Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are the fastest-growing segment of the healthcare workforce. The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that nurse practitioners in the U.S. earn an average of $118,040 per year. The number of licensed nurse practitioners in the U.S. has risen by 9% from an estimated 325,000 in May 2021 to over 355,000.
In 2022, U.S. News and World Report ranked nurse practitioner as the top healthcare job. With that being said, it’s no wonder why so many people are interested in becoming nurse practitioners.
But what exactly does it take to become one? How do you even begin your search? Well, this article will give you all of the information you need to start your career as an NP.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an important factor to consider when choosing a nurse practitioner program. According to NursePractitionerOnline.Com, two organizations accredit nursing programs: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Both agencies have equal authority in properly accrediting nurse practitioner programs. Each organization has a unique set of objectives and a mission that centers on collaborating to enhance nursing education programs.
Location
Location is an important factor for students and their families. Nursing students often have to consider the cost of living in different cities, which can be significantly higher than where they grew up.
If location is a major concern for you, then consider joining online nurse practitioner programs. These programs offer many benefits, including flexibility and convenience for students who are unable to attend traditional on-campus programs. These programs allow students to balance their coursework with other responsibilities, such as work and family.
Additionally, online programs often offer asynchronous coursework, meaning students can complete assignments and participate in discussions at their own pace.
Overall, online nurse practitioner programs can make advanced education more accessible and achievable for individuals seeking to advance their careers in healthcare.
Specialization
Specialization is a way to focus your studies on a specific area of nursing. For example, if you want to work with children, some programs focus specifically on pediatrics and children’s health. These types of specializations are sometimes referred to as subspecialties.
There are also generalist programs for people who aren’t sure what path they want to take yet but still want some kind of certification in the field of nursing. A generalist program can help you decide whether or not you’re interested in going into one type of specialty or another before committing yourself fully.
Daily Nurse notes that regardless of the program they completed, the majority of newly graduated nurses are considered generalists. LPNs, ADNs, BSNs, and even some NPs possess a general understanding and some acquired expertise. Being a nurse generalist is not a problem, but opting to specialize can result in numerous benefits to advance your career.
Clinical Rotations
You’ll want to make sure that the program you choose offers clinical rotations. Clinical rotations are an important part of the program, as they allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world situations. They also let you get an idea of what working in a particular field might be like and see if it’s right for you.
Faculty
When searching for a Nurse Practitioner program, it’s important to consider the faculty. The faculty should be experienced and well-respected by their peers, they should have a good reputation with the community, and they should be approachable and available to students.
If you have any questions about your future career as a nurse practitioner, ask them. Your instructors will be able to guide everything from choosing an NP program to finding jobs after graduation.
Class Size
Class size is another important factor to consider when choosing a nurse practitioner program. A large class size can be overwhelming and make it difficult for professors to know their students, which can lead to poor communication and a lack of student engagement. A smaller class size allows you to get more one-on-one time with your professor, which means they’ll be able to give you more individualized attention and guidance throughout the coursework.
You should also think about how many students are in each clinical rotation group so that you don’t find yourself overwhelmed by too much responsibility or underwhelmed by an insufficient workload.
Program Length
You’ll want to consider the length of each program, as well. Some are one year, and others are two or three years. If you’re looking for something quick, then a shorter program may be right for you.
However, if you’d rather take your time and get all the knowledge possible, then maybe one of the longer programs would work better for your needs.
Cost
Cost is a major factor in deciding which program to apply to. It’s important to calculate the total cost of attendance for each school, not just its tuition. Financial aid and scholarships are available for many programs, so make sure you do your research on this before deciding where you want to go.
Some schools offer payment plans as well, so keep an eye out for those if you think it might help ease your burden.
Reputation
Reputation is important. You want to be sure that the school you choose has a good reputation and will provide you with the best education possible, as well as make it easy for you to find employment after graduation.
If there are any complaints about the school or its programs, look into them before deciding whether or not it’s right for you.
Conclusion
We hope that you feel more confident about choosing a nurse practitioner program. There are many factors to consider, but we think the most important ones are accreditation and reputation. These will help ensure that you get a high-quality education at an affordable price with an excellent job placement rate after graduation.
