li><li>Pharmacology </li><li>Pathophysiology </li><li>Statistics</li></ul>