Is Becoming An NP The Right Choice For My Nursing Career?

picture of a nurse becoming an NP to advance career
Written by
Miranda Kay, RN
September 12, 2022

The United States is experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers in almost all sectors of the delivery model.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that nurse practitioners (NPs) job growth between 2020 and 2030 will grow by 52%. This is one of the most significant growth sectors out of all the industries. Therefore, an individual interested in becoming a nurse practitioner can be assured that there is a lot of job security in the NP sector of healthcare.

Millions of Americans seek out the services of NPs for their healthcare. A key reason why patients choose NPs is their ability to combine clinical excellence and personalized care with a focus on prevention. Many individuals choose a career as a nurse practitioner for those same reasons. There are many areas run and headed by NPs, and here is an article to highlight more the specific areas NPs focus on and areas of expertise. And Nursa is helping NPs connect with the highest-paying local travel and PRN shift assignments. Private practices run by NPs, large, multistate health care systems, outpatient primary care offices, intensive care units (ICUs), small frontier communities, and large urban areas all employ NPs. NPs are in such demand that they can easily have their pick of some of the best and sought-after PRN shifts at healthcare facilities. A robust NP workforce is necessary to build on this diversity and continue to meet the needs of patients and our health care system.

What is a Nurse Practitioner and How to Become One?

Every state and healthcare facility has its policies and particular rules, regulations, and required certifications and qualifications. For example, an NP in clinical research will have to be a specialist in phase I-IV clinical research, which includes the first in human clinical drug trials, which are some of the most dangerous forms of clinical drug trials. OSHA regulation also weighs heavily in this area of work for NPs. Other sites are rigorous on the requirements necessary to work in that area. Cardiac units will differ from plastic surgery, etc. But the most basic requirement for all NPs is first to have obtained a registered nurse (RN) degree from an accredited college or facility. They must hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and then complete and obtain a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to get RN licensure. The computerized exam consists primarily of up to 205 multiple-choice questions, additional question formats, and tailors question difficulty to the test taker's performance. NPs will need around 1-2 years of hands-on clinical experience before entering an NP-focused graduate program, which can be very specialized. And then successfully pass a national NP board certification exam.

What's The Average Nurse Practitioner Salary?

According to the National Bureau of Labor and Statistics, BLS, NPs can expect an average salary of $123,780. But by using the Nursa healthcare staffing application, NPs can expect to make much more than the national average. The national average is based on permanent employees and not PRN shifts looking to be filled by healthcare facilities.

How to Find PRN NP Jobs Near Me?

One of the best things about using the Nursa application is its flexibility. Once the profile is set up and complete, NPs can search locally or in different cities, states, and areas where they currently have an available license. Many states have options for multiple state work approvals. Nursa works with the most current approvals and helps NP connect with the correct jobs, contracts, assignments, and PRN shifts.

Nursa is easy to use by downloading the application and filling out the required information, including certifications, qualifications, and current licenses. And after the profile is complete, NP users can plan on finding local PRN shifts, traveling to other states, cities, and areas to explore and gain different experiences, or using their already highly proficient knowledge to help a healthcare facility in dire need of skilled NPs. Nursa helps give NPs the freedom to choose where and when they want to work. And often make more than permanent employees. Make some new colleagues, and gain valuable experiences. Try Nursa today to help fill the much-needed demand for NPs everywhere. 

Blog published on:
September 12, 2022

Miranda is a Registered Nurse, Medical Fact Checker, and Publishing Editor at Nursa. Her work has been featured in publications including the American Nurses Association (ANA), Healthcare IT Outcomes, International Living, and more.

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Registered Nurse RN - Long Term Care $51.87 per hour
RN
Date
April 29, 2024
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$
52
Est. Total
$
37969
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00:00 - 12:00
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April 30, 2024
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$
22
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15625
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01:30 - 14:30
Navajoland Nursing Home
Certified Nursing Assistant CNA - Skilled Nursing $25.28 per hour
CNA
Date
April 28, 2024
Hourly
$
25
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$
3337
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00:00 - 12:00
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