Are you eager to make a difference as a nurse practitioner (NP)? If so, it is essential to understand the role of nurse practitioners in the broader scope of the healthcare field, as well as the possible educational pathways for becoming an NP. Meanwhile, because NPs do not have the same level of autonomy in every state, there are key details to note regarding their scope of practice and other territory-specific requirements.
With a solid understanding of the career path’s nuances and the answer to the question, “What does a nurse practitioner do?” you may be in a better position to determine whether this role could be right for you.
The Essential Role of Nurse Practitioners in Healthcare
What is a nurse practitioner? According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners (NPs), who are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), are healthcare professionals responsible for coordinating patient care and, in some cases, providing primary or specialty healthcare services.
Defining the Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners
The scope of practice for nurse practitioners may vary from one state to the next, as each state’s nursing board determines the level of autonomy that NPs are granted and what kind of requirements they must follow. For example, in some states, NPs must maintain career-long partnerships with physicians in order to practice.
Key Responsibilities and Duties of a Nurse Practitioner
What does a nurse practitioner do on a daily basis? Again, this varies somewhat depending on the scope of practice in an NP’s state or territory. In general, however, some of the most common daily responsibilities and duties of a nurse practitioner include:
- Maintaining and updating patient records.
- Performing physician examinations.
- Performing, ordering, and reading the results of diagnostic tests.
- Diagnosing health problems and creating plans for treatment.
- Prescribing and administering medication.
Educational Pathways to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
If you are interested in becoming a nurse practitioner, there are several steps to take before you get licensed and/or certified. So, what is a nurse practitioner’s typical path to this role?
Undergraduate and Graduate Requirements
In all 50 states, NPs need to hold a master’s degree or doctoral degree in order to sit for their certification exams. However, some NPs can complete NP-specific educational requirements through a certificate program. To get into a graduate-level program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related healthcare field.
With this in mind, many aspiring NPs begin with either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and earn their RN licenses. From there, they may work as an RN while they attend a graduate-level nursing program. Upon completion of a graduate nursing program, individuals may be eligible to take one of the two national certification exams required for NPs, regardless of the state they practice in.
Specializations and Advanced Certifications
Some NPs choose to specialize in a specific area of the field, such as pediatrics or family practice. Those who choose to pursue an advanced certification in their area of specialization may need to sit for an additional examination offered through one of several certification boards, such as:
- The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center
In addition, it is worth noting that NPs need to maintain and renew their certifications every so often — and this typically involves not just paying a renewal fee but also providing proof of continuing education and professional development as well.
Legal and Professional Standing of Nurse Practitioners
Your scope of practice and prescriptive authority as an NP largely depend on the state in which you practice, as each state and territory sets its own strict requirements and laws.
Prescriptive Authority Across Different States
You may view the American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ (AANP’s) State Practice Environment map for specific information on the scope of authority in each state. However, each state or territory falls into one of three categories:
- Full practice – NPs are permitted to evaluate and assess patients, diagnose, order, and interpret diagnostic tests, manage treatments, and prescribe medications (including controlled substances) without collaboration or oversight from a physician.
- Reduced practice – NPs have limitations on their prescriptive authority and may be unable to prescribe medications (including controlled substances) without commitment to a career-long partnership with another health provider.
- Restricted practice – NPs are restricted in their authority and required to maintain career-long supervision or delegation from another health provider, such as a physician.
Comparing the Autonomy of Nurse Practitioners With Other Healthcare Professionals
Even if you end up working as an NP in a state with restricted practice, NPs may still enjoy a high level of autonomy compared to other healthcare professionals (like RNs and LPNs). In some states, NPs may even start and operate their own healthcare practices.
The Impact of Nurse Practitioners on Patient Care
Across the nation, there is an ongoing shortage of primary care physicians and other specialized care providers. In fact, the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that “the United States will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.”
Improving Access to Primary and Specialized Care
What does a nurse practitioner do to help address patients’ evolving healthcare needs? In response to the above, more states have begun expanding the autonomy and scope of practice for NPs, empowering them to fill in the gaps and provide primary care in rural areas or other underserved areas around the country. As NPs expand their scope of power in more states, they enjoy a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the changing healthcare landscape and provide patients with the primary and specialized care they need.
Pathway to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Working as an NP — especially in a state where NPs have full practice authority — offers an empowering and rewarding career. As an NP, you not only have the opportunity to expand healthcare access to underserved populations but also make a direct, positive impact on your patients’ lives while continuously advancing your clinical skills and knowledge.
All NPs begin their careers as registered nurses (RNs), and it is not uncommon for them to kickstart their education with a BSN degree before pursuing an advanced (master’s) or even terminal (doctorate) degree in the field.
Explore the MSN with Nurse Practitioner Specialization
Knowing how to become a nurse practitioner is the first step toward advancing your career. The next step is to develop the advanced skills needed to provide exceptional patient care. By pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a nurse practitioner specialization, you will be equipped to meet the growing demands of healthcare. At Post University, our flexible, fully online MSN program is designed for busy professionals. Start your journey to becoming a skilled and impactful nurse practitioner today.
Reach out to learn more about the online MSN with NP specializations at Post University today or get started with your application for admission.
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