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Jimena
Student
Lynn, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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What is the daily duties of a nurse practitioner?
I want to learn more about being a nurse practitioner. I am curious what is the daily duties and responsibilities? Is there a solid routine to this career or is everyday different? #nursing #nurse-practictioner#nurse
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Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
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California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Jimena Nurse practitioners are one type of advanced practice registered nurse. They serve their patients as primary care providers, and day-to-day duties are very similar to those of doctors in their field or specialty. If you are interested in becoming a nurse practitioner must meet around 6-8 years of education requirements. You'll first earn a BACHELOR'S DEGREE and then secure a license as a Registered Nurse (RN). After gaining some clinical experience as an RN, you must then complete a MASTER'S DEGREE and then pass a state-administered nurse practitioner licensing exam. Although there are common duties and responsibilities for all nurse practitioners, they generally vary by specialties including primary care or pediatrics. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are different from other types of nurses because they have more capabilities and often more autonomy than other nurses. NPs are able to diagnose medical conditions and prescribe medications, which other nurses are not able to do.
• PRIMARY CARE NURSE PRACTITIONERS – Are generalists who work in family health clinics or hospitals. They provide general and preventative care, conduct check-ups, treat illnesses, order lab tests and prescribe medication for children and adults.
• PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS – Work in consultation with doctors in a children's ward. Some deal exclusively with neonates, while others concentrate on older children, up to age 18, in the pediatric ward. In some work situations, pediatric nurse practitioners maintain their own patients and make decisions about necessary treatment.
Because nurse practitioners need to have extensive knowledge of health and healthcare, it can take several years to complete a nurse practitioner education. Generally, nurse practitioners must earn a RN license, obtain a master's degree in nursing, and become licensed as a nurse practitioner. This process can take from 6-8 years to complete.
• REGISTERED NURSE LICENSE • 2-4 YEARS
First, students need to become a registered nurse (RN), which involves choosing from any number of RN colleges. They can do this by completing a, ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, or BACHELOR'S DEGREE program in nursing. Associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs typically take between 2-3 years to complete, while Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree programs usually take 4-years. After completing your chosen degree program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), you'll hold the title of RN.
• MASTER'S DEGREE • 2-3 YEARS
Students must then earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in areas like family nurse practitioner or pediatric primary care practitioner. You may be able to find some 2-year programs; other programs may take three years of study. Most practitioner programs prefer students with a BSN.
• APRN CERTIFICATION – Typically Less than One Year, graduates can then take their certification exam as an APRN and meet their state licensing requirements. While this timeframe may vary, it usually takes a few months of studying to pass the APRN exam. A specific APRN license or certification is available through organizations like the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, or American Midwifery Certification Board.
Hope this is helpful Jimena
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, students have the opportunity to become family nurse practitioners through a quality MSN program that focuses on cultural sensitivity and patient safety in nursing. The college also offers a comprehensive psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner program that fully prepares students to provide expert-level, compassionate care to patients with psychiatric disorders. MSN program options are available for registered nurses with associate's degrees in nursing as well as BSN holders.
• PRIMARY CARE NURSE PRACTITIONERS – Are generalists who work in family health clinics or hospitals. They provide general and preventative care, conduct check-ups, treat illnesses, order lab tests and prescribe medication for children and adults.
• PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS – Work in consultation with doctors in a children's ward. Some deal exclusively with neonates, while others concentrate on older children, up to age 18, in the pediatric ward. In some work situations, pediatric nurse practitioners maintain their own patients and make decisions about necessary treatment.
Because nurse practitioners need to have extensive knowledge of health and healthcare, it can take several years to complete a nurse practitioner education. Generally, nurse practitioners must earn a RN license, obtain a master's degree in nursing, and become licensed as a nurse practitioner. This process can take from 6-8 years to complete.
• REGISTERED NURSE LICENSE • 2-4 YEARS
First, students need to become a registered nurse (RN), which involves choosing from any number of RN colleges. They can do this by completing a, ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, or BACHELOR'S DEGREE program in nursing. Associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs typically take between 2-3 years to complete, while Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree programs usually take 4-years. After completing your chosen degree program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), you'll hold the title of RN.
• MASTER'S DEGREE • 2-3 YEARS
Students must then earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in areas like family nurse practitioner or pediatric primary care practitioner. You may be able to find some 2-year programs; other programs may take three years of study. Most practitioner programs prefer students with a BSN.
• APRN CERTIFICATION – Typically Less than One Year, graduates can then take their certification exam as an APRN and meet their state licensing requirements. While this timeframe may vary, it usually takes a few months of studying to pass the APRN exam. A specific APRN license or certification is available through organizations like the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, or American Midwifery Certification Board.
Hope this is helpful Jimena
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Thank You Mr Graham. “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — William Shakespeare
Doc Frick
Thank you John. I appreciate your answers.
Tonya Lawrence, PhD, MSN, RN, CNM
Thank You Doctor Lawrence. Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Doc Frick
Thank you John for your reply. You are so right with your statement.
Tonya Lawrence, PhD, MSN, RN, CNM
Tonya Lawrence, PhD, MSN, RN, CNM
Nurse,Mentor,Educator,Leader
75
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Tonya’s Answer
Nurse Practitioners are a type of Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) work in various settings which means their daily activities can vary. One area is with patients where APRNs assess (collecting information about the patient, including performing annual check-ups), diagnosing (what we think the body is doing), interventions (treatments such as medications and non-medications, assist with surgery, perform procedures), teaching (educate the patient/family/care giver/loved one on the situation, how to prevent the problem, improve/maintain health, when to return for follow-up), measure outcomes (what worked well, what did not, and what will we do different next time), collaborate (speak with other members of the healthcare team as the patient/family may need services from social work, community resources, healthcare insurance assistance), educate ourselves (always learning more to provide the best care for our patients called life-long learning). The settings for working with patients can include (but not limited to) ambulatory settings/clinics, hospitals, school clinics, companies-employee health, nursing homes/long care facilities and work in telemedicine (work remote seeing patients online). The days the APRNs work can be any day 7-days per week and at any time (with days off), depending on the needs of the setting. The hours could be full-time, part-time, or per-diem (as needed). I have worked in a clinic for 4-8 hours as a certified nurse midwife or teaching for 2-hours at a university with additional work outside of the classroom to prepare for the class, answer student emails, and grade test. APRNs could also work 10-hours, 12-hours (or less) depending on the need of the healthcare setting. Depending on the setting, the routine can be the same each day or could be different. For example when I worked in a clinic the routine was consistent however, the patient needs changed. Versus APRNs who work in the emergency department can bring different experiences as patients have various emergencies.
APRNs could also work at colleges/universities/academic, perform research, or work in the community. The opportunities are almost endless. The American Nurses Association (2021) website includes a few stories of different APRNs and their accomplishments. You can use the link below to read the stories.
In addition, please note, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2020) endorses APRNs achieving a doctorate-level degree. Most schools you will see will have a Master’s degree. However, the push is for a doctorate. This means there are additional years of academic education.
Here are different specialties of APRNs in addition to pediatrics, clinical nurse specialist, and midwives (even though they are listed below):
*Clinical Nurse Specialist (can specialize in an area of healthcare such as Adult-Gerontology. You may even develop a specialty we do not have at this time yet that you have an interest)
*Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
*Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
*Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
*Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
*Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner
*Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
*Certified Nurse Midwife
*Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner
*Family Nurse Practitioner
*Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
Please feel free to use the links below to learn more.
All the best.
Nursing is a profession of caring and science regardless of the degree, position, or years in the profession.
References:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2020). DNP Fact Sheet. https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/DNP-Fact-Sheet
American Nurses Association (2021). Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/aprn/
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (2021). APRNS in the U.S. https://www.ncsbn.org/aprn.htm
Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) work in various settings which means their daily activities can vary. One area is with patients where APRNs assess (collecting information about the patient, including performing annual check-ups), diagnosing (what we think the body is doing), interventions (treatments such as medications and non-medications, assist with surgery, perform procedures), teaching (educate the patient/family/care giver/loved one on the situation, how to prevent the problem, improve/maintain health, when to return for follow-up), measure outcomes (what worked well, what did not, and what will we do different next time), collaborate (speak with other members of the healthcare team as the patient/family may need services from social work, community resources, healthcare insurance assistance), educate ourselves (always learning more to provide the best care for our patients called life-long learning). The settings for working with patients can include (but not limited to) ambulatory settings/clinics, hospitals, school clinics, companies-employee health, nursing homes/long care facilities and work in telemedicine (work remote seeing patients online). The days the APRNs work can be any day 7-days per week and at any time (with days off), depending on the needs of the setting. The hours could be full-time, part-time, or per-diem (as needed). I have worked in a clinic for 4-8 hours as a certified nurse midwife or teaching for 2-hours at a university with additional work outside of the classroom to prepare for the class, answer student emails, and grade test. APRNs could also work 10-hours, 12-hours (or less) depending on the need of the healthcare setting. Depending on the setting, the routine can be the same each day or could be different. For example when I worked in a clinic the routine was consistent however, the patient needs changed. Versus APRNs who work in the emergency department can bring different experiences as patients have various emergencies.
APRNs could also work at colleges/universities/academic, perform research, or work in the community. The opportunities are almost endless. The American Nurses Association (2021) website includes a few stories of different APRNs and their accomplishments. You can use the link below to read the stories.
In addition, please note, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2020) endorses APRNs achieving a doctorate-level degree. Most schools you will see will have a Master’s degree. However, the push is for a doctorate. This means there are additional years of academic education.
Here are different specialties of APRNs in addition to pediatrics, clinical nurse specialist, and midwives (even though they are listed below):
*Clinical Nurse Specialist (can specialize in an area of healthcare such as Adult-Gerontology. You may even develop a specialty we do not have at this time yet that you have an interest)
*Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
*Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
*Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
*Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
*Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner
*Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
*Certified Nurse Midwife
*Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner
*Family Nurse Practitioner
*Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
Please feel free to use the links below to learn more.
All the best.
Nursing is a profession of caring and science regardless of the degree, position, or years in the profession.
References:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2020). DNP Fact Sheet. https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/DNP-Fact-Sheet
American Nurses Association (2021). Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/aprn/
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (2021). APRNS in the U.S. https://www.ncsbn.org/aprn.htm
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