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Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners are clinicians that mix clinical expertise into treating health conditions and diagnosing while focusing more on disease prevention and health management. The career path is quickly rising to be the health partner of choice for millions of Americans.

Duties of a Nurse Practitioner

            A nurse practitioner is assigned with diagnosing and treating acute, episodic, or chronic illness, either a part of a healthcare team or independently. They can order and perform diagnostic tests such as lab work or x rays and prescribe medication. Duties of an NP include:

  • Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
  • Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.
  • Diagnose medical conditions.
  • Prescribe medications.
  • Prescribe treatments or therapies.
  • Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.
  • Prescribe medications.
  • Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.
  • Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
  • Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
  • Develop medical treatment plans.
  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
  • Advise patients on the effects of health conditions or treatments.
  • Diagnose medical conditions.
  • Communicate detailed medical information to patients or their family members.
  • Treat chronic diseases or disorders.

       There are many specialty areas that a nurse practitioner could choose from, such as acute care, adult health, family health, gerontology health, neonatal health, oncology, pediatric health, women’s health, and mental/psychiatric health. 

How to become a Nurse Practitioner

          If you’re planning on becoming a nurse practitioner, keep in mind that there’s a lot of work that builds up to it. All NPs need to complete a master’s or doctoral degree program; once that is done, then they must go through advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse preparation. No work experience nor on-the-job training is needed to become a nurse practitioner. 

Salary of a Nurse Practitioner

          According to, salary.Guide, The annual salary for an NP ranges from $82,960 to $156,160 a year, and the hourly wage can vary from $39,88 to $75.08. 

For more information regarding nursing salaries, visit salary.guide