If you are a Registered Nurse looking to advance your career to a higher level, you should definitely look into Nurse Practitioner programs to see if this educational choice is right for you. A Nurse Practitioner is basically a RN who has returned to college to complete a Master of Science in Nursing or a doctoral degree in a nursing specialization. The NP has a higher level of training and skill regarding more complex medical conditions, diagnoses and treatment plans, and may even stand in for a doctor in some situations.

A Brief History of Nursing Practitioning

Nurse Practitioners first appeared on the scene in the 1960s due to a shortage of qualified physicians in the United States, especially in lower income neighborhoods. Nurses began opening up clinics to treat basic conditions, diseases and illnesses. These nurses could prescribe pharmaceutical medicine, and they were able to perform physical exams and access the patients’ medical histories to devise treatment plans.

Nurse Practitioners most commonly provide family planning services, prenatal care and well-child care, including immunizations. Every state has different regulations about what NPs can and can’t do within the scope of their practice. There are also different requirements in each state regarding what NPs must do in order to become licensed to practice within this medical profession.

Nurse Practitioner Programs

Regardless of what state you live in, you must first have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and passed the examinations to become a Registered Nurse before you can begin training to become a Nurse Practitioner. Many nurses also gain some professional experience in the field before they return to school for the advanced training of a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. After completing all the requirements and receiving one of these nursing graduate degrees, you will need to take a board examination that is conducted either by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

There are many different types of graduate degree programs that you can choose from to become a Nurse Practitioner. You may return to the same college where you got your Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or you may choose a different university. There are also technical colleges that offer NP training programs, as well as online colleges. Just make sure that the school is accredited and that the program works with your lifestyle; you’ll be well on your way.