Today, a lot of registered nurses want to further their careers thought taking one of the various Nurse Practitioner educational programs available to them. Are you unfamiliar with the term nurse practitioner? If you are, you might like to know that this is one of the higher levels in the nursing field. RNs can get further schooling after they receive their Bachelor's degree to attain a Master's degree. Additional schooling involving this field of healthcare can also lead to a doctorate in nursing.
These Nurse Practitioner programs provide an advanced training (especially compared to "cna classes") into various medical conditions. After this training, the practitioners have the knowledge to help with the diagnosis of patients, planning of the treatments, and when needed, take the doctor's place. However, there are limits as to what they can do compared to a licensed doctor.
In the USA during the 1960s the first of the nurse practitioners appeared on the scene, because there was a shortage of doctors. This was especially the case for the low-income areas of the country. Nurses started clinics in these areas to provide basic treatment for a variety of medical conditions and diseases, because these areas badly needed them. These nurses were allows to collect medical histories, perform physical exams, form treatments plans along with write prescriptions for the medicine needed by patients, who could not make it to a doctor's office. Each state has its own regulations about the task that a Nurse Practitioner can perform along with licensing procedures that must be gone through for this field of medicine.
Programs for Nurse Practitioners
Prior to being accepted in a Nurse Practitioner program, you will need a Bachelor of Science degree for nursing. Then you will have to pass the required exam to attain the title of Registered Nurse. Typically, RNs work some in the nursing field before attending courses for a Master's or Doctorate of Science degree for nursing.
A Bachelor's of Science degree in the field of nursing is needed to enter any of the Nurse Practitioner programs. After this degree is earned, the applicant needs to pass the exam for becoming a Registered Nurse. Many times, RNs will work in the nursing field before starting a program for the Master's of Science or a Doctorate degree program for nursing.
After going through a program to become a Nurse Practitioner, you will then have to take the board exam conducted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Once you have your license to practice, you will be all set to enter a very rewarding yet highly competitive and challenging career.
Across the country, there are various Nurse Practitioner programs available. Some are offered at the local universities, while others are offered on the online universities. Before anyone enters into a program, he/she should make sure it is accredited, and willing to accept other state's licensing.
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