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What is a nurse practitioner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Amy Grugan Ph.D.,
Dr. Charman Miller
introduction image

A nurse practitioner is a licensed healthcare professional who provides primary care services. They collaborate with physicians and medical professionals to diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and provide care. Nurse practitioners also educate patients on health promotion and disease prevention strategies, and may specialize in areas such as family medicine, pediatrics, women's health, and more. Nurse practitioners provide care to patients and make a significant impact on their health.

What general advice would you give to a nurse practitioner?

Amy Grugan Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of Nursing, Bradley University

Keep an open mind as to all of the learning opportunities you have. Work to become, and be a part of, a culture of positivity. Focus on your patients and ensuring you, and the health care team, are providing the absolute best care possible. Work with patients and families to educate, encourage, and enhance healthy habits. Learn as much as you can so you enhance patient safety and become a knowledgeable and compassionate caregiver. Lastly, ensure you take time to put your new role in perspective, this is the beginning of your journey. Experiential learning is a great teacher, don't be afraid to ask questions so you understand.
ScoreNurse PractitionerUS Average
Salary
7.6

Avg. Salary $100,033

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
10.0

Growth rate 40%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.32%

Asian 6.33%

Black or African American 4.66%

Hispanic or Latino 6.65%

Unknown 4.50%

White 77.54%

Gender

female 86.88%

male 13.12%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.4

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a nurse practitioner?

Pros

  • High demand for nurse practitioners

  • Competitive salary

  • Opportunity for leadership roles

  • Satisfaction of helping patients improve their health and well-being

  • Continuous learning and professional development opportunities

Cons

  • Stressful and fast-paced work environment

  • Physical and emotional demands of patient care

  • Difficulty in obtaining provider status with insurance companies

  • Potential for burnout and compassion fatigue

  • Legal liability for medical errors or malpractice claims.

Nurse practitioner career paths

Key steps to become a nurse practitioner

  1. Explore nurse practitioner education requirements

    Most common nurse practitioner degrees

    Master's

    47.1 %

    Bachelor's

    37.0 %

    Associate

    10.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific nurse practitioner skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients28.72%
    Diagnosis6.62%
    Home Health5.47%
    Diagnostic Tests5.37%
    Acute Care3.41%
  3. Complete relevant nurse practitioner training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New nurse practitioners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a nurse practitioner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real nurse practitioner resumes.
  4. Research nurse practitioner duties and responsibilities

    • Manage care of chronic pediatric patients in PICU.
    • Assess, diagnose and medically manage patients with various GI diseases and dysfunctions
    • Manage medical illnesses including diabetes, hypertension, thyroid conditions and asthma and other medical conditions.
    • Manage pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of diabetes and provide prescriptions and education before discharge from the hospital.
  5. Prepare your nurse practitioner resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your nurse practitioner resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a nurse practitioner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable nurse practitioner resume templates

    Build a professional nurse practitioner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your nurse practitioner resume.
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  6. Apply for nurse practitioner jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a nurse practitioner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first nurse practitioner job

Adeline Galvez

Nurse Practitioner

I came from a family of Medical Professionals, my late uncle was a Physician, I have aunts that are
retired RNs, cousins that are RNs. In Filipino culture, parents usually choose our major for college. My
mother who is a retired elementary school teacher, chose Nursing for me and I resisted at first because
my dream was to become a teacher just like her. So, I enrolled in University of San Carlos with my two
other cousins majoring in Nursing. Graduated and passed Philippine Boards. Worked in a small Hospital
as a RN. While working, I realize that I have this passion of becoming a Physician. When I was about to
go back to school to be a Physician the time for us to migrate here in the US came, me, my spouse and
our two-year-old son left our home country to start a new life here in the US.
My first job as a RN was in a SNF, then moved to an Acute Cate Setting after two Years. Worked bedside
for 6 years in Acute medical Unit with Texas Health Resources, then went back to school for Wound and
Ostomy Nursing and worked as a Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse Certified Wound and Ostomy
Nurse (CWON) Consultant for 6 years in the same facility. After working 6 years as a CWON, I prayed and
asked God for guidance and discussed with my family my desire of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Both
God and my family agreed. I enrolled in Purdue University Global, graduated after 2.5 years and passed
the boards two months after I graduated.
After I passed the board, I was promoted to be the Limb Salvage Program Coordinator, which was just
created at that time. So, I grew up with the program. A year after I was promoted, I also became the
Provider for the Hospital owned Ostomy Clinic.
I am grateful to God that I was able to achieve my dream. Though I did not become a teacher or a
Physician, as a Nurse Practitioner I do provide care to patients like a physician does and provide
education like a teacher does. Being a Nurse Practitioner is extremely rewarding in the sense that as a
provider I am able to treat my patient’s as whole not just a disease.

Average nurse practitioner salary

The average nurse practitioner salary in the United States is $100,033 per year or $48 per hour. Nurse practitioner salaries range between $62,000 and $161,000 per year.

Average nurse practitioner salary
$100,033 Yearly
$48.09 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do nurse practitioners rate their job?

2.67/5

Based on 3 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Nurse practitioner reviews

profile
2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

Helping others

Cons

Lack of pay, paperwork, seeing the same patients and doing the same as a physician but getting paid alot less!


profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

I like the autonomy and the fulfillment of helping others.

Cons

I dislike the variations in the pay rates between NPs and PAs.


profile
2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

patient interaction, discussion of anything encouraging as they deal with longterm chronic illnesses. Empowering the patient to be part of the solution, and also to find ways to focus outside of their illness. And I love discussing research with patients when it relates .

Cons

#1 Administration does not value you as a health professional. They are stuck in the image of the nurse meaning we follow. They don't see us as clinicians that make a difference not just by caring, but by evaluating organ systems, medication regimens, finding the answer by communicating and getting a great history in regards to chief complaints, evaluating labs and staying up to date with research. I and other NP's before me laid the groundwork for our profession y working hard and being smart and educated. I have seen how companies want to get rid of the experienced NP to fill the role with two entry level NP's. There is age discrimination on top of it, it's not just the pay. #2 Arrogant doctors who push most of the work onto you in regards to documentation and also patient's medical management. Then act like they are "so busy". We know the good doctors from the ones who are their own fan club.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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