The aging population and the lack of primary care providers are two major concerns for American healthcare. The U.S. is undergoing a rapid rise in senior citizens, with estimates claiming that more than 80 million Americans will be of age 65 and above by 2040, which could create a major gap in healthcare services.
Nurse practitioners are the backbone of our health care system. They work with patients of every age—from newborns to seniors—in hospitals and clinics, ensuring that all members have access to quality healthcare services appropriate for their needs.
The shortage of primary care doctors is expected to increase in the coming decades. Nurse practitioners who have received advanced clinical training can step into this gap as needed across all the states. In addition, they can work with patients individually while consulting other nurses and doctors if necessary for designing effective medical care strategies.
A nurse practitioner is an incredible asset to any medical team. They work with minimal supervision, developing personalized treatment plans for each patient throughout the day while coordinating with other professionals involved in their care.
If you currently hold an MSN degree and want to shift your focus toward on-demand, high-quality patient care with better career opportunities, a masters nurse practitioner degree may be perfect for you.
Here are some of the insights about the career outlook and the role of a nurse practitioner in the healthcare industry.
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Role Of Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are on-the-go healthcare professionals who provide a full range of services to patients, including:
- Effectively diagnose and treat patients with a variety of acute and chronic conditions, including illnesses
- Remove the need for an unnecessary trip to the doctor’s office or hospital by providing care via phone consultation, text chat, or video chat.
- Streamline patient care by connecting them with other medical professionals when needed for more specific areas of expertise.
- Provide relief to overworked healthcare providers by handling some of the day-to-day tasks that are often overlooked.
Nurses are an integral part of providing excellent care, but not all nurses specialize in one area. Nurse practitioners have the opportunity to combine several areas like health promotion and disease prevention into their visits with patients. As a result, they can empower them to make choices for healthier and long-term living.
Practitioners are also able to integrate wellbeing skills such as counseling or education into each session while also empowering patients by teaching them about preventative measures against major illnesses
Workplace Of Nurse Practitioners
Nurse Practitioners often work in private offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. They usually see patients at home or long-term care facilities if they cannot bring them into their own office. They also consult with physicians when needed for support during consultations.
They work with a variety of patients and in dynamic settings, including care facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and emergency triages.
Nurses specializing in pediatrics, cardiology, or oncology can be found at hospitals and outpatient clinics, supplementing care from doctors with their expertise. They are needed most during surgery emergencies to take over for a surgeon if needed right away.
Impact on the Healthcare Industry
Nurses who are skilled in clinical settings can provide high-quality care with an emphasis on patient satisfaction rates. Nurse practitioners have been found to influence patients’ emergency room visits and hospital stays. In addition, they offer several benefits to patients, including lower out-of-pocket costs when they see you in their office.
Nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals are reducing the cost of patient visits by up to 33%. They are the reason why insurance companies spend less on primary-care services than their peers elsewhere. Nurses also reduce prescription drug costs for hospital patients through geriatric assessments or telemedicine consultations when necessary.
Trends In The Industry
The demand for nurse practitioners is projected to grow profoundly in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners are among the country’s top 5 fastest-growing occupations—with a median pay of $111,680 per year. As a result, more than 100,000 practitioner jobs will be added to the field in the coming decade.
In the coming years, we can expect a flood of job openings for nurse practitioners. These opportunities include outpatient care centers and educational services in nursing schools, scientific research facilities, and insurance carriers across North America.
Roadmap to an NP Degree
Nursing practitioners typically begin their careers after receiving an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. They work their way up through internships, residencies, or fellowships. These programs must offer practical experience to gain valuable skills early on while earning more college credits than expected from an associate degree program.
Completing a Bachelor’s degree in nursing is the second stage. Nurses can expand their knowledge and privileges of practice by earning an accredited BSN from any institution. It will provide them access to more procedures and teach them office management skills for success within their career path or specialty area.
A master’s degree in nursing is required for certification as a nurse practitioner. Most programs typically last 1-4 years and may be completed online or on the ground.
Candidates pursuing a career as family nurse practitioners must continue to gain work experience while still enrolled at graduate school—training for the opportunities of specializing in the field.
Before becoming licensed, the final step is passing exams from either American Association Nurses Practitioners with minimum standards needed depending on the type of professional license you’re hoping to achieve after earning your degree.
Final Thoughts
The healthcare industry as a whole has been rapidly changing and evolving, with new developments in technology and medical advances occurring constantly. With the implementation of nurse practitioner programs at university-level institutions across the country, there is an increased focus on continuing education for those already working in this field. As more people become aware of what it takes to be a nurse practitioner, we expect their career outlook to grow exponentially over the next few years.
Not only do you have opportunities for advancement yourself, but through your work, you can help others get back up on their feet too.
