Congratulations, you have made the decision to go ahead and further your studies in order to become a trained nurse practitioner. This is an exciting step in helping you to further your career in the healthcare industry, but more than that, this is an opportunity for you to strive to reach your full potential and apply your expertise and soon-to be newly acquired skills in ways that will be able to make concrete differences in the lives of your patients and of others around you.
It takes a special kind of person to choose a career in nursing, and the benefits of continuing your studies in order to become a nurse practitioner are numerous. After completing the additional education that is required, you will be able to offer a more integral role in patient care; in many cases, you will be given the responsibility of being a patient’s primary care giver. In addition to an increase in pay scale, your added and/or specialized skills will make you an adept caregiver, as your advanced skills will help you to become that bridge between registered nurse and physician. Your knowledge and skills will be greatly enhanced, and in a much shorter time period when compared to a physician’s master’s degree program.
With so many advantages and so many paths leading to a career as a nurse practitioner, it is important to take the necessary time to explore all of the options that are available to you and be well-informed. There are many things to consider when selecting a specialty as a nurse practitioner:
Patient Demographic:
Are you an individual who has always gravitated toward working with children or seniors? Does your current career history indicate that you prefer working in an acute care environment or a long-term care facility? Make a list that highlights the most positive aspects of your career thus far and determine if there might be any patterns or preferences that you may otherwise have not seen.
Long-Term Career Prospects and Income Goals:
While the salaries of nurse practitioners are not as greatly affected by specialization as those of physicians, N.P. specialization does impact income. Traditionally, nurse practitioners working in the emergency room may earn a six figure salary as opposed to those working in other areas. Decide whether this is a priority for you. Additionally, understand the long-term career prospects of your chosen field. Is stability important to you or would you like to have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments? What field shows the most promising career growth prospects and opportunity? For example, within the next twenty years demand for specialists in gerontology will be the highest ever seen in the healthcare industry.
Interest and Passion:
This is the most significant element to consider. Remind yourself of why you chose to go into nursing. What element about your job do you enjoy the most? What are you most passionate about in terms of working the healthcare industry, is providing specialized female patient care a priority for you? Is cardiology or neurology an area of medicine that you have always found fascinating?
There is much to consider in becoming a nurse practitioner and whatever path you do decide, trust that it will be the right one.
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