AUTHOR: ARUN KUMAR RAJAMANI
DATED: SEPTEMBER 11, 2018. EDITED: 7/8/19
NURSE PRACTITIONER – DEFINITION, SALARY, ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN UNITED STATES
NURSE PRACTITIONER
Definition – Nurse Practitioner is very common term or name used in hospitals in western countries. Nurse Practitioner is about advanced nursing care who takes more responsibilities than registered nurses (or) they are mid level health practitioners between physician and registered nurses. Unlike Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner can carry out different task such as prescribe medication, examine patients, diagnose diseases and giving treatment for illness.
Nurse Practitioner is prestigious job role for nurses who wish to have more responsibilities for patient care than registered nurse (RN). Nurse practitioner is above the rank of registered nurse (RN). Nurse practitioner is very different from other nursing jobs because NP has equal role like doctor or physician. They helps to reduce work load of physician, so nurse practitioner can take control of patient care with little direction from physician.
ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES (APRNs)
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners also referred to as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Their primary role is to coordinate patient care and provide primary and specialty healthcare. The scope of practice will be varied according to countries and each country nursing practice varies state to state.
NURSING ASSISTANTS AND ORDERLIES
Nursing assistants are also called as Nursing Aides. They help to provide primary care for patients in hospitals and residents of long term care facilities e.g. nursing homes. Orderlies transport patient and clean treatment areas.
NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN UNITED STATES
In United States, the salary for different occupation is regulated by Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, APRNs which includes nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners need to possess Master degree in nursing. Median pay or salary for 2017 is $110,930 ($53.33 per hour) per year.
The number of jobs are available in the calendar year of 2016 is 203,800. Recent studies show that between 2016 to 2026, there is a need of 31% of APRNs which is higher than the average growth rate of other occupations in United States (7%). Nurses have good opportunities because demand for APRNs will increase year by year.
Nurse Practitioners Working Environment
APRNs can work in different healthcare settings such as hospitals, physician’s offices, and clinics. There is no part time job for APRNs, most APRNs work full time.
JOB PROFILE
Nurse practitioners (NPs) serve as primary and specialty care providers, delivering advanced nursing services to patients and their families. They assess patients, determine the best way to improve or manage a patient’s health, and discuss ways to integrate health promotion strategies into a patient’s life. Nurse practitioners typically care for a certain population of people. For instance, NPs may work in adult and geriatric health, pediatric health, or psychiatric and mental health.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES
1. Nurses diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team.
2. Nurse may focus on health promotion and disease prevention.
3. Nurses may order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and X-rays.
4. Nurses may prescribe medication.
QUALIFICATION TO BE NURSE PRACTITIONERS
Nurses must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.