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Nurse Practitioner Career Overview

The nurse practitioner provides medical care to patients in hospitals and other health care facilities. Nurse practitioners go through the training of nurses, usually in the form of a master, learning to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions. They are responsible for understanding the history of a patient, perform physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing physical therapy and more.

Five Steps for Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
• Step One: Earn a High School Diploma: One of the first nurse practitioner education requirements is to graduate from high school. This is a necessary step for students wishing to go on to nursing programs at accredited colleges and universities.
• Step Two: Earn a Nursing Degree: All nurse practitioners must first become registered nurses, and all registered nurses must graduate from nursing programs at accredited colleges and universities. Registered nurses can either receive an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree or a diploma in order to practice in the field.
• Step Three: Earn a Master’s Degree: In most all states, a master’s degree in nursing is a prerequisite for nurse practitioners. Such programs focus on one specialty of nursing, such as family practice, women’s health, children’s health or acute care.
• Step Four: Become a Licensed Nurse: All U.S. states require that nurse practitioners receive a license in order to practice nursing professionally in a hospital or healthcare facility. This involves passing the NCLEX-RN exam and renewing state licensure periodically.
• Step Five: Apply for Certification: After receiving state licensure, registered nurses should become certified by an organization such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.