Being a nurse is a profession that offers different job options to choose from. It is for this reason that many nurses are having difficulties figuring out what is the one that they should pick. If you or someone you know is in this position the following information will certainly be useful.
Some types of nursing jobs are Nurse Practitioner, Psych Nurse, Registered Nurse and Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
Nurse Practitioners (NP) are capable of diagnosing and controlling chronic illnesses by themselves or as members of health care teams. Their clinical and academic experience is what allows them to do this. In some states they can even prescribe medications. They often work alongside physicians.
Among their functions are counseling, disease prevention and the maintenance of health. Specialties like neonatology, pediatrics, home care and geriatrics employ Nurse Practitioners. They also need to have knowledge of pharmacology, and pathophysiology.
It is important to point out the fact that registered nurses who want to become nurse practitioners must have vast clinical experience. This experience is what makes them ready to apply for nurse practitioner programs.
Almost every Nurse Practitioner program is supervised by physicians or experienced nurse practitioners. These programs are dedicated to explain nurse theory. Most programs assure that Nurse practitioners need to have around 500 hours of supervised work with patients before doing this job.
According to the 2003 National Salary Survey of Nurse Practitioners their salaries have raised in the last 2 years.