Becoming a nurse practicioner takes a lot of work, but if it’s your passion, it’s well worth it. To get started on the road to success as a nurse pracitioner, you already know you must complete a nursing program at an accredited nursing school and achieve a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Some students might choose to complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) instead of the bachelor’s degree because this degree is completed in two years rather than four. However, you should be aware that students who wish to obtain a nurse practitioner license are required to have a bachelor of science. You’ll need to choose your specialty.
You can pick from many different fields including primary care, women’s health, geriatrics, public health, psychiatric, and more. The role of nurse practitioner can be especially valuable because it is an expanded nursing role. A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed advanced clinical and didactic training beyond what is required of an RN. The responsibilities of a nurse practitioner can differ based on the field of specialty, but will typically include:
- Medical diagnoses, exams, and plans for treatment
- Keeping and maintaining accurate records of patients’ medical histories
- Educating and mentoring duties to students and nurses’ aides
- Supervise health care staff in an office setting or hospital
- Advising the writing and/or revising of health regulations
- Practicing safety rules in order to avoid infections and other dangers
- Any additional responsibilities required by their chosen specialty
Becoming a nurse practitioner, like all health care positions, provides a person not just a great career but the personal fulfillment gained from helping other people. Salary is very competitive, and you will also have career opportunities beyond that of an RN. When deciding if you would like to become a nurse practitioner, you should be aware that national certification plays a large role in helping you achieve success in this position and of the rules, laws, and stipulations that go along with this. The more you learn about the national certification process and how it can help you achieve your goals, the easier it will be for you to decide whether studying to become a nurse practitioner would be appropriate for you.
How Do I Become Nationally Certified?
There are many different national certification programs that nurse practitioners can work at achieving. Every national nursing certification program contains its own special qualification specifications and examination directives when compared to other programs. In order to decide the certification program that is best for you, you should thoroughly evaluate and differentiate between all the different programs to find the best fit for you, as well as familiarize yourself with your state‘s specific laws regarding nurse practitioner certification. Many states require not just certification but a Master’s degree as well.
What is The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program?
One of the many certification programs offered to people trying to obtain national certification as a nurse practitioner is the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program. This certification program was created in such a way as to offer a dependable, well-founded curriculum for nurse practitioners to have their skill, proficiency and training recognized on a national level. According to the AANPCP, they supply a method for substantiation of an APRN’s experience and training for practice as a nurse practitioner. In order to ensure that nurse practitioners gain the certification that they need to succeed, AANPCP offers certification, as well as re-certification, and a verification program. You will need to continue your education in order to keep your national certification credential current.
What is The American Nurses Credentialing Center?
Just like the AANPCP, the American Nurses Credentialing Center is another agency that provides nurses with national certification as proof of their ability to work as a nurse practitioner. As a nationally-accredited certification organization, the American Nurses Credentialing Center offers nurses the chance to take a certification exam in order to prove their skills and become certified. If the exam is accepted, the nurse practitioner will be awarded with a certification and the nurse will be known as Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified. The Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies both accredit this certification.
As all other certification institutions do, the AANPCP has its own set of unique eligibility requirements that establish whether nurses are eligible to take their certification exam. The nurse must hold an active RN license, a degree from a course for nurse practitioners that is accredited by the ACEN or the CCNE. The nurse must have at a minimum 500 supervised clinical hours in the nurse practitioner program for the chosen specialty, and the nurse must have taken three all-inclusive graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/path physiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology.
What Else Do I Need To Know?
Different specialties may have different requirements to become certified, so it is best to research as much as you can to be sure you have all the information you need to make your decision. Familiarize yourself with the laws and requirements of your state. Consider that many states do require nurse practitioners to have a Master’s degree as well as certification, so it may be in your best interest to pursue this as well.