Nurse practitioner (NP) is the fastest advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) role in the U.S. today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of APRNs (nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners) is projected to grow 31% from 2016 to 2026. However, employment for NPs as a separate group is projected to grow 36%, adding a notable 56,000 new jobs by 2026. Salaries are on the rise as well. In 2014, the average salary for NPs was $97,990. By 2016, salaries had increased to $104,610, with high performers earning $120,450-$140,930 or more.
To become a nurse practitioner, you will need to earn a nursing diploma, associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to become a registered nurse (RN). Upon completion of the program, you must pass the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain a license. Licensure is a requirement in all fifty states. Most newly licensed RNs pursuing the NP designation begin working in the field immediately while earning a master of science in nursing (MSN).
Though the most common form of entry-level education is a master’s degree, some NPs may choose to earn a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) or a doctor of philosophy in nursing (PhD). This opens the door to other top paying positions such as nurse executive, adult psychiatric–mental health nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse entrepreneur.
Most states recognize all of the APRN roles, so certification is required in the vast majority of states to use an APRN title. If you choose specialty such as adult psychiatric–mental health nurse practitioner or family nurse practitioner (FNP), additional certification will be required. Certification exams are administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
It’s time to take your career to the next level, so enroll in a nursing program today. We’ve compiled below a list of the best schools for nursing in Doral, Florida, to help you get started.