What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

What Is a Nurse Practitioner Versus a Doctor?

Both nurse practitioners and doctors provide quality care, which includes recording medical histories, evaluating symptoms and diagnosing health issues. 

But nurse practitioners focus more on patient primary care. NPs serve as central advocates for patient well-being and vital sources of information about issues such as healthy food, exercise and smoking cessation.

While NPs work in collaboration with medical professionals, they also function autonomously. They offer primary, acute and specialty health care services, including prescribing medications, educating and counseling patients, and treating chronic conditions such as high blood pressure.

Learn more about the nurse practitioner programs at Neumann University. 

The Education Required to Pursue Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Nurse practitioners are highly skilled. All NPs must possess a master’s or doctoral degree as well as advanced clinical training. A combination of didactic courses and extensive clinical experience provides FNPs with specialized knowledge to practice in primary, acute and long-term care environments.

A graduate nurse practitioner program builds upon the foundational knowledge received in an undergraduate BSN program. Neumann University’s nurse practitioner programs can be completed online in just seven semesters. In our nurse practitioner programs, you’ll gain the advanced clinical knowledge and skills to diagnose and manage treatments for patients across their lifespan.

While licensing requirements vary from state to state, NPs must successfully pass rigorous national certification tests, periodic peer review and detailed clinical evaluations. They must also adhere to a strict code for ethical practices. 

What Can You Do After Completing a Nurse Practitioner Program?

Nurse practitioner job opportunities are diverse and include specialties such as:

•    Neonatal care
•    Palliative care
•    Neurosurgery
•    Sleep medicine
•    Psychiatry
•    Pediatrics
•    Cardiology
•    Occupational medicine
•    Public health

Nurse practitioners are also needed on cruise ships, in schools and in corporate offices.

Nursing Practitioner Jobs

Nurse practitioners play a critical role in providing access to care and improving health outcomes. NPs are becoming increasingly sought-after, especially in areas such as family care, cardiology, critical care and geriatrics. Earning your nurse practitioner degree will launch you into an exciting career with considerable professional growth.

Nurse Practitioners Are in High Demand

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners are expected to grow 40 percent through 2031 — a rate much greater than the average.

High Salaries for Nurse Practitioners

While salaries for nurse practitioners vary by state, BLS lists the national median yearly income at $123,780.

Salary.com reports that salaries for nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania fall between $112, 262 and $131,430, with an average of $120,982.

Work Environments for Graduates of the Nurse Practitioner Program

A shortage of health care workers — specifically nurse practitioners — means NPs are needed across environments, including:

•    Urgent care centers
•    University health centers
•    Addiction treatment facilities
•    Traveling care
•    Nursing homes
•    Rehabilitation centers
•    Veteran hospitals
•    Psychiatric facilities

Top Skills Employers Want in Nurse Practitioners

As a graduate of a rigorous nurse practitioner program, you’ll have outstanding skills to offer employers. Employers welcome new NPs with a strong education, combined with these key qualifications:

•    Willingness to learn new skills
•    A team-oriented outlook
•    Knowledge regarding the latest science and technology
•    Telehealth experience
•    RN experience in the area of the job opening
•    Sharp computer skills

A Rewarding Career as a Nurse Practitioner Begins at Neumann University

As a graduate of Neumann’s Master of Science in Nursing program, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based wellness care, disease prevention solutions and effective treatment strategies. 

At Neumann University we know what it takes to succeed in the nursing profession. For over 20 years, we’ve offered comprehensive graduate nursing programs. Now our Master of Science programs are 100 percent online. 

You’ll learn from faculty members who have been active in nursing throughout their academic careers. To give you a well-rounded experience, online coursework is presented in tandem with real-world clinical practice in a variety of settings. 

In addition, all our academic programs are rooted in our Catholic Franciscan tradition and guided by the University’s core values of Reverence, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship. As a Neumann student, you’ll engage in a campus environment that encourages character development and supports spiritual practice.

While family nurse practitioners are educated to care for patients across their lifespan, NU also offers programs to become an adult-gerontology primary care or adult-gerontology acute care  practitioner.

Pursuing one of the many types of nurse practitioner jobs available means delivering comprehensive health care solutions that lead to beneficial outcomes for patients. Empower others while earning a high salary as a nurse practitioner.

Now that we’ve defined “what is a nurse practitioner?”, your next step is to connect with Neumann University.