What Is a Nurse Practitioner and Could It Be Your Next Career Move?

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are among the most influential professionals in the modern healthcare sector. Leveraging clinical expertise and exceptional bedside skills, they form strong relationships with their patients while revealing the power of preventive care. Despite their impressive contributions, many patients and even some healthcare professionals may not understand this vital role and all it encompasses.

Registered nurses (RNs), for instance, recognize that moving into the role of nurse practitioner can spark a boost in autonomy and a chance to guide others as a true leader in the healthcare sector. With differing responsibilities and scopes of practice between NP jobs and even from one state to the next, it’s important to define: What is a nurse practitioner? 

In this article, we cover what nurse practitioners do, how the role compares to doctors and physician assistants and the top NP specialties to consider. Additionally, what the educational path to becoming an NP actually looks like, including programs designed for working RNs who can't afford to step away from their career to go back to school full time.

What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?

• Performing diagnostic tests and making diagnoses.
• Creating patient care plans or altering existing plans as needed.
• Referring patients to specialists when necessary.
• Educating patients on disease prevention and the proper use of medications.
• Prescribing medications (in states with full or reduced practice authority)

Some of these responsibilities overlap with those typically held by registered nurses. Both types of healthcare professionals, for example, may need to administer medication. With NPs, the scope of practice may be broader, as they are often authorized to make diagnoses and prescribe medications.

For RNs who find themselves drawn to deeper clinical involvement; the NP role represents one of the most direct paths to that expanded scope. And unlike the transition to physician, which requires medical school and a multi-year residency, the NP pathway builds directly on the clinical experience and licensure an RN already holds.

Nurse Practitioner vs. Doctor vs. Physician Assistant

Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide comprehensive healthcare services for patients of all ages. Compared to other NP specialties, FNPs maintain a uniquely broad scope of practice, serving as the field's top generalists. This can be a great area of practice for NPs who enjoy working with a wide range of patients. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), this is by far the most common NP specialty, with more than 70% of NPs certified as FNPs.

Many FNPs take great satisfaction in helping patients participate actively in their own care. This is a top perk highlighted by Jamesetta A. Newland, PhD, in an AANP feature on FNPs. She explains, "As an FNP, I am a little like the old general practitioner [GP]; I prefer being a generalist and collaborating with colleagues and experts when the need arises." NMC offers a BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner track for nurses ready to pursue this specialty at the doctoral level. 

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

Committed to helping adult patients manage a range of chronic and acute conditions, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) hold a narrower age focus than FNPs, though they still enjoy the opportunity to work with a diverse patient base. Instead of serving infants and children, however, they emphasize comprehensive care through late adolescence, adulthood, and into patients' senior years.

Many AGNPs work in primary care, offering preventative services while also educating patients and empowering them to take a more active role in improving their own health and well-being. Revealing her love for this role, Evelyn G. Duffy, DNP, tells the AANP that she has the "privilege of developing a long-term relationship with their patients and with the patients’ families," adding that she can "delve more deeply into the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases that present in this population." NMC offers two AGNP-track DNP programs: the BSN to DNP - Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP and the BSN to DNP - Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Working closely with children and adolescents, pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) address a number of pediatric concerns, including not only health issues but also developmental stages. They offer preventative services such as vaccinations as well as treat acute illnesses, including many that are more common in childhood.

These NPs can communicate effectively with children and their parents, helping them understand essential health and wellness practices while easing their fears as they develop a greater sense of trust in medical professionals. Jessica Peck, DNP, makes a convincing argument for this role: "Being able to make a positive impact and empowering families to achieve optimal health is enough to keep me coming to practice each day with a smile on my face and a skip in my step."

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Committed to helping patients manage and overcome a variety of mental health challenges, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) work closely with patients facing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or other concerns. Often working in specialty clinics or psychiatric units, these NPs maintain an empathetic approach, offering emergency psychiatric care when required and otherwise helping patients manage symptoms associated with a vast range of mental health conditions.

As the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) points out, these professionals have a major impact, even representing the "second-largest group of behavioral health professionals." This challenging but rewarding position calls for not only nursing expertise but also a thorough understanding of complex psychosocial and neurobiological concepts. Advocating for this role, Susie Adams, PhD, explains that she finds great satisfaction in "helping people have productive, meaningful lives and being part of a community and giving them a purpose."

NMC does not currently offer a dedicated PMHNP track. Nurses interested in psychiatric mental health nursing at the advanced practice level are encouraged to contact NMC Admissions for guidance on the best pathway given their background and goals. 

What Type of Education Is Required to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

Because nurse practitioners have a broader scope of practice than RNs, they must seek additional training to ensure that they can provide competent, high-level care. As graduate students, they take a deeper dive into evidence-based practice while also developing valuable leadership skills and exploring cutting-edge research. Additionally, they must adopt a spirit of continuous learning, as they are expected to adapt in response to emerging research and cutting-edge technological solutions.

Degree Options

Multiple degree programs promise to help aspiring NPs enhance their clinical skills and understanding of evidence-based practice. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is one available option, allowing RNs to rapidly advance into numerous APRN roles. Many NPs pursue their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which is ideal for those seeking advanced clinical roles or leadership opportunities.

Bridge programs (such as the APRN to DNP) help aspiring NPs streamline their academic experience while addressing potential skill gaps. Many degree programs are further tailored to reflect preferred specializations. These include exciting options for those who hope to work as adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners or as family nurse practitioners.

Certification and Licensure

In addition to completing a relevant graduate-level degree, aspiring NPs need to seek certification and licensure. This process involves rigorous exams, which may be administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). This is crucial for demonstrating competency in relevant clinical areas as well as from a compliance perspective.

Upon securing relevant certifications, NPs should be prepared to apply for state licensure. Application requirements may vary between states but typically involve nursing school transcripts and proof of passing certification exams.

Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners

The future is bright for nurse practitioners, who are increasingly regarded as a central part of the solution to many issues plaguing the modern healthcare system: shortages in primary care providers, high healthcare expenses, chronic disease challenges, and more. A wealth of research indicates that NPs provide high-level care and hold undeniable value within the healthcare sector.

As more healthcare leaders recognize this value, many will look to NPs to support overarching objectives such as improving access to care (especially in underserved communities) and enhancing patient satisfaction. NPs have even attracted attention from leaders in government, with many governors paying homage to these hardworking professionals during NP Week.

Speaking to this increased recognition, AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara explains how the "demand for health care continues to rise, fueled by the growth of an aging population and the continued shortage of primary health care providers," adding that this will prompt the need for an expanded and diversified NP workforce.

Ready to Become a Nurse Practitioner? Here's Where NMC Can Take You.

Are you looking to explore new opportunities in nursing? The right degree program could set you up for success as a nurse practitioner. Look to Nebraska Methodist College for support as you embark on this professional journey.

NMC's DNP programs include specialty tracks matched to the most in-demand NP roles:

• BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner: For nurses drawn to generalist primary care across all patient populations. The most common NP specialty, with strong demand in both urban and rural settings.
• BSN to DNP - Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP: For nurses focused on adult and older adult patient populations in primary care and preventive health settings.
• BSN to DNP - Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: For nurses who want to combine advanced clinical practice with systems-level quality improvement across adult patient populations.
• APRN to DNP: Already hold an MSN or APRN credential? This bridge program is designed to complete your terminal degree without repeating coursework you've already done.

Explore our nursing programs, and get in touch if you would like to learn more about these degrees and their associated professional pathways. Or, feel free to take the next step and apply today!